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"ONE DOWN!" Sekke yelled cheerfully, stretching his shoulders.
"Wasn't he supposed to be rusty?!" shouted Luck, grinning even as lightning crackled around him.
"Rusty my ass," muttered Jack, his body sharpening into blades. "This kid's magic feels heavier than before."
"I don't know what just happened or what that giant golden man was, but how did Sekke get so strong?!" asked Asta, wide-eyed.
"Aww~ scared already?" teased Sekke with a mocking grin.
[Flame Spirt Magic: Salamander's Breath]
The fire spirit, clearly unwilling to fight the Mana King, was forced into battle by its dumb host, Fuegoleon, who launched a massive sea of flames.The heat was intense — far stronger than Sekke remembered — engulfing everything around him.
"Did you get him?"
"It shoul-" Fuegoloeon starte but recognized the voice that came from beside him and turned around only to find the Dark Lord smiling at him.
[Fla-]
[Sun Spirit Magic: Scorching Fist of Justice]
Mana gathered over Sekke's arm, forming a massive flaming fist. He swung it forward, sending both the Salamander and its host flying.
"Elder Brother!!!" yelled Leopold.
Sekke turned toward the younger Vermillion, waiting to see what he'd do next.
Runes of flame magic formed around Leopold's arm.
Sekke narrowed his eyes. He hadn't seen that before, but one glance told him exactly what it was.
[True Flame Magic: Profound Spiral Flame]
A huge swirl of fire roared toward Sekke — yet he didn't move.
[Sun Spirit Magic: Divine Heat Blast]
A ray of pure sunlight erupted from his hand, disintegrating the flaming spell instantly and nullifying the mana method arrays powering it.
Leopold's eyes widened in disbelief.
Sekke smirked, a small sun forming on his fingertip, which he flicked toward Leopold.
[Sun Spirit Magic: Mini Explo Sun]
As the name suggested, the miniature sun exploded right before Leopold's eyes, unleashing a blast of blinding heat and concussive force that sent him flying.
"Man... I never realized how much I missed overpowering people in a fight," Sekke said with a chuckle, stepping aside to dodge the incoming strike from the Praying Mantis Captain.
[Slash Magic: Death Scythe]
Seeing his attack dodged, Jack stopped mid-motion, glaring at Sekke — who only smirked back mockingly.
[Slash Magic: Death Scythe – Lunatic Slash]
Jack spun wildly, blades cutting through everything around him.Sekke, however, stayed calm. His enhanced ki sensing, monstrous strength, and reflexes — further boosted by Exodia — allowed him to dodge every attack effortlessly before countering with a kick.
[Slash Magic: Severing Scythe]
Jack smirked, forming a blade where Sekke's kick landed, slicing off Sekke's leg before being sent flying by the force of the hit.
Sekke glanced at his missing limb, unimpressed, as his grimoire flipped open.
[Bronze Magic: Bronze Body – Logia]
In an instant, his leg reformed — good as new.
"Sekke!!!!" yelled Mereoleona charging at him with full speed her grimoire already flipping and a large amount of mana gathering in her body.
[Flame Magic: Hellfire Incarnate]
She landed before Sekke, her body entirely cloaked in flames.
"You've mastered your flame magic quite well — your body itself is turning into mana," said Sekke, impressed.
"Heh! Got some inspiration from your body transformation spell. The one you just used," she replied with a feral grin.
"Shall we?" she asked, crouching low like a predator.
"Mereoleona-sama, I will hel—" Anna began, stepping forward.
"Stand aside!!!" roared Mereoleona, eyes burning with excitement. "I'm having my promised duel one way or another!!!"
Sekke smirked and gestured for her to come at him.
"HAHAHA!!! I'M GOING TO ENJOY KILLING YOU!!!" she bellowed, flames roaring around her.
"Try as much as you'd like," Sekke replied coolly.
[Mana Zone: Calidus Brachium Purgatory]
Blue fire erupted from the surroundings, launching toward Sekke with terrifying force.
[Sun Spirit Magic: Corona Burst]
A golden-white explosion of divine heat burst from Sekke's body, incinerating Mereoleona's flames in an instant.She leaped back, gritting her teeth, barely avoiding the radiant inferno.
"Throwing out Mana Zone so soon? Maybe I should do it too. Mereoleona-san! Pick a number — one to three," said Sekke casually.
Her grin widened. "How about all three?"
"I knew you'd pick that. I like your guts." Sekke's smirk deepened.
[Mana Zone]
The entire battlefield trembled as Sekke's mana spread, overwhelming everyone except Asta, who can't feel magic.
"Oi, dumbass!! Sisgoleon!! Why are you pulling us in too?!" complained Yami.
"This is insane!!! I wanna jump right in!!!" shouted Luck, lightning flaring uncontrollably.
"What's with this ki?! What the hell is he doing?" yelled Asta, pulling out all his swords.
"Everyone, defensive spells — now!" ordered William, his grimoire already flipping.
One by one, massive defensive spells bloomed:
[World Tree Magic: Magic Tree Descent]
[Mana Zone: Black Moon]
[True Water Creating Magic: Sea Dragon's Cradle]
[Wind Spirt Magic: Tempest Wall]
[Mercury Magic: Silver Barrier]
[True Briar Magic: Red and Blue Braid Garden]
[True Picture Mafic: Mother Earth's Protective Embrace]
All those who had a defensive spell on them used it immediately on command.
Sekke and Mereoleona stood still, their standoff crackling with power.Then, the sky turned dark — covered in glowing skulls.
[Mana Zone: Unlimited Bronze Works – Gaster Circus]
Dozens, hundreds, thousands of gaster blasters appeared in the sky, each stronger than ever before.
[Mana Zone: Law Magic – Dark Lord's Rule]
One by one, every defensive spell flickered… then vanished, leaving everyone defenseless.
"Don't worry, I didn't forget about you," Sekke said cheerfully.
"Forget us! Forget us immediately!!!" yelled Asta in panic.
"You just had to provoke him, didn't you, braided bangs…" muttered Yami, glaring at Nozel.
"…," was all Nozel could manage, silently cursing his past self.
"And now, for the grand finale — a third Mana Zone!" declared Sekke theatrically.
"Sisgoleon why are you not attacking him?!?! Do you want us to die?" asked Yami.
"Die then. I'm facing him at full power!" Mereoleona retorted, crossing her arms.
Sekke smiled. "You'll regret that later."
[Mana Zone: Million Mini Explo Suns]
The battlefield lit up — tiny suns filled the air, each radiating unbearable heat.
"…We're dead," muttered Rill.
"Oi dumbass!! If I die, you won't get your money from me!" shouted Yami.
"…ALRIGHT!!! IF THEY WON'T STOP, THEN I'LL BREAK MY LIMITS RIGHT NOW!!!" yelled Asta.
"You'll break before your limits," said Yuno flatly, already in Spirit Dive.Inside him, Bell panicked, screaming that she told him not to join this one.
Dorothy though, kept her eyes wide opened, sweat trickling down her forehead.
"My other half… I won't get my chance if this keeps up," muttered Vritra.
"Sorry, buddy — tough luck," said Sekke, activating every single blaster and sun at once.
The world turned white.Then — BOOM.
The explosion vanished in a soft pink glow.
Sekke turned to Dorothy and grinned. "Nice!" he said, giving her a thumbs-up.
"Ha… Ha… Ha…" Dorothy wheezed, collapsing.Her spell had diverted the explosion to the dream world, but the mana cost was immense. She fell unconscious.
"Time!" said Sekke, instantly teleporting to her, gently carrying her to Julius and the others."Let her rest. She earned it."
Then he turned back toward the battlefield, smiling."All right — first act done. Now the ugly part begins!"
"…That was the non-ugly part?" muttered Fuegoleon.
"Vritra, buddy, ready?" asked Sekke.
The dragon didn't answer — just smirked.
The golden glow vanished.The captains tensed.
"Oi Sekke!! Don't tell me you're holding back now?!" shouted Mereoleona, furious.
"Oh, don't worry. You'll still get plenty of ouchies," Sekke said as his Sacred Gear manifested.
[Prison Dragon's Balance Breaker: Vritra Asura Promotion]
Ominous mana flooded the area. Even Yami's cigarette went out.
"What the hell is that?" Asta yelled, eyes widening at the sight of a fully armored, scale-mailed Sekke standing tall amidst the smoke.
"Enough talking, Asta," said Sekke, voice calm but sharp. "You haven't even landed a single hit today. I'm getting disappointed."
"…I say we all attack together," suggested Charlotte, narrowing her eyes. What began as a playful spar to humble the new Grand Magic Knight had now turned into a matter of both survival and pride. Losing alone was one thing — but losing together to one man was unacceptable.
"Agreed," Yami grunted."I second that," added William."Alright everyone! Let's kick his ass!" roared Asta, his energy infectious.
Mereoleona snorted, cracking her knuckles. "Whatever. I'll fight him alone later."
Before anyone could move, a sea of black flames erupted, scorching the battlefield.
[Flame Spirit Magic: Salamander's Breath]
[Mana Zone: Hell's Domain]
[True Flame Magic: Profound Spiral Flames]
[True Flame Magic: Phoenix Rise]
All four Crimson Lion mages unleashed their spells at once. The combined inferno clashed with Sekke's flames—but was instantly overpowered, forcing them to leap aside before being engulfed.
Asta, Yami, Luck, Yuno, Jack, and Mereoleona all locked onto Sekke's ki signature. They dashed forward, deciding to close the distance—if wide-range attacks failed, close-quarters might work.
Asta entered Black Form, his Demon-Slayer sword expanding into a massive dark blade.Luck surged ahead, lightning crackling around him.
[True Lightning Magic: Thunder Fiend] + [True Lightning Magic: Thunderbeast Claw]
"For our first fight in a long time—TAKE THIS, SEKKE!" Luck shouted, his grin feral.
"Oh! I like the spirit!" Sekke yelled back, his hand igniting with black flame.
Their fists met. The explosion shook the ground—but Luck was sent flying, coughing blood.
From the smoke, Asta's giant blade came swinging down.
Sekke's shadow extended, merging with the blade's shadow—stopping it cold.
"Huh?!" Asta blinked."You just gave me a huge target," Sekke said, appearing beside him. "Like hell I can't stop it."
"Demon Destroyer! Demon Dweller!" Asta shouted, his other swords flying in.
"You can control them remotely now? Nice trick," Sekke mused.
"Hehe! That's not all!" Asta slashed again, sending an Anti-Magic wave that hit Sekke dead-on—only for it to do nothing.
"It's a good trick," Sekke said, brushing off smoke. "Doesn't work on me, though."
"What the hell is that armor?" Asta demanded.
Sekke smirked. "You guys have gotten stronger. It's just that… I've gotten unfair."
[Wind Spirit Magic: Spirit of Zephyr]
"ASTA!" Yuno shouted, charging with his wind-forged sword.
"YUNO!" Asta yelled back, and both launched in unison.
Sekke tilted his head, amused. "A power-of-friendship attack? Cute."
Two absorption lines shot from his armor, grabbing both and slamming them into the ground before tossing them aside like dolls. "Nice effort," he said with a wink.
[Slash Magic: Death Scythe-Lunatic Slash]
[Mana Zone: Hellfire Barrage]
[Mana Zone: Dark Cloaked Dimension Slash- Equinox]
The three captains launched their strongest attacks at Sekke without a second thought.
Sekke exhaled. "Dodging's easy… but where's the fun in that?"
A dark barrier rose, absorbing their spells and converting them into black flame. Only Yami's space-cutting slash continued forward.
"Heh," Yami smirked. "Take this, dumbass. You're not the only one who broke his limits."
[Mana Zone: Black Moon]
A dark moon formed overhead—its shadow erasing Sekke's barrier.
"Oh? Now that's new." Sekke grinned and called out, "Extase-chan!"
The sword manifested in his hand and with just a little bit of added mana, he slashed back at the space cutting attack.
[Extase: Space Cutter]
[Extase Magic Cutter]
The twin slashes shredded Yami's spells instantly.
However, while he was focusing on Yami, Mereoleona and Jack got close to him.....too bad for them.
He smashed a flaming fist into Jack's face, breaking his nose in the process and sending him crashing through the boulders.
Mereoleona swung in fiery rage—but Sekke's tendrils wrapped around her, binding her.
Her mana form flickered—Hellfire Incarnate canceled instantly. Sekke released her, then axe-kicked her aside before turning to Yami.
"Phew...you really spent six years in that place huh..." muttered Yami.
They spent six months training, while the kid got six years of training. The results spoke for itself that what Sekke told them was the truth.
"Yeah, I will show you that place around once you die." said Sekke in amusement.
"You won't be able to, the moment I die, I will make sure to bring you with me." replied Yami focusing intetly at his ki.
The moment Sekke got close to his range he drew his sword.
[Dark Magic: Dark Cloaked Iai Slash]
In a swift motion the sword launched towards Sekke slashing his armor with full force...only for it to just bounce right off it.
Sekke and Yami stood still both looking at the spot where the blade hit the armor.
"Did you not use the space cutting feature?" asked Sekke checking if the attack caused somthing.
"No. Just what the hell is this armor made of?" asked Yami checking the armor himself. His attack actually did nothing to the armor.
The two stared at each other not knowing what to say.
"Well, should I attack now?" asked Sekke.
"You want to attack your captain? Damn, how did your mom and dad raised you?" asked Yami standing straight, lighting up a cigarette.
"With love and care. Now any last words." asked Sekke ready to punch Yami in the face.
Yami sheathed his sword, sighed, and raised both hands. "Yeah. I give up."
"...Huh?"
"If I surrender, you can't punch me. I saw what you did to that beanpole's face. I like my nose where it is."
Sekke blinked. "You seen your face?"
"…What did you say, punk?!" Yami snapped, gripping his sword.
Sekke raised a flaming fist, and Yami immediately dropped it again. "Right. Smart choice."
Then a torrent of spells converged on them from all directions—
[True Fire Magic: Million Clovers of Destruction]
[Flame Magic: Salamander's Annhilation Breath]
[World Tree Magic: Descent of the World Tree]
[Wind Spirit Magic: Spirit Storm Maximum]
[True Water Magic: Sea Dragon's Crushing Roar]
[True Picture Magic: Whimsical God's Judgement]
[True Briar Magic: Scarlet-Braided Beautiful Battle Spear]
[Mercury Magic: Shining Silver Coffin]
[Vortex Magic: Helical Disaster]
Surrounded from all side Sekke and Yami looked at the incoming attacks.
Yami looked at Sekke and asked, "So you have something to handle this or are we going to that place you mentioned earlier after we die."
"Don't worry you have a long life ahead of you. Just trust in the Dark Lord." replied Sekke.
Mana pressure once again descended upon them making the incoming attack spells flicker in repsonse.
[Mana Zone: Vritra's Prison Domian]
The entire field got covered in shadowy snakes as the surroundings started to get darker.
Shadowy serpents erupted from the ground as the sky darkened. A colossal silhouette of Vritra appeared above them, its mere gaze crushing everyone under its weight.
Every incoming spell disintegrated into nothingness.
Yami stared in disbelief. "Are you sure you're human?"
"Wanna ask him yourself?" Sekke pointed upward.
Vritra turned and smirked."…Nah, I'm good," Yami muttered.
"So should I attack or are you guys surrendering?" asked Sekke. He could attack them but that would be too much at this point when they don't have Dorothy on their side.
The captains exchanged looks. William sighed. "…We surrender."
Asta and Yuno looked conflicted. Mereoleona glared but remembered his earlier promise of a private fight. They all eventually lowered their arms.
Sekke smiled, deactivating his armor and mana zone.
He stretched, rolling his shoulders. "Man, being this awesome is exhausting."
Asta, Luck, Noelle, and Yami rushed him at once—some in awe, some in complaint, and Yami just wanting to flick his forehead.
The warm up was over.The Dark Lord had won.