“You’ve grown, Jared. Those twelve Familiars are quite strong! They’re individually stronger than the three thousand I’m currently using.”


    ‘This monster…’ I nearly coughed.


    Even if I pushed myself, I couldn’t use over a hundred at a time.


    Just how did Neron be this kind of person? Was he naturally inclined to Magic, or…?


    “Here Ie!”


    >WHOOOOOSSSHHH!!!<


    Once again, he vanished from his position and moved to my right nk. Unlikest time, however, I could see his movements.


    ‘A feint?’


    Using pure speed, I dodged his attack and swiftly changed positions.


    He chased me nearly immediately, devastating the area even more. At this point, there was no longer anything around us that was intact.


    ‘I would have used Teleportation, but that’s against the rules…’


    Using my 12 Wisps, I entered into Elemental Chamber, coating myself in 12 Distinct Elemental Properties.


    Other than the five basic ones I initially developed, additional attributes like metal, acid, ice, etc. Were implemented, granting me greater offensive capabilities.


    ‘Grand Harmonious Storm!’


    With a sleight of hand, I sent a mix of twelve attributes charging at Neron in a highly concentrated st.


    >BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<


    Once again, the entire area shook.


    ‘Now, I’m beginning to feel confined…’


    Neron easily passed through the attack —as his barrier was strong enough to protect him.


    I kept sending sts at him, and he returned the favor —cing us at a stalemate.


    ‘Haa… alright, this should be enough…’


    Neron seemed to share my thoughts, as he stopped his flurry of attacks and created some distance between us.


    Now a couple of meters from each other, we both smiled. Neither of us was spent.


    ‘I’ve exhausted myself a bit, but this guy doesn’t even seem tired at all…’


    His body fundamentally functioned in a way that ced it in a loop, allowing him to escape negative status conditions. However, since we agreed to discard the use of his Original Magic, that was probably not in effect.


    His current state could only be attributed to the fact that he was simply that strong. Battles of this level were not enough to tire him out.


    “Looks like you’re ready to begin for real? I want to see that new power that you have, Jared.” Neron retorted.


    “Oh? Why are you in a rush?” I smiled ruefully.


    “Well, I’m getting bored. Plus, we had better end this quickly, right?”


    Well, he wasn’t wrong.


    There were more important matters to address, after all.


    “You’re right. We better end this soon… for their sakes too…” I stated, looking at the ones who were watching the show.


    One nce at the audience was enough to tell me that they werepletely mesmerized and utterly broken by the brief exchange between my mentor and me.


    ‘Just how will they react to what’s toe?’


    “I’ll be getting a bit more serious now… so, let’s see what you’re going to do.”


    Neron’s tone was enough of a warning. He wasn’t joking at all.


    ‘Don’t tell me…!’


    The energy within him swelled, and I felt Neron’s Mana climb to an unbelievable state.


    I gulped unconsciously, feeling my body shiver. In my current state, I was not going to stand a chance.


    “That’s enough… you’ve all done well…”


    Instantly, all my Familiars retracted their abilities, leaving me bare.


    With my pping white cloak and my enchanted attire, I felt insurmountable pressure from my opponent. It was a familiar experience…


    His hair turned white, and lightning-like energy danced around him. In addition to his Grand Fusion, he was adding something equally dangerous. Just how unreasonable could he be?


    “Grand Fusion Mage Mode.”


    Something so absurd was manifesting before me.


    “Why don’t we end it with one final move?” He grinned, already raising his hand to gather an unbelievable amount of energy.


    “Sure… let’s do that.”


    ‘Just as expected…’


    Now that it hade to this, it was time to reveal my hand.


    “Kahn… let’s do this.”


    My Mana Cores —starting from my primary one —brimmed with energy, and I was coated with a phenomenal amount of power.


    Unlike previously, the nature of the energies that were surging from me was of two conflicting natures.


    Mana… and Miasma!


    ck shes of lightshed around, dancing with their white counterpart. At the center of these two opposites, I floated with absolute confidence.


    Kahn pumped out the Miasma locked within me, and I controlled the supply of my Mana, generating absolute equilibrium.


    “I’m not waiting for you!” Neron grinned, already done with his preparation.


    Sitting atop his palm was a massive ball that shone with multiple colors. It was coated with Neron’s white Mana, but the multiple attributes of his numerous familiars squirmed within the huge orb.


    It was as gigantic as a thousand human headsbined —brimming with enough power to easily destroy Ainrk Academy —and even beyond.


    ‘This guy… so that’s why he was against the ban of Peak-Level Magic…’


    Still, at this point, it was useless.


    “Take my Grand Nova!” Neron excitedly dered, sending the massive orb of destruction my way.


    My face was unfazed as I looked at the looming st.


    I was currently not using any Magic to enhance or defend myself —I couldn’t.


    While utilizing Spellcraft, Mana, and Miasma, to form something unique, I couldn’t activate any Magic myself —at least not at the moment.


    Why?


    “Won’t you defend yourself?” Neron asked with a bright grin.


    I was certain that this Spell of his would consume any barrier I wanted to throw at this juncture.


    Which was why… I wasn’t even interested in defense.


    ‘Neron… you’re curious about my newfound ability, right?’


    My eyes went in the direction of my watchers for onest time; observing their confused, fearful, and overwhelmed expressions.


    ‘I’m sure they’re all interested too…’


    Well, everyone had better keep their eyes peeled. After all, this was another example of how nothing was impossible.


    If Magic made anything possible, then anything that would be considered impossible was probably in a realm against Magic.


    There was only one word to describe such a concept.


    >VWUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMM!!!!<


    Instantly, the Grand Nova disappeared — turning into tiny particles of light, beforepletely vanishing.


    That wasn’t all that happened.


    Neron’s Mage Mode evaporated, and his Grand Fusion Form waspletely deactivated.


    All the Magic in the area —including the barrier that covered the ruined stage —shattered and was rendered null.


    This was something that could only be achieved by something of equal opposition to Magic.


    ‘You look surprised, Neron. Are you satisfied now? Did my show intrigue you?’ I grinned, watching Neron’s eyes bulge in surprise.


    It would be my first time seeing him so surprised… as well as intrigued.


    ‘It seems you understand it now.’


    The power I obtained from the sublime fusion of Mana and Miasma…


    … Anti-magic!