Showdown: Triumphant Battle

Aizen's eyes widened and narrowed the distance with Rashagul in an instant. Using both hands, he thrust out Dragon Breath quickly and precisely, coupled with a combination of footwork.

However, that didn't faze Rashagul. He instead remained relaxed and smiled while forming a seal with both of his hands.

"Exodus of Earth, Five Chains."

There were five blocks of dirt rising from the ground, about to ambush Aizen's movements. But that didn't work because Aizen moved nimbly.

"You're so slippery."

Rashagul continued to perform another magic seal with both hands, even though Aizen's thrust was heading toward him. But in contrast to his old, magic-wielding appearance, his movements to dodge Aizen's attacks were quite agile, like a trained knight.

Aizen was surprised. He could finally realize that Rashagul's Mana was quite thick even though it felt thin. Coupled with such agile movements, it seemed that getting Rashagul to submit to him would be difficult.

He took a few steps back after his attack was dodged. He changed his stance to use the Heavenly Thunder technique.

Rashagul kept his bright face with a big smile, and his second magic was ready after the magic seal was formed.

"Exodus of Earth, An Ancient Coffin."

Suddenly, the ground Aizen was standing on shook. And before he could react, a giant coffin appeared and devoured him into it.

"Hehe. Even if you know about the organization, I have no interest in bringing you up to the higher-ups. So, don't worry. You will become my plaything and blame fate for chasing me here."

Rashagul drew closer to the earthen coffin. But before actually getting in front of it, he stopped in his tracks and a dangerous instinct kicked in.

"Heavenly Thunder First Movement, Spear Arc!"

Rashagul had sweat dripping from his forehead and smiled wryly. For a moment, he felt that he was on the verge of death just now. He quickly jumped back and formed a magic seal. But the distance covered wasn't built up enough to make his life safe.

Kaboom!

The earthen coffin shattered into pieces along with the four breaths of Aizen within it. He didn't stop there and charged forward, closing the gap on Rashagul with five thrusts of Dragon Breath.

The successive attacks that landed simultaneously almost left Rashagul heavily injured. But fortunately, his magic seal finished in time, and he had an earthen shield for protection, though it slowed his movements.

Rashagul was spared the catastrophe. But both his shoulders and left abdomen had to be injured, and his skin was ripped apart by the attack. Blood was dripping from the three points.

Even so, there was not the slightest bit of worry or fear on his face. He still smiled sinisterly while holding his left stomach with his right hand.

"I'm a 1-Star Mage and trained in moves like a knight. Even so, I still get hurt by brats like you. Hahaha. Impressive.

"You will make a fine collectible in my stash."

Rashagul then took out a scroll from his sleeve. He held it with his left hand and made a magic seal with his right.

But Aizen didn't just let it be. He charged forward with Heavenly Thunder First Movement and launched several thrusts with the strength and speed of two arms.

Rashagul swiftly and agilely avoided the attacks even though he had to sacrifice his body, wounded and bleeding here and there. On the other hand, he continued to carry out the magic seal with his right hand and held the scroll in his left hand in such a complicated situation.

However, if it went on any longer, he would be the one who would be heavily injured and exhausted. Luckily, the magic he was about to use was ready.

"Exodus of Earth, Clay Creation."

Suddenly, a lump of earth rose to the surface and formed a creature. The shape was like a human without a face. There was a head without hair and two arms and two legs.

The creature quickly moved and parried all of Aizen's thrusts sent at Rashagul.

"Tsk!"

Aizen clicked his tongue and grumbled at not being able to get close to Rashagul again after the earth creature appeared. Apart from that, he also noticed that some parts of the creature's body were covered in sand.

"Hehe. You don't need to worry. You will also become like this creature as long as I can pull your heart in one piece." said Rashagul with his hideous smile, head tilting left and right.

Aizen didn't understand at first. But after observing the creature for a moment, he realized what it meant.

The earth creature in front of him was a Mana Puppet. It was a technique from the lost kingdom of alchemists. The concept was to take out a fresh heart and transfer it to a lump of clay with immense Mana. With that, the clay would become a living being after some time.

But those techniques were categorized as forbidden arts because the living things that were formed from them would be devoid of emotions and feelings. The creature also would not be able to form a human like the previous owner of the heart.

But some things make the technique dangerous. It was the ability to carry the ability of its owner.

That meant if the heart used was that of a 5-Star Arch Mage, then the Mana Puppet would also have that kind of power, even if the summoner was only an Apprentice Mage.

And the one in front of Aizen now had massive Mana. If he wasn't mistaken, the earth creature had Mana on par with a 1-Star Arch Mage.

It was a level that he was having a hard time fighting against currently. Indirectly, his task had increased in difficulty.

Aizen quickly decided to take off his four weights. It wasn't the time to train. The clues about the arms dealer were present before his eyes. An opportunity wouldn't come twice.

He moved faster than before and seemed free in maneuvers. Even Rashagul could not follow his movements.

But before the Dragon Breath thrust landed on Rashagul, the earth creature had already moved into action to protect its summoner. It created a multi-layered defensive wall because it realized that Aizen's attack power was stronger and faster than before.

Nonetheless, Aizen continued to move and attack so quickly that the distance between the previous and the next attack was only a fraction of a second. The destructive power of those thrusts was also more lethal and more powerful than usual.

And the ground creatures were still able to keep up with Aizen's new speed and movement. Countless bits of earth scattered on the ground and created a cloud of dust. The area around the dead-end alley shook. The walls and abandoned buildings around it also cracked.

Aizen's movement had become so expansive, encompassing 360 degrees. There was no hope of escape or dodging the rain of Dragon Breath thrusts, which pierced through the air like a bird of prey pecking its victim.

"Give up, brat. Even though you've gotten stronger and faster, my Mana Puppet isn't just any tool. It has proficiency in earth magic and its manifestations as well.

"Whatever your attacks and from which angle they come from, my toy will dispel it all. It's only a matter of time until you tire and will become my new collection."

Right. Aizen sensed the hardships he received during his relentless attacks. Blocks of the earth as a defensive wall dampen the full force of his spear thrust. And when he launched an unexpected attack, the lump of sand would quickly block and neutralize his aggression.

Besides that, he also had to get some wounds on his body, just like Rashagul at the beginning. The moment his attacks went all out, there was a thin sand that would reach out to him and launch a slash attack like a longsword.

'It can be sharp like wind magic and hard to break like water when defended. What a perfect technique for fighting with the advantages of offense and defense.'

Aizen was pushed back and sighed for a moment. However, he didn't give up. There was only one way to defeat Rashagul and the creature.

The downside of that technique.

"Heavenly Thunder Second Movement, Spear Rumble!"

Aizen then held the Dragon Breath with only one hand.

The first breath passed..., the second breath passed..., the third breath passed...,

Meanwhile, Rashagul noticed that with every breath Aizen took, his aura grew ominous. He immediately ordered his Mana Puppet to attack.

The earth creature immediately attacked with waves of sand that flowed like a sword that split the sky.

And as Aizen's fourth breath passed, the attack collided with his. With a fast thrust that didn't rely on the strength of two hands, he was able to launch dozens of attacks in just a short time and break the waves of sand.

Rashagul's creature didn't beat around the bush and went straight into defense mode after its attack failed.

Aizen rushed over using his left hand. "Nullifiers!" And the Rashagul creature's sand and earth block defense immediately collapsed and made a hole in the chest. He thrust Dragon Breath swiftly. And without hesitation, was also penetrated into Rashagul, who was behind it.

"T-This is not p-possible!"