Protecting Till The End

"Chloe, make sure to boost my speed and heal me whenever you think you can." said Ray.

I had glanced at Reina for confirmation whether it is really to let him fight in the exhausted condition or not but Reina slightly nodded.

"U-Understood I will do it." I replied while I used my buff magic on Ray.

"And Reina, use your bubble beam towards the Giant Serpent quickly!"

"But it won't reach the serpent that easily I think."

"Don't worry, just do what I said and after that I will take care of it. Do this whenever I signal you Reina." He said.

Reina had nodded at what he spoke.

He implied that he may signal Reina to use her magic again and again depending on the situation.

"Ryuji, whenever you see opportunity or determine that I am going to attack them shoot your earth spikes with some more energy to imbalance the serpent's movements."

"Yes, understood!"

"Execute it now, Reina!" He exclaimed.

"Yes, here I go..."

She immediately sent the bubbles towards the direction of serpent and Ray had quickly jumped on with great force to go above the bubbles as he landed on the bubble but he had quickly switched through the bubbles as he went towards the direction of serpent. Then a huge force was put on the last bubble and Ray managed to land on the serpent.

"He did it!" said Kurt.

Giant Serpent was moving in such a way so that it could drive off Ray away from it's body but Ryuji's earth spikes hit the serpent on the right time to faze the movements of the serpent.

Ray had immediately, with my speed boost, used quick movements and made multiple fake projections of himself. They were not real but the speed was so insane that he made so many fake projections that came almost near the speed of light. I had sensed that he was using his technique since he put huge amount of magic energy into his movement speed, combining it with my own speed buff.

All fake projections surrounded the serpent in the mid-air as they rushed all at once towards the serpent and quickly slashed one time from every direction. The speed and the fake projections, magically enhanced, can easily multiply the pressure along with damage by consuming the magic energy a little bit more.

"Wow, look at the serpent! The attack made an huge impact!" exclaimed Kurt.

"Yes...it is." I agreed while was unable to believe what I just saw.

It was almost as if something had changed in Ray. I don't know what it was but it was confirmed that something made Ray even more strong. I had also felt the increase of the eerie sensation within Ray.

Reina had helped Ray with her bubbles to let him land on the surface safely.

"Use your magic again Reina! And Chloe, keep up with your magic to maintain my speed!" He exclaimed.

"Yes!" Reina and me both replied at the same time.

Reina used her magic again as Ray jumped on the bubbles to reach the serpent. Just as the Giant Serpent was going to use the dragon breathe again, it was interrupted again by the earth spikes.

"It's amazing, Ray is too strong..." said Elena.

"Yes, he is the guildmaster after all..." replied Voila while she looked at Ray.

Ray had jumped and consumed more of his magic energy despite he was reaching his limits, he had produced the fake projections yet again and sliced the serpent in many directions. The serpent was not cut down into pieces or something but it was groaning in pain as we also witnessed too many injuries on the body of it.

Ray landed on the ground again as he felt intense exhaustion.

"Ray, I think it's okay now. We will-"

"Not yet....*Huff*...*Huff*..... It's not over yet. I *Huff* *Huff* will do this again and *Huff* this will be last time. So let me do it once more or else we will be in trouble."

I was interrupted by Ray's words.

"Ray, just stop it! At this rate you will get more serious injuries due to the consumption of every last bit of magic energy!" I exclaimed

"Shut up Chloe and boost my speed....*Huff*..."

"Why are you so reluctant Ray!? What happened to you, you are acting indifferently again. What is bothering you? I have noticed something since this morning." I asked him with a slight anger as I was concerned about his his health and him.

He pointed out to the serpent and-

"It will use it's dragon breathe again and we will all die at this rate. Besides..."

"Besides?" I asked him.

"Just let me do it one more time, it will be fine. I won't do it next time even if the serpent survive my attack because I think you can take care of it after this last attack of mine. Let me do it and I will try not to consume every last bit of my magic energy."

"....."

"Let him do it Chloe..."

"But his condition!" I exclaimed when Reina suggested me to stop pursuing Ray.

"Believe him..." She looked concerned as well but then I realised that I should probably trust Ray.

"Okay, I am sorry Ray. I trust you but please don't overdo it..." I said.

"I apologise too, I will try not to waste my magic energy like that. It seems like I was fired up a little bit."

"Ray, this is last time I am doing it." said Reina as she understood that letting Ray do the same thing will badly injure himself.

"Alright....."

"I hope Ray doesn't get in a bad shape after this..." said Elena.

Voila and Ryuji also showed a little concern but they had no choice but to trust Ray this time.

Ray took the support of bubbles made by Reina and Ryuji attacked the serpent to disrupt the movement of it. Ray had used another attack and slashed the serpent with multiple fake projections however-

"Ray!"

"...Damn it!....ugh!"

The serpent was injured even more but this time the serpent also had attacked Ray with it's tail, thrusting violently with enhanced magic attack in it. Ray fall down at a very high speed and collapsed on the ground. The serpent had also fall down and collapsed on the ground and it was lifeless now.

"It is dead!" exclaimed Kurt.

"Ray!" I exclaimed when as I ignored the dead serpent and immediately rushed towards him.

Everyone rushed towards Ray as well, he was badly hurt.

"Let me heal you! My healing magic is not around the level of Elena but it is above average." I spoke as I started healing him.

"Thanks Chloe."

"Don't talk much Ray or else your physical stamina will not be regained quickly."

"*Huff* *Huff*....about serpent?" He asked.

"You did a great job Ray, it is defeated now thanks to you!" Elena appreciated Ray's efforts

"But please don't overdo things like that again..." she continued as she was not pleased by the fact that Ray had taken some risks.

"I won't..."

"You should or I will have to force you to stop doing reckless things myself." said Reina in an irritating manner while showing her concerns as well.

"But we have finally won now, don't you think you should all be happy about it." said Ray.

"Well, yeah...now that you mention it.." Voila spoke as she stared at the serpent.

"I am glad we are all safe and sound." said Ryuji.

"Now all we need to do is take the White Tear." remarked Kurt.

"Yes, but let's take a quick rest as I heal Ray. It will consume more magic energy but it will atleast help Ray to move around."I said.

"But I can't guarantee full heal, you need to hold back Ray and when we get to the village, you will have to rest." I continued.

"Yes... it's really exhausting." He replied.

"But you did it yourself... You deserve it on second thought." Reina stared at Ray while she gave a sidelong glance with a little irritating manner.

"Haha, I guess..."

After sometime, Ray was recovered, not fully, to atleast move around. His stamina seemed to be recovered a little as well. He is physically more healthy and that's why his physical stamina regained quickly, not completely but at a decent level.

Everyone had also recovered recovered a little and we decided to recover ourselves when we get back to Kraken village.

"Let's go now and take the White Tear." I said.

"Yes." replied Reina.

"We faced some troublesome situations but it is about time to get the White Tear now!" exclaimed Kurt.

I saw Elena as her expression showed a little stern look but she was trying to hide it. However, I had already got information from her parents. I won't allow Elena to achieve her goal. I will stop her and let her parents take care of the situation.

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To be continued...