Asta gulped; he seemed to guess what Drake and Mereoleona meant by training.
Yami, smoking his cigarette, said, "No way! That kid's fighting that violent lioness?"
Despite his calm demeanor, Yami was surprised. Having been trained by Mereoleona, he knew how formidable she was. He couldn't believe Drake considered fighting her training.
"Mereoleona-sama, please teach me!" Drake said seriously.
To everyone's astonishment, they clashed.
"Kid, you talk too much!"
Mereoleona, without greeting, punched Drake. Drake blocked with crossed arms and countered with a kick.
Mereoleona blocked the kick, but a massive explosion of flames erupted, sending lava flying.
They continued to clash, their attacks earth-shattering.
They were serious!
Everyone felt it; their "training" was a merciless fight; every move aimed to defeat the other.
"Fire Magic: Calidus Brachium!"
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
After several exchanges, they both used magic. Their magic-infused fists collided, creating a massive explosion.
Mereoleona leaped to another rock; Drake did the same. She smiled. "Not bad! You've gotten stronger."
Drake smiled back. "Of course! To make you enjoy yourself!"
"You're getting talkative, but that's not enough to satisfy me!" Mereoleona grinned, her tone still fierce.
They vanished and reappeared above the lava lake, their clash sending lava flying, revealing the rock below.
Asta said, dumbfounded, "Did Drake provoke the Crimson Lion new Captain? Why are they fighting like this?"
Yami slapped Asta's head. "Idiot! Didn't you see them smiling?"
Asta looked; they were both smiling.
Yami put his cigarette in his mouth. "Watch closely! Mereoleona and Drake are stronger than you imagine. Watch their battle. Damn it, Mereoleona is one thing, but when did that kid get so strong?!"
Drake and Mereoleona continued their exchange. Mereoleona took a punch, countering with an equally powerful blow.
"What? You said you had new techniques. Show me!"
Drake spat out blood. "Then I won't hold back!"
Drake activated Dragon Blood Mode, attacking with incredible speed.
"Now that's more like it!" Mereoleona was even more excited.
Mereoleona spun and punched; Drake was right in front of her. Mereoleona was strong; her refined magic power and Flame Magic were unmatched, but her reaction speed was even more impressive.
It surpassed even the fully awakened Vetto, who possessed dozens of times the reaction speed of a human.
Even Drake, in Dragon Blood Mode, couldn't match her speed; his movement was anticipated.
"Fire Magic: Calidus Brachium!"
Mereoleona's hands were engulfed in flames; her left fist blocked Drake's attack; her right unleashed a fiery lion's claw.
Drake dodged.
Asta said, puzzled, "Drake… dodged? But he can absorb flame magic?"
Yami said, "He dodged because he can't absorb it!"
Yami was right; Drake couldn't absorb Mereoleona's flames. Ordinary mages' flames were like water to Drake; he could absorb them easily. Strong mages' flames were like jelly; they were slightly chewy but manageable.
But Mereoleona's flames were like steel; Drake couldn't absorb them. Drake, who'd mastered Dragon Slayer Magic, felt the pain of burns.
Dodging the claw, Drake continued his assault. Mereoleona blocked with Burning Wrist.
"That's not enough to satisfy me!"
Mereoleona roared, punching Drake, sending him spinning into a rock wall.
Coughing, Drake stood before Mereoleona. Deactivating Dragon Blood Mode, he said, "I can't hold back against Big Sis; here's my strongest technique!"
Mereoleona laughed. "Stronger? Wonderful! I won't hold back either! Bring it on!"
"Mana Zone!" x2
They both unleashed their Mana Zone, clashing in the air.
Salamander flew from Drake's grimoire.
"That's…?" Yami exclaimed. "Salamander chose Drake!"
Asta looked at the wind spirit on Yuno's shoulder, envious.
Yuno was also unsettled; he knew the power of spirit magic. Of the four elemental spirits, Salamander couldn't communicate like Sylph and Wendy, but its destructive power was the strongest.
Drake, already strong, gained Salamander's magic.
Salamander, nourished by Drake's magic power, had matured beyond its infancy. Perhaps influenced by Drake's Dragon Force, Salamander resembled Igneel.
Drake said, "I'll call you Fal (fire). Let's go!"
Drake's Dragon's Nest and Mereoleona's Mana Zone overlapped; Drake was surprised that Mereoleona had taken some control of the mana.
"The undefeated lioness stole the prey from the dragon!"
Drake realized there were no absolute techniques; it depended on the user's strength.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
"Fire Dragon Brilliant Flame!"
Drake launched his strongest attack; Fal launched its attack from above. The combined attack surged towards Mereoleona.
"Mana Zone: Calidus Brachium Barrage!"
Mereoleona didn't retreat or dodge; she attacked. Countless fiery lion claws collided with the fire pillar.
Mereoleona's flames could burn even flames; her claws withstood the pillar.
Even Drake couldn't maintain this intensity; the pillar stopped. Mereoleona, exhausted, wiped her sweat. "You're strong, kid. Let's continue!"
Drake, breathless, smiled wryly. He'd used everything; he'd be defeated.
The flames reignited. "But I won't give up! I'll push my limits here!"
Leo reached the summit and saw his sister satisfied, Drake lying on the ground like a dead dog.
(To be continued)
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