Luck, now equipped with armguards, wasn't merely enhanced; he was significantly strengthened. Drake even sensed a partial magical transformation of Luck's body.
Luck unleashed a chaotic network of lightning, aggressively attacking Lotus and seemingly overpowering him. However, each attack only dispersed the smoke, never hitting Lotus.
Lotus's smoke magic seemed to obscure or distort perception, allowing him to move quickly within the smoke, making him virtually impossible to hit.
Despite his rage, Luck maintained his battle acumen. He realized he needed to dispel the smoke.
"Thunder Magic: Swift Thunder's Shattering Orb!"
Luck hurled a thunder orb; the air crackled with ozone, dispersing some of the smoke.
"Got you!"
Targeting the revealed Lotus, Luck lunged with his lightning-enhanced claws.
"You can move freely with a burst of magic power, but you haven't broken free of my magic!"
Lotus was initially surprised by Luck's enhanced speed and perception, but he soon relaxed. Luck hadn't escaped the magic's effects, creating an opening.
Luck thought he'd caught his prey, but he'd fallen into a trap.
"Smoke Creation Magic: Smoke-Binding Cross Prison!"
Solid smoke enveloped Luck, forming a giant cross.
"I caught him, but this is exhausting! If that young man had surrendered, I'd be grateful!"
A gust of wind, followed by scorching heat, ruffled Lotus's clothes. Flames erupted, striking the smoke cross. Luck, cooperating, burst free.
Luck looked at Drake. "To defeat him, I must keep winning!"
Drake smiled. "Luck-senpai, that's selfish! Such a good opponent can't be yours alone! We're partners; let me join the fun!"
Luck's twisted smile softened. "Yeah! Winning together is fun!"
Drake couldn't read Luck's mind, but he sensed a change in his demeanor, which was enough.
"Fighting with Luck-senpai, I'm fired up!" Drake's fists collided, flames igniting.
They charged at Lotus, becoming streaks of fire and lightning.
"Not good!" Lotus opened his Grimoire, his expression serious. "I'll have to get serious."
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Drake's flames collided with the smoke, scattering. Luck's lightning claws were also blocked.
They became serious. No longer needing to conserve magic power, Lotus released a massive amount of smoke, filling the space.
"Smoke Creation Magic: Degenerate King's Smoke Prison!"
Lotus's strength lay in manipulating the environment. In this smoke, he could sense his enemies' movements and move freely, ensuring victory. His enemies would get lost and suffocate.
This was a truly hellish magic.
Drake didn't remember how Asta defeated Lotus in the original timeline; Asta's lack of magic power had caught Lotus off guard. Drake couldn't replicate that.
"Luck-senpai! Can you go faster?" Drake asked, almost taunting.
Luck smiled. "Of course!"
They moved simultaneously.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
Drake unleashed a fiery pillar, churning the smoke. He aimed at Lotus's location, but he'd already moved. Drake redirected the pillar, disrupting the smoke.
"Amazing! Amazing!" Luck exclaimed, still his usual self despite his change of heart.
"My turn!" Luck became a streak of lightning, circling the fire pillar.
The smoke was magically created and could be disrupted by magic. Drake's magic created an opportunity for Luck to find Lotus.
This opportunity was fleeting; Luck had to be faster than Lotus's reaction time.
He succeeded; a piece of clothing with bloodstains fell.
Lotus touched his wound. "Young people are terrifying! What have you done to a frail old man like me?"
Smoke enveloped him again.
"Damn it! Too slow!" Luck grumbled; he'd almost pierced Lotus's chest.
"Drake, again! I'll be faster!"
Drake nodded, preparing his magic, when the smoke churned. Drake's flames flickered, threatening to extinguish.
Luck stopped, bending uncontrollably, gasping for air. Drake felt his breathing becoming difficult.
"He's not easy," Drake said; this reaction meant Lotus had increased his magic power output.
Drake doubted he could cast a powerful spell, and Luck couldn't guarantee sufficient speed.
Drake saw Luck's gaze.
"Amazing! You've surpassed your limits!"
Flames erupted, burning the smoke a beautiful orange.
"I can't control the power of this next attack. Don't blame me if you die!" Drake shouted.
Lotus sneered. Even a powerful attack wouldn't work if it missed. He was confident he could evade it.
"Dragon Slayer Secret Art: Crimson Blazing Inferno Blade!"
Drake was engulfed in flames; a giant vortex of fire swept forward.
Unlike normal Dragon Slayer magic, this completely incinerated the smoke.
"Impossible! What magic is that?!"
Lotus dodged, but half his body was exposed. He could return to the smoke in a heartbeat.
But in that instant, Luck kicked him in the stomach.
Lotus was shocked, not because of Drake but Luck. He couldn't understand how Luck had bypassed his perception and maintained speed despite the lack of oxygen.
Drake would have explained: Drake's sudden burst of magic power, coupled with Luck's simultaneous reduction in magic power, had masked their presence. Luck's speed was due to his willpower.
Drake's trust in Luck secured their victory.
__________________
for more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.