Spellcraft was everything in the utilization of [Degradation].
Once I released my energy into the energy-rich environment, thanks to the S Bomb I had disengaged previously, I caused all of that energy to flow around my opponent, preparing for the next phase.
The next thing I did was to use [Unknowable] to mask the effects of the surrounding as it transformed into a Spell.
I wasn't sure how minute a Spell had to be for it not to be detected since my previous interactions with it hadn't given me enough data to make a perfect estimate.
My [Absolute Suspension] delved into the realm of concept manipulation, and law control, which were generally invisible to the eyes.
As for Spellcraft, since it was a technique, it could be that the enemy didn't register it as a Spell that required copying. As a result, now that I was going to use Spellcraft to make a Spell, it was possible that my opponent would sense it and copy it.
If that happened, it would prove more difficult to take the target down.
Fortunately, I had [Unknowable].
Using [Unknowable] in conjuction with Spellcaft, I activated the Area-Of-Effect Spell I called [Degradation].
In simple terms, the Spell caused an inevitable breakdown in energy, and it could continue this process in a loop until said energy had reached its smallest unit.
Spellcraft allowed me to improve its range so it covered the vicinity of the enemy, and using [Unknowable], it didn't suspect anything until my Spell began to take effect.
The first thing I got out of the way was the S Bomb it had generated. Once it got degraded, I absorbed the energy into the currently working model of Spellcraft, thus improving the power of the Spell.
Once that was done, only one thing was left.
'If it splits itself into smaller bits, it'll make the proces faster for me. Also, I have used [Absolute Suspension] to ensure it doesn't teleport away from the Spell.'
All paths of escape had been shut off, and if it tried to run away, it would be met by a force field I had erected around the area.
"No matter what you do… I will win."
I suppose this was inevitable from the start. No matter how much potential it had, this being was too outclassed when facing me.
'It's too weak.'
*******
Once [Degradation] ran its complete course, the enemy was now nothing more than several invisible particles of nearly imperceptible energy.
Of course, as someone who had been working with energy manipulation since he was one week old, I was skilled enough to detect and manipulate said energy around me.
'Now that it has been broken down to this extent, I'll store it with this…" In a flash, I reached into my pocket dimension and brought out an artificial Aether Core.
Or rather, the container for one.
It was currently empty, so by storing the blue guy's energy here, I could leave it untainted for the most part.
"Alright then… let us begin."
Using Spellcraft to direct all the energy belonging to the blue entity, I pulled everything into the Aether Core, ensuring I didn't leave even a particle behind.
Once I was done, the air turned stale once more.
… At least, that was what was supposed to happen.
~VWUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMM!!!~
The Aether Core in my grasp suddenly began to hum and warble.
"What is…"
The thing suddenly started shaking, almost as if there was something inside attempting to get out.
'That should be impossible. The state of its energy should be in utter pieces. Unless they combine, which I have ensured won't happen as a result of [Degradation], there should be no will displayed.'
As I had this thought, trying to understand what was happening, the Aether Core suddenly vanished from my grasp.
"W-what?!"
Instead, it appeared in the air in front of me, still warbling and trembling as if something within it was trying to be free.
"If it hasn't been extinguished after that, then I'll just have to get serious…" Narrowing my gaze, I prepared myself for even more of a challenge.
However…
~FSHWUUUUUUU!~
The Aether Core slowly began to contract, as if trying to squeeze itself together. It looked like a bubble without form, attempting to become something it was not.
'Is it trying to return to its previous state?' I wondered
But no… that wasn't it.
It was far from what I had imagined.
It was…
~SHIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGG!~
The light that flashed from the orb enveloped the area, but I kept watching as the final phase of the core's transformation was completed.
No longer was it an Aether Core, or a spherical mass of energy. It wasn't even a humanoid energy entity.
The new form of the energy was none other than a card—something resembling one of the Arcanas.
I drew closer, narowing my eyes on the floating object that now remained suspended in thr air.
Inscribed on the card was neither illustration nor symbol, but a single letter.
"N." I whispered, reaching out for the pulsating card with a small smile on my face. There was no way I wouldn't know what this meant.
"Neron… what exactly are you up to now?"
The card called to me, and I answered, stretching my hands towards it. In response, it drew closer to me, and I could feel it resonate with me the closer it got to me.
Until finally, our forms connected.
"A-ahhh…"
The moment I touched the card, my eyes widened, and it felt like I was being pulled into a different realm that I couldn't explain at all.
It felt like I was being pulled upward, away from the planet I stood on, and even out of the galaxy I occupied.
I felt propelled away from this world, and into another.
It all happened so fast that it took all of my strength to keep up with all the information overwhelming my brain.
And then, after an eternity locked in a single moment, my vision ceased and I finally understood what was happening.
"Haa… haa…" My body trembled slightly, and my breath was heavy.
I nearly fell to my knees out of sheer weakness, but throughout all of this, I was grinning widely.
There was only one reason for that.
"... I know where everyone is!"
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[A/N]
Alright! That's what we're talking about!
It's finally time for the great reunion.
