Time ticked by at an unbearably slow pace.
Damien's perception of the concept lessened as it continued flowing. With all his attention focused on withstanding Sebastian's attacks, he didn't have any awareness to spare for time.
After all, he couldn't just dodge or block, he couldn't perform in such a way that forced the battle's momentum in his favor.
At this moment, he needed to get hit. Constantly.
Mirage moved like a twisting serpent through Sebastian's never-ending barrage of punches. Its beautiful semi-translucent blade glinted with blood as it moved, creating a fierce and ethereal image.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, Sebastian's seemingly simple punches seemed to contain some sort of mysticism that Damien couldn't identify.
They were constraining.
They didn't seem supported by technique or skill. Instead, they were backed by raw physical strength and mana.
'There's a mysterious Law hidden within his mana.'
Damien realized it as he devoured Sebastian's Death Laws and used them to fuel the strange process taking place in his own body.
'I've always known Nox Mana as a variant, but could I have been wrong?'
The Laws entering Damien's body were undoubtedly Death Laws, so the Nox's connection with Death wasn't false, however, what if that was only a single facet of their mana?
'It's possible. His fists seem to be powered by…wind and space…? And maybe something else too. No matter how conceptual you get, you can't use Death Laws to completely mimic the powers of another Law.'
Damien's assumption about the Laws Sebastian used was merely his own, but he was sure about the latter half of his thoughts.
He stayed within Sebastian's attack range with immaculate precision. His body didn't go unscathed, but the new protection of his Demon Dragon Form allowed him to resist without being pushed back by the butler's sheer pressure.
'Still, this is way harder than I thought!'
More than his body, it was Damien's mind that felt immense strain from the current battle situation.
His body could move instinctually to react as best as possible, but his eyes had to track Sebastian's movements and move in synchronicity to perfectly take enough damage to aid his growth without breaking his body.
His brain felt like it wanted to break out of his skull. His spiritual world was trembling at the mere level of focus he needed to show at this moment.
But Damien wasn't fazed. He threw any unnecessary feelings like pain and hesitation away into the Mind Prison.
The only thing left for him was rational thought and a portion of his emotion.
After all, the isolation of all emotions could lead to mistakes caused by ruthlessness that didn't fit Damien's personal code.
Nevertheless, his control over his spiritual world allowed him to enter a perfect battle state that he'd never achieved before. It allowed him to battle someone immensely stronger than him without dying.
Even if he could never take initiative, this alone was enough to show his power.
'However, it's not enough.'
Damien could clearly feel his body changing. Something within him was pulsating with the desire to bloom.
With every second, he became just a little bit stronger. His power became a little bit more consolidated.
Within Damien's Mana Heart, a small seed was slowly being born. It was pure white on one half and the darkest of black on the other. It rooted itself in the Mana Heart and became one with its form.
Damien could tell instinctually.
When that seed finally finished blooming, he would finally be able to stand up against Sebastian.
***
Back on the main battlefield, the situation only continued to deteriorate.
Damien was a force akin to thousands of men. To the Stargazer Squad, he was a major part of their fighting force.
That wasn't to say they were helpless alone, but the situation simply didn't favor them at all.
There were around a thousand Higher Nox remaining. The only reason the group wasn't dead was that these Nox didn't take them seriously.
They watched with smiles as their fellow comrades died. They even cheered occasionally, placing bets on the ongoing battles.
And when one died, another would come. Sometimes, they'd come two or three at a time, putting immense pressure on the Stargazer Squad.
But…where would the entertainment come from if the geniuses died?
The Nox might've been barbaric in their goals and emotions, but the Higher Nox did indeed possess intelligence. They were also beings who craved entertainment.
When their belligerence was paired with this trait, a scene like the current one became infinitely common.
Down on the ground, Zara slashed her arm through her opponent, killing him instantly. As his body bisected into two halves and melted onto the ground, she found two more coming her way.
'At this rate, it'll never end.'
Zara's eyes narrowed. These Higher Nox loved to talk before they fought, so she knew she'd have some time to think.
'Damien is gone. He was dragged away by the butler.'
She didn't see it personally, but the aftershocks of their collision were too ferocious for her to not notice.
After all, over half of the continent was gone!
It wouldn't be long until the main battlefield was also forced to shift into the air.
'If the butler is gone, is there a need to be careful?'
A glint of killing intent appeared in her eyes.
The reason she refrained from doing anything flashy was to avoid the butler's attention. If he entered the battle, their loss was a guarantee.
However, since the butler was no longer present, did she have to hold back?
Even if she couldn't kill the Higher Nox like flies, she could get rid of the entire swarm that followed them with general quickness.
'But how will they react?' Zara thought as she glanced up at the rows and rows of Higher Nox relaxing in the skies.
Even if she caused world-scale damage, these Higher Nox would survive due to their defensive abilities.
Essentially, it was impossible for her to avoid them or take them out quickly.
She didn't know which decision to make.
On one hand, she could allow the current situation to continue, which could possibly lead to an eventual win, but had a higher chance of leading to their slow deaths,
On the other hand, she could let loose and ignore any restrictions she'd placed on herself, killing as she pleased. This option would free Tyler and the rest of the squad's hands, which would allow them to work together and increase their killing efficiency.
However, this option would likely lead to a siege by a number of Higher Nox they couldn't handle.
But if they could…
Zara firmed her resolve,
In times like this, she was never able to make a decision.
She was still learning how to do so.
But that's why she had a solution prepared for this exact situation.
The person she idolized, what would he do?
'Right, he would act without care and bulldoze his way through everything.'
Zara's eyes ignited with proverbial flames.
She was a beast too, was she not?
Then, it was finally time for her to start acting like one.
With the sound of crackling bones, Zara's body began to change…
And Calypto was taught what it felt like to be despised by a World-Eating Wolf.
