Chapter 14: The Battle Between the Fake Hero and the True Hero

In the secluded valley, without a single word of magic, Shion immediately activated her body strengthening spell. Her entire body radiated a blazing golden aura. Seraphine and Layla were shocked, as this was the first time they had seen someone use magic without chanting or speaking.

"Get ready, Leonix!" Shion said, and she charged at me at full speed.

I dodged her nimbly, but Shion didn't give up. "FIGHT ME, COWARD! SHOW THEM YOUR TRUE SELF, LEONIX!" she shouted, full of emotion.

"No choice," I muttered. I immediately activated the Red Dragon Armor I had used when fighting Igor and drew the Dragon Sword from its sheath.

"So that's it. You're finally showing your serious side," Shion sneered.

"Power Up! Speed Up!" I said. Instantly, I managed to match Shion's speed. Our battle was a very fast one, even as fast as lightning. Seraphine and Layla could only see the flashes of clashing swords in the air, confused and scared.

I decided to end this. With a locking spell, I locked Shion's movements. I jumped high and was about to kick her, but my spell was instantly destroyed by the power of Shion's sword.

"So that's how it is... Take this! Mach Slash!" Shion unleashed a sword attack so fast that I couldn't fully dodge it. The sword grazed my right arm, making me wince in pain.

"Damn, she's really gotten so strong... I underestimated her," I muttered.

There was no other choice. I healed my wound, then took a still position. I threw my sword and closed my eyes, as if giving up.

"SO! YOU'RE FINALLY GIVING UP, HUH, LEON, AGAINST MY POWER?" Shion laughed, not realizing that I was concentrating fully to summon something.

Her sword flew straight at me. "DIE, YOU VILE DEMON KING!" she roared, her emotion and vengeance overflowing.

"LEON! WAKE UP!" Seraphine shouted from a distance, but her voice didn't reach me.

Just as Shion's sword was about to hit me, I managed to parry it with a sword I had just summoned. A sword of light appeared in the air, then fell into my hand. The sword was the ORB Calibur Sword Magnificient, a holy sword far more powerful than the Dragon Sword.

The clash of our swords created a tremendous shockwave. A giant crater was created in the ground, and a strong wind blew, sending Seraphine and Layla flying. The earthquake was felt all the way to the capital. Kafka, who felt the tremor, smiled sardonically. "So that's your doing, Leon," she muttered, confirming her suspicion.

"DAMN IT! WHAT POWER IS THAT?! SO THIS IS YOUR TRUE POWER, LEON?!" Shion was thrown back, but she was still ready to attack again.

"No. This is my first power. There are still many more I can use to face you, Shion."

Shion was both shocked and annoyed. She attacked again with Devil Slash, a terrifying spell. I countered with Orb Hurricane Slash.

The clash of the two spells split the cliffs around us. Seraphine and Layla could only stare in amazement at the power they were witnessing. The battle was won by me. Shion lay unconscious. The split cliff face released a stream of water that pooled, and the crater in the valley slowly became a lake.

I carried the unconscious Shion. After that, the four of us returned to the capital. I laid Shion on my inn bed.

A worried Seraphine came up to me. "Are you okay, Leon?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine," I replied.

"But what about her? She was hit by your extraordinary power. Will she be okay?"

"Don't worry. She's a hero, she has strong regeneration magic," I said.

Suddenly, I felt dizzy and fell. I coughed up blood. Seraphine and Layla, who caught me, were shocked.

"Leon! Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine... it seems that power drained too much of my magic energy, even to the point of hurting me like this," I said, holding my head.

"Alright, for now I'll stay here until you get better, Leon," Seraphine decided.

"Thanks, Seraphine. Just let me—" I passed out. This was probably the side effect of overusing my magic and holding it in for a long time.

The next day, Seraphine saw Shion, who was starting to wake up.

"A dream? No! I remember the battle yesterday clearly. The thing is, he... he really defeated me!" Shion woke up. "DAMN IT! I have to get stronger!"

She looked around. "By the way, where am I? Why am I in this bed?" Suddenly, she saw me sleeping soundly in the bed below and immediately screamed.

"KYAAA!"

Shion immediately slapped me. I, who had just woken up, passed out again. Seraphine, who was making breakfast, was shocked by the commotion.