White Sky

[Union Magic: This form of magic allows mages to combine two different spells or magics to create a single, more powerful spell.]

[Compound Magic: Similar to Union Magic but more advanced, Compound magic allows mages to also combine different spells/magics together with the difference being that it doesn't have the two spell/magic limit.]

Integrating the combined power of both [Breath of the Beast] and [Breath of Flames] into his body, Grim walked out of the giant plume of flames sporting white coloured fox ears and a traditional kitsune mask hanging on the side of his head.

Surrounded by a sea of white coloured flames with a white inner glow and blue outer glow, a beastly roar boomed out of his body as the phantom of a giant burning fox manifested behind him.

Just like the automatic [Stormguard] form activated upon using [Breath of the Storm], his current appearance was the result of his body reforming itself into a state best suited to handle this type of power.

Holding an aikuchi (guardless katana) in his right hand, his body glowed with a burning white light outlined by a blue tint. His grimoire on the other hand also glowed with a bright blue and white light as its pages fluttered haphazardly before landing on a specific page that read-

[Breath of the Kitsune: 1st Tail - Foxfire]

Disappearing in a flash of bluish white light, he reappeared above Conrad with his sword held up high.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

*SWOOSH!!*

Slashing down hard, a white fox tail sprouted out from behind him as the kitsune flames danced alongside the body of the sword before ultimately submerging themselves into the blade.

*BOOOM!!*

"Urgh."

Blocking the sword by holding up his own in a horizontal manner, a flash of light passed Conrad's widened eyes.

'What in god's name is up with this kid!'

Although the strength of behind the slash was comparatively weaker compared to when he was using [Breath of the Storm], the mysterious heat the sword gave off made him feel uncomfortable.

---

*TING!!*

*TING!!*

*TING!!*

Engaging in a battle of close quater combat, their swords turned into quick flashes of silver light as every clash caused bright sparks to fly out everywhere.

"JUST-"

*TING!!*

"DIE-"

*TING!!*

"ALREADY!!!"

*TIIIIINGGG!!*

Moving around the sky in an erratic manner, shallow wounds started pilling up on the two as they both displayed their experience and talent in swordsmanship.

*TING*

*TING*

*TING*

Using his stolen magic aquired through the power of his key magic, the wounds on Conrad's body didn't stay for very long. Grim on the other hand relied solely on his enhanced healing factor brought about by having [Breath of the Beast] incorporated into this form to stay in the fight.

"YES YES YES!!! THIS IS WHAT I WANTED!!"

*SLAAASH!!*

Slashing across the former wizard king's chest, bright coloured blood spurted out of the wound.

"A-A-ARRGHHHHHH!!!"

Letting out a painfull scream, Conrad compressed a large amount of mana in his body and combined it with the various types of magics stored inside him to unleash a destructive wave of mana in the form of an explosion.

*BOOM!!*

"WAARGHHHH!!"

Hit by the explosion and sent hurtling away from the shockwave, Grim gripped his chest and spat out a mouthful of blood with an excited grin on his face.

"Hehehehehehe."

Levitating in the air and breathing heavily, Conrad mirrored Grim's actions by gripping his chest at the area where Grim's sword had marked him. Letting light pour out of his body, the wound started healing at a visible pace. But despite the wound's healing, a sharp pain still coursed through his body as he finally realised why the heat from Grim's sword made him feel so uncomfortable.

Having previously used the imperial sword to revive the other wizard kings, his knowledge on this type of power was quite deep compared to most.

*BOOOM!!*

Charging back into the air with renewed vigor, bright yellow light burned within Grim's eyes as he started slashing wildly.

*SWOOSH!!* *SWOOSH!!* *SWOOSH!!*

Gritting his teeth and evading the blade to the best of his ability. With every shallow wound that made its way onto his body Conrad's suspicions became clearer and clearer as he started going on the offensive.

"THAT POWER-"

*TING!!* *TING!!*

"ITS DOING MORE THAN JUST INJURING MY BODY!-"

*TING!!* *TING!!*

"IT'S ATTACKING MY SOUL!!"

"BINGO!!" Grim howled punching him square in the face.

Infact, [Breath of the Kitsune] was originally made with the intent to counter other fire mages. Specifically Mereoleona. While it lacked the speed and destructive power found in [Breath of the Storm] it provided him an ability his other rarely displayed.

AoE attacks.

*TING!!*

*TING!!*

*TING!!*

Locking swords with Conrad, the two eyed each other as Grim's grimoire floated into view.

[Breath of the Kitsune: 2nd Tail - Burning Sakura]

Sprouting out a second tail from behind, the sky was suddenly filled with falling sakura petals.

'What in the-'

Gracefully falling from the sky, the appearance of the pink coloured petals suddenly changed as they turned orange and took on the appearance of petals made of flames.

*SIZZLE*

Having one of the petals fall onto his shoulder, Conrad winced as he felt another attack on his soul.

'These petals... They can also injure my soul!'

While not as damaging as taking a head on attack from Grim's sword, the sheer number of falling sakura petals made his brow crease. It was bad enough that Grim was relentless in the way he attacked, adding these petals on top of all of that, it didn't take a genius to see that he was being driven into a corner.

"Dammit!" He cursed. "Can't you see that I'm doing this for the sake of everyone! Why do you insist on standing on the wrong side!"

*BAAANG!!*

"ARGHHHH!!"

Sending Grim flying back with a single swipe of his sword, Conrad's focus quickly shifted onto the falling sakura.

But before he could do anything, Grim's crazed laughter echoed out as he held his left hand up in the air and grinned.

"Burn Bitch."

Snapping the fingers on his raised hand, the sakura petals began to emit a bright coloured light before the entire area was suddenly engulfed by white light.

*BOOOOOOOM!!*

"ARRRGHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Detonating the falling petals and turning the sky into a blinding white mess, the screams coming out from Conrad's hazy figure mixed with Grim's laughter made it sound haunting.

---

-Asta POV-

'What the hell was that!'

Although his mission was to retrieve the imperial sword out from the skull of the demon. Even he couldn't help but stand in awe at the power of the falling sakura petals. Even from where he was, he heat from the explosion tinged his skin.

Even if it was possible to negate the effects of the petals with his anti magic, if he took on those shockwaves from point blank range, he didn't think he could walk away unscathed.

---

"Hah Hah Hah."

Floating in the air with black smoke rising off of his body, a heavy breathing Conrad stood hunched over as the physical burns on his figure began auto healing.

Pain!

PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN PAIN!!

Even when he was assaulted by Julius and the other captains 10 years ago, he had never once felt pain to this degree before!

The burning

The searing pain of having his flesh melted and soul burnt.

It was too much. WAY TOO MUCH!!

What was he doing again?

Fighting for the sake of the common people?

For vengence against the nobility that had conspired against him?

To create a better world?

Was this pain worth it?

"Pffthahahahahahahahahaha! YOU SURVIVED! AS EXPECTED OF THE LEADER OF THE WIZARD KINGS!! I KNEW THAT WOULDN'T BE ENOUGHT TO KILL YOU! NOW LETS CONTINUE! LETS PUSH EACH OTHER EVEN FURTHER AND HAVE EVEN MORE FUUUN!!"

While the injury from his soul messed with his thoughts, the sound of Grim's voice brought him back to reality.

"More fun... Ha...Ha...Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha..."

Fight to create a better world?

To get revenge for my friends and family killed by the nobles...

Yeah I'll do that alright...

I'LL DO THAT RIGHT AFTER I KILL YOU!