176 Thats Commendable (1/2)

Layla and Fafnir engaged in an intense combat. In this place, Layla's power seemed to have reached another realm. She also didn't lose her physical abilities at all; her scales and wings would also come back at some moments. Layla just used her draconic form for a single movement then dispelled it.

Fafnir continued to use his 'Vault' and decided to attack more at close range. He had also tried to transfer with his Manifestation but as he expected, he failed. But it wasn't because Layla looked into the future to predict his actions. It was because she could apparently detect his position at any given time in this world.

She couldn't do it when he was out of the s.p.a.ce-time but it was easy to predict the destination of the transfer. In the end, she was now using her 'Unblinking Eyes' to fight the golden dragon in close-combat.

But it wasn't all. Fafnir swung his sword downward and tried to strike Layla as golden spears fell on her at the same time. But his sword was blown away immediately and Layla easily escaped the spears' aim.

”What are you doing?” Fafnir, who didn't talk since she activated her Manifestation, finally opened his mouth. And it was a question which he asked with a frowning expression.

Layla smiled and kicked the ground. Fafnir clicked his tongue and waved his hand in front of him. A veil of fire appeared and covered him and the area around.

Layla became a beam of light and pierced through the fire with her rapier but when she got in, her eyes reacted again. Golden chains surrounded her and tried to lock her in the fire.

Meanwhile, Fafnir got out of the dome of fire he had just created. He then raised his palm to the sky and the golden hammer came back. He waved his hand and the weapon fell at high speed and struck the dome of fire.

The explosion produced a shockwave and pushed back the paint on the ground but that was all. The 'canvas' wasn't even dented. And the paint always came back to its original place every time something like that happened.

As the hammer returned to the 'Vault', Fafnir stared below him at the woman who was calmly standing among the still burning ground. His expression showed some irritation and he snorted before charging again.

”I feel like he has still many trump cards… Why does he not use them?” Karma was perplexed.

”He can't. Rather, he doesn't want to” Jorga retorted.

”What do you mean?”

”Layla's Manifestation; its main ability is quite special” Jorga said.

”What is it?” Karma tilted her head and Jorga snickered.

”Do you remember Pandora's effect? The one you told me about earlier”

Karma's eyes widened ”The drain?”

”Yes. It's fundamentally the same thing” Jorga nodded ”Right now, Layla is definitely absorbing Fafnir's power for some reason. But she doesn't seem to get stronger or anything. Fafnir is also still the same, the only thing drained is the power of his magic and weapons. The only thing affecting his actual strength right now is the power of the G.o.ddess of Worldly Emotions”

Jorga squinted his eyes ”She is gathering it somewhere. I don't know what she is planning to do with it but that's why Fafnir is hesitating; whether he should use more power or not?” He explained.

”I see, but…” Karma had a strange expression ”This doesn't seem like it will last long” She said and Jorga nodded slowly.

Fafnir continued to attack but Layla never struck back. She focused on evading and only parried when she only could do so. She seemed to be gaining time, more than anything else. Fafnir's belly swelled and he spat out a huge flame just after, right in front of Layla.

The temperature raised and the fire burned the ground around. The paint dissipated but started coming back just after ”Hey” The golden dragon raised his voice after he saw Layla casually walking out of the flames.

”Are you waiting for your friend to arrive? I don't know what that dragon is doing but if he's still not here, it's no use waiting” He said and Layla tilted her head.

”It's true that I'm waiting for Arima to come back but I'm not trying to make you lose your time. I'm fighting at my fullest” She responded and the dragon frowned.

”Then what? You didn't actually become stronger with your Manifestation; the power of my attacks was just reduced and you're now able to fight back. But that won't last eternally, I realized that this place is slowly collapsing along with your mana” He retorted and Layla just smiled.

Fafnir growled ”What could it be except gaining time?”

”You're forgetting an important fact” Layla laughed lightly ”My Manifestation is not over” She uttered and Fafnir blanked for a second.

”(There's more than this draining function?)” He doubted but then shuddered ”(Don't tell me she's really going to use it like that?)” He thought of something really terrifying.