It's a very simple magic that simply produces hands made of mana out of ground .

The strength of these hands depends on the user--and at the hands of a skilled user, the [Hand of Dragon Vein] boasts extremely dense form and high resistance against magic .

Due to its cast speed, and a wide range of applications, this is probably the most famous dragon vein magic in the past era .

I produced several more hands out of ground and restrained demon Giwald with them .

"You're severely mistaken if you think mere [Hands of Dragon Vein] can overpower me--"

Demon Giwald cast magic and twisted its body in an attempt to escape the restraint .

However, it's unable to break free from the [Hands of Dragon Vein] .

In the blink of an eye, [Hands of Dragon Vein] grabbed demon Giwald's entire body, not even giving it any chance to cast magic .

[Hand of Dragon Vein] is the most basic of Dragon Vein magic .

As such, it ties closely to the user's capability and experience .

Number, density, magic resistance, grip strength .

There's a world of difference between a veteran magic combatant's [Hand of Dragon Vein] to that of an intermediate mage .

Beginners can't even invoke this magic .

In other words, this is the most effective magic that makes use of my past life's experience .

I actually never used this magic much--but I'm glad I practiced on it a bit .

While I was thinking--demon Giwald had begun constructing an attack magic .

Looks like it's trying to launch a counteroffensive .

Advertis.e.m.e.ntThe [Hand of Dragon Vein] I'm using is ill suited for attacking .

I need to cast attack magic in order to defeat demon Giwald .

This demon must be planning to launch that magic just right when I switch from [Hand of Dragon Vein] to attack magic .

That's never happening though .

"Now then . . . How many seconds will it last . "

I poured my mana into Dragon Vein as I murmured .

Then the spot where demon Giwald is--flares up .

--[Flame of Dragon Vein]

An attack magic that was as popular as [Hand of Dragon Vein] in the past .

Its effect is extremely simple .

The magic converts Dragon Vein's mana into flame to burn its target down .

"Madness! Simultaneous execution of dragon vein magic!? That's suicidal!"

Demon Giwald sounded confused within the restraint .

Dragon Vein's magic require a precise mana control .

Controlling two at once is difficult indeed .

But it's not something experience can't overcome .

Casting multiple magic that were far more difficult than these in parallel were pretty much everyday occurrences to the past me .

--It's quite burdensome on the magic circuits though .

"I wonder about that . "

I gradually increase the firepower while monitoring the load on my magic circuits .

Seeing that, demon Giwald--smirked .

" . . . If you're so eager to die, allow me the honor . "

Looks like demon Giwald has abandoned the idea of casting attack magic .

The demon halted its magic construction and began pouring its mana into Dragon Vein instead .

This is the exact opposite of what happened earlier .

I'm attacking through Dragon Vein, demon Giwald is trying to interfere with it .

The difference is demon Giwald only made use of Dragon Vein while I'm connected to Dragon Vein right now .

It's easier to control Dragon Vein when you're connected to it--but conversely, any lapse in control will instantly destroy your entire body's magic circuits, resulting in death .

And this demon must be trying to make that a reality .

However, my magic control is steadfast .

Heck, [Flame of Dragon Vein]'s firepower is steadily increasing even .

And then . . .

" . . . I see, so this is how . "

I finally got the knack for Dragon Vein magic after not using it for so long .

This will work .

I push a large quant.i.ty of mana into Dragon Vein all at once .

A moment later--[Flame of Dragon Vein] completely covered demon Giwald .

"T-this can't be . . . "

Demon Giwald muttered in confusion .

[Flame of Dragon Vein] is burning down the st.u.r.dy body of a high-cla.s.s demon .

Even the solid build of demon cannot stand against this much thermal power .

--A while later .

Demon Giwald has fallen, leaving only a carbonized body on the ground .

" . . . That lasted longer than expected . "

After confirming demon Giwald's death, I was about to cut off my connection to Dragon Vein .

Right at that moment--I felt an enormous load on my magic circuits as I fell down on my knee with an intense pain .

"Guh . . . !?"

"Mathi-kun!?"

Ruli ran up to me when she saw me suddenly falling .

I a.n.a.lyzed the situation while repairing my magic circuits .

The overload was due to Dragon Vein .

Of course, I didn't make such a basic mistake as losing control right before severing the connection .

There was a vast amount of mana pushed into me from the Dragon Vein .

I considered the possibility of demon Giwald using up the last of its man-but such a little amount wouldn't have been enough to make me lose control .

The cause must lie in another spot .

I probe inside the Dragon Vein with that in mind .

And--I found the culprit .

" . . . Why is that demon?"

I reflexively said that out loud .

The information I got from Dragon Vein was just that shocking .

--[Demon of Destruction] Zadokilgias .

Mana reaction from a demon who was feared as the worst even in the past era was mixed in Dragon Vein .

Don't tell me . . . This [Chaotic Demon] that was getting awakened refers to Zadokilgias .

If that's true then [Man-eating Blade] won't make a difference .

But there's no way that thing can be resurrected .

Even considering the power [Broken Star], it's just impossible .

After all, the past me had completely annihilated this [Demon of Destruction] Zadokilgias, leaving absolutely no trace of it behind .