It all happened so suddenly.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!<

In a single stroke of powera mere thrust of the windand a mighty push, the Royal Capital was destroyed.

It started at the center, the push effect of Stefan's technique. Buildings, and everything else, were sent flying. In violent, dystopian imagery, everything in the capital was reduced to rubblesthey were all sent vacating through the holes in the huge walls that were also broken down.

All of this occurred within seconds.

All the individuals who tried to protect the capitalthose who rushed towards Stefanwere all pushed back by his power.

Some were affected more than others, causing their instant deaths, while many others sustained serious injuries.

All in all, it was an overwhelming victory for Stefan.

No one stood a chance!

*

*

*

'Hmmm I see. So, no casualties in the palace.' Stefan thought to himself as he observed the ruined landscape.

'Did the Court Mage teleport them to safety before it was too late? So he did that instead of teleporting to my location. A wise decision.'

He had been well aware of Elrich's ability to teleport ever since the Demon Incursion.

'Jared, that bastard. Why did he keep giving out Arcanas? He should just keep them for himself.' Stefan sighed.

Still, he could not be too upset. The destruction he caused was enough to satiate his pent-up annoyance, at least for now.

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'The Nether Beasts and Corrupteds in the other nations have been destroyed, and so quickly too. This is thanks to you, isn't it, Jared?' It upset Stefan that Jared had planned ahead and ensured the victory of the other nations.

It was also annoying that he sent some Automatons to intercept him. While they were quite formidableespecially because of the special weapons they hadthey still didn't stand a chance against him.

'Did he really think I would be so easy to kill? Or did he simply intend to stall me? I have no idea.' Stefan sighed in frustration.

Still, all of this wasn't going to be a wasteat least, he hoped so.

'Maria is here. Ah, and the Court Mage too. Both of them should make for formidable opponents. I want to fight them so badly.' His grin widened maniacally.

Groans of the injured echoed through the air, and their voices annoyed the hell out of him. He didn't like how the battlefield was filled with weaklings. To him, only the strong were worthy to stand in his presence and fight.

'I came here to fight strong people, after all.'

"STEFAAAAAAAANNNNNN!!!" A scream emanated from beneath him, causing him to look in its direction.

'Ah, Maria that's a lovely expression you have on your face. Do you finally see how much I've surpassed you? You can't do stuff like this, can you?'

Stefan had always been compared to his cousin, and it had always irritated him. He was always considered inferior to the true genius and that was beyond annoying. His family had pressured him persistently, and Maria never understood how he felt.

But now, the situation had been flipped.

'I'm stronger. You're weaker.'

And while this fight wouldn't be as satisfactory as his intended battle with Jared, it would have to suffice.

"This is just a show of strength. I'll advise you to teleport all the dregs around to safety. They'll only slow you down. Ah, and I'll kill them if they remain here."

Elrich's face twisted instantly, much to Stefan's delight. He loved seeing their faces; how they showed the anger, shock, rage, and multiple other emotions that were directed at him.

His favourite, though was despair!

Elrich, as he'd expected, obeyed and teleported the wounded and weak to whatever safe location he had in mind.

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'It doesn't matter. I'll be taking both your Arcanas and then I'll destroy everything in this Kingdom.' Stefan grinned with delight.

This was going to be fun no matter how he thought of it. He versus the great genius and the Court Mage.

"Show me your best moves."

*

*

*

In a flash, Maria donned her Mage Mode, Fusion State, and allowed the power of her Arcana to course through her veinsgranting her even more power.

In essence, she was in a more heightened state of Archangel Drive.

Her Familiar was an Angelan Archangel Class one. It was supposedly a Star, and it was certainly very powerful. Her power was rising at a fast rate, but Maria felt that it still wasn't enough.

Her body glowed white, and a glistening apparel covered herpure white armour, white feathered wings, and a white crown.

In this Archangel Drive, she was strong enough to decimate most targets. However, after witnessing all Stefan had donehow he had killed her father who had been close to the impact, as well as her other relations, she knew she had to do far more.

>WHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<

Golden and silver designs began appearing all over her armour, and her wings grew even longer. The crown on her head appeared more majestic, and several feathers floated around her.

Everything around her bloomed, and white flowers began to blossom all around her. This was what happened when she poured enough power from [The Pope] into her Archangel Drive.

It became something else.

"Celestial Archangel Drive"

Glancing to her side, she could see Elrich also donning his Magic Items and entering Mage Mode. He fused with his Familiar, one that happened to be a Centaur.

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Centaurs possessed great minds, and their intelligence was said to have reached a transcendent degree.

"Cheiron let's do this." Elrich muttered.

He didn't have hoovesneither did he have any particular horse feature. However, several tattoos formed on his body, especially his face and his body also turned ebony. Along with the effects of Mage Mode and his Magic Items, he appeared to be a dark-red entity, with cracked marks of power covering his skin.

Bursts of energy, like flames, covered his body. A Magic Grimoire floated in front of him, glowing with several colours. He also held a staff, and the necklace on his neck glowed ominously.

"Maria do not hold back." His warbling voice was stern and intimidating.

The girl beside him nodded, and the both of them faced the enemy.

"I should return the favour." Stefan grinned.

>WHHHHHHHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<

Dark scales shrouded his body, and his cloak was stained with red energy. A tail formed behind him, as well as a pair of dragon wings. Horns appeared on his head, and his dark hair grew far longer than before.

Cackles of red and black lightning surrounded him, giving more credence to his form.

He appeared to be a dragonand quite a majestic one, at that.

"My former Familiar was removed by the Cult, and I got this one as a replacement. Haha isn't that great?"

The Dragon's power was indeed impressive, and the surge of power he was currently depicting had to come from Mage Mode. With these two factors, along with his Arcana's power, Stefan was more than prepared for their challenge.

Maria now understood the weight behind Elrich's words. Stefan was too powerful and dangerous!

Thus, all three stoodtwo against oneas they prepared to clash.

With no one around to witness the battle, or get in the way, they were free to fight without worry or fear.

"Let's go!"

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