"Dragon Blast!"
A beam of light shot out from Adam's hand, blasting straight toward the crazed woman—Sally.
"Gel Magic: Slime Salamander!"
A purple, slimy monster formed around Sally, wrapping her in thick layers of slime.
Adam's Dragon Blast shattered the slime lizard's right arm instantly, but the gooey limb regenerated in seconds.
"Interesting! It's not Anti-Magic, yet it can still break my spell!"
Sally's eyes gleamed with madness, as if she wanted to dissect Adam alive.
A toy even more fun than Asta... I must study him.
"Mirror Magic: Multiple Reflections!"
Countless mirrors materialized around Sally. Gauche clenched his teeth in fury, ready to kill anyone who hurt Marie.
The purple beams Sally fired bounced off the slime lizard's body and reflected around the cave. It seemed that only Adam's magic—and Asta's Anti-Magic—could hurt her.
"Take my sword!"
Asta charged forward, swinging his Demon-Slayer Sword. Sally dodged, the slime lizard split in half, then regenerated again.
"Asta, behind you!"
Sally controlled the slime salamander to twist around and grab Asta midair.
"Electric Eyes! Dragon Blast!"
Adam unleashed five beams of light that merged into a massive energy wave, vaporizing Sally's slime construct.
"That was close!" Sally barely dodged in time—one second slower, and she would've been reduced to ash.
"Thanks, Adam!"
Asta landed, picking up his sword and preparing to charge again.
Adam's expression hardened. This lunatic just won't quit. I'll have to finish her off completely.
...Though, she's got quite the figure. Wouldn't be bad having her as a maid—Adam immediately shook his head.
"Damn dragon instincts! Corrupting such a pure soul like me!"
"Not fair! Four against one—I need some help too!" Sally sneered.
Nearby, Sister Theresa was busy helping the children evacuate while assisting in the battle.
"Oh no!"
Adam dashed forward, grabbing Nero out of harm's way.
"Asta, finish that guy off!"
"It's too late!"
Sally had already flown to Baro's side, pulling out an oversized syringe and injecting him with a glowing purple liquid.
"Take my hit!"
Asta lunged, but Sally grabbed the unconscious Baro and flew into the air.
"It's not over yet!"
Asta leapt up after her, propelling himself off the cave wall.
"Dragon Blast!"
"Mirror Magic: Repeat Reflection!"
"Fire Magic: Brilliant Flame Cross!"
Adam's beam and Gauche's mirror magic collided with Sally's slime construct, while Theresa unleashed a flaming explosion from within the slime salamander!
BOOM!
Black smoke filled the air. Asta couldn't see through the haze, but he roared and kept charging toward Sally.
"Urgh!"
Baro's body twisted, swelling grotesquely until he turned into a massive clay giant. Asta slashed open his belly and saw Sally inside, covered in slime and grinning madly.
Bang!
The clay monster punched Asta hard, sending him flying. Its wounds healed immediately, just like Sally's slime.
"Mud Giant, attack!"
Sally climbed deeper inside Baro's giant body and injected him again, pushing his body to its limits.
The enormous clay giant filled half the cave, roaring as it swung wildly at Adam and the others.
"Oh, for god's sake—why does this always happen?" Adam groaned helplessly. "First the Diamond Kingdom's guy exploded... now this! Technology's turning nobodies into mini-bosses! So unfair!"
"Marie, let's go!"
Gauche grabbed his sister and bolted out of the cave.
Bro, where's your sense of duty as a Magic Knight?!
Adam and Asta were speechless. There were still children inside!
You just... ran?
"Tsk! Sister-con bastard!" Theresa muttered in annoyance. "Knew he'd ditch us the second his sister was safe."
"You take people's money but don't protect them…" Adam twitched. Sure, running's smart, but leaving the kids? That's low—even for him.
Besides, the fight hadn't even started yet!
"Sister-con energy is terrifying…" Adam sighed.
Ahead, Asta swung his sword again and again. Though his blade sliced through the clay giant, its regeneration was relentless.
"It seems we'll have to destroy it all at once."
"Brother, go back!" Marie shouted, far braver than Gauche himself.
"Marie!" Gauche's face darkened. He remembered their painful childhood—he couldn't let her get hurt again. Not even slightly.
"It's Marie!" Marco yelled from the cave entrance.
Gauche landed, setting Marie down beside the kids.
"Where are Asta, the old woman, and the others?" Marco asked worriedly.
The evacuated children looked at him with tearful eyes.
"Asta and the others are still inside," Marie said. "But don't worry—my brother's a Magic Knight. He'll save Sister Theresa!"
"The Black Bull insignia!"
"He's just like Asta! So cool!"
Marie looked at Gauche earnestly. "Brother, go help them! I'll be fine!"
"Don't worry, I'll protect Marie!" Marco said firmly.
Gauche hesitated—then recalled Marie's words: People have to support each other to go far.
Something in his chest stirred. He grabbed Marco by the head. "If Marie gets even a scratch, kid, I'll kill you!"
"R-Right!"
Gauche turned and flew back toward the cave.
Bang!
"It's not over yet!" Asta roared, his Demon-Dweller Sword glowing with blue light.
"Fire Magic: Brilliant Flame Cross!"
Theresa attacked again, trying to hold off the clay monster while helping the last of the children escape.
Something's off... Adam thought, his magic power surging. He didn't fire—he waited.
That crazy woman... is she stalling for reinforcements?
"Mirror Magic: Multiple Mirror Images!"
Gauche returned, his left eye glowing. The embedded magic crystal pulsed with stored mana.
"Asta, now!"
Multiple clones?
Adam blinked. Did I walk into the wrong anime? Why are there Shadow Clones here?!
Countless Asta reflections, created by Gauche's mirrors, swarmed forward and slashed the clay monster relentlessly.
BOOM!
Sword lights flashed everywhere. The clay giant disintegrated completely, and Sally—still inside her slime construct—was cut down and fell unconscious.
"Finally…"
"Light Magic: Light of Divine Punishment!"
"Super Dragon Blast!"
A blinding white light filled the cave as countless golden beams rained down on them. Adam countered with a storm of energy blasts.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Explosions shook the cavern. Even with Adam's protection, Theresa was grazed—one beam pierced her thigh. Asta and the others froze, momentarily stunned.
"Stupid Stripes—I finally found you!"
Adam's eyes burned with fury.
It was time to avenge what happened in the White Space.