(Ken POV)
Now that her left arm is probably out of commission, I had a major advantage in terms of physical health.
Or at least that's what it supposed to be.
I saw Anastasia's injury regenerating quickly. Either she cast a magic to which I haven't sense, or it had something to do with her Dragon blood. I'm pinning more on the latter.
She then eyed with me a venomous expression, her rage unshackled for all to witness.
"I'm not sure how you were able to use a fire spell comparable with the Dragons, but I have to give it to you for wounding me quite well."
Suddenly, scales begun forming on most of her skin, and a tail sprouting behind. Her teeth grew into fangs and her slit violet eyes glowed as well.
"Prepare yourself mongrel, I believe that you should be honored that you get to fight in my Half-Dragon Form."
Well... This is a shitty situation. I felt her power shooting up by leagues above thanks to my Mana Sense.
Not to mention, her transformation is not exactly a form of magic spell since I was incapable of comprehending it. Meaning it's a natural phenomenon and part of her biology as a Dragon. Thus, copying it is out of the question.
Anastasia, with her increase in overall power, charged in with unbelievable speed, now going in for the physical.
Getting away from her melee attacks is going to be extremely hard from this point forward. Even my dodgeballing skills won't save me here.
Therefore, I stand my ground and hardened my will as I quickly cast the spell-
"Golem Mode."
My skin turned Rock solid and slightly muscular like Davis as I answered back with Davis' transformation spell.
Anastasia was slightly surprised by my action but chose to continue her charge.
When she finally closed the distance, she commenced using her claws and slashed mercilessly at my Rock-hardened skin.
Fortunately, my defense was strong and her attacks were only slightly effective since I felt little to no pain.
Unfortunately, however, I'm more on the defensive side, and with this mode on, I'm significantly slower than Anastasia's flexible Dragon transformation. As a result, all my punches are not landing on her. If this goes on, then it would only be a matter of time before Anastasia breaks through my defense.
She temporarily stopped her onslaught in favor of casting a spell from her hand.
"Dragon Stream."
Like the name suggested, a stream of Dragonfire erupted from the palm of her hand and launched straight at me at point-blank range.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, now I can feel the burning sensation from the direct heat of her flames. I reacted involuntarily by raising my rock arm to block the flames. Thankfully, my Golem Mode negated some of its effects and I was not turned into an overcooked meal.
"What's wrong, mongrel? Can't handle the heat? I truly wonder how long can you last?"
Not very long, if I can answer her. I need to come up with a strategy to end this temporary stalemate of ours.
With my other hand, I began making preparations in casting a spell.
"Brine Fury!!"
A strong blast of seawater was sent right at her, striking her down and stopping the Dragon stream.
But alas, the damage was already done and my Golem Mode melted down and was eventually dispelled due to the extreme heat and damage that was taken. I also felt incredibly exhausted from the flaming ordeal, so it's only a matter of time before I succumb to my fatigue.
"Not bad, mongrel, that I can definitely say at least."
Well, there goes my chances of victory.
I witnessed Anastasia standing up with an evil smirk on her face as she approached me.
She then lifted me by the collar of my shirt and relished my fatigued appearance.
"For a commoner, you sure have quite a bag of tricks. Regardless, such gimmicks are never going to work for an esteemed Dragon like me. You should feel honored, mongrel. For it was I, Anastasia Dragonheart, who defeated you in honorable Magicka."
If only I could copy her transformation skill, then I could go toe to toe with her.
I'm no Dragon, so I obviously can't transform like that.
But to force her to unleash such a powerful transformation...
Hey, that should get me accepted in the academy regardless of this Magicka's outcome, right?
No, for reasons unknown, losing seemed to leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I'm not sure why, but a moment ago, I was fine whether it was victory or defeat.
By now, being beaten is like trampling my very pride. And I will not allow such transgression to happen!!
"Defeat? Don't make me laugh, you insignificant worm."
"What did you say!?"
In a spur of sheer determination, something incredible happened to me and I felt my lungs burning with ferocity and rage...
Rage at the prospect of losing this battle.
As if I have assumed the demeanor of an arrogant yet dignified individual unbecoming of a commoner.
And speaking of my lungs, I let loose the burning sensation that I felt intensely.
Said sensation took shape in the form of a raging flamethrower as I let it all out from my mouth.
Anastasia realized what I did and quickly released me from her grasp. She was a bit late though when the flames hit her shoulder, resulting in another intense burn.
As she clutched her shoulder in pain, her pupils trembled like she has seen a fucking ghost haunting her.
"You... It can't be!!! What in Aldous' name are you!!??"
I tilted my head in confusion at her bizarre reaction.
To be honest, I was confused as well.
How did I manage to copy the Flamethrower attack when it's not even magic in the first place?
Let's set aside that question for later and satisfy the Dragon lady with her inquiry.
"What do you mean?"
"How... How are you a Dragon yourself?!!"
Wait... What!?
My confusion was answered when I saw claws on my fingertips and black scales on my arms.
I might as well add the fact of how I'm regenerating myself naturally at a fast rate like my exhaustion did not even happen in the first place.
(Alex POV)
"What madness is this?"
My breath was almost forfeited when I observed the battle between my sister and Ken Bruce.
Black scales on his skin, razor-sharp claws on his fingers, fangs forming on his teeth, and his eyes turning slit.
I felt the undeniable aura of superiority coming from him, as what a Dragon should naturally exhibit.
An outsider, possessing the legendary blood of the Dragons?
Did father sire a child that we aren't aware of?
If such is the circumstance, then mother would undeniably burn his balls to crisp.
We, the Dragonhearts, are the last of the ones who held the true Dragon blood and its full potential. It was like that ever since when those filthy Dragon slayers slew our kind without remorse from way ages past.
Thankfully, those distasteful murderers received their judgment when the Magus of Infinity and her companions rose and stood up for us all. Thus, the Dragonhearts, the only ones who survived, were grateful and owed her a blood debt to be paid for eternity.
But said Magus has disappeared a long time ago when she sacrificed herself to save all of humankind from the terror of the Demon Emperor, Asmodeus.
At least, that's what I read from the history books.
We, the Dragonheart family are the only ones knowledgeable of the secret and sophisticated Dragon arts.
But this commoner, Ken Bruce...
Not only has he unleashed a Flamethrower and Dragonfire balls, but also assumed the Half-Dragon transformation.
Only true Dragons are capable of such a feat!!!
It's also worth noting that he managed to cast complex water and earth spell that resembled the magic of the last combatants, but such matter is of no concern to me.
The only thing that carried weight if he is a pure Dragon or not.
Our magic, Dragonus, is a bloodline magic that can only be wielded by members of the Dragonheart family. Consequently, it can only be passed from offspring to offspring.
Perhaps an esteemed Dragon clan has survived other than ours? That probably is most likely the case.
Ken Bruce...
He has undeniably displayed the traits worthy of a Dragon. Such bloodline must be preserved so we can remain as one of the powerhouses of this land.
Finally, a union between another pure-blooded Dragon is a striking possibility. For eons, our clan had no choice but to mingle with other esteem Mages to at least bear a resemblance of power and supremacy.
Despite our blood being quite potent, I still can't deny and worry about the possibility of our bloodline getting diluted with each generation passed.
Sure, the process of interfamily affairs is considered, especially by those obnoxious elders of the clan who value tradition like the fanatics they are, but it's awfully disgusting and immoral if I'm to reproduce a child with my own sister of all people.
I refuse to give in to such debased, sickening act.
It may have been common before, but I still have a set of morals to uphold so I won't be ashamed to call myself an individual worthy to be respected by the people of this land.
Thankfully, that abhorrent method was no longer practiced since a long time ago.
The first head of our clan from history is an extremely powerful Dragon comparable to the divine powers of a god. Such is the strength of a pure-blooded Dragon with no other blood being tainted.
If we perhaps allow two pure-blooded Dragons to unite and procreate offspring, then our bloodline would be stronger than ever before!!!
And my sister right there is the perfect candidate to exact this plan of mine.
All for the glory of the Dragonheart family.
Of course, I did consider the other possibility of him being the inheritor of the Magus of Infinity's magic, but it does not matter, for as long as he embodied the legendary Dragon blood.