After the fierce battle, the entire team regrouped to rest. They sat in a circle, recharging their depleted energy. The sound of a gentle breeze accompanied their time together, until Dracko finally stood up, breaking the ice with a stern yet encouraging voice.
'You have tried, but remember, day by day we must continue to do our best. There is no time to be satisfied. Today's battle is just one of thousands to come.'
The Spring Colony members listened intently, despite the tired looks on their faces. Natali, who was standing beside Dracko, suddenly added, 'But you know what? Your movements earlier were really monotonous. Your attacks have no variety or uniqueness. Honestly, if I was serious, I could beat you guys in a matter of minutes.'
Natali's words pierced the members' hearts, making them all look down. Some of them even seemed to bow their heads in guilt, not daring to look at Natali.
However, Natali smiled, trying to break the suddenly awkward atmosphere. 'Hey, don't be so serious! I'm not the type who can only criticise without providing solutions. I'll show you how to fight more efficiently. We're all here to learn, right?'
In the middle of the conversation, Primo who was sitting leisurely, arms crossed over his chest, suddenly laughed. His cheerful voice interrupted the atmosphere, 'Are you sure, Natali? You were just beaten easily by Dracko earlier. Are you sure you can teach them?'
Natali turned to Primo with a confident smile. 'Okay, then let's make a little challenge, Primo. If you can beat me, I'll give you whatever you want. But if you fail...' Natali paused for a moment, her gaze sharp but playful, 'You will have to accompany me for a whole day for two days, starting from now.'
All eyes were on Primo, who looked a little surprised by the challenge. Dracko also chuckled, seeing the suddenly serious atmosphere. 'Why is this getting so big all of a sudden?' he asked, shaking his head.
However, without hesitation, Primo smiled broadly and agreed to the challenge. 'I accept the challenge, Natali.'
Dracko's expression instantly changed. From relaxed to anxious, as if he knew something else. 'Primo,' he said quietly but seriously, 'Why did you accept Natali's challenge so readily? You know what she can do, right?'
Primo just smiled a little, answering in a calm tone, 'I wanted them, including Natali, to be more energised. We're here to improve, aren't we?'
Dracko let out a long breath, clearly worried. 'That's not the case. If Natali unleashes her dark magic and it gets out of control, we could be in much bigger trouble than facing a swarm of Horned Serpents alone.'
But Primo was undaunted. 'Don't you trust your own comrades?' he replied in a calm voice.
That answer made Dracko pause, surprised at Primo's courage. However, before Dracko could respond, Natali had already shouted from a distance, 'Why are you guys just staying there?!' She ordered the other members to prepare to attack. they grumbled since when did it suddenly start without a signal.
Immediately afterwards, the Spring Colony members began to move. They launched **Fire Needle** and **Water Needle** magic attacks, directing the attacks while moving quickly around Dracko and Primo. Dracko swiftly pulled out his holy weapon, a large and glittering fire axe, to block any incoming attacks.
Primo, not to be outdone, summoned his sacred weapon, an electric spear. Both weapons emitted tremendous magical power, clashing with the magic cast by Natali's members.
However, Natali, who did not remain silent, used **Speed Up** magic, making the movement and attack speed of her men increase dramatically. The Fire Needle and Water Needle attacks came faster and faster, making Dracko and Primo even more cornered.
'Only five people, but they're already quite troublesome,' Dracko muttered as he continued to cut off any incoming attacks.
Primo, who was getting overwhelmed, turned to Dracko. 'Dracko, do you have any other ideas?'
Before Dracko could answer, the ground beneath their feet suddenly shook. Large boulders emerged from under the ground, streaking towards them. Dracko managed to jump up and cut the rocks with his axe, but Primo wasn't so lucky. One of the boulders slammed into his chin, sending Primo flying into the air and losing his grip on his spear.
Natali, on the other hand, smiled with satisfaction. 'Got you,' she said to herself as she prepared to end the fight. She ordered her members to launch the ultimate attack with **Wind Needle** and **Water Needle**, mostly directed at Dracko, the rest at Primo to immobilise him.
Dracko, realising the critical situation, immediately launched a powerful **Fire Circle Range Slash** attack, burning the air around him. However, his attack was held back by Natali's **Black Hole** magic, which absorbed the entire energy of the attack. Dracko could only grumble to himself, 'This troublesome magic again...'
Unwilling to give up, Dracko used **Speed Up** to speed up his movements, darting quickly towards Natali. With his flaming axe, he unleashed a **Hyper Fury Fire Axe** attack full of dense flames, aiming directly at Natali's body. However, Natali was already prepared. With a cold smile, she said, 'Did you forget that I can create how many **Black Holes** at once?'
Dracko's attack was again absorbed by the black hole that appeared in front of Natali. Then, with a lightning-fast movement, Natali used the **Shadow Suit**, enveloping herself in darkness. She moved like a shadow, appeared behind Dracko, and kicked the back of his neck until Dracko fell on his stomach. Natali immediately drew her blade of darkness towards Dracko's neck, and with a satisfied smile, she said, 'You lose.'
However, when Natali was about to celebrate her victory, she was surprised to find Primo still standing. Not just standing, Primo had managed to paralyse all the members who were supposed to help Natali.
Primo, with his strength and speed, used **Speed Up** to attack them from blind spots while they were too focused on Dracko. Now, only Primo and Natali were left.
Natali gave Primo a sharp look. 'So, now it's just the two of us. Ready?' she asked as she fiddled with the blade of darkness in her hand.
Primo smiled, answering, 'Who's faster? You or me?'
Both of them instantly sped up using **Speed Up** magic, creating a battle so fast that none of the other members could follow their movements. They exchanged attacks at high speed, creating sparks of energy every time their weapons met.
Dracko, who could now only watch, smiled proudly at Primo's progress. 'Look at him now,' Dracko muttered to himself.
The battle was getting fiercer, but Primo hadn't actually unleashed all of his abilities. He was only using 60% of his speed, holding back. Seeing Natali's great effort, Primo decided to increase his speed a little more, and within seconds, he was approaching Natali at full speed. However, instead of attacking, Primo suddenly embraced Natali tightly.
Natali was startled, her eyes widening in confusion. 'What are you doing?' she asked breathlessly, falling silent in Primo's arms.
Both of them fell down, still in each other's arms. Dracko who saw that couldn't help but laugh. 'What the hell? You guys fought it out and now you're hugging? Any unresolved personal issues?'
Natali, her face flushed with embarrassment, immediately shouted, 'What the hell, Primo! Why are you suddenly hugging me like this?'
Primo just smiled, then secretly signalled Dracko to join in Natali's prank.Primo quietly released her hug.
Dracko smiled and teasingly said, 'It doesn't look like Primo is holding you, Natali. Looking at his position, you're the one who hugged him and is pressing against him.'
Natali blushed even more and immediately let go of his embrace. However, strangely, after letting go of Primo, she grabbed his neck with both hands, shouting, 'Let me go!' The surprised Primo could only laugh while trying to break free. Natali in an annoyed tone said 'I won't let go until you give up Primo.'
'I surrender! I give up!' Primo finally said with a laugh. Natali finally let him go, but somehow, in an instant, she hugged him again, this time more gently.
Dracko, who was completely confused, could only shake his head. 'Why are you hugging her again now?'
A calmer Natali replied with a smile, 'Shut up, Dracko. You've lived hundreds of years, right? Don't tell me you want to be hugged too.'
Dracko, who laughed at the mockery, finally said, 'Hah, don't compare me to you!' They all laughed together and took a break to replenish their stamina.