Not-So an Extra

After regaining control over his excitement, Adrian removed his hands and shook his head, assuring his friends. "It's alright, I'm fine."

"How can you be fine after coughing up so much blood?!" Arthur bellowed in rage, prompting Adrian to turn toward him. Honestly, he agreed with his father. Even now, the excruciating pain still lingered within him.

Dispelling the Hydra's Magic Circle was no different from jumping in front of a speeding train to stop it. The impact was so powerful that he coughed up blood and a quarter of his mana depleted, leaving only half remaining.

"RROOAARR!!" 

A deafening roar echoed through the air, drawing everyone's attention back to the Hydra. The ground trembled once more, accompanied by distant shrieks of approaching monsters. The atmosphere became tense as everyone heightened their senses and prepared their weapons for the impending battle. 

Locking eyes with his father, Adrian spoke. "Father, let's fight." 

Arthur's frustration surged within him, his fists clenching tightly. Before he could voice his thoughts, Nathaniel interjected. "Ian is right, father. Let's join his Grace and fight." Nathaniel believed that if Adrian had the confidence to face the Hydra, he must have a plan in mind.

As Arthur's annoyance grew more apparent, Adrian quickly added, "It would be best to unite with them so that we can communicate and execute strategies effectively." Adrian knew he couldn't face the Hydra alone; he needed the support of others. With valuable information in hand, he believed that defeating the Hydra was a feasible endeavor.

"..." Arthur remained silent, his gaze fixed on his sons. He only wanted to keep them safe and struggled to comprehend their unwavering determination to fight. 'Do they truly desire to become heroes so fervently?'

"Shhriieekk!!"

"Groowwll!!"

The approaching monsters grew nearer, their menacing cries filling the air. Sensing the urgency, the Captain of the Paladins voiced his thoughts. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, we must act swiftly. We await your command."

"Haa…" Arthur let out a resigned sigh, realizing that time was of the essence, and eventually declared. "We will fight the Hydra!"

"Understood," the Paladins chorused in unison. With that, the group formed a tight formation and advanced toward Graham to join the battle. 

As Nathaniel, Adrian, and Arthur ran shoulder to shoulder, Arthur reminded his sons, "However, if the situation becomes dire, both of you must listen to me and retreat. Do you understand?" 

"Understood," Adrian and Nathaniel replied simultaneously.

Arthur nodded in satisfaction. "Good."

"Shhriieekk!!"

"Groowwll!!"

Between the towering tree, a horde of monsters rushed toward the group. Immediately, the Prince and Princess conjured a storm of wind bullets. The projectiles whizzed through the battlefield and tore into their bodies, causing them to convulse and writhe in agony.

Undeterred, the surviving monsters lunged forward, their claws poised to strike. Reacting swiftly, the Paladins deftly wielded their weapons, slashing through the beasts that came their way.

—Splat! —Splat! —Splat!

In a whirlwind of violence, green blood sprayed in all directions as limbs were severed, entrails spilled out, and bones shattered. The air filled with the sickening sound of flesh tearing apart, accompanied by guttural screams of dying creatures.

However, Adrian refrained from joining the onslaught. With his Mana Pool running low, he decided to focus solely on dealing with the Hydra. Considering that the monsters were of low rank, Adrian had faith that his friends and the Paladins would be able to handle them.

Upon sensing the condensing Mana in the air, Adrian lifted his head, only to find a Magic Circle forming behind the leftmost head of the Hydra, crackling with energy. Wasting no more time, Adrian urgently shouted, "Grandpa, use Water Walls!"

—Splat!

Green blood splattered on Graham's armor as his sword sliced through the monster's body. He glanced at Adrian in the distance, confusion etched on his face. 'But the Hydra hasn't unleashed its magic yet?' Shifting his attention to the Emperor, Arthur was seen busily fighting the monsters. 'Is there something I'm unaware of?'

"Commander! Your order, Sir!" The Captain of the Elemenatalists called out.

Responding decisively, Graham bellowed his order, "First line, Second line, Water Walls!" Immediately, the Elementalists chanted their spell.

"RROOAARR!!" With a deafening roar, the Hydra unleashed a volley of lightning bolts that hurtled towards them.

Before the lightning bolts could reach them, a series of Water Walls materialized in the air followed by a second set of Water Walls formed behind them. Simultaneously, an Earth Wall suddenly rose from the ground, which Graham assumed was created by Adrian. 

—Splash!

The water erupted into the air the moment the bolts collided with the Water Barriers. Adrian patiently awaited the lightning's strike upon his Earth Walls. 'If my calculation was right, then—'

—Splash!

Another splash occurred as the bolts pierced through the Elementalists' second barriers. Just after the lightning struck the Earth Walls, Adrian swiftly seized control of the lightning within his Earth Walls, redirecting the bolts into the ground below.

—Thump!

The impact created a resounding thud, causing the ground to tremble momentarily before settling. 

'As expected, I can control it.' After assessing the Hydra's magic power and allowing the lightning to face its counter twice, the lightning eventually weakened, enabling Adrian to effortlessly gain control over it.

Graham and the others were in utter perplexity upon watching the scene unfold before their eyes. Normally, it would take a combination of six barriers to halt the Hydra's magic attacks. However, to their amazement, with just three barriers in place, they were able to completely nullify the creature's assault.

Graham turned toward his grandson in the distance for the second time, astounded by the fact that the boy could dispel the Hydra's Magic Circle and now control its Lightning Bolts. These were abilities that no one else here possessed, making what he did nothing short of miraculous.

However, suddenly a conversation between him and Professor Gizel from years ago in the refugee camp resurfaced. 'I must discuss this with Arthur.'

As the Hydra's attack abruptly dissipated upon striking the Earth Wall, the creature paused in confusion. Before it could fully comprehend the situation, the last remaining Earth Walls transformed into a barrage of sharp earth spears, hurtling towards the Hydra and forcing it to take flight in a desperate attempt to evade the onslaught. 

—Boom! —Boom! —Boom!

A series of explosions reverberated through the air, causing the earth to tremble and sending debris and dust swirling around. Several spears relentlessly pursued the Hydra, prompting it to glance downward in search of the culprit. There, it found a white-haired boy wearing a wry smirk, clearly relishing in its discomfort, which only further irritate the Hydra.