Cryzsalis tried his best to break loose to the binding spell that he was in. His was unlike any other. Every time he roared in fury, the sound that resonated to the battlefield was ear-splitting.

The once considered the most beautiful city in the world was nothing more than a wasteland that became a battlefield. Any hint of its past beauty was nowhere to be found. Only a few wrecked buildings covered in mud and dirt remained and almost anything in sight was plain desert.

The restrained dragon was squirming nonstop, bellowing on anyone close enough, giving his greatest effort for the first time in his life to free himself from the chains where he was sealed.

The survivors continued to attack the bounded dragon-swinging their weapons, throwing their magic at him like there was no tomorrow. Even with the minuscule damage that they were hurling, the effect was accumulating. The damage that the people long to see we're starting to be realized.

The godlike being cannot comprehend what was happening to him. It was like a situation where prey was able to best the predator, restraining him and doing the unthinkable, and that made him more furious.

He squirmed and wriggled continuously as he roared to the heavens, splitting the sky and making the earth tremble and be riven altogether. Then, one after the other, the chains binding him started to get unshackled freeing himself in the process.

The tiger-like eyes Cryzsalis had darted towards the survivors as he stood up.

"How dare beings such as feeble as humans do this to me?!"

Growled by the dragon as flame accumulation evidently showing and smoke billowing through his mouth.

The survivors could definitely feel the heat of the flame in Cryzsalis mouth. Even if the magic power was still not thrown at them, being that close to an existence so menacingly powerful-they could feel the sensation of being burned. The only thing that prevented them to feel that way while attacking him was the [Light binding seal] which cut his power down temporarily. When it was undone, the pressure the dragon usually gave went back to normal and as for the people close enough, it's ten times greater.

The survivors had a hard time standing. Breathing became harder as their lungs felt like it was on fire. The chances that were bleak became even more dreadful.

It's over they thought.

Then Carmina's gentle voice rang inside everyone's head.

"Everyone!" She called with her angelic voice showing it dire urgency.

"Don't lose hope!"

She used a tier 7 magic [Goddess heal], the most powerful healing magic known to mankind, followed thru with [Ailment blocker] to block the further burning sensation and other ailments that they might experience.

The survivors were able to stand once again, escaping the anguish of being burned inside out. All the detrimental feelings were gone, however, the danger has not yet subsided. The shackles on Cryzsalis were undone and [Fire breath] was still about to be cast down upon them. The imminent threat was still in place.

Out of desperation, Kurtis Llyod raised his wooden staff looking towards the dragon's mouth and with the dragon's spell almost done. He re-casts [Millennium barrier] through the use of the magic defense system that was set up by the survivors.

Though it was shattered once, they did not have any stronger defense magic that could possibly withstand the upcoming attack, and that made the people quiver. Even the bravest people of them all would tremble at the thought of trusting their safety to a piece of equipment that failed them once.

"Turn that damn thing to ONE HUNDRED PERCENT!"

Willian cried-out pointing his sword in the direction of the magic defense system on the ground in which fright was obvious on his face. With that being said, the apparatus began to wobble while smoke started to fill out and the fire started to build up as it uses its full capacity.

By then, the [Millennium barrier] was cast out separating the dragon and the survivors with a glass-like dome protecting anyone inside from the outside, but at that same moment, Cryzsalis was done preparing his flame.

Arthur Falma who was far behind the survivors, hiding at all cost yelled.

"One more minute and I'll be able to cast down this magic!"

When everyone heard that, the survivors gritted their teeth looking at the dragon's mouth thinking 'it's now or never.'

The dragon was set to blow fire from its mouth. Anticipating the inevitable danger was the worst thing that anyone had to endure. The remaining survivors were not exempted from that. They prepared themselves, they steel their resolves. The magic defense system failed once and it might fail again, and if that happened, they're as good as dead.

"I'll burn you to the soul!"

Roared by the dragon with its thundering voice with rage apparent from its tone.

"Return to ashes humans!"

[Fire breath] has been spat out hammering down the magical defense [Millennium barrier] continuously with its power. The people on the other side of the barrier looked up petrified as they watched the fire burned and cracked the surface of the magical defense system little-by-little. It's not hard to imagine that the dragon would end up triumphant once again. Even the survivors knew that. The existence of a dragon was comparable to death itself. It's death incarnate.

The humans waited impatiently for the dragon to exhaust all of his mana from using high tiered magic continuously. However, the barrier shattered once again.

*Creeeekk*

Then...!

*BAAAAAAANG*

An ear-piercing sound made by the extreme pressure of the high tiered barrier shattering to pieces echoed throughout the land. An extensive range of white smoke billowed covering the entire battlefield, making it hard to see anything besides the fumes covering the desert and the gargantuan being standing with its four feet. It's hard to sense whether the humans survived or not, however, the dragon roared celebrating its foreseeable triumph or so it would seem.

Within the white substance covering the entire land, a faint sound was heard and it was getting louder and louder for each passing second. The dragon started to notice as it darted it sight to where the sound was coming from, but then a yell echoed throughout that ruined city.

"Everyone get out of the way!"

Arthur Falmas finished his spell on time. On his right hand which was extended like it was reaching for the heavens-a black ball so enormous could be seen. It was so massive that it was comparable to a baseball stadium only that it's perfectly round.

The outer shell of the ball was encased with black electric currents that were zapping it continuously. It was like lightning being cast down from the atmosphere hitting the earth nonstop.

At that same moment, the white smoke covering the entire ruins vanished in an instant as if it's not there, to begin with. The people whom he thought dead was still standing to where they originally at, and the barrier might be severely damaged to the point of breaking but still, it was intact.

Cryzsalis Mimon couldn't believe what has transpired before him. however, he doesn't have the luxury of being surprised.

"This is the end, Mimon!" Arthur said.

[Black hole]

He threw the gigantic ball to him with tremendous speed while the survivors manage to get out of the way like an ocean being split into two.

The moment the magic ball hit the gargantuan frame of Cryzsalis Mimon, the dragon tumbled like a tiger who exhaust all its energy.

"H-How does a mere human manage to do this to me?!"

Cried helplessly by the dragon as it's body begun to weaken.

His impenetrable scale started to wither like a dead tree in which its leaf wilted.

His body doesn't have any visible damage, yet blood profusely came out of its mouth.

The dragon's physique weakened to an extreme rate. The proud existence that was at the pinnacle of strength and power was vulnerable for once.

Arthur opened his mouth as he pointed towards the weakened giant while he was leaning on his knee.

"Attack him NOW!"

With his yell, the battle cry of every survivor roared like thunder. It was like the legends of old. The people rushed violently towards Cryzsalis. Their blood lust was off the charts. As they remembered all the tribulations that they had to tolerate for the last 15 years, they all had one goal. We will end this!

Lina Von Gritzel with her sword and magic, she poured every bit of power she could muster and threw it all in the direction of the dragon.

In denial, the dragon made one last pitiful growl.

"No...!"

Then the one that they call Cryzsalis Mimon; the death incarnate met his own demise.

***

When the dragon died, there was no room for celebration. All of them were devastated by the amount of death that was in front of them. The one thousand headstrong survivors dwindled down to only a hundred severely injured men. A lot of people had their limbs cut off because of the decaying factor that the attack of Cryzsalis caused.

It was more like mourning than celebrating that would be appropriate at that moment but even though it was a bitter win, no one cried.

The place was dead silent.

There were only five individuals who managed to finish the battle who could still walk.

Kurtis Lloyd. | Sage |

Carmina Zeif Romania. | Priestess |

Willian Thorn Sigma. | Sword Saint |

Lina Von Gritzel. | Magic Knight |

And lastly Arthur Falma. | Illusionist |

***

The silence was deafening, no one was able to talk or maybe no one wanted to talk. Everyone was exhausted to the core. No one could even cry, cheer, or show any significant emotion on the impossible feat that they were able to do.

There was nothing.

Then one of the five broke the silence.

"I can't believe we did it."

The sage Kurtis Lloyd muttered who was wearing a black robe sitting at one of the wrecked buildings in the ruined city while holding his staff.

"Yeah, and it would have been impossible if it wasn't for you Kurtis."

The sword saint Willian Thorn Sigma said as he lightly punched the left arm of Kurtis.

"No, it wasn't me. If it wasn't for Arthur's amazing display back there, we would have been dead already."

Kurtis responded as he waved his hand out of modesty.

Arthur gave them a faint smile but didn't give any response. He was sitting silently listening to them talk. At the same time, Lina Von Gritzel the Magic Knight sit near the group and also did not say anything and just listened to what everyone was saying.

"I really believe that it was a joint effort but Arthur was the most outstanding of us all."

Priestess Carmina Zeif Romania said with a curious gaze darted to Arthur.

"That's what I'm really curious about."

Willian said in an inquisitive tone.

"How come you're not famous before the apocalypse happened?"

Lina who was staring blankly looked towards Arthur and opened her mouth.

"Indeed, I too am curious."

Everyone was surprised by how Lina Von Gritzel showed interest to anything (besides her sword) her character was known to be aloof. She must be really curious about Arthur.

Arthur smiled bitterly as he remembered where he came from.

"As you all know, I'm just a mere illusion magic-user, and according to the rules of Sun Academy, I'm just a tier 1 magician, and thus I didn't get a proper education."

The four of them frowned on the idea that a talented guy such as Arthur was viewed as a talentless fool. His commanding skill was not even comparable to anyone the four had ever seen. The sheer intelligence of Arthur in the art of warfare was magic itself.

Willian sat down and looked at the dead dragon mesmerized by the unthinkable journey that they conquered. Then at the same time, he remembered the last part of the battle that decided the outcome letting them win in the process. He was still slacked jaw when he thought about it, then he turned his head and looked at Arthur.

"The last part that decided that battle, how did you do it?

Willian asked pryingly with his arms crossing each other on his chest.

"What do you mean?"

Arthur squinted as he responded to the question.

"How did you fool Cryzsalis Mimon in thinking that he defeated us when he was destroying the [Millennium Barrier]? He had immunity against illusions."

Interestedly asked by Willian and at the same time, all four them were looking at Arthur as if they were children waiting for candies.

Arthur smiled as he answered the sword saint's question.

"Mimon had immunity against illusions if and when it was directly cast to his eyes. However, there was an exemption. If it's not a direct attempt, it will affect him. So with that in mind, I used my illusion at the dome since it's like a glass that can reflect light and at the same time he often looked at the barrier since he had to destroy it. That's also the reason why all of you were affected by my wide range illusion magic."

Every single one of them was amazed by the way that he thinks. Even at the heat of battle, he was able to think and strategize calmly. Not even a seasoned veteran could boast of such a feat.

Everyone was conversing with each other, their muscles started to get loose by the thought of the battle being over. However, a thunderous roar interrupted their relaxation that caught the entire army's attention.

*GRAAAAAAGH*

Everyone looked up, looking at the same direction when a frightening bellow was heard from the sky. A disturbing flap with each passing second, became clearer every second. Everybody was dumbfounded when another dragon gliding down the sky was seen.

"I-I-It can't be...!"

Kurtis Lloyd said as his mouth shakes up and down in fear.

"I-Im sure that it's just a single dragon! How come there's two?!"

"If it's just a single one, then the fuck is that?!"

Willian took his sword with a bitter smile equipped on his face as he looked at the other enormous being.

He opened his mouth as he swivels his head and laughs in denial.

"Ha ha... I thought we survived"

Everyone prepared their heart but they cannot fool themselves. They don't have what it takes to face another being such as Cryzsalis Mimon.

How did this happen? When did everything go wrong?

The priestess started to pray as both of her hand clasped together.

"Oh, goddess of mercy please pro-..."

However, before she could finish her prayer, the dragon opened its mouth where flame started to build up and with no single delay, it fired its magic in all directions like hundreds of fiery meteor coming down from the sky targeting everything in its sight.

The moment the magic met the earth, a huge explosion happened like hundreds of atomic bomb was unleashed.

Arthur closed his eyes as he felt a painful gush of air hitting his face as everything that was caught by the blast were destroyed. The landscape of whatever left of the earth drastically changed.

Darkness enveloped his sight as void seem endless.

That was the last thing he remembered.

He's dead but something was not right. Something was bothering him.

To his surprise, when he opened his eyes as blurry images were set, like looking at a film where the focus was not at the right place. He outstretched his arms covered his eyes in the process as the light from something that looked like a window blinded him.

To his disbelief when his eyes surveyed the area, he found himself in a room lying on a bed that perfectly looks like his room when he was young.