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Strange use of Magic (Black Clover AU) Chapter 91: Strange Kraken (3)
🕑 Added 2024-12-13 20:02:34 +0000 UTC[Third Person's PoV]
Stephen and Asta moved rapidly, their coordination seamless as they navigated the chaotic waters. Stephen’s magic created small, glowing platforms beneath their feet, which they used to propel them forward with bursts of strength. The Kraken's ferocious movements generated violent currents and whirlpools, but their combined strength allowed them to push through, though not without cost.
Small cuts appeared on their skin from the razor-sharp currents growing increasingly intense with every second.
Asta turned to Stephen, his voice calm yet urgent as it echoed through their telepathic link. “Cover me for a few seconds. I want to try out a new technique I’ve been practicing.”
Stephen raised an eyebrow but nodded, dodging a massive tentacle swipe as he and Asta pushed off the magical platforms. “Alright,” he replied, a teasing smirk on his face. “But don’t take too long, or I might finish it off before you even get the chance to show off.”
Asta smirked faintly, sliding his second sword into his grimoire. He closed his eyes, crossing his remaining sword in front of him, focusing deeply.
Stephen stepped in front of Asta, clapping his hands together. His two Tao Mandalas shifted into place in front of fingers before his pressed fingers, forming intricate, glowing circles. Between his fingers, a bright orange surge of Eldritch energy began to gather.
The beam shot forth, passing through the Mandalas, which amplified its power and force. It tore through the water like a lance, hitting the Kraken square in the center. The monstrous creature let out a deafening screech as it was forced downward, explosions rippling across its body. The Kraken’s rapid healing ability struggled to keep up as Stephen’s attacks drained its energy reserves.
Meanwhile, Asta focused intently, his mind locked on the technique he had been refining since learning to sense Ki under Yami’s guidance. His connection to Ki had enhanced his control over anti-magic, allowing him to wield it more effectively.
The devil's mark spread across Asta’s face, one fang elongating into a snaggletooth. In an instant, a black devil wing sprouted from his right side, accompanied by a sharp horn on the right side of his head. Anti-magic energy coursed through his body, concentrating in his right arm and flowing into his buster sword.
Asta’s eyes snapped open, his right iris glowing red with power.
From afar, Yami smirked from his perch, raising an eyebrow. “Interesting...” he muttered to himself.
“The hell? I thought Asta couldn’t use magic!” Magna exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief.
“This doesn’t feel like magic,” Vanessa observed, her tone cautious.
“That’s because it’s not,” Yami explained, his voice tinged with pride. “It’s anti-magic.”
Asta crouched on the glowing platform and launched himself forward at incredible speed, a black streak slicing through the water. His devil wing flapped, boosting him past Stephen in an instant as he closed in on the Kraken.
He cocked his sword to the side, infusing it with an immense amount of anti-magic energy. A grin spread across his face as he swung with all his might, unleashing a crescent-shaped wave of energy. The attack struck the Kraken’s face with devastating force, slicing through one of its massive eyes.
“SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!”
The Kraken’s agonized scream reverberated through the water, the soundwaves striking Asta with overwhelming force. The pressure disoriented him, forcing his transformation to dissipate as exhaustion took over.
Stephen extended his hand, summoning Eldritch whips that coiled around Asta. With a firm pull, he dragged his companion back toward safety.
Asta, gasping and visibly drained, clutched at his sword. He glanced at Stephen, nodding weakly in gratitude as he struggled to regain his composure.
Stephen noticed the Kraken struggling to heal the massive wound Asta had inflicted. An idea sparked in his mind.
“Hey, do you have it in you for one final attack?” Stephen asked, his tone steady but urgent.
Asta grinned, his enthusiasm undiminished. “Don’t worry about me! I can do about ten more of these!” He paused, then asked eagerly, “What do you have in mind?”
Stephen smirked. “I need you to throw your sword at it—hard. As hard as you can.”
Asta’s grin widened. “I CAN DO THAT, NO PROBLEM!” he declared, his voice booming in excitement.
Both Stephen and Vanessa winced simultaneously, visibly shuddering. Stephen smacked Asta on the top of his head, while both of them shouted telepathically, “WE’RE MENTALLY CONNECTED, YOU IDIOT! THERE’S NO NEED TO SHOUT!”
Asta rubbed the top of his head sheepishly, an embarrassed smile spreading across his face.
Just then, Stephen and Asta sensed the Kraken rising from the seabed. Its singular eye burned with silent fury, blood streaming steadily from the gaping wound on its face.
“Asta,” Stephen began, his grin growing. “It’s time we make a combination move together.”
Bubbles escaped from Asta’s mouth as his eyes sparkled with uncontainable excitement. He nodded vigorously, ready for action.
A glowing Tao Mandala appeared beneath Asta, serving as a solid platform. He shifted his grip on his massive sword, cocked his arm back, and flexed his muscles, preparing to hurl it like a javelin.
Stephen positioned himself beside Asta, extending his arm forward as he commanded, “Now!”
Asta lunged forward, hurling the sword with all his strength. The weapon sliced through the water like a missile, when suddenly an orange magic circle materialized in its path. As the sword passed through, it split and multiplied, transforming into a storm of 100,000 anti-magic blades that filled the surrounding waters.
Stephen extended his other arm, taking control of the anti-magic swords. With fluid yet rapid motions of his hands, he directed the swarm of blades toward the Kraken. The beast attempted to flee, its massive body thrashing desperately, but Stephen’s precision was relentless.
In moments, the Kraken was completely encircled by a shimmering sphere of anti-magic swords.
Stephen clenched his open hands into fists and gave the final command.
[Combination Magic: Anti-Magic Blade Convergence!]
The sphere of swords surged inward, breaching the Kraken’s magical defenses. Each blade pierced deep into its massive body, striking vital organs, including its heart. The water turned dark as the creature’s blood seamlessly poured out of all of its wounds.
For a moment, there was silence. Asta and the others stared in awe at the spectacle.
“THAT. WAS. THE COOLEST. THING. EVER!!!” Asta exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. His eyes shone like a child who had just witnessed his wildest dream come true. He puffed out his chest, momentarily feeling as if he had cast the spell himself.
The anti-magic swords began to dissipate, leaving only the original. Stephen summoned it back with a flick of his hand and handed it to Asta.
Vanessa, using her thread, pulled the two back into the safety of the magical cradle. Both Asta and Stephen collapsed inside, panting as the adrenaline wore off.
Asta crouched down, pressing his hands to his face in pure exhilaration. “I was part of a magic spell… Hehehe~”
Stephen couldn’t help but chuckle at Asta’s reaction, brushing his wet hair back. “Well, that was something,” he said with a tired but satisfied grin. “I’ll admit—it was pretty enjoyable.”
Stephen felt a tug on his pants and looked down to find Charmy looking at him with a finger by her mouth hungrily, “Can…Can we keep its corpse and cut limbs for food… I promise to save you the biggest portion”
Stephen chuckle, “I mean it's our kill so sure, just make sure it isn't poisonous”
Charmy jumped around celebrating, “Heh heh heh! Don't worry about it being poisonous even if it is I'll be able to detoxify it”
Comments
Nieus The God Of Magic
Could also just simply state that sorcery which is Stephen's "Magic" is on a higher level than the anti-magic and therefore anti-magic has no effect on it
Rogue_Eagle99
How about since his magic is from other dimensions the anti magic only works on magic from this dimension
DaiKenja
I think the first explanation makes more sense, after all Stephen's magic is not magic itself but a conjuration, for example, the scarlet bands of cytorakk are not made of mana, but of energy from the scarlet dimension, antimagic only cancels mana and derivatives
Bryan Vargas
I thought about this too and I've come up with two explanations... (Which are total shit by the way) Explanation One: When Stephen used his Eldritch magic it's not magic persay. He uses his magic to summon Eldritch energy, when you arrange Eldritch energy in a certain way you perform trick or Sorcerery which is equivalent to Magic. So when Asta's swords goes through and it doesn't cut it, that's because the magic circle isn't made from mana... (I hope this makes sense) Explanation 2: Stephen’s will is stronger than effects of Anti-magic, so he's able to bypass it's effect passed on pure will power alone Those are the two explanations I thought off, take them or leave them 🤚😶🤚
Luke Lindemann
How was Stephen able to multiply and control the swords if they are anti magic and would thus cancel out his magic?
