Aura, especially in its raw state, wasn't something to be unleashed around for any attack. It was harder to control than mana and needed a guided path through techniques to be fully put to good use - but Art's aura wasn't subject to such a weakness.

His aura mastery was higher than most, and his intent greatly boosted his aura in the raw state. So his [Aura Burst], while seen as wasteful by some, held so much power that within a few seconds all that remained below him was molten ground fuming with intense vapor.

"Amazing!"

Landing on the cooler side of the ground, he remarked cheerfully while watching the aftermath of his destructive attack.

"The more aura is poured into the attack, the greater its size and destruction but..."

Suddenly feeling dizzy, he supported his body by stabbing his now bruised sword into the ground as he felt the aftershock of releasing so much aura within such a short time.

Mana could be extracted from the atmosphere or drawn from a mage's core, but for warriors they lacked such a convenient battery - hence they mostly relied on their core which was greatly linked to their life force.

Aura was something spiritual and grew through enlightenment, but so too was it fragile. Overusing or underutilizing both had their effects, and right now he was experiencing one.

"I really should have brought backup."

He wasn't alone. As a matter of fact, in the far distance obscured by the continuous emission of vapor was the Thunder King, its majestic frame standing tall with its fur partly burnt, exposing raw pinkish skin with slight burns.

Its golden eyes becoming slits narrowed onto Art, who - understanding an attack was coming - pulled out his sword.

The Lion King gritted its sharpened large teeth, crouched, its leg muscles bulging uncontrollably as it leaped into the air in a powerful leap, crashing the ground as its form descended heavily on Art, whose body coated in brilliant gold leaped to the side, rolling on the ground to maintain some distance.

As he rose up, he saw the lion's sharp claws ravage the ground he once stood on as it slowly shifted its head towards him followed by a beastly roar before beginning its charge.

Activating the Snowdance, a flood of information about combat began flowing into his mind. Just before his brain could achieve the perfect solution for their fight, he cut off the link and met the Lion head-on.

It came at him with a claw slash using its right hand, its deadly claws ripping through the air with savage intensity only to meet his blade. Sparks flew as he used aura to propel a slash forward, successfully parrying its blow.

Stomping its feet into the ground, it followed with its left hand - much more intense than the previous one. This time Art did not use his sword as he narrowly sidestepped the attack, but he wasn't given a breather as the lion changed the trajectory of its attack toward his new location.

"Fucking beast."

Cursing angrily, he ducked under the swing - a chunk of his hair ripped off - as he dashed under its frame and cut through its stomach with an amateurish swing.

Blood flew as the lion staggered back in pain, allowing Art to further distance himself.

"You're trying to hide it but it fucking burns."

With a light swing, he scattered droplets of blood from his sword onto the ground and watched as the Lion King tried its best not to fall on its knees.

"Grrrrr."

Panting heavily, its savage eyes fell on Art as it soon began releasing charges of yellow lightning around its body. The wounds on its body began to close up as it stood tall and imposing, its muscles enlarging and tightening to impossible degrees.

"Phase two."

Not willing to lose out to the lion in transformation, his aura coating enlarged as he stabbed his sword into the ground to retrieve two daggers hidden underneath his shirt.

His life was on the line, but using the Snowdance would reduce his progress, so he opted for the lesser skill - dagger arts. Understanding the basics, he took on a reverse grip posture, his lips curving into a snarl as he awaited the lion's attack.

BOOM!

With a sonic boom, the Lion King darted forward, its lightning form closing the gap in seconds and swinging both enormous arms forward. They phased through Art, who - matching the lion in speed - blurred and appeared behind it.

Drawing his dagger in a flash, he left twin bleeding cuts down the lion's back before disappearing a few distances away. With a thunderous roar, the beast ignored the burning pain on its back as it chased after him, its figure leaving afterimages as it came down on Art with an axe kick which he sidestepped, followed by multiple barrages of punches.

Restricting coating to only his legs and brain, he moved with nimble footwork, his form blurry, phasing through the punches like a phantom before leaping over one of its arms, then grabbing hold of it to use as support,pivoting his knee forward to deliver a swift side kick straight into the lion's face.

Its body lightly reeled back from the impact but soon regained balance as it swiftly grabbed Art's leg, causing the blonde man to scream in despair as it tossed him up toward the ceiling.

The Lion King, trailing after him, leaped upwards in a single bounce, its fist encased in lightning clenched as it sent a punch flying at Art who - upon realizing he was doomed - quickly activated the Snowdance.

Now at his strongest, he performed an impossible twist midair, positioning his feet against the ceiling and using the force to propel his body back at the lion. With a time lapse less than a second, his body phased past the lion, leaving behind a series of cuts before he softly landed on the ground.

"I've won."

He declared, his form burning with golden aura as the lion's carcass dropped to the ground with a loud boom, producing a dust cloud behind him.

"Phew....."

Disappointed in himself for not sticking to his rules, he shrugged - glad to at least have made it out alive.

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