The Author's POV

From the moment the scenery around me changed, and I found myself back in Ashton City, I came to the realization that I wasn't transported out into the nothingness of space like I previously thought I was.

Instead, it seemed like I was placed inside a different dimension created by Waylan, governed by the Laws.

His words confirmed it shortly afterward.

Despite my lack of knowledge about the inner workings of this space I was in, I realized that the only way to properly fight back was through the laws themselves.

...and I did.

I summoned a part of the laws that I had, and I successfully managed to stop him. I was successful in injuring him, but it came at a cost.

'I'm already gassed out.'

My body was practically shaking as I struggled to channel the energy inside of me.

I thought I had prepared enough, but it was clear that I wasn't prepared for what was to come.

I was already gassed out, and my energy was rapidly depleting.

"You…"

Waylan noticed the injury in his body, and his expression changed. At first, he seemed mad, but for some reason, he kept his cool, and the injury slowly started to recede. I frowned as I realized that what I had done wasn't enough.

But Waylan spoke.

"That was a very good attempt."

His nonchalant voice reverberated through the air, and it was followed by a violent thrust of wind that headed my way.

WIIIIIING―! The world around me bent, and I saw the tips of a skyscraper heading straight for me. I narrowly dodged it and shifted my attention to the approaching fist.

It grew larger in my vision by the second, and before I knew it, it was just an inch away from my nose. I summoned all the strength I had left and opened my mouth.

"Stop."

Golden runes and words popped out from the space around the fist and clamped onto them. The fist stopped in its tracks and started trembling.

"Ugh."

I could feel my body weaken at the usage of the Laws, but I clenched my teeth and pushed through the pain.

Swoosh―! I took advantage of the little time I bought to move to the side and avoid the fist. I followed up with my own kick, aimed directly at Waylan's neck.

But it felt like I hit hard metal, and I felt an intense pain coming directly from my shin.

Despite the pain, I managed to push Waylan back. I grabbed my sword and took a deep breath. I knew what I had to do next. I summoned all the energy I had left and prepared for the third movement of the [Keiki Style]: Void Step.

and I reappeared in front of Waylan. I heard a familiar clicking sound as my sword hit something, and Waylan's body

"Haaa... haa..."

I gritted

the

rapidly deteriorating with each movement, but

movement of the [Keiki Style]:

the [Keiki Style]:

the [Keiki

I tried to inflict as much damage as possible on him by employing anything at my

felt like it would bring on excruciating pain, and I could feel my muscles tearing as a result

my body, I was able to push

pain is nothing... I'm

mind, I

WIIING―!

me crumbled, and

the mana that was normally stored within my body began to drain at an alarming rate, and I came dangerously close to passing out right then and

the excruciating pain as a barely perceptible ripple began

are you trying to

my right, and when I turned my head to look in that direction, I could see him standing a few

before I had even a chance to react, I felt something press against my chest,

BANG―!

throughout my back, and I found it difficult to breathe as a result of the sheer

"Aph!"

until I took a loud gulp of air that I noticed the darkness

do you think you're

and when I looked up, I saw him hovering in the area above me. His back was turned to the backdrop of Ashton City, which

under my direct control. Put an

the skyline of Ashton City

most notable thing was the tip of the

Clenching my

Click―!

as though my legs were going to give out from under me; however, I was

Crash―!

and the Ashton City that was heading my way collapsed into fine shards, revealing a

were directed at me, and an unfathomable pressure bore down

Thump!

out under the strain, and I fell to the ground,

"Pftt."

by covering it with my hand, but it was too late, and

"It's over."

he was staring at me with a look of complete disinterest, and his voice seemed to

me, and after I took my hand away from my mouth, I leaned back against the ground

finally given

voice reached my ears