Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"-?"

Leoric's voice cut off mid-sentence as his electrified strike collided with Ryzel's neck. For a brief moment, everything seemed to freeze. The masked Avengers behind Leoric tensed, ready to cheer their leader's swift takedown—until they saw Ryzel.

Leoric's smug grin faltered as Ryzel slowly turned his head, a side smirk curling his lips. The place Leoric had struck was covered in silvery-golden scales that shimmered faintly in the dim light of the tunnel.

Harder than steel.

The crackling electricity dissipated harmlessly against the impenetrable armor of the dragon scales, leaving Leoric's fist trembling slightly from the force of his own strike.

"That's it?" Ryzel asked mockingly, tilting his head as if he hadn't even felt the blow. His smirk widened, and his voice dripped with amusement. "I thought you were going to kill me or something."

Leoric's lips curled up into a strange smile, a dangerous glint flashing in his eyes. "Hmph. Let's have it your way, then," he said, his voice low and menacing.

In a blur of movement, Leoric leaped back, a storm of electricity surging around him. Sparks danced across the tunnel walls, the crackling energy illuminating his scarred face and the murderous gleam in his eyes.

Ryzel shifted into a defensive stance, his draconic arms shimmering faintly as he prepared for the next attack. Behind him, Lera and the other trainees stood frozen, their weapons raised but trembling slightly at the sheer power radiating from Leoric.

"Stay back!" Ryzel barked over his shoulder. "I'll handle him. Focus on the mission!"

"But—" Lera began, but Ryzel cut her off.

"Go!" he snapped, his fiery gaze not leaving Leoric for a second.

The trainees hesitated but obeyed, scattering to continue their task. The tension between Ryzel and Leoric crackled like the electricity filling the air.

"You've grown cocky, boy," Leoric growled, his voice carrying an edge of sadistic amusement. "But let me remind you who you're dealing with."

Ryzel's grin remained, unfazed by the threat. "By all means, try. I've been waiting for this."

Leoric's aura blazed like a miniature storm, arcs of electricity snapping and crackling against the tunnel walls, illuminating the grim scene. Yet, even amidst the display of power, his sharp gaze flicked toward the confines of the tunnel. A smirk tugged at his lips as he weighed his options.

"Such a shame," Leoric muttered, his voice a low rumble barely audible above the crackling energy. "If it weren't for this fragile tunnel, I'd show you the full extent of my strength, dragon brat. But alas…" His smirk widened as his eyes darted to the masked Avengers behind him. "I'll just have to play nice."

With a sharp motion of his hand, Leoric signaled to his men. "You all—chase after the others. They're probably heading for the storage room. Kill them and recover whatever they've stolen. Leave no survivors."

The masked Avengers nodded and bolted toward the left tunnel, their boots pounding against the uneven earth as they pursued Ryzel's team.

"No!" Ryzel roared, flames erupting from his claws as he turned to stop them. He leaped forward, his draconic legs propelling him like a bullet.

But before he could intercept, Leoric appeared in front of him, moving with a speed that defied human limits.

A bolt of lightning surged from his palm, slamming into Ryzel's chest and halting him mid-air. The force sent him skidding back, his claws digging into the ground to steady himself.

"Ah, ah, ah," Leoric taunted, wagging a finger mockingly. "Your fight is with me, dragon boy. Let's see if you're as tough as you claim."

Ryzel snarled, his golden eyes blazing with fury. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, his draconic arms ablaze with fiery energy. He slashed at Leoric with a flurry of strikes, each one aimed to maim or break. Experience new stories with My Virtual Library Empire

Leoric dodged with unnerving ease, his movements fluid and precise. "Is that all you've got?" he sneered, ducking under a fiery swipe and countering with a lightning-charged punch aimed at Ryzel's side.

The blow connected, sending a crackling shockwave through Ryzel's body. But the dragon scales absorbed most of the impact, leaving him winded but still standing.

"Not bad," Ryzel growled, a grin breaking across his face despite the pain. "But you'll have to hit harder than that."

Leoric's eyes narrowed. "Cocky brat."

He raised his hands, summoning a series of lightning bolts that rained down on Ryzel. The narrow tunnel lit up like daylight, the air thick with the smell of ozone. Ryzel twisted and dodged, his draconic agility keeping him one step ahead of the deadly strikes.

Sparks flew as Ryzel retaliated with a blast of fire, the flames roaring down the tunnel like a dragon's breath. Leoric leaped to the side, the edges of his cloak singed as the fire scorched the wall behind him.

The two combatants clashed again and again, their attacks shaking the tunnel with every blow. Leoric's lightning danced and crackled, striking with deadly precision, while Ryzel's draconic strength and fiery strikes pushed back with equal force.

In the chaos, Ryzel caught sight of the masked Avengers disappearing down the tunnel. His heart clenched with frustration, but he forced himself to focus. If he couldn't take down Leoric, the mission would fail anyway.

Leoric seemed to sense his distraction and smirked. "Worried about your little friends? Don't be. They'll be dead soon enough."

Ryzel's gaze snapped back to Leoric, his expression darkening. "You'll regret underestimating me."

He lunged forward, his claws blazing with an intense golden flame. Leoric met him head-on, their attacks colliding in a brilliant explosion of light and fire.

The tunnel shook violently, small rocks and debris raining down from the ceiling as the two warriors clashed. Ryzel's claws tore through the air, his strikes fueled by raw determination, while Leoric's lightning crackled with deadly precision, each bolt aiming to break through the dragon scales.

Their movements became a blur, the confined space amplifying the intensity of their battle. Sparks flew, flames roared, and the tunnel became a battlefield of light and shadow.

Leoric grinned, his voice a low, taunting growl. "Not bad, dragon brat. But can you keep up?"

Ryzel didn't answer.

Instead, he roared, flames erupting around him in a fiery vortex as he launched himself at Leoric with renewed ferocity.

The two figures collided once more: a brilliant bolt of lightning and a blazing draconic figure clashing in mid-air, their combined power shaking the very foundation of the tunnel as their battle raged on.