I don’t think it’s winding down,I have a feeling this is building up, they’re immortal and a lot of the things they’ve learned are book knowledge training. They’re still going to fall and make mistakes.
Touta still can’t utilize magia erebia or magic cancel to the extent asuna could.
Dana killed them so easily its funny and how often is your master stronger than the main antagonist? Kuroumaru killed a dragon in a week, Fate during Negima killed a dragon nearly instantly with 1 spell. to say they’re going to off hoodie is okay but jumping right to the mage of the beginning after that would be really really weak.
I feel this chapter was to show the characters what they are capable of and make them stronger.