A-Rank Blue Magic [Absolute Ice Wall]. A defense so impregnable that even the attacks of powerful monsters cannot scratch it. Furthermore, like the Diamond Ice Roses, it has an attached effect of damaging those who touch it, and any half-hearted attack will only lead to self-destruction. For Melfina, whose primary strategy is defense, it is a versatile magic that can be used for both offense and defense.
—That icy defense is now shattered by the demon’s blow.
Crack crack crack!
Sera’s demonic wrath-infused right arm is slammed against the Absolute Ice Wall. Deep cracks spread across the entire wall in an instant. Centered on the impaled right arm, the Absolute Ice Wall collapses inward, and ice shards scatter towards Melfina.
“Hmph…”
She parries the spear and deflects the incoming ice shards.
(I don’t see any damage from contact. That blackened right arm not only increases in power but also acts as armor. If that’s the case, the target should be the destruction of the right arm, or an attack on an uncorrupted area… Normally, I would choose the latter—)
“Smashing that monstrous form is also quite amusing!”
“You’re surprisingly passionate! I like that!”
Sera spins in mid-air and sweeps her right arm with momentum. Her fist is open, and her sharp claws lunge to tear Melfina apart.
“Sacred Heavenly Garment.”
White angelic wings manifest on Melfina’s back. A holy white aura radiating from her wings is transmitted to her armor and spear.
In sparring matches, weapons are made to be easily breakable with minimal lethality. Therefore, the weapons currently equipped by Sera and Melfina are not S-Rank equipment. This is a precaution in case of emergencies and to train without relying on the strength of the equipment. Moreover, with this sparring equipment, powerful attacks cannot be unleashed. The equipment itself cannot withstand the techniques or magic. In fact, the knuckle-type weapon Sera had equipped on her right hand was destroyed upon activating her demonic wrath (besides, in this case, the arm size difference is too great). Incidentally, Gerard cannot change his equipment, so he adjusts by applying ability reduction before the match.
As if to prove this, Melfina’s spear begins to creak ominously. Without showing any concern, Melfina thrusts her now glowing white spear at Sera’s black arm, which is attacking her.
“Haaah!”
“Tch!”
Black and white clash, and the shockwave ripples all the way to Kelvin’s location.
Soon, black and white blend together. Melfina’s white spear pierces through the palm of Sera’s black arm.
But at that moment, Sera laughs.
“I’ll take this spear!”
Sera forcefully crushes the spear with her penetrating fist. The spear, already weakened, seems to withstand Sera’s fist without significant damage from the penetration. This leaves Melfina weaponless and completely defenseless.
She retreats a few steps to regain her stance, but Sera accelerates with her flight skill and closes the distance in pursuit. An upset, victory flashing through my mind for Sera.
“I’m surprised. You’ve grown, Sera.”
Her angelic smile spills out again.
—Crack.
“—Huh?”
Like glass shattering, the demonic wrath crumbles with a shrill sound. Sera probably couldn’t understand what happened. Nor could we.
“Sacred Heavenly Garment is not an enhancement magic. It circulates holy energy throughout the body, purifying abnormalities. Its effects range from status ailments to ability enhancements and reductions. And its target is not just me.”
Clatter…
Melfina’s spear, which had been embedded in Sera’s fist until a moment ago, falls to the ground as her demonic wrath dissipates. The faint white aura that remained completely vanished at that moment.
“You don’t mean… you did it on purpose…”
“Even though we were in direct contact, it took quite some time to neutralize. If the black arm had held on for just a few more seconds, you would have won, Sera.”
Due to Sera’s acceleration with flight, the distance between them was minimal. It was within striking range for both. Now that they had both lost their buffs, the match would be decided by raw strength and abilities. Melfina’s magic glows bluish-white and is unleashed towards Sera—
“Still—!”
Something unseen pierces the ground, and Sera’s trajectory is forcibly changed. Melfina’s magic grazes Sera’s cheek, freezing the ground as it flies off into the distance.
(This is… Sera’s tail made invisible!)
Sera’s demonic horns, wings, and tail are rendered invisible by disguised hair ornaments. The effect of Sacred Heavenly Garment added to Melfina’s spear only dissipated the demonic wrath, and did not nullify the disguised hair ornaments.
Sera impales her invisible tail into the ground, narrowly escaping certain death. Furthermore, for a mere fraction of a second, a comma’s worth of time, she manages to distract Melfina.
Ignoring her freezing cheek, Sera pours all her effort into her next attack. The groundwork laid first as a precaution. Sera’s blood, adhering to various places, simultaneously gains magical power. Most of the places where blood adheres are Diamond Ice Roses. The blood extracts crimson magical power from the Diamond Ice Roses and transfers it to Sera’s fist.
“Blood Scarlet Reverse Cross Cannon!”
A blood-colored reverse cross is drawn in the trajectory of her fist. Its power increases with the amount of magic absorbed and the amount of her own blood shed. The crimson flash directly hits Melfina’s abdomen, dyeing her blue armor crimson.
“Gah…h…!”
It was the moment the goddess, who had landed on the ground, was brought to her knees by the demon.
~~~
“You both did well. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Kelvin healed me, you know? Of course not.”
“I’m also fine. Thank you, Lord.”
In the end, the match ended in a draw. As Melfina knelt, Sera, who had exerted her full strength, also ran out of energy. Both were immobilized, and the match was put on hold.
“Sera, that was magnificent. Without your status advantage, I would have been the one defeated.”
“What are you saying? Melfina, you’re not yet accustomed to that body, are you? Besides, if you had gone all out from the beginning, I couldn’t have fought so well.”
Friendship forged after a match. Neither is arrogant and both can calmly assess their strength. Wonderful, yes.
“Still, you were really fired up this time. Did something happen?”
“Hmm? Melfina, is it okay to say?”
“Yes. I was competing for the right to sleep next to you tonight.”
“…What?”
What is that…
“Because Kelvin’s right side of the bed is always occupied by Efil, isn’t it? If that’s Efil’s designated spot, then only the left side is available!”
“We found out that fact a few hours ago, and that’s why we were competing for the right. However, the match was inconclusive…”
“…”
“Melfina, what will you compete over next?”
“Let’s see. Shall we bet on whether Efil’s dinner tonight will be Japanese or Western cuisine?”
My head is starting to hurt… Besides, you’re only sleeping next to Efil… Cough cough.
“Grandpa, if you cover your ears, you won’t hear anything.”
“Ryuka, it’s too early for you.”
