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"Hmph. So, you mean to say you won’t let me pass?"
"I’m glad you catch on quickly."
"…Very well. Following your lead irks me, anyway!"
Unmoved by Inglis’ invitation, Tiffany tried to leap into the large hole to chase after Rafinha and the others.
A clear, ringing sound echoed as a mass of ice appeared mid-air. It rapidly expanded from the center of the hole, growing larger than the hole's circumference and sealing it completely in place.
As it grew larger than the circumference of the hole, the ice block fully sealed it off, settling firmly in place.
The ice block was even larger than the one Inglis had used to freeze and contain Cyrene. Creating such a massive structure through sorcery required a substantial accumulation of mana converted from Ether. However, the current Inglis could handle techniques that used Ether, mana, and Dragon Roar simultaneously.
Mana and Dragon Roar could be combined to create Dragon Sorcery, and Inglis had been gathering mana in preparation to unleash a spell while clashing with Charlotte's Ether Armor.
Back when she fought Cyrene, Inglis had to stop and pool all her power to encase her in ice completely. Now, she still had energy to spare, and the ice mass she created was even larger than before, a clear indication of her improved control and mana reserves.
It felt great to recognize her own growth. Since leaving her hometown of Ymir to enroll in the Knight Academy, Inglis had faced battle after battle, each sharpening her skills. There really was no better training than real combat.
Even after coming all the way to the Highland, the last place she'd expected conflict, battles continued to find her. This must be a turning point in history—times like these often bring large-scale conflicts.
Sure enough, Illuminas was engulfed in flames before her eyes. Perhaps the Goddess Alistair had reincarnated her in this era precisely because it was an ideal time to push her powers to the limit.
—She couldn’t thank her enough for such a magnificent opportunity.
"Fufu… Now we can fight without any reservations. Even if Illuminas is sinking, we still have some time until it’s completely underwater, don't we?"
Inglis smiled sweetly, but Maxwell clicked his tongue in irritation.
"You battle-crazed lunatic! Have you been corrupted by contact with the Prisma!?"
Such an accusation was outrageous. Inglis proudly puffed out her chest and protested.
"How rude! The Prisma did no such thing. I’ve always been this way!"
"That makes you even worse!!"
"Yes, yes, a very important distinction. Either way, someone should have stopped her before she created this ice wall… Now I can’t chase after what was supposed to be easy prey."
Tiffany, smirking, directed a sarcastic remark at Charlotte.
"My apologies. However, I hadn’t anticipated she’d be able to gather enough mana to create such a massive ice block while under attack—”
"It doesn’t matter what it is. Just smash through the ice!"
At Maxwell's command, the faceless giant raised its fist toward the ice block sealing the hole.
"I won’t let you do that!"
The stage had been set so perfectly. Inglis wouldn’t let her formidable opponents escape so easily.
She kicked off the ground, intercepting the giant’s fist mid-trajectory. With her small, clenched fist, she collided head-on with the massive punch.
The giant's fist shattered explosively, as if it had been blown apart from within. The Mana Essence fluid that made up the giant's form scattered into fine droplets, spraying everywhere.
The force of Inglis’ punch sent the giant stumbling backward, causing it to lose balance and land heavily on its rear.
The ice block was safe. However—
"Tailwind! Thunder Spear!"
Charlotte closed in on Inglis' side, aiming to strike her ribs with a swift punch. She was fast enough to keep up with Inglis, even with her Ether Armor activated.
Additionally, the tip of Charlotte's halberd crackled with lightning. Throughout their fight, Charlotte had been using a technique similar to Inglis’ gravity magic while cloaking herself in what she called ‘tailwind’—a powerful wind that boosted her speed.
This combination of self-enhancement and opponent-slowing effects created a formidable advantage. The gravity technique would restrict her opponent’s movements, but the weight of the gravity spell had no effect on Inglis when her Ether Armor was active.
The Ether Armor acted as a powerful barrier, nullifying the effects of Charlotte’s gravity restraint. Thus, Charlotte’s technique no longer served as a combination; it merely enhanced her own movements.
Understanding this, Charlotte abandoned the gravity spell and instead focused on amplifying her halberd's offensive power by wrapping it in lightning. Clearly, Charlotte could wield two techniques simultaneously, but not more.
Her judgment was sharp, and her response was swift and precise. The tip of Charlotte’s halberd was perfectly timed to exploit the brief opening left by Inglis after her punch had repelled the faceless giant.
If things continued as they were, the attack would strike before Inglis could regain her stance.
"I've got you now…!" Charlotte voiced her certainty of victory. But—
From behind Inglis’ small frame, a white, translucent dragon tail appeared—the draconic aura she had inherited from the Dragon God Vufailbane. As she grew more adept with it, she could now manifest it in shapes mimicking parts of her own body, increasing its utility in combat.
For this moment, she deliberately left it in the form of a long dragon’s tail. If she had formed it to resemble her short limbs, it wouldn’t have reached Charlotte effectively.
Besides, raw power wasn’t necessary for her current purpose. The dragon tail coiled and struck the shaft of Charlotte’s halberd, slightly altering its trajectory.
For Inglis’ smaller body, that small deviation was enough. The halberd tip missed, grazing past her chest, and Charlotte herself passed right by, nearly brushing against Inglis.
Inglis had anticipated Charlotte exploiting her momentary opening, which was why she had prepared to use her Dragon Roar to deflect the attack. She’d been saving it for just this opportunity.
Fighting one-on-one was thrilling, but battling multiple opponents had its own charm. The layered tactics made it all the more engaging.
And Charlotte wasn’t the only one targeting Inglis. From the other side, Tiffany was charging in, causing the two to collide.
“Ugh…! Your little tricks!”
“I have no interest in embracing you!”
While the impact wasn’t devastating, their collision forced both to stop, creating a critical opening.
Inglis took advantage, kicking both Charlotte and Tiffany, sending them flying through the air together. They shot off with the force of a bullet.
Right in their path stood the faceless giant, just beginning to rise from its prone position. The two collided with the giant’s chest, effectively catching them.
—Exactly as Inglis had planned!
“Now you’re lined up…! Ether Strike!”
A massive sphere of radiant energy surged toward Charlotte and Tiffany.
“Ughhh…! Such incredible power!”
“At least… try to deflect it!”
True to her strength, Charlotte didn’t let herself be overwhelmed. She braced herself, using her halberd as a shield to hold off the attack. Even Tiffany, for once, stopped bickering and joined in.
Supporting them both was the faceless giant. Had the giant been alone, it might have reshaped its body to avoid the blast, perhaps creating an opening in its chest to let the energy pass through harmlessly. But if it did so now, Charlotte and Tiffany would be sent hurtling far away.
With no solid footing, the two could barely withstand the onslaught of the energy blast. At worst, they risked being obliterated by its force.
However, Inglis knew this wouldn’t be the end. Maxwell, who controlled the giant with his Artifact, remained silent and watchful, making no move. He undoubtedly had more in store. Inglis could sense that this fight was far from over. More challenges lay ahead, and she eagerly anticipated them.
“So, what will you do?” Inglis asked with a graceful smile, turning her gaze toward Maxwell.