Before a master of magic like Patchouli, Zeroy's methods of staying airborne were full of flaws.
As Zeroy closed in, Patchouli only needed to stir the mana permeating the air—she didn't even need an actual spell—for Zeroy's makeshift magic to fail with ease.
Attempting another midair step, Zeroy's foot found nothing. Patchouli's attack followed immediately.
"Royal Diamond Ring—"
It was a fusion of Sun and Moon magic, the complex incantation compressed into the spell's name; merely speaking it completed the chant.
A rapidly spinning wheel of light rose into the night sky like a small sun.
Zeroy, unable to evade, was struck directly into the ground.
"St. Elmo's Pillar of Fire—"
With a low chant, a blazing pillar of fire roared upward from the ground, crimson flames devouring all and illuminating the battlefield.
But in the heart of the flames, a massive, ferocious fighter craft gradually emerged, its engines roaring like a beast.
Looking slightly battered, Zeroy stood atop the fighter's hull, her crimson Kagari armor gleaming in the firelight.
Her gaze locked onto Patchouli.
The craft's thrusters spewed radiant exhaust as it shot forward, racing against the flames threatening to melt it.
Patchouli's face shifted; prismatic light flared around her. Countering, she shifted aside just in time to avoid the direct impact.
Abruptly, in the next instant, a grappling hook shot out, wrapping firmly around her waist.
Restrained, Patchouli was yanked toward Zeroy, closing the gap instantly.
"Element Harvester—"
Several metallic gears appeared, revolving around Patchouli at high speed. The shriek of slicing air filled the night, turning the space around her into a deadly no-go zone.
Yet, such tricks could not stop Zeroy.
What she feared most was an enemy who refused to clash head-on.
Her Striker Unit blade flipped in her hand, and she slashed down onto the gears with the spine of the blade!
Sparks exploded as steel met steel, the deafening crash driving the gears—and Patchouli herself—down to the ground in a storm of dust.
Zeroy followed immediately.
"Silent Moon Goddess—"
Struggling to rise, Patchouli's tome flipped frantically, complex magic circles bursting into existence around her.
Pale moonlight spilled forth, delicate as silk yet condensed into an impregnable wall, radiating sacred, icy force.
—The strongest shield must be broken by the sharpest blade!
The Kagari armor erupted in flames, cloaking Zeroy entirely in fire. She became a blazing meteor plummeting down.
"Flames, reignite!"
Patchouli was in poor shape.
Zeroy's strikes were far too heavy; just one solid hit had nearly broken her body's limit.
Even so, she still refused to yield, raising her hand within the circle—
"Royal—!"
Her chant cut off abruptly. She clutched her chest, her face turning deathly pale.
"Ugh... mm... m-mq..."
Her body went limp.
Zeroy immediately tried to pull back her strength, but it was too sudden—she still crashed into Patchouli.
Boom—!
The impact thundered across the field, then silence fell.
"Hss…"
'That hurt... wait, no, it doesn't hurt? Why... it's soft... comfortable…'
Zeroy's thoughts froze for a moment.
'No, wait! Patchouli?!'
She pushed herself up and looked down.
Patchouli was beneath her. They had collided completely, which explained why it hadn't hurt.
And her hand... was pressing onto something soft.
Soft, smooth, and fitting perfectly in her palm… wait, why did reality actually play out like this?!
"Uh... sorry, I..."
Her apology stopped short. Patchouli's condition was far worse than she had thought.
The witch's face had lost all color, cold sweat dampening her hair. Her eyes were shut tight in pain, lashes trembling as her breaths came shallow and weak, as if they might stop any moment.
"Patchouli?!"
Zeroy's heart clenched. She immediately cast a healing spell.
Her magical skill was shallow, but it was enough to ease some of Patchouli's pain. The witch's furrowed brow loosened slightly, her awareness faintly returning.
With trembling fingers, Patchouli raised her right hand. Mana glimmered at her fingertips, and a small vial of red liquid appeared.
"Potion..."
Her voice was so faint Zeroy had to press her ear to her lips to hear.
"I'll help you."
Supporting her head gently, Zeroy asked, "You need to drink this?"
"Mm..."
Carefully, Zeroy fed the potion to her pale lips. As the liquid slid down her throat, its effects were almost immediate. A touch of color returned to Patchouli's cheeks, and her breathing eased.
Her brows relaxed. Though her eyes stayed closed, her expression shifted from pain to concentration, as though adjusting her state.
Zeroy let out a breath of relief, keeping her cradled while scanning their surroundings.
They were still in the wilderness, swarming with Gastrea. Since their battle began, creatures had been drawn in without pause.
Regardless, any that came near were shredded by the fight's aftermath.
Now corpses littered the ground, and their numbers had dwindled significantly. For the moment, no more approached.
Soon, the witch stirred in her arms.
Looking down, Zeroy met her calm violet eyes.
"How do you feel now? Recovered?"
"Recovered, more or less."
"What exactly happened just now?"
"..." Patchouli averted her gaze.
"My constitution is... frail."
"Uh... frail? Even if mages are supposed to be squishy, this is too much, isn't it?"
Neither of them had fought seriously; she was sure of it. Their sparring couldn't have inflicted real harm.
And yet Patchouli collapsed halfway through!
Zeroy had never imagined a powerful, extraordinary being could be so fragile… even if she was a mage.
Then again, thinking back, Patchouli hadn't weakened gradually—it was sudden. More like... an illness flaring up?
She understood.
So she was sickly. A frail witch who stayed peacefully in her library all day?
As for the details, Zeroy didn't ask further. Probing such personal weakness would be rude.
"Then, once you've rested, shall we resume?"
"No... no need. You've won. This mission will follow your lead."
...
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