While only a few minutes had passed in the real world, inside the barrier around Zaydas's mansion, a total of two weeks had gone by.
During this time, Zaydas, along with the members of his Peerage, trained vigorously and began learning how to better control their strength.
Zaydas's greatest challenge was knowing how much strength he was exerting when doing something as simple as picking up a glass of water without breaking it.
As simple as it may seem, due to the massive increase in strength he received—which wasn't just a mere boost in magical power—something so basic became a complicated feat. Because of that, during the first few days, he had to reinforce all the utensils with magic before using them.
"BOOM!"
While Zaydas was reflecting on several things, something happened in the 'arena'.
Rurushi, using her new unique ability, [Empowerment], had all of her stats increased. It was a version similar to a Super Saiyan's—at the moment she used this ability, an aura formed like candle flames around her, crackling with lightning as her long silver hair became more vibrant and voluminous.
However, Tia wasn't left behind. Her unique ability was called 'Archangel Rebirth'. She essentially entered a Battle Mode with all her stats enhanced, while a pair of wings in the style of Diablo 4's Archangel flared dramatically from her back.
The thing is… these wings aren't just for show. The luminous wings that spiraled in threads of light—each thread represented an enormous concentration of power gathered by using this Battle Mode.
While in this state, not only did all of her stats increase, but she also gained greater control over the Light element.
Right now, she had practically become a being of light when Rurushi struck her. But instead of taking damage, one of the threads of light representing her wings vanished while she herself became intangible—Rurushi's punch caused an explosive sound in the air, but not because it hit her.
Still in intangible mode, Tia retreated. Even though she had lost a thread of energy from her Archangel Mode wings, she still had nine left. In other words, she basically had ten lives while using this ability.
"Damn it, why do I feel like whenever I get something good, you just get something equivalent and I can't get an advantage over you?" Rurushi said, frustrated.
Tia wasn't happy with that comment, since the same could be said about her. Sighing, she exclaimed before attacking: "I'd like to know that too!"
Tia's speed wasn't slow, but the current Rurushi could see all of her movements in slow motion. She moved accordingly, and when she saw that instead of attacking, Tia simply shot up into the sky and sacrificed another of her luminous wings to instantly create a spear of light... she went on full alert.
In Rurushi's hand, a fireball of destruction was created. From a mere ping-pong ball, it grew as large as a basketball, but she felt it still wasn't enough. However, Tia had already hurled the spear of light in her direction.
"You... Fuck it!!" Cursing, Rurushi's eyes turned fierce as she assumed a throwing stance and, with colossal strength, hurled the fireball of destruction.
"Whoosh!"
No comparisons—if Rurushi's fireball of destruction wasn't fire, now it would be due to the incredible speed that tore through the sky, leaving afterimages from how fast it was thrown while a loud buzzing echoed through the rumbling sky.
But even with such a violent attack, she didn't stay in place—moving with agile footwork, she distanced herself from where she had been and... moments later, proved that it was the right decision.
"Booom!"
In the sky, the clash between the fireball of destruction and the spear of light echoed magnificently. The flash of light made several of them shield their eyes with their hands while squinting.
And as violent as Rurushi's attack was, it took less than a second to be destroyed by the spear of light, which continued onward and struck the ground.
"Booom!"
"Ahhhhh!"
A sound even louder than the shockwave between the attacks resounded.
Some of the girls screamed in alarm as a strong wind filled with dust hit them.
Tia's attack that struck the ground simply created a huge crater, vaporizing everything in its path without leaving a trace of what once existed.
It was as if, instead of Rurushi who had used something with destructive power, it had been her.
However, that was the effect of the spear of light, which had an overwhelming natural destructive power in the form of light.
So, was her attack dangerous and did it put Rurushi's life at risk? Maybe, if Zaydas hadn't been present at the scene. With his current strength, even without full control, saving either of them was a simple task for him.
And even if Rurushi had been hit, at most she would have been seriously injured, but her life wouldn't have been at risk. The 'Super Saiyan' Mode wasn't there just for show.
...
The clash between Rurushi and Tia continued for a few more hours without either side gaining an advantage.
In the end, Zaydas had to intervene and declare a draw while Tia still had two threads of energy left, and Rurushi was showing signs of fatigue.
"Tsk, I thought I'd beat you this time..." Pouting, Rurushi complained, but soon a final smile curved on her lips as she extended her hand toward Tia: "It was a good fight."
"Same here." Tia extended her hand as well and with a smile, she shook Rurushi's hand.
"Fufufufu~ Hahahaha!"
Soon, the two began to laugh strangely as a mischievous expression appeared on both of their faces.
Was it weird that seeing the two of them like that, Zaydas felt they were cute?
...
Later, after lunch, Ravel challenged Shizue to a duel.
"She's brave..." Rurushi murmured.
"Yes..." Tia agreed with her.
They weren't the only ones who thought so—even Benimaru and the others held a bit of admiration for Ravel for having the courage to challenge Shizue, after all, whether in swordsmanship or her abilities, Shizue was nearly invincible.
The only ones who could defeat her easily were Zaydas and Grayfia; even Hakurou was able to gain an edge against her.
"She's being reckless..." Benimaru commented.
"Maybe not." Hakurou stroked his beard, analyzing it from another point of view.
"Huh?" Not only Benimaru, but Souei also looked at him with visible confusion in their eyes.
"Ho-hoho, wait and see. If it's as I'm thinking, even if Ravel-chan loses, it won't be in the way you're imagining." Hakurou didn't explain.
Even though they were curious, knowing Hakurou's personality, they knew they wouldn't get anything more from him at that moment and turned back to watch how the duel between Shizue and Ravel would unfold.
"She looks confident..." Shion clenched her fist tightly as her eyes filled with fighting spirit.
Soon, they all fell silent because the duel between Shizue and Ravel was about to begin.
The moment Zaydas tossed a gold coin into the air, Shizue and Ravel readied themselves to act after a gentle exchange of greetings.
"Begin!"
At Zaydas's shout, Shizue and Ravel moved!
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