Chapter 37
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Chapter 37: Beyond the Battlefield
"Alice’s level is around 25, slightly higher than yours. Moreover, her numerous Summoned Beasts and unpredictable tactics could counter you – especially that magic-sealing mirror you’ve already fallen victim to. Treat this as actual warfare and stay vigilant," Midi advised Fina bluntly.
He then turned to Alice. "As for you, conserve your Physical Strength. Our captain here excels in physical combat."
Leveraging two decades of reincarnation experience and intimate knowledge of both fighters, Midi delivered precise counsel.
Fina nodded without hesitation, her trust in Midi absolute. The future Queen of Magic appeared satisfied that he’d cautioned her opponent too, having no desire for unfair advantages in single combat.
Alice grew perplexed – how did this guy know such details about her Summoned Beasts? Why warn her about energy conservation? Were these genuine tips, a psychological tactic, or some Trap? The Mist Sorceress found no answers.
Having spoken his piece, Midi gestured to the bewildered Sigmund and Lilian, making swift exit.
"Let’s move."
"Where to?" The gunner instinctively asked.
Sigmund and the Blue Fist Saint exchanged clueless glances. As longtime followers, they understood their Queen’s temperament – when she declared a one-on-one duel, no interference would be tolerated regardless of concern.
Midi smiled at their confusion. "We still need to achieve our original objective – persuading the Mist Sorceress. That requires preparation."
As the black-haired boy spoke, a fiery Mushroom Cloud erupted in the distant woods. Tremors shook the earth while scorching winds whipped leaves through air, stinging their skin with heat. Fina and Alice’s full-powered battle had commenced.
Midi never glanced back nor slackened pace. Protecting loved ones meant showing utmost sincerity while respecting their choices, not controlling their actions.
The group moved purposefully until magic battle roars faded completely. Sigmund and Lilian suddenly noticed converging magic veins – they were approaching the forest core.
After crossing another ridge, the scenery transformed. Towering trees gave way to open grassland encircling a two-story structure. Ancient trunks stood sentinel like city walls around the Witch’s abode, where crystal streams flowed through idyllic scenery.
This earthly paradise held formidable defenses exceeding any level 25 adventurer’s capabilities. If Alice ruled the forest, her dwelling embodied its essence.
Magic veins merged like tributaries forming rivers that converged at the building’s foundation. Harnessing this endless magic, Alice had woven hundreds of interlocking arrays – precise clockwork mechanisms forming the White Crow Array defense system.
As a magic-wielding Ghost Cry, Midi knew this array intimately. While cracking it through brute force would take dangerous days, locating its entrance offered better options. The reborn youth’s knowledge granted multiple approaches, though none guaranteed success in persuading the Mist Sorceress.
The question was, where was the gate of the array?
Midi didn’t bother inspecting the hidden runes among the grass and rocks. Instead, he pointed upward. "Sigmund, shoot that stupid bird down!"
A gunshot echoed. A black shape flapped its wings before tumbling from a branch, falling like a heavy stone.
Midi snatched it mid-air.
"Robin, tell me—where’s the lock of the White Crow Array’s gate?" Midi asked cheerfully, cutting straight to the point.
The named crow didn’t resist. It spat on the ground and declared with calm defiance, "You think I’d reveal the lock’s location by the seventh birch tree? Foolish human! Strike me down! Robin will prove even summoned creatures have warriors!"
As Midi’s group reached the Witch’s abode, the girls’ battle raged on.
Time blurred. Deep night faded as golden sunlight spilled across the horizon, draping the forest in gold. The washed azure sky gleamed, breezes carrying dew that sparkled like gems among leaves.
A radiant winter dawn—when most would pause to admire nature’s quiet shift from dark to light.
But the two girls had no such luxury.
Four hours.
From full firepower clashes to tactical strikes, stealth ambushes, then reckless brawls. For three-quarters of the time, Alice’s Summoned Beasts and higher level suppressed Fina. The rest saw Fina’s counterattacks.
This cycle repeated endlessly.
Fina had reached level 25 after pushing her limits. Alice, no slouch despite her laziness, hit level 26. Yet the stalemate held.
Their taunts had dwindled from "Eat this Magic Beam!" to "How much longer…?"
Their spells degraded too—from potent high-tier magic to feeble, untracked projectiles. Summoned Beasts shrank to low-cost physical attackers.
Any observer would gawk—the legendary Mist Sorceress and Hamilton genius reduced to apprentice-level skirmishing?
Only the girls understood the agony—each spell’s drain, each hit’s sting.
"Give up! I’ve memorized your beasts’ patterns!" Fina panted behind a tree, shouting at a distant rock pile.
"Look who’s talking! Can’t even throw Magic Beams anymore!" Alice retorted, equally breathless. "Four Black Knights—can you handle that?"
"Think Elementalists fear blade battles?" Fina shot back, refusing weakness.
But she knew. Alice’s petite frame hid terrifying power. Tiny advantages piled up—victory would tilt to the Mist Sorceress. Once fighting, Alice became a flawlessly calculating monster.
Still, the future Queen of Magic wouldn’t retreat.
Victory wasn’t the goal now. She needed Alice’s respect—to make the cold Mist Sorceress listen.
Fina had proposed this duel, but never forgot her true aim: earn Alice’s recognition through battle, help Midi protect his territory.
As she strategized, a bright signal flare erupted from the Witch’s abode.
"Midi?" Fina gasped.
Across the field, Alice stood abruptly. Her fortified abode—guarded by the White Crow Array—had been breached. Impossible!
"Truce? Check what’s happening?" Fina emerged, noting Alice’s hesitation. "You can’t fight anymore either."
"Another scheme?" Alice eyed her coldly.
"I don’t know his plans—you kept us apart." Fina shrugged, then met Alice’s gaze. "But he wouldn’t interrupt our duel without reason. Let’s see?"
"Trust you?" Alice scoffed.
"See for yourself." Fina turned, exposing her back to her recent mortal enemy.
One strike could end her. Yet Alice stayed her hand.
*Show me your game,* the Mist Sorceress thought, lips pressed thin as she followed the retreating crimson hair.
