Chapter 386: The Difference in Phenomena After Replenishing Magic for Two
Although both experienced issues in the same area, this time it was different.
The substance appeared similar—both were transparent, flowing materials—but their surface tension differed significantly.
The former had tension similar to normal water, while the latter was comparable to saliva, possibly even blood.
"...O steel bearing the name of the Lion King. I command you now, cast aside the disguise I bestowed upon you and reveal your true form. Appear before me in the majestic form of a lion and fight alongside me."
With Erica's Word of Power, her accidentally knocked-away sword transformed into a massive silver lion.
The lion opened its bloody maw, baring blade-like fangs and claws, and lunged to tear into a woman with smooth, beautiful flaxen hair.
If it bit down and seized her, this woman's alluring limbs would likely be torn into gruesome wounds, her body ripped open.
No, her body might truly be torn into several pieces.
And so, as the steel lion tore into her, her body was instantly ripped apart into several fragments.
But eerily, there was no gush of blood, and the torn body vanished like a mirage.
"How truly ferocious, Erica~"
A voice brimming with coquettish mockery echoed through the surroundings, and the figure of the Witch Lucretia materialized about a dozen meters behind Erica.
It had now been a day since the slaying of the God of War, Verethragna, and the next day had arrived.
Thus, Lucretia—who had suffered such a dreadful scene after having her Magical Power drained—had now recovered her strength. Having obtained the Divine Authority, she decided to engage in a small bout with Erica today.
"Come forth, O Savior from a Foreign Land. O Lord of Covenant born of a Virgin! ...Well then, it's time for a duel, Reinhardt!"
As she taunted, Erica chanted a Word of Power and charged forward, a newly materialized sword in her hand thrusting straight toward Lucretia's head.
However, just like before, the pierced head vanished like a mirage, and the strike landed on empty air once more.
No—wait. A few flaxen strands of hair could be seen drifting down through the air.
In a new position, Lucretia now stood, her silky hair cascading down to her calves, with a tiny, almost imperceptible section of it severed.
"I must say, you're really trying to kill me, aren't you?"
"Hmph, as a Witch of the Earthly Throne, you're not so easy to kill. If you were to die just like that, it would only prove you're a Witch in name only. And even after obtaining a Divine Authority, if you're still this pathetic, then you're truly worthless."
Erica flicked her beloved sword with a practiced motion.
The Witch before her kept striking illusory duplicates—phantoms created through the Authority of Wind.
They weren't formed directly from wind; how could wind take solid form?
Instead, the wind manipulated the moisture in the air to refract light, producing mirage-like illusions.
Look—in that instant, the Witch conjured a whole crowd of them, surrounding Erica in an instant.
So, Erica curled the corner of her lips slightly and snapped her fingers.
The next moment, the earth writhed, and sand surged upward, covering all the illusory figures.
No—that wasn't sand. Unbeknownst to anyone, she had hidden locusts underground, and now they swarmed all over the figures in one swift motion.
Thus, Erica spotted one of the images panicking, frantically brushing the locusts off its body.
The remaining illusions vanished instantly.
Heh, she finally caught her.
However—
"Just kidding, Erica~"
The panicking Lucretia, who had been slapping at the locusts, gave her a playful smile before her figure crumbled into sand.
At the same time, that teasing voice didn't just come from the collapsing figure—it also echoed from behind Erica.
It was as if two people had spoken simultaneously.
Then, Erica felt a slight nibble on her ear, causing her to let out a strange sound.
She tried to resist, but Lucretia behind her had already cast a spell on her, leaving her body weak and slightly paralyzed.
All she could do was glare sideways at the Witch behind her, gritting her teeth.
Damn it. She was so unwilling to admit defeat at the hands of her opponent.
Of course, Erica didn't believe her Authority was at a disadvantage; it was purely a matter of combat experience, where she fell short compared to this long-lived Witch.
If I had lived as long as Lucretia and gained as much experience, I would definitely win.
"Don't be impatient, Erica. For someone your age to possess such abilities, you can hardly find another like you in the world. You can be proud of that."
This wasn't Lucretia offering comfort, but genuine praise.
She truly was a child prodigy.
However, upon hearing these words, the girl clicked her tongue in displeasure.
Just then, she heard the telephone ring—the one in her cottage. She wondered who it could be.
But only a handful of people could call her home.
First, she could rule out the mail carrier. After all, she kept up with the times and often shopped online.
If it were the mail carrier, she would have seen the delivery truck already parked outside her house.
So who could it be?
"Long time no see, Granny~"
Such a voice came through the phone, but Lucretia didn't immediately move to answer it.
The master she now served was reviewing some documents she had organized when the phone beside them rang, which he casually picked up.
Despite the distance, as a Witch, she could easily hear the conversation if she wished. The female voice on the line belonged to one of the Witches she knew—a Witch of the Heavenly Throne.
"I'm not Granny."
"Huh? Then, who are you?"
"Call me Grandpa."
"Eh? Grandpa? Uh...!"
The other end of the line fell silent, and Lucretia let out a soft chuckle, amused by his little jest.
The caller soon realized she had been teased and slighted, hence the silence.
"If Granny returns, please let her know Alice is looking for her."
With those words, the call ended abruptly, giving no chance for the person who answered—Renji—to respond.
So, he shrugged and turned his gaze toward the two beauties, one tall and one petite, who were walking back toward him.
"My magical energy reserves are down to seventy percent now, so I need a recharge. Which of you will provide it?"
The thirty percent depletion was due not only to daily upkeep but also to the extensive magical deductions he had performed while studying the books before him.
At his words, the expressions of the two approaching women shifted subtly.
The golden-haired young lady's face stiffened slightly, her lips pressed together as if she were hesitating and struggling with something.
Meanwhile, the flaxen-haired Witch's expression also tightened for a moment before a blush gradually spread across her cheeks. She swayed her enchanting figure with a hint of shyness—or perhaps it was more aptly described as coquettish charm.
The effects of drawing magical energy from each produced distinct phenomena.
For the former young lady, it was like turning on a faucet, with a steady stream flowing out normally.
For the latter Witch, it was akin to attaching a showerhead to the faucet, accompanied by a fine mist.
Additionally, the former lasted longer, while the latter was brief.