"That's what I wanted to say to you, Fíliya. If that Macht saw that his Gold Transformation Magic (Di Agolze) was no longer exclusive to him, he would surely be shocked."
A smile appeared on Solitär's face.
"But I've confirmed one thing: you haven't completely mastered Gold Transformation Magic, have you? While you can turn yourself to gold as a defensive measure, you can't turn others to gold like Macht can. The proof is... you had the chance to turn me to gold, but you only used your 'Pain Control' magic... You weren't holding back, were you?"
"Tsk, you saw right through me, huh... But isn't that normal? A great demon spent hundreds of years researching it. If I could achieve the same level of mastery as the original user in just half a year, I'd be a bit too overpowered... Hmm, though I am already very powerful now."
Fíliya chuckled and spoke to Solitär, already preparing her next round of attacks.
Since this Solitär is completely immune to pain, I guess I'll have to use that spell.
Fíliya made up her mind. It had been a long time since she'd used this spell.
Sensory Control Magic.
The reason she hadn't used it in so long was firstly because she never had the chance—after all, she had been living under Solitär's protection—and secondly, because the spell had some major limitations.
The enemy had to be close enough for it to take effect.
But now, the distance was more than sufficient, so Fíliya immediately activated her mana.
"You've already missed your best chance, you know?"
But Solitär had clearly read Fíliya's thoughts. Her entire body was once again covered in that fluorescent green film.
Blocked by this film, all the mana Fíliya unleashed vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea.
"What in the world is this... Can it really block anything?"
Fíliya pouted in annoyance and broke free from Solitär's embrace.
"Fine. At least it wasn't a total loss. I can now be sure, Solitär, that this defensive film covering your entire body is the hardest thing for me to deal with... Therefore."
After putting a few meters between them, Fíliya took a deep breath.
"Solitär, you are forbidden from using that magic again!"
Fíliya shouted softly.
This demonstrated the overwhelming power of her 'True Name Sealing Magic'. She didn't need to know what kind of spell Solitär was using, only its general nature. To seal a spell, she didn't need to accurately call out its name.
The very instant Fíliya shouted those words, Solitär furrowed her brow slightly, and the fluorescent film covering her body immediately dissipated.
This spell was indeed Solitär's most prized life-saving magic, capable of resisting the effects of almost any spell. Thus, after losing this safe barrier, her composure was, as expected, somewhat affected.
But Fíliya didn't care what Solitär was thinking. She planted her feet, her eyes instantly widening as she stared straight into Solitär's pupils.
"Kneel!"
This was a type of mental magic similar to a command spell. Although Miss Fíliya's own skill in mental magic was far from top-tier, this was undoubtedly the perfect moment.
The reason she hadn't used it before was her wariness of Solitär's omnidirectional, flawless defensive magic. Who knew if that thing could even block mental magic? Fíliya hadn't dared to gamble on it then.
So, what was the effect of using it now?
Regrettably... even though Miss Fíliya felt her timing was perfect, this attack, launched in the split second of Solitär's shock after her magic was sealed, still had no effect whatsoever.
Not only that, but Fíliya herself felt a powerful mental backlash. A splitting headache shot through her brain, causing her to spit out a large mouthful of blood.
"Tsk... So... I told you I hate mental magic... If it fails, you're the one who suffers the backlash. Tsk... I really should... mess with this stuff less..."
Fíliya dropped to one knee, using her hand to steady herself and barely maintain her balance. Though she was now somewhat dazed, it didn't stop a pained smile from forming on her lips.
"Your timing was indeed excellent, but it's better not to use techniques you're not skilled in."
Looking at Fíliya's miserable state, Solitär couldn't help but laugh out loud. To her, as long as Fíliya wasn't dead, seeing her look so defeated once in a while was actually quite amusing.
"Yeah... I overestimated myself and underestimated you... Right, a coward like you who's lived for so long, how could you not have a way to defend against mental attacks... I was too careless."
Fíliya clutched her chest and coughed several more times, frankly admitting her mistake.
"So, in this state, can you still use that speed magic of yours?"
Solitär slowly approached Fíliya, a hint of playfulness in her tone. It was clear she believed the battle was already decided.
"Cough..."
Fíliya's breathing grew heavier. She had to admit Solitär was right; she was so exhausted she could barely stand, let alone use speed magic.
Then, with a casual wave of her hand, a one-handed sword appeared in Solitär's grasp. At the same time, dozens of various flying swords materialized and floated in the air behind her.
It's time to put an end to this farce, Solitär thought.
"Your big sister is very proud of you. No one has ever been able to fight me to this extent... But you're low on mana now. Aren't you going to admit defeat?"
"Heh... How would I know without trying? If you want me to lose, you'll at least have to knock me unconscious first, my foolish sister."
...Seeing that Fíliya still had the will to fight, Solitär wasted no more words and directly launched the flying swords at her.
She was certain that in this state, Fíliya could no longer use self-gold transformation to evade the attack.
Of course, she wouldn't kill Fíliya. She'd just cut off her legs first; as long as Fíliya wasn't dead, she could always find a way to heal her.
Watching the flying swords draw closer, Fíliya gritted her teeth.
She certainly hadn't given up. She immediately copied Solitär, materializing some flying swords with her mana and firing them to intercept Solitär's attack.
However, her flying swords were far inferior to Solitär's in both quality and quantity. Before long, she had completely exhausted her mana and collapsed to the ground.
"Tch... What a boring ending. In the end, I just couldn't beat the stat monster, huh?"
Miss Fíliya let out a resentful sigh from where she lay on the ground.
Finally, Solitär walked up to her and pressed the one-handed sword against Fíliya's neck.
"Promise me you won't leave, and I'll start healing you."
Solitär said.
"That's impossible. Even if you stop me today, I'll still leave tomorrow after I've recovered. I made a promise to Sense, and I have to go back... If you have the guts, then kill me, or knock me out every single time I try to leave."
Fíliya's attitude was firm.
This put Solitär in a very difficult position... She had thought that if she just roughed up her troublesome little sister a bit, she might make her listen.
But if Fíliya's mind was so firmly set...
Solitär bit her lip lightly, then turned her head to look at Aura.
"Aura... come here."
She called out in a commanding tone.
"Huh?! Me?!"
Suddenly being called, Aura jumped in fright. After all, Solitär's expression was truly awful right now, so she had no choice but to lower her head and sheepishly approach.
"I see... If it's that spell, then I really have no way to counter it."
Fíliya immediately understood what Solitär intended to do.
Solitär probably wanted to use Aura's Magic of Obedience (Auserlese) to implant a fundamental logic into her subconscious: [You must not leave Solitär]. And Aura could really do it.
Although Aura's direct combat power wasn't strong, Fíliya was certain that her Magic of Obedience was the most tyrannical mind control technique in the world.
Of course, she would have no chance of resisting the Magic of Obedience. After all, Fíliya knew very well that her own mental strength was far from incorruptible.
So she could only sigh silently.
"Solitär... why don't you understand... If you use the Magic of Obedience to bind me to your side... I won't be able to love you anymore."
She said slowly.
And those words were clearly effective. Solitär froze on the spot.
"Yeah, yeah... I don't get it either. Solitär, what are you even doing? Fíliya's just going back to the human world for an exam... Even if it takes a year or two, that's not very long, is it? For us demons, it's just the blink of an eye. Is all this really necessary?"
Seeing the hesitation on Solitär's face, Aura quickly chimed in, trying to persuade her.
Solitär fell silent.
Did she want the real Fíliya, one hundred percent, or an obedient puppet that just looked exactly like her? The answer to that question was probably obvious.
But still, she couldn't help but feel unwilling to let go.
Just then, Miss Fíliya, who everyone thought was down for the count, suddenly raised a finger.
A brilliant light emanated from her fingertip.
"Aura... nice work. You bought me the opening I needed."
Fíliya wore a playful expression, but the two demons in front of her were clearly baffled.
Aura didn't understand. Nice work? What did I do?
And Solitär was confused. The battle was already decided. What could Fíliya possibly do with that tiny remnant of mana at her fingertip? She couldn't even cast a single Ordinary Attack Magic...
With great effort, Fíliya moved her wrist under the confused gazes of the two demons, finally aiming that one finger at her own head.
"?! Wait! What are you doing!"
"Don't!"
Solitär and Aura finally realized what was happening. She was going to attack herself...
But at this distance, it was obvious no one could stop her in time.
And just like that, Miss Fíliya easily blew a hole in her own head...
...Except she didn't.
Just as the tiny beam of pure white light was about to pierce her brain, Miss Fíliya's body abruptly vanished right before the two great demons' eyes.
In the instant her body disappeared, a wry smile was clearly visible on Miss Fíliya's face.
She never expected that this life-saving trump card, which had cost her 15 million emotion points, would be used at a time like this.
...What happened?
Solitär had to understand, so she began to think rapidly.
The first thing to rule out was suicide. Fíliya would absolutely never kill herself. If she did, she would also fail to keep her promise to her... and to that Sense. Besides, there was no body left at the scene...
So, was it some kind of illusion?
At this thought, Solitär immediately expanded her detection range to its absolute limit. But within the dozens of kilometers she could sense, there was no trace of Fíliya's presence.
So she had to accept the reality... Fíliya had really used some strange method to slip away right under her and Aura's noses.
"...What's that?"
Solitär looked quizzically at the spot where Fíliya had been lying. Something strange seemed to have been left there.
Solitär hurried over and picked the object up.
It was a doll... a doll that looked just like Fíliya.
And underneath the doll, there was a slip of paper.
Solitär quickly unfolded the paper and read what was written on it.
[Solitär, you idiot who doesn't listen and doesn't understand people's feelings, you just had to force me to use my last resort to get away... Just you wait. The next time we meet, I'll be sure to teach you a lesson... After using this magic, I'll definitely be outside your detection range, so don't even think about looking for me. And don't take it out on Aura or Sense... I'll remember to bring you guys back gifts, so farewell for now... my most hated, and most beloved, Miss Solitär.]
...
Aura took in Solitär's every reaction.
She watched as Solitär read the note with a blank expression, then carefully folded it and tucked it away. As for the doll, she had been clutching it tightly ever since she picked it up.
Watching this, a strange thought suddenly crossed Aura's mind: from now on, Solitär would probably gain a new character trait—a fondness for hugging dolls.
___
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