346: The Solitary Strongest ④ (Weiss)

"Malice!"

I roared from the bottom of my lungs.

Having spent every waking moment by her side, I knew she would catch my drift instantly. Malice charged in a straight line toward the Shrine, her intent clear: Destroy it at any cost.

"You certainly don't hesitate, Weiss."

I’d been caught off guard plenty of times in my life, but I’d never shook with this much terror until today. Still, I didn't work my ass off just to crumble here.

Shaking off the dread, I launched an immediate counteroffensive. I poured everything I had into a single strike—the kind of desperate, all-out blow I'd only ever used against a Dragon.

Normally, my Magic Eye predicted an opponent's movements by reading the flow of Mana. This time, however, the visual prediction only registered after my Glass Soul had already started ringing.

Damn it! If I don't focus more, my Gift is basically useless!

There was no time to sit around and weigh my options. I had to act right now! I swung my sword down from the upper right with every ounce of strength I possessed. The blade was imbued with Eleanor’s Corrosion; a standard Shield wouldn't be able to stop it. Not a chance.

But—

"An attack means nothing if it doesn't land. I suppose I haven't taught you that lesson yet, have I?"

Teacher Milk dodged with a speed that defied logic. It was more than just her exploding her Mana to boost her velocity; she was likely overclocking her brain's neural transmission speed as well. That was the only way to explain those inhuman reflexes.

...So that's their game. The development team behind Noblesse were sticklers for logic in all matters. Their characters weren't just "strong" for the sake of it; there was always a grounded reason for their power.

I quickly deployed an omnidirectional defense, modeled after Coco’s Shield. Even if my Magic Eye couldn't keep up with her movements, I’d be able to intercept an attack no matter which direction it came from.