The impact was far more violent than anything as mundane as merely slicing through the air. If not for the auxiliary formulas containing the shockwaves, the entire area would have been obliterated long ago.
(Damn it! This is beyond ridiculous! Her trajectories are simple, her movements are easy to read... but this speed and power—this is the true weight of one who stands at the summit of the Demon Realm!)
Isis’s physical strikes were predictable haymakers, but they possessed such overwhelming force that even Iris’s absolute defensive barriers couldn't withstand them.
Because the attacks were so obvious, Iris managed to evade them, but the mental strain was immense. Dodging a flurry of fists where a single graze meant catastrophic damage was exhausting.
(...What kind of 'mock battle' is this, you idiot!? I’m in this state and she hasn't even used her specialty, magic... The gap in our power is so vast it barely qualifies as a fight. You knew this would happen!)
Alice, of course, was fully aware that Iris couldn't hope to match Isis in her current state, even if she exerted herself to the breaking point. And knowing that, Alice had arranged this sparring session anyway. That meant there was a different objective at play.
(Is this revenge for what happened at the bar? No, she isn't the type to hold a grudge over something so small, and even if she were to retaliate, she wouldn't do it like this. If so, what is she after? Even if the mock battle officially begins now, I’ll just be crushed—Wait, is that it?!)
Knowing Alice as well as she did, it didn't take Iris long to grasp the intention. When Iris turned her gaze toward the sidelines while dodging another of Isis’s fists, she saw Alice wearing a faint, knowing smile.
(...Damn it. I told myself I understood. I thought I was being careful... but it was true, wasn't it? I had become... conceited.)
Iris bit her lip, a flicker of frustration crossing her face even as her mind remained cold and analytical.
(...I knew this was borrowed power. I understood that the strength I have now was a gift from Alice, not something I forged myself. But even so, because I possessed such immense power, I fell into the trap of thinking 'this is enough.' I decided that further effort was unnecessary. My indolence knows no bounds.)
Narrowly avoiding another fist by a hair’s breadth, Iris stared directly at Isis.
(Yes, right now, I am nothing more than an ordinary person who happened to stumble upon great power. Not a single shred of it is truly 'mine.' What have I been doing these past two years?! Power that one has not mastered is nothing but a hollow facade. Ah, damn it, I see now. During that time when I was nothing but a drifting consciousness, the fangs of the one once called the Violent Beast had rotted away...)
Without even realizing it, Iris had grown arrogant. Possessing a body with the same physical specs as Alice had made most of the world seem like weaklings by comparison.
That was why she had stopped. She had ceased her growth, satisfied with what she had. In fact, she hadn't even bothered to learn chantless magic, simply because she had never felt the need.
For Alice, who called Iris her partner, this was unacceptable. Alice was irritated—wondering why Iris was content to stand still, and why she wasn't clawing her way up to the level where Alice stood.
(...After this fight, you want me to say it, don't you? You want me to beg, 'Train me.' Fine! I’ll say it! I’ll spit out those words and bow my head to the dirt if that’s what you want!! But that’s for after the fight. Right now, the ultimate example is right in front of me. I’ll struggle with everything I have and learn what I can!!)
Iris wore a savage grin as she watched Isis’s fist approach... and this time, she caught it.
"...I'm surprised... Suddenly... your physical enhancement... improved."
By mimicking Isis’s own method of physical enhancement through sheer observation, Iris had successfully caught the blow. Several of her fingers snapped in unnatural directions and blood sprayed from her palm, but she held on.
"...Ha, hahaha... To think I had even forgotten the basics. Since the old days, I’ve always hated losing. Losing without being able to show my true strength was a humiliation worse than death. But this time, I’ll accept it... if it means I can grow my fangs once more."
"...U-Um?"
"Isis-san, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, would you be willing to instruct me in the management of magic power at a later date? My crude imitation is clearly insufficient."
"...Yes... if you're okay with me... I'll teach you... anytime."
"...I am in your debt."
Iris gave a shallow bow, feeling slightly annoyed at how perfectly she was being played by the girl in the distance.
Then, as if she had been waiting for the exact moment the conversation ended, Alice’s voice reached them via magic.
"Is that enough of a warm-up? Alright, let's finally have Isis-san move on to magical attacks. Iris, you're free to either defend or dodge."
"Fine by me. I intend to make the most of this lesson."
"...Hm? ...I don't quite understand... but okay. Also... before that... let me heal... your hand."
Isis held out her hand, and Iris’s mangled palm was instantly restored. As Isis drifted softly back into the air, Iris let out a dry laugh.
"...Good grief, the world is a big place. No, I suppose this is an entirely different world, isn't it..."
She muttered the words to no one in particular, then glanced at the massive staff in her hand—Apocalypse.
"O Violent Beast sleeping within my heart, you aren't so submissive as to stay silent after this, are you? Let’s see how far we can struggle together."
At her words, Iris’s Heart Tool—and her own soul—emitted a faint, pulsing light, as if nodding in agreement.
Serious-senpai: "...Wait, isn't she giving off some serious main character energy right now?"
???: "And yet, the true protagonist is just sitting there watching."
Serious-senpai: "Being kidnapped, being rescued, spectating the fights... Kaito’s role is basically the heroine's at this point."
???: "Well, it's a bit late to realize that now. Besides, he acts like a proper protagonist when it actually counts, so..."