Tsukasa, floating in mid-air, was still estimating how long it would take Subaru to master Mana Coverage when suddenly, his gaze froze.
Below on the lawn, Subaru had at some point assumed a fighting stance, her feet firmly rooted and her figure like a leopard ready to pounce.
Her rapid breathing was exceptionally clear in the silent courtyard, and even more shocking was that a flow of mana, like blue flames with black edges, was dancing on her clenched fists.
"Is this... a fighting stance?" Tsukasa whispered in disbelief.
In the brief moment he was dazed, the mana on Subaru's fists had already achieved a stable coating.
"Less than ten minutes... Is it because of the difference between mana and Cursed Energy, or..."
At that moment, Subaru slowly opened her eyes. Looking at her hands glowing with a blue radiance, her voice trembled with excitement. "Tsukasa! Look! This is Mana Coverage, right? It's amazing! It feels like my whole hand is wrapped in warm seawater, and..."
She clenched her fists tightly. "I can feel it, this hand is full of power right now."
Through the Six Eyes, Tsukasa clearly saw that as Subaru's mood became jubilant, the magic output on her fists was fluctuating violently.
'Although she doesn't know how to control the output volume yet, just this learning speed alone...'
He suppressed the shock in his heart and continued to guide her, "While the mana output is high, try throwing a punch at the air."
The moment the punch was thrown, a violent wind erupted with her as the center. The lawn within a ten-meter diameter shattered instantly, spider-web-like cracks spreading rapidly. Grass clippings and dust were swept high into the sky, as if a small storm had descended here.
As the punch was thrown, the mana covering Subaru's hands dissipated like a receding tide.
She stared blankly at the lawn that had been devastated into a mess, murmuring softly, "I... can actually become this strong?"
Unlike Subaru's shock, Tsukasa stared at the trail of destruction, falling into thought.
Theory alone wasn't enough, variables in actual combat were the true test. He secretly calculated that after Emilia finished her communication with the spirits, he would have Subaru ask around if there were any suitable "live targets" nearby for practice.
"Tsukasa!"
Subaru's cheerful call interrupted his thoughts. "How was that punch? Hurry up and praise me!"
Seeing Subaru looking up, waiting for praise, Tsukasa replied with a slight curl of his lips, "It was so-so, finally starting to look like something."
"What? That's so perfunctory."
"Wow! Is this Subaru's masterpiece?"
Just then, a clear voice sounded from not far away.
Puck was floating lightly in the air, curiously observing the destroyed lawn.
Puck flew in a circle around the lawn, his tone full of wonder. "Although I heard Lia describe it, seeing it with my own eyes is still surprising. This way of using mana is unheard of."
Seeing Subaru's confused expression, he explained, "Mana is another name for magic power. Usually, mages extract mana from their 'Gate' to cast spells directly. I've never seen it used to strengthen oneself like you do."
He paused, his tone becoming meaningful. "Tsukasa taught you, didn't he? That's truly remarkable."
"Hmph. At least this little guy has good taste."
At this moment, the praised Tsukasa swung his legs proudly in the air. "So Subaru, you should cherish my guidance."
Subaru gave Puck a helpless smile. "I don't want to encourage a certain someone's arrogance but that is indeed the case."
Just then, Tsukasa's gaze shifted between Puck and Subaru, and a sudden spark of inspiration hit him.
"Subaru, go and exchange a few moves with him."
"Eh? What did you say?"
"I said, go and have a fight with him."
Tsukasa's eyes gleamed with eagerness. "A sparring partner this good isn't easy to find."
While Subaru was still hesitating, Tsukasa had already stood up and was rubbing his hands together.
"If you don't practice, then let me. I've wanted to test this guy's depth for a long time."
He was curious if this spirit's strength could rival Reinhard's.
"I know."
Subaru quickly stopped him and turned to Puck, who was grooming his fur, twiddling her fingers awkwardly. "Um... Puck, I have a small request."
Hearing Subaru's bashful voice, Puck stopped his movements and blinked knowingly. "Do you want to spar with me?"
Having her mind read, Subaru's face instantly turned red. "T-That's more or less what I meant."
"Of course."
Puck spun around happily in the air. "I happen to be very interested in this new thing too."
...
On either side of the lawn, Subaru and Puck stood facing each other. Emilia, who had finished her communication with the spirits, stood at the edge of the field, her hands clasped in front of her chest, her eyes still carrying a trace of worry.
She had noticed the anomaly with Subaru and Puck the moment her 'routine work' was finished. Although she was worried the person and the cat might get hurt, she ultimately agreed.
"We're starting now."
Puck floated in mid-air, and three rapidly spinning Ice Balls quietly condensed beside him. The surfaces of the Ice Balls reflected the sunlight, emitting a faint hum.
"Bring it on!"
Subaru took a deep breath, her gaze locked onto the tiny figure in the air.
As Puck's paw lifted slightly, the three Ice Balls came whistling in a triangular formation, blocking her space to dodge left or right in just an instant.
Watching all this, Tsukasa spoke unhurriedly to Subaru, "Remember to use what I taught you."
Subaru had no time to respond to Tsukasa's words. She didn't choose to retreat but gave a low shout, crossing her arms in front of her. Deep blue mana instantly wrapped around her forearms like flames.
Bang!
The first rapidly spinning Ice Ball arrived first, slamming into Subaru's crossed forearms and exploding. However, the cold air and impact made her arms go numb.
As Subaru scanned with her peripheral vision, the Ice Balls on both sides came whistling in a pincer attack, blocking her path of escape.
In the nick of time, the deep blue mana flow instantly covered her calf muscles. Subaru twisted her waist and unhesitatingly threw a sharp side kick, the wind from her leg whistling.
Bang!
The Ice Ball on the left was hit, exploding in mid-air into a cloud of crystalline ice mist.
Almost at the same moment, facing the last Ice Ball that had already approached her chest on the right, her already prepared left punch was suddenly thrown from her waist. Her mana-covered fist, carrying the sound of breaking air, met it head-on.
Bang!
The last Ice Ball also disintegrated under this punch.
(End of Chapter)
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