Chapter 184 Annoyed, Amused, Amen
"Ah, yes," Kuzunoha said, her voice taking on the lilting cadence of a scholar about to deliver a lecture. "Fae magic. It's far more potent and unrestricted than either ohrtending or arcane sorcery.
"Unlike our practices, which rely on specific channels, schematic incantations, law of equivalent exchanges, and fuel sources—fae magic is fueled entirely by will and imagination. Its limits are defined only by the caster's proficiency and creativity."
"So… it's infinite?"
"In a sense," she replied, her gaze fixed on the battle. "It doesn't rely on external resources the way our magic does. A fae's magic is as natural to them as breathing, and it is just a coincidence that reality will bend over to the rhythmic pattern of their breathing. After all, they all are birthed with it, and there is nothing that can topple their will except a greater will from a different source of power."
Wasn't that extremely dangerous!?
And here I thought that arcane sorcery was utterly bullshit!
Wait, if all fae were born with it, and Viviane confirmed that I was one of the fae…
Shouldn't I have access to fae magic?
Maybe kidnapping—I mean, recruiting Viviane into our bastion was the right move after all.
We still have a half an hour left before the start of the Ordeal.
"However, that doesn't mean all faces are equally skilled. Power without control is just chaos, and that Lady of the Lake…"
Kuzunoha's eyes gleamed mischievously.
"... Is far from the most skilled fae I've encountered."
That was both comforting and concerning.
And to a great extent, I also forgot to open Viviane's detail screen. My excitement took over me when I saw that fairytale figure emerge from the water, and her connection with me as a fellow fae kind just sucked me into her words which it felt needless to open her detail screen like anyone I met before.
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[
Viviane
]
[Water Nymph, Female, Ageless, Excalibur Corporation]
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Abilities
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[
Fae Avatar
: This individual can manifest an immense, semi-solid avatar of water in her image, amplifying her presence and magical power. This avatar can manipulate the battlefield with massive tendrils, water-based constructs, and devastating surges, embodying the lake's force in its entirety]
[
Rift Convergence
: With her mastery of fae magic, this individual can temporarily open rifts in reality, allowing her to draw anything that her wildest imagination could comprehend. As dangerous as it was, what was drawn from the other side of rift relies solely on the caster's will and comprehension]
[
Living Domain
: This individual's connection to her lake grants her complete control over its waters. She can summon its currents to trap, heal, or overwhelm others within her territory. Additionally, she passively regenerates energy and power while within her domain, making her nearly impossible to exhaust]
[
Foresight
: This individual can see into the future. However, there is a limitation on what path of events that she can access because of the limited authority]
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Highlighted Traits
—
[
Judgmental Insight
: Having lived countless years as a Lady of the Lake, This individual possesses a sharp ability to assess others' true intentions and moral alignments. Her keen judgment allows her to see through lies and facades, but this relentless scrutiny can alienate her from others, especially those with complex or hidden motives]
[
Unyielding Ideals
: This individual adheres to a strict code of morality and duty, born from her role as a guardian and nurturer of the land. While this steadfastness makes her reliable and principled, it often leads her to clash with those who take a more pragmatic or opportunistic approach to leadership]
[
Ethereal Charisma
: As a fae of immense beauty and power, This individual exudes an aura that commands attention and respect. Her presence inspires awe and reverence, but it can also create a barrier of intimidation, making genuine connections with others difficult]
—
[<{
Biography
}> {
Inventory
} {
Health
} {
Needs
} {
Social
} {
Log
} {
Info
}]
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Holy moly! Now that I see it, I was an idiot for jumping into the water without opening her detail screen. I was saved by the fact that I was a fellow fae and not just any mortal she could kill without a second thought.
I guess my emotions got the better me. I guess I'm not as psychopathic as my biography told me to be, heh.
"And Verina? Can she handle this?" I asked, worried for my one and only green-haired deadpan-snarker.
"Verina," Kuzunoha said with a touch of pride, considering how detached she was when it came to referring to people with their own names. "Is exceptional in her own right. She may not have the raw power of a fae, but her arcane sorcery is precise, deliberate, and devastatingly effective.
"She won't lose to the Lady of the Lake—not in this match, at least."
My attention returned to the fight. Verina's movements were fluid and calculated, each spell she cast laced with a precision and pure destructive prowess that countered Viviane's raw, miraculous energy? I still couldn't fully grasp the power of arcane sorcery, let alone what other bullshitery that a fae possessed while also being a hypothetical limitless source of energy. Stay connected via empire
The lake itself was caught in the struggle as expected, the waters twisting and surging as the two forces collided.
Viviane let out a frustrated growl, her hands weaving an intricate pattern that sent a cascade of glowing tendrils spiraling toward Verina.
But Verina's rare and eerie smile never faltered.
"Nice try," Verina said, snapping her fingers. A shimmering barrier of arcane glyphs appeared before her, absorbing the attack with an almost casual ease.
Viviane's eyes narrowed. "You're annoying."
"And you're sloppy," Verina replied. "Charmingly annoying, but sloppy."
Despite the intensity of the battle, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for both of them.
Viviane's magic was raw and untamed, a showcase to the boundless potential of the fae.
Verina's counterattacks, meanwhile, were a masterclass in precision and strategy, her control over arcane energy nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Maybe it was because I deem Verina as my own? It was akin to watching your dog performing well in the competition in the local park with other dog owners.
Though, aside from that, I noticed that Verina's rare smile and fiery gaze was quite charming in its own right.
I guess I felt affection for her because she was one of the catalysts of how I managed to survive until now. Not to mention, her interest and affection for me wasn't solely born out of my psionic charm in general.
I did remember hearing her say that I still look beautiful and charming even without my psionic charm, so there might be some genuine truth in some of her flirting.
Kuzunoha sighed beside me. "Such drama. It's almost poetic, don't you think?"
"More like, exhausting," I muttered. "But I suppose this is what happens when two powerful women with strong personalities clash."
"Indeed," she said, a smile playing on her lips. "And yet, I can't help but wonder… What's your next move, Narcissus? Surely you're not going to let this end in a draw.
"While their prowess was incomparably weak to anything I dealt with in the past, they were both an immovable object in their own right."
I smirked, despite the chaos unfolding before us. "Oh, I have a plan. I always do."
"You?" Kuzunoha said with a chuckle. "A plan? This I have to see~"
The battle raged on, but my mind was already racing ahead, piecing together the next step in my ever-evolving strategy. Viviane might be stubborn, but I wasn't about to let her slip through my fingers. Not yet.
Not when I still had cards to play.
"Though, you won't be giving me your assistance like usual?
"Are you asking me why I don't want to help my rival in the pursuit of your love?"
"I thought she was more of your student."
"Children grow fast, especially if they came from the very race who hunts my people at any given sight."
"The almighty Kuzunoha holds a grudge, that's a first."
"I'm always holding grudges~"
Kuzunoha said that last sentence with such a scary smile and glint on her eyes, I'm afraid to ask what she truly meant.
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