The clash between both attacks was colossal.
Jeremy's power centered on imagination, however it worked through [Ether].
Ether was like the material used to construct what he imagined.
In contrast, Ariel's power was different.
The chants she used blurred the line between fantasy and reality, generating mystical phenomena.
They were like illusions that came to life through complex formulas.
Though this didn't mean her magic was superior.
In fact, it was like a tangible illusion, so one was able to interact with her magic.
Therefore, when both power clashes occurred, the result was disastrous.
A gigantic crater several kilometers wide formed, with Jeremy getting the worst of it.
His mecha was completely destroyed, and even so he had to hurry to create a vehicle capable of drilling and traveling underground to protect himself from the explosion.
Jeremy had barely survived, while Ariel was unscathed.
Being in the sky was an advantage.
"Looks like that disgusting man learned his lesson," Ariel said arrogantly as she observed the enormous crater. For her it was an assured victory.
However, something caught her attention.
There was a silhouette in the sky, floating elegantly where a huge explosion had just occurred.
"What the hell?" the girl wondered as she looked at the silhouette.
The figure was dressed in a fitted white tunic with golden decorations.
Her face was covered by a mask and her long black hair danced in the breeze.
"He... didn't survive the attack, right?" the girl questioned, confusing the figure with the mecha's pilot. "Better not take any chances."
Ariel affirmed as she pointed a finger at the figure.
At its tip formed a reddish-pink heart.
"[Super Love Ray]," Ariel pronounced as the heart exploded and from it came a ray of light of the same color.
The silhouette didn't even move, however the ray seemed to collide with something invisible.
The ray divided in the air multiple times, traveling through a kind of "invisible labyrinth" until completely dispersing.
"Huh? What kind of trick was that?" the girl wondered as she leaned forward to better observe the silhouette.
As she did, the air began to "crystallize," or at least so it seemed.
As if invisible mosaic-shaped mirrors had been revealed.
The mirrors began to disappear, revealing an object they seemed to be surrounding.
It was a jian sword, which floated in the air as if being controlled by the silhouette's mind.
"The target has remained alive. I must finish him off," the voice said. It wasn't a masculine voice but quite the opposite, a soft but firm voice that could only come from a woman. "[Celestial Sword Dance: Descending Stars]."
The mysterious woman pronounced.
As she did, the sword accelerated at an unimaginable speed while its blade glowed intensely.
The weapon traveled swiftly through the tunnel Jeremy had dug moments ago.
And before he could react, the sword struck him, generating an immense explosion which destroyed the landscape again.
"Wow! That was amazing!" Ariel said with her eyes lit up with excitement. "Hey you! What's your name? What you did was awesome!"
The figure turned toward Ariel. While her attitude was cold on the outside, the truth was her cheeks were red behind her mask.
The truth was her way of acting was more like a "performance." She was just imitating a character from her favorite manhwa.
Still, she also felt her pride grow from that comment.
After all, it hadn't been easy to become this strong with her ability [texture manipulation: F Rank].
Still, even being victim to that whirlwind of emotions, the girl didn't break character when speaking.
"I am the Silver Dragon of the West. What is your name?" the girl asked with a feigned cold and calm voice.
Her real name was Noelia, but the nickname "Silver Dragon of the West" was much cooler.
Ariel's eyes shone with more intensity. Her admiration had grown, though ironically if whoever bore that name had been a man, Ariel surely would have found it ridiculous.
"Wow! That name is amazing!" the girl responded with a radiant smile. "My name is Ariel, though my stage name is Nixa Amenoi!"
The girl exclaimed with excitement.
She had always admired strong women. She considered herself one, so meeting someone like Noelia—the Silver Dragon of the West—was undoubtedly exciting.
Noticing the sincere admiration Ariel felt toward her, Noelia calmed down.
Her initial plan had been to finish her off too, but now she had changed her mind.
"I see. That's a good name indeed," the woman affirmed calmly. "Tell me, would you like to team up? I think you have skills that could be very useful to me."
Hearing that, Ariel nodded multiple times energetically.
"Yes! We'll be sisters who fight against the patriarchy!" Ariel exclaimed with a radiant smile.
Noelia nodded slowly. Ariel would become a very useful tool for her.
Then a sound made her turn around.
Upon turning, she could see a great mountain of sharp ice approaching them from the forest.
"Looks like we have company," Noelia said seriously.
Ariel nodded.
"They'll regret getting close to us! You'll see!"
Neither of them knew it, but the final battle of the trial was about to begin.