Time passed, and Elysia finally became confident about new magic types that she could use for physical attacks using magic. That way, she didn't have to worry too much about fighting accursed monsters next time.
"Haa-huff, Ely, don't you feel tired? You haven't even sweat a bit yet. Here, have a drink." Ella came over with two bottles of mineral water in her hands.
"En, thanks, Ella." Elysia received the bottle with a smile.
At that time, they took a short break after completing a training session for casting combined magic and non-elemental magic. Among all of them, only Evelyn looked pitiful with exhaustion.
Elysia understood her friend's condition, but there was nothing to worry about. She nudged the girl who was sitting next to her. "Eve, need some help? You can take the energy elixir for practice this time, you know?"
"Ah, is that true, Ely? Yesterday, you said drinking energy elixir is not good, I think?" Evelyn glanced at her best friend with doubt in mind.
"Hmm, did you hear me wrong at that time, Eve? I'm sure I said that energy elixir is not always the solution, especially if the practice is to exceed one's limits. However, that is fine if it's occasional or for an emergency." Elysia patted his chin, trying to remember what she said yesterday.
"Really?" Evelyn rose from the ground, staring at her best friend with a bright expression.
"Yes, it's absolutely true." Elysia gave a subtle nod with a smile.
After knowing that, Evelyn took a vial of blue elixir from her Space Bag and drank a little. Elysia watched Evelyn's EP recover until it was almost 100 percent full. One tiny sip recovered about 1,500 EP.
"Phew... I came back to life." Evelyn breathed a sigh of relief. She couldn't drink any more than that because she knew that she was full of energy again.
"Welcome back." Ella gave a greeting with an amusing smile.
Then, the three girls turned towards their instructors at the current opportunity. Their attention was drawn because Hannah was pestering Ariel for a practice match, a spar.
"Nee, A-ri-el, let's do a spar after this. I've been hoping for a long time to meet you. I want to see first-hand the ability of the Saint holy knight who managed to repel a regiment of devil force alone without getting hurt." Hannah patted her hand and spoke from Ariel's right, then moved to Ariel's left... It really bothered the holy knight lady, who was usually calm.
Ariel closed her eyes, feeling a little annoyed. This was the sixth time she had heard a similar invitation from Hannah. Not to mention that Hannah became familiar with her suddenly, without her consent.
"Miss Hannah, we are currently acting as instructors. As you know, I can only fulfill your wish after this exercise is finished. However, it's not a serious contest of strength. It's dangerous if the spar is done here." Ariel finally accepted the invitation and the challenge, albeit she was a little reluctant.
The power battle between two Saint-level experts shouldn't be held at a training ground. Even though it was protected by particular barriers and specific zone rules, the power clash was still ferocious. If this black knight lady, known as a battle junkie, could refrain from any devastating technique during the spar, then things would be fine.
"Wonderful, yes, it's not a serious battle. If I get serious in the spar, you'll be in danger, Ariel, fufu..." Hannah clapped her hands again with a big smile etched across her face.
Ariel furrowed her brows when she heard Hannah's words. When she saw the black knight lady's expression, it was as if she was being looked down on? Ridiculous, even though she was clearly a few levels below Hannah, that didn't mean Hannah could look down on her. Even so, Ariel was silent, and no longer spoke to Hannah.
"Well, who wants to try sparring with one of us? We'll guide you in direct combat practice, you know! You can try to injure us with any technique without hesitation, and we will just deflect incoming attacks without striking back~" Hannah turned around. She made an offer to the Elysia and Rosie group.
After saying that, she glanced at Elysia. "Elysia, do you want to try sparring with me? I've seen your talent, and it's amazing. Your energy aura is still white, but your magic output is probably on par with Master-level experts."
For some reason, Elysia felt the smile on Hannah's face looked mysterious and strange. Was she being targeted by Hannah like an ant to sugar?
"I appreciate your invitation, Miss Hannah. However, I want to combat training with Miss Ariel first." Elysia shook her head and stood up. Then, she walked closer to Ariel.
Ella and Evelyn became Hannah's next target. Yet, these two girls just ignored the black knight lady and talked to each other.
"Ella, how about you sparring with me? For a hands-on experience, I think you are the best. Grandpa Max will be our supervisor." Evelyn tugged on Ella's arm a little.
You're right, Eve. It's kind of unpleasant if we spar with Saint-level experts. We're still quite amateurs in this field, and we can't be like Ely either. Let's tell Sir Maximilian, I'd like to spar with you again too. Uhm, I'd like to spar with Ely, also." Ella nodded and stood up.
"In that case, it's already decided. I also want to spar with Ely later. She is very good at teaching something step by step. I like that very much." After saying that, Evelyn walked with Ella towards the old wizard.
"En, I like Ely too." Ella innocently agreed. She had no idea that Elysia stumbled a little while walking because of her ambiguous words.
Hannah scratched her head awkwardly. The two girls walked away and decided before she even had time to say anything to them.
Because of that, she glared at Fran and Rosie with a big smile as if she received no other answer than yes. "Fran, Rosie, let's do the spar with the technique you just learned earlier. I want to see the development of my Junior Harold's grandchildren over the years."
"Senior Hannah, then you have to back down and become a punching bag. No striking back, as you said, remember?" Harold suddenly interrupted before his grandchildren gave Hannah any response.
"Fine, fine, I'm just going to be a punching bag. But, the one that's tough and hard to beat." Hannah waved her hand in front of her face to comply with the demands. It was easy to do if the opponents were only runny brats.
Rosie and Fran could only agree because their grandfather had spoken. It was a relatively rare opportunity for them to train directly with a Saint-level knight. Moreover, together with their grandfather's senior!
"Miss Ariel, if you please." Elysia requested, and it was granted because Ariel had received the request since last night. After that, the two went to the most extensive special zone and set specific rules before their spar.
"Granpa Max, please supervise our magic practice. We will use magic with the risk of injuring each other, but we don't wish to hurt. Can you do that for us, pwease?" Evelyn came up with a request that was a little odd to say. However, that wasn't a problem for the old wizard at all.
"Easy, you ask, and I will grant it. I just need to put up an emergency barrier around your body. That way, release your magic at will without fear of hurting anyone. Let's go to the special zone over there." Maximilian immediately led the way, and the three of them walked towards the spar zone near Elysia and Ariel.
Well, even though that was said and they went there. Maximilian and the two girls decided to watch the spar between Ariel and Elysia first.
Meanwhile, Ariel had just finished arranging the agreed rules on the most expansive special zone's control runes.
"Miss Elysia, the barrier around this zone will be active in one minute and will be effective for 30 minutes. The gravity level remains at the normal level. Let's enter the zone." Ariel pointed and received a nod from Elysia. They entered the zone and stood facing each other at a distance of 20 meters.
One minute passed, a blue barrier was erected from the white line around the zone and locked them in a giant semi-transparent box.
"The barrier is in place. Are you going to use a weapon, Miss Elysia?" Ariel got ready and asked for confirmation before they started. She just saw Elysia standing without holding anything, so she was a little confused.
"No, Miss Ariel. I will not use a weapon because I will practice my magic, as I learned last night. Please avoid or block my magic with seriousness. Here it is, I shall begin." Elysia shook her head and braced herself on stance. She stretched out her hand and snapped her fingers.
*Snap*
*Swoosh!*
A ferocious and dangerous sound wave spread out with Elysia as its focal point. Ariel's eyes widened slightly, and she immediately took a stance to ward off the almost invisible storm of sound.
"Spiral Burst." Ariel pierced the sound wave attack with two of her fingers, and a spiral energy wave crashed head-on, causing a small blast.
*Smash*
Elysia's opening strike was brushed off easily by Ariel, but not too easy. Ariel couldn't underestimate Elysia's capability in the slightest, even though her opponent only had a white energy aura.