Against an opponent whose defense is nearly impenetrable. Against an opponent whose strength is clearly higher than one's own.

Aurora has always wondered: What if she had to face an opponent stronger than herself?

Of course, how 'strong' is considered varies between people. One might count physical prowess or mental prowess or boil it down to whoever comes out victorious in the end being the strongest.

Aurora believes in the last sentiment.

'What is the point of overwhelming strength if the one possessing it loses?'

Almost desperately, she has been finding ways to refine her power—her ideal of power. Be it environmental advantages, first-strike advantages, number advantages, or exploiting loopholes in this incomplete combat system.

In a way, it is identical to a gamer trying to maximize their character's efficiency in combat.

When consulting with Chloe regarding ways to deal with entities stronger than herself, Aurora immediately thinks like a gamer. Depending on the target's weakness, she will approach it in a certain way. If the boss has patterns, she will find a way to use them to her advantage or cheese through them altogether. If the boss's actions can be mapped, she will set up traps beforehand.

If the boss simply possesses high offense and defense...

'DoT.'

Damage over time.

A term referring to damage taken from an attack or effect that is dealt over a certain period of time rather than in bulk. Majoratively speaking, this method often consumes less energy than others, and it can deal with annoying opponents who have high defense levels as well.

Of course, some bosses in [Astra Magical Academy] are considered to have 'DoT immunity,' but Aurora's current opponent does not. After all, how can the deceased—the zombie has [Status Condition Nullification] when it doesn't have a status?

In the game, DoTs are a byproduct of elemental attacks themselves, so there are no specific skills to learn to get this ability. Even so, this matter is quite different in reality.

Instead of automatically inflicting DoTs like the way the player does in the game, one will need to put them into existence actively. To control and extend the elemental magic present on the opponents' bodies—this is the true process of dealing damage over time in this world.

Not many people possess the brain capacity to do this. Not while fighting.

But Aurora is different.

Stacking on top of her unnaturally high INT stat, she has decided to purchase a skill she has been eyeing for a while—[Parallel Thinking].

[Parallel Thinking: Enable the user to duplicate their thinking. Cost: 2 MP per minute] [Epic]

On paper, it sounds great, as she can expect to double her magical output for a relatively reasonable price, but there exists a fatal problem with this skill. Allegedly, some will experience adverse effects from having two trains of thought running in their heads at the same time, so buying it is considered taking a risk.

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If it works, then great, but if not, then it is a huge waste.

However, Aurora has no choice left, so she resolutely buys it the moment she makes her decision.

[4 skill points consumed]

[Skill: Parallel Thinking Lv.1 acquired]

[6 skill points consumed]

[Skill upgraded: Parallel Thinking Lv.1 -> Lv.4]

As soon as she activates the skill, a feeling as though her consciousness itself has been expanded arises. She feels her magic output getting stronger, as well as her overflowing thoughts becoming more bearable.

Of course, the world doesn't feel slower like how many fictions depict.

'Having two of my brains doesn't equal faster processing power, hm. Maybe it will appear later when the skill's level is higher.'

For now, this is enough, she thinks.

Just like that, Aurora begins her quiet yet deadly retaliation, daringly dancing with the grim reaper as she makes her way through the battle, constantly stretching her brainpower to spread her deadly frost.

Even as her own flesh being torn apart.

Even as her own wings nearly being burnt away.

Even as her throat nearly being cut open.

Soon enough, however, her effort proves to be fruitful. Not counting the cultists, whose movements have become noticeably duller, Hakuryu Genji, or at least his moving corpse, is also showing signs of deterioration.

Patches of frostbite gnaw at his dying flesh, taking away his energy as the veins freeze.

At this point, Aurora has been suffering from immense pain. Pain from the freshly cut flesh rubbing against each other. Pain from the scorching burn behind her back. Pain from the numerous internal injuries inflicted on her body.

[MP:34/187]

'A bit more...'

With ragged breaths, Aurora continues to dance.

'For what am I sacrificing so much?'

She asks herself. Is it because she doesn't want to see her loved ones dying from the inevitable calamity? Or is it because she herself wants to survive?

Aurora isn't certain at this moment.

All she knows is... she has to step out of this alive.

Slightly stepping aside to dodge the gust of fire coming her way, Aurora swings her sword a beautiful crescent, drawing a trail of golden-white as she establishes her mana in the air.

The next moment, several surviving cultists rush through the mist, unaware of what is in front of them.

snap—!

''Augh!!''

''Argh!!''

From the mist, hundreds of small ice spikes spurt out, piercing the assailants' flesh casually. They can only struggle meaninglessly in the air, trapped in a painful prison.

On the ground, Aurora shoots herself at Genji, carrying her blade low. She cuts the fire dragon, which is flying her way into halves, then keeps advancing.

Just like what she has done before, right when her opponent releases a spell, she blinks behind him and swings her sword at the man's neck.

KENG—!!

The monster's defense is thick, and that doesn't bother Aurora one bit. Her frost can still seep through this.

Hakuryu Genji staggers.

Neither of them is in good condition.

''Hah... hah...''

'Gauntlet of Severance.'

As if knowing this pattern, Genji hurriedly steps back. But it is a feint.

CRACK—!

CRACK—!

Accompanied by vivid creaking noises, the ice spikes lodged in the cultists' bodies explode, sending them to eternal death under the sun.

[Proficiency achieved a certain level]

[Being: Aurora Lv.55 has become Lv.56]

[1 skill point acquired]

In an instant, all of Aurora's wounds close. Even the unsightly burn mark on her back has disappeared, replaced by a pristine and milky white skin.

''Die.''

After Regaining her physical strength, Aurora twists her hand, and the frostbite on Genji's skin begins to spread like no tomorrow, making his already rigid body even more rigid.

''Phew...''

Standing some distance from her remaining opponent, Aurora sighs. She gazes at those dull black eyes, her hand clenching her sword.

''...!''

Right then, Genji suddenly bursts into flame. Scorching hot heat is then released to the surroundings, causing leftover trash and such to burn without a second.

The pressure is immense.

Even Aurora's frost on his body disappears.

''Hah...'' Aurora shakes her head helplessly. ''I see how it is.''

'One strike.'

'WITH ONE STRIKE, I WILL PIERCE THROUGH IT.'