-Mirror Rye-

As fast as the wind, the mirror creature lunged forward, its crystalline arms reaching for her. The elegant warrior deftly sidestepped, deflecting the creature's strikes with her bo-staff. Flexible in her movements, it was as if she was dancing with her opponent across the battlefield. However, she appeared defensive as the creature continued its onslaught with rapid precision. Engaging in a battle of brute strength was not her preferred approach; she adhered to the belief battles relied on intellect and finesse rather than mere muscle. This principle had been ingrained in her by her teacher. Quickly, her eyes flashed a magenta color, activating her adroit.

Aura Art: Wall.

Manifesting before her was a hard light wall around her body height. Surprise rose on the creature's face when it struck the barrier. The beast receded its arm as it backed away before turning its arm into a spike and slamming it on the barrier, intending to break it. It repeatedly struck the barrier with rapid force. Not wanting to deplete her mana nor give it the satisfaction of shattering the barrier, she canceled her adroit. Speedily, she leaped away before being pierced in the chest, gracefully landing against a wall.

She pressed her hand against the wall, coating it in a magenta hue for a second, then darted away as a fierce fist swung toward her, missing its target. She knelt as she sped, tapping the ground with her hand as she ran by. She spun around and blocked a blow to the head with her bo-staff. Like lightning, the creature thrust its arm at her while the warrior swiftly blocked the foe. Her eye color changed to magenta, alarming the creature and cautioning it to jump back as it expected a barrier. Except a barrier did not form. What manifested was a 70 cm tall hard light mana sphere.

Aura Art: Orb.

Curious about the sphere, the mirror observed it cautiously while stepping around the elf woman. It cupped both hands, energy instantly manifested, and was rapidly released with consecutive shots. Quickly, she blitzed away, avoiding the shots while commanding Orb to maneuver around the shots. She tapped a lamp post as she ran by and used her orb to deflect the shots from hitting the lamp post. The creature ceased the adroit, then gathered energy into its fist with a silver hue, mimicking Blaze's adroit. Watching the beast leaping forward, the warrior launched her orb to deflect the ability. The creature slid back, then coated the other hand before unleashing a torrent of punches. Selen-ja dashed away while Orb deflected most of the punches. She tapped her hand on a wall at the opposite end of the street.

Annoyed by dodging constantly, the creature's arms shattered into small shards and flew toward her. The warrior produced the Wall adroit again, but unfortunately, the shards pivoted around the wall, much to her horror. Swiftly, she jumped before she was seriously injured, only receiving a few cuts across her left arm. While moving away, she used her orb and staff skills to block the incoming shards. The creature regrew its arms and rushed using the rapid energy shot once more. She dashed away, tapping a bench as she ran by. She slid to a halt, decommissioned her bo staff, pivoted to face the creature, and thrust her arms forward. Her orb swiftly struck the creature across the face, breaking part of the face. The creature glared at the orb, unaware of the warrior's intentions.

Selen-ja snapped her fingers and raised her arm above her, activating an adroit unrelated to Aura Arts.

Radiating Bond.

Magenta energy threads emerged from the spots the warrior had touched and quickly wrapped around the creature in a tight cocoon. The threads radiated intensely, burning the creature and causing it to roar in pain. The sound of glass cracking could be heard from within the cocoon.

"I try to gauge my foes and learn about them. You, I theorized, could not copy everything. You only mirror the actions and use your innate power to try to copy the appearance of our skills. You can't copy the properties on how they work. No fire, no shadow, no rock."

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"YOU, STRONG!" It roared.

"I am strong, yes. However, my strength could be different from the Count's, which makes me wonder since strength is a factor here. Tell me, what type of strength do you value?"

"The inner strength of the depth of your soul. Count Edgar helped establish his authority by accessing our world through yours. His resolve and mental fortitude were greater than his physical strength. His duplicate interpreted that as his true strength. His strength is only through charisma and belief, not physical. Did not show his true strength, but it did not matter to our leader due to his strong charisma."

"Your leader chose him because of his resolve? The Count might have higher physical strength, but he does give me the impression of dreading manual labor."

"The first time we fought, you showed physical strength and more resolve. Physically overpowered your doppelganger before using a mana technique to defeat us. You displayed it again before laying a trap."

"That leads you to believe I am strong?"

"Stronger than him, more capable. There is more to you than we realize."

"I have been trained in body and mind. If you see me stronger than the Count, help us find an exit. The two worlds are not meant to interact if it means subjugating everyone."

The creature nodded. "You showed inner strength. Only the strong can free the weak; beat the Count to free the weak."

She contemplated the information. Strength appeared to hold a place of honor and reverence in this world. If you are weak, you are replaced. However, if you are strong, you can survive. Prove you are strong to protect the weak. Was this world different than what she initially thought? A reflection of their soul, a reflection of who they are. If this creature spoke the truth, this dimension concealed hidden depth. The strength to overcome the elements was not truly physical or the depth of your constitution. It might be a measure entirely of one's entire being. These creatures will acknowledge who can show their worth. As they say, might is right.

She exhaled softly, canceling her adroit and freeing the entity. The creature dropped to its knees, where light flickered around before it enveloped it and split into four mirror duplicates. They gazed at her with acknowledgment and knelt before her.

The woman shook her head. "No, don't kneel. Rise."

Her duplicate gazed at her with a blank expression before it shifted to a small smile. "You are stronger. What is your command?"

"Tell me how to leave this world?"

A loud, booming voice roared. "SELEN-JA! I see you subdued the threat!"

Before she could respond, Javo scooped her up and raised her in the air with a joyous smile. The elegant warrior showed a surprised expression at seeing her companion.

"Javo?" A relieved smile formed. "Your arrival has eased my worry, but." She analyzed him. "But it is you, I hope." She raised her head and frowned at seeing his duplicate standing beside the others. "Your duplicate is behind you."

"Oh, that? I fought him, I expected a great fight, but he relented. I don't understand, but it's great!" He lowered her to the ground. "My new ally told me I'm strong enough to defeat the Count. Although, I had thought something happened to you all." His expression grew serious. "What happened? Where are the younglings? What are you planning?"

"At ease, my friend." Selen-ja smiled. "I told them to face the Count." She sighed. "But I am concerned. If they do defeat him, it may not fix our situation."

"That's alright!" Javo crossed his arms. "Because we thought of that! You see this?" He pointed to him. Equipped on his person was a gray metal harness. Attached to the harness was an orange-illuminated mana-coated cable leading to the outskirts of town.

Curiosity rose in her as she touched the cable. "What is this?"

"Another idea." He grimaced. "We tried to contact you when we moved the Porta Hub close to the Tower, but it was impossible to contact you. The next idea was to enter the mirror with the Porta Hub's mana-infused cable attached to us. The plan worked. Plus, I only have to tug once every ten minutes to let them know I'm still alive."

"Did anyone attack the duplicates?"

"The Speculums, labeled by Lina, needed to be distracted. The Radiant engaged them to lure them away from the tower while I ventured in. It succeeded."

She nodded. It eased her to know they did not blindly attack them without a plan, but she was worried about the civilians once they were free. "We have a lot to talk about." She turned her attention to the Speculums. "First thing, do you acknowledge me for my strength?"

The four speculums nodded while Javo's mirror replica briefly glanced at him before nodding to her.

"Wonderful!" She smiled. "If you cross me, you are shattered."

They mechanically nodded.

"Splendid, now listen. We have much to do."