Without waiting, I quickly chanted a protection spell and instantly closed the distance between us, catching Leo completely off-guard as he looks at me in shock. As I expected, he hurriedly strengthened his body and swiftly swung his spear at me but an invisible wall barely stops the blow, almost nearly broke from that attack. I gathered magical energy into my hand and then punched him in the gut as hard as I can.


    As the male is sent rocketing away at lightning speed, I conjured magical circles around me and pinpointed him as the target, silently noting that he used his weapon to recover from the knockback. I mumbled out the word "fire", causing the circles to shoot homing projectiles at him. He swiftly took out his spear from the ground as he looked at me in defiance then cut down all of the attacks before they could reach him. Numerous explosions occurred, causing everything around him to be covered in thick dust clouds.


    Several blue magic missiles suddenly broke through them and went straight towards me. Frowning, I run away and check on the quality of the projectiles chasing after me by using the analyze spell. Much to my dismay, they were all high quality, meaning it''d be difficult to devour them fast enough to treat them like it''s nothing. This is the first time I ever encountered someone dishing out spells at that quality though. I wonder if it''s a trait of his or because of the Artifact...?


    Regardless of what it may be, confronting and devouring them seemed like the best option I have, risky it may be. While consuming the magical energy, I could act as a stationary turret that repeatedly shoots a barrage of homing projectiles. Using a reflect spell, on the other hand, might work but I''d be forced to overpower the attacks to reflect it back, which meant my mana storage depleting alarmingly fast. Another option was forcibly destroying them but that required me to have a strong enough weapon or spell.


    With a sigh, I quickly positioned myself to intercept the incoming attacks as I cast a four-layered large magical circle in front of me. The instant I skid to a stop, the missiles collided with the circle and I drained the magical energy from them as fast as I can, especially since cracks were already forming. With my other free hand, I enhanced the magical circles still around me with acceleration and strengthening spells, then constantly shot a barrage of missiles towards wherever Leo was.


    Upon hearing the initial explosions, I used a spell to check on his HP and saw that he was now done to half of his health. Suddenly, I heard the blonde cursing to himself and I turned to look at him in surprise.


    "Damn it, what the hell! This is what you''re capable of?! I didn''t think there''d be a mage that can just devour my spells like it''s food!" he exclaimed, frantically trying to deal with the constant attacks. "I''m even forced to strengthen myself this much just to keep up with these attacks! It''s just so goddamn fast!"


    "Welcome to the world of magecraft. It''s a thrilling but dangerous world compared to the life of a non-mage," I commented, laughing. "This is why you need to learn more about spells to improve your chances of survival."


    "No kidding! This makes the gaping difference between a mage and a non-mage even more noticeable for me!"


    All of a sudden, I couldn''t help but notice that it no longer felt like I was draining energy anymore. With a side glance, I noted that the projectiles were now gone and that the magic circle only had the final layer left, which is on the verge of falling apart. Barely intact, huh? That''s a little intimidating if I were to be honest. After all, this is the first time I was forced to use that much layers. I made it disappear and stopped the constant barrage of attacks so I don''t recklessly guzzle my mana.


    When I checked on the blonde, I noticed there was no trace of him at all anywhere. ...hm, looks like I''ll need to find where Leo went—. The instant I walked forward, I couldn''t help but notice that it felt like I was walking on water for some reason. Blinking my eyes in surprise, I looked down and saw that the ground looked completely normal, no trace of water whatsoever. Wait, don''t tell me he—! Immediately casting a spell underneath me, I targeted myself and skyrocketed high up into the air. From up high, I suddenly felt the sensation of magical energy gathering incredibly fast below me.


    Crap! Temporarily enhancing my body to be faster, I hurriedly covered myself with a strong barrier spell with one hand, and created a magic circle in front of me with the other. Without hesitation, I quickly launched myself away from that area by using a powered-up explosion spell at point-blank range. I heard the noise of water gushing upwards as I was catapulted away. After roughly landing onto the top of the building with a thud, I recovered as fast as I could and opened the rooftop entrance, then ran in.


    Once I closed the door, I dismissed the barrier and immediately leaned onto the wall. That was way too close for my liking. I thought to myself as I let out a sigh. Since his attribute is water, I''m sure that was both an attack to deal major damage and a trap to immobilize me to deal even more. He must''ve gotten inspiration for that from seeing the prince''s territory creation magic and set it up while he was being barraged with homing projectiles.


    Noticing there was traces of water on me, I hurriedly removed them by using a Void spell. I have no idea if he knows that tracking trick but I''m not risking it. Just in case, I should quickly get out of this building. Besides, from experience, he could also just bombard the place if he so chose, after all. Approaching a target isn''t necessary if you have magic and enough mana. With that in mind, I quickly went downstairs and glanced at the windows for a brief moment, wondering if I should open them and jump out. First things first, I need to check if he''s actually nearby. Of course, I also should mask the spells but that''s a given.


    Rather than using the usual detection spell, I cast the life variation since the traces of magical energy from us fighting will get in the way. Though it thankfully spotted him, the signal was incredibly faint due to him probably using stealth magic. ...let''s assume the worst and leave as fast as I can, then. I ran up to the window and swiftly opened it. Strengthening my body with magic, I immediately leaped out of it. After landing on the ground, I mentally commanded the status window to appear as I ran inside into another building.


    Unsurprisingly, his HP was back to full but his MP has lowered quite a bit. Wonder what he''s gonna do now. I thought to myself with a frown as I dismissed the screen away. Now that he knows I can devour spells, Leo would be less willing to use magic recklessly. So that would mean... I stealthily looked around, trying to see if he was approaching where I was. Even after much surveying, there was not a single trace of him nearby at all.


    That''s strange. If he''s not approaching, then what is he...? I blinked my eyes in surprise when I suddenly saw his spear appear out of nowhere, stabbed into the ground. Eh? Why is his weapon there...? The instant surge of intense magical energy from the Artifact took me by surprise and I braced myself for any incoming attacks. ...but something else happened instead.


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    I felt the sensation of standing on water and the touch of the cool sea breeze. Frowning, I checked on my surroundings and saw that the cityscape disappeared. Instead, I was standing on top of what seemed to be the ocean and the sky was bright blue with some clouds and the sun around. All of a sudden, I heard a splash as if someone just landed, causing me to turn my attention toward where the noise came from. It was Leo, who probably jumped from somewhere up high.


    He stood up and then sent me a nervous smile, as if worried he did something wrong. "Sorry, I ended up using my Artifact to create a territory. Ever since that encounter with Tatsuya, I wondered if I''d be able to do it too so I decided to try the first attempt here. Is that really allowed or...?"


    I nodded my head, earning a sigh of relief from the male. "It''s been done before so there''s no need to worry. Any potential issues regarding clashes of territory creations have been dealt with before release, or so I''ve heard," I explained, then checked to see if the spells that the simulator put on us is still there. "And it seems the protection from the simulator is still on us and unaffected so we''re fine."


    "Good, I was worried I may have screwed it up," Leo admitted with a laugh as he took his weapon back. "After all, I''d feel super guilty if it broke down and becomes unusable because of the territory that the Artifact made."


    "...I can see why you would be concerned since there''s no way the developer could properly factor in Artifacts," I said as I sent him a small smile, then returned to being serious. "...though, speaking of which, judging from the new environment, you intend to fight me in close combat and removed anything I could use against you, huh? And you made sure it''s been made quite difficult for me to ''devour'' this territory too."


    "...yeah, I thought it was the best course of action for me to take. I can''t rely on magic that much when the person I''m up against devours said magic. It took a huge chuck of my MP but I think it made things even," the angel explained as he got into position to attack and enhanced his body with magic. "So, I have to resort to melee and maybe close-ranged magic since that gives you no time to consume it. It''s gonna be pretty intense, but it''s the one with the best chance of winning."


    I strengthened my body and got into fighting position. "If that''s the case, may the best fighter win."


    With that, both of us immediately went at it, trading numerous blows at each other and evading them as quickly as possible. I lost track of time as we fought. I had to reinforce myself even further numerous times to avoid his tricky tactics of making the ocean surface blast water at me, trap me in a bubble, or make it slippery to disorient me. He, on the other hand, had to avoid my powered-up attacks and spells as best as he could to avoid getting knocked out quickly.


    At this rate, it might end up being a tie if I didn''t do something. Leo might try to do something too so I had to be quick about it. Once I noticed our HP was eventually low enough, I decided to cast a powerful protection spell, catching the male off-guard when his weapon clashed against it. Without hesitation, I made a strong explosion magical circle between us, letting it consume enough mana needed to do the job.


    He realized what I intended to do and hurriedly tried to stop it but it was already too late. An intense explosion blasted the two of us away and I tried my best to recover from that blow. All of a sudden, I heard the victory melody from the simulator. I let out a sigh of relief and got up, noting that his territory disappeared. Walking towards where Leo was, I spot him laying there on the ground, a prompt in front of him saying "You Lose."


    "You alright? Need a hand?" I asked him as I extended a hand to him, causing him to look up at me and then at my hand.


    "That was way too ballsy, Stella. That could''ve ended up as a mutual knockout if your shield wasn''t strong enough," the blonde commented with a laugh, then put his hand in mine.


    "I know. I''ve done that tactic a few times back in the Academy so I''m better at it now," I said with a grin as I helped him get up. "I admit, the first few tries went a little awry but I got the hang of it now though."


    He lets out a sigh as the cityscape starts disappearing. "Man, I was so close to winning. I planned to use the little mana I had left to make use of the territory to do the final blow but your method was a lot faster and efficient."


    "There''s always next time. Besides, speed is an important factor in fighting so take this as a lesson," I replied, patting him on the back. "Anyways, you''re competent enough to fight alongside us with ease."


    "Agreed. Though, we''ll need to teach you about magic sooner or later so you don''t have to rely on your Artifact, especially when you need to hide it," Vin stated, earning both of our attention. "Being an Artifact wielder sometimes attracts unwanted attention, after all."


    "You could say that again. I still have some unpleasant memories regarding that..." Leo grumbled out. "Honestly, even though I made it clear I wanted to be left alone..."


    The archangel frowned as if that reminded him of something similar. "...can''t be helped, I guess. Some of it is beyond our control, sadly. Anyways, excuse me for the sudden topic change but the two of you should go rest," he said, gesturing to the nearby tents. "Even if you were in a simulation, you did use up your mana. Because of that, I''ll be the one to keep watch while you two sleep. Besides, I''m a night owl so I don''t mind."


    "Don''t worry, I don''t mind the topic change!" Leo exclaimed with a grin. "And to be honest, I''ll gladly take the offer. I''m beat so I''m calling it. Good night, everyone~!"


    I couldn''t help but laugh and bid him good night as he goes into the tent while Vin too says good night. "By the way, did your familiars see anything unusual?" I asked as I turned to look at the blue-haired male. "I know monsters don''t normally go into Astrum territory but it doesn''t hurt to be cautious so..."


    "Not really. It''s so peaceful that it almost somehow feels a little disturbing," he admitted, sighing. "It feels like the calm before the storm, to be honest. Of course, I could just be paranoid but it doesn''t hurt to be careful."


    "Seeing as we''re going to the Ignifera kingdom where trouble is brewing, I guess that''s pretty accurate..."


    "Pretty much. Because of that, even if you''re not tired, I recommend you go rest if you can," Vin remarked as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I''m mainly a summoner and a ranged attacker so I don''t expend that much energy compared to you two."


    I nodded my head, then went towards the other tent that wasn''t taken. "Alright then. I''ll give it a try but I can''t guarantee anything. Don''t be surprised if I suddenly pop up later, unable to fall back asleep again."


    "Noted. I''ll try to prepare myself for some idle talk if it happens."


    With that, I told him good night and he returned the gesture. Upon entering the tent, I got in the camping bed and tried to get into a comfortable position. Once I found a good enough position, I closed my eyes and tried my best to fall asleep. It took a while but I eventually did.