A Close Fight

This time it was not the same Black Veil he had used until now. He had memorized the lesson taught by Iannaril and intended to raise the complexity of his first spell.

He didn't just want this Undead to go blind, which was probably already the case given his empty eye sockets. No. He wanted to deprive it of all its senses, disorient it, stifle its instincts and consciousness, and isolate it from its own Sparks, its own energy, and that of its environment.

Despite his determination, Ikaris' first attempt was a resounding failure. The Skeleton did not even flinch, but instead charged wildly at the boy, brandishing its claymore covered in a gray-black halo. Feeling the malevolent and strangely chilling energy, he did not dare to block directly and dodged with a sidestep.

In mid-movement, the Skeleton's wrist flicked and the claymore changed direction as if it were a homing device. Caught off guard, Ikaris had no choice this time but to parry with his own sword.