-118- Prepare to witness

"Crack!"

Just like yesterday on the pedestal, as Yaya's body enveloped in magical energy, her slender frame brimming with newfound strength, she leaped towards Rozen. The branch beneath her feet snapped immediately, splintering in mid-air.

The shattered branch fragments fell to the ground as Yaya soared behind Rozen, her graceful legs like a drawn bow, extending upwards with unparalleled force. Her leg aimed over her head, carrying immense power, as she struck down towards Rozen's head.

This time, Yaya had poured nearly half of her magical energy into the strike. She knew that Rozen possessed the skill "Magic Defense" and could easily block half-hearted attacks, so she unleashed her full force from the start.

Recognizing this, Rozen remained calm and didn't activate his "Magic Defense" skill. Instead, he employed a technique he hadn't used yesterday.

"Swish!"

Just as Yaya's leg was about to connect with Rozen's head, a shadow appeared behind her.

"What...!?"

Startled, Yaya barely had time to process before the shadow landed on her.

"Thud!"

With a muffled impact, the shadow sent Yaya flying. She was propelled back into the air and barely managed to regain her composure, landing on a tree that she had broken earlier.

Only then did Yaya clearly see the identity of the attacker.

"A puppet?"

Yaya couldn't help but stare.

The entity behind the attack was, in fact, a wooden puppet.

"Not bad, right?"

Rozen nonchalantly set his bowl of miso soup aside, turned around to face Yaya, and spoke with a slight grin.

"I made this during my magic practice today using 'Telekinesis.' It's quite sturdy and should serve its purpose."

Rozen's words infuriated Yaya.

"Do you mean to tell me you're using such a makeshift wooden creation to deal with me?"

Yaya's voice was angrier than ever.

It was only natural, right?

"Faced with one of the 'Setsugetsuka,' the world's highest-level automatons, you're actually resorting to a hastily made wooden contraption?"

Even in her indignation, Yaya's expression remained hauntingly beautiful.

The three girls crafted by Karyusai Shouko were truly captivating.

Contrary to Yaya's anger, Rozen was surprisingly composed.

"Even if it's a puppet, in the hands of someone who knows how to use it, it becomes the most potent weapon. On the other hand, even the most formidable weapon is nothing but a bluff without a skilled user."

Rozen formed a hand seal.

"Prepare to witness the 'Akabane Clan's Puppetry Technique!'"

Pure magical energy surged forth from Rozen's body.

The wooden puppet in front of Rozen immediately came to life as if infused with vitality. It sprang forward like a coiled spring, rushing towards Yaya.

"This...!"

Yaya scornfully looked at the advancing puppet, launching herself towards it at a faster speed.

"This thing can't even withstand a single punch from Yaya!"

Yaya shouted furiously, her punch, infused with magical energy, struck the puppet heavily.

"Clang!"

In the next second, a heavy clash resounded through the air.

Yaya's powerful strike, enhanced with "Kongouriki," hit the puppet, but it only created a barrier engraved with magical symbols on its surface.

What else could it be, other than "Magic Defense"?

"I'm not done yet!"

Rozen smiled as the puppet raised one hand to block Yaya's attack. The puppet he had used to block her punch suddenly lifted a hand.

In its grip, a wooden knife gleamed.

"Whir!"

Telekinetic power surged onto the wooden knife as Rozen activated his "Magic Resilience."

A moment later, a strike empowered by "Magic Resilience" reappeared before Yaya.

Thus, the enchanted wooden knife, enhanced with "Magic Resilience" descended upon Yaya, whose expression changed drastically.

"…!?"

Yaya didn't dare to underestimate it this time. She pushed her "Kongouriki" to its limit, enhancing her physical capabilities, and narrowly evaded the attack.

The "Toughness"-enhanced wooden knife struck the empty air, smashing into the ground.

"Boom!"

A resounding boom echoed as the magical blade on the wooden knife cut through the courtyard's ground, sending up a cloud of dust and leaving a terrifying scar on the surface.

Witnessing this, cold sweat involuntarily dripped down Yaya's forehead.

If she had been hit by that strike, even with "Kongouriki," she doubted she could have escaped unscathed.

Even with a puppeteer's support, taking a hit like that head-on would have been disastrous.

This was the seventh tier of a magician's ascent, an advanced psychic technique just below the final stage.

Yaya couldn't help but admit that if she had been struck by Rozen's Magic Resilience-enhanced futon fragment yesterday, she would have been seriously injured.

But...

"As long as I don't get hit...!"

Such a thought resounded in Yaya's mind.

However, the oblivious Yaya had failed to notice something.

A second shadow had appeared behind her.

"Thud!"

A heavy fist landed on Yaya's back, causing an explosive impact.

"Aaah!"

Yaya's cries of pain echoed as her body was flung like a cannonball, crashing into the ground.

The impact shattered the ground, creating cracks.

Struggling to her feet amidst the dust, Yaya clutched her arms, her expression pained.

"Another...!?"

Yaya's voice carried a note of desperation.

Her desperation was only received by Rozen's taunt.

"Another one?"

Rozen stood in the background, looking at Yaya with a smile.

"Are you sure there are only two?"

As Rozen's words settled, several more shadows emerged from all directions, lining up before him.

Their number: Ten.

Moreover, each puppet had been empowered with both "Magic Defense" and "Magic Resilience."

With Rozen utilizing "Spirit vision" and "Heaven's Eye," and controlling the puppets through "Telekinesis," the puppets formed a sophisticated formation through the "Akabane Clan's Puppetry Technique."

Yaya clenched her lips, struggling to contain her turmoil.

To this, Rozen simply stated:

"You probably never thought that as the highest-tier automaton, you'd one day be cornered by a group of wooden puppets, did you?"

Rozen smirked.

"The truly thrilling part is about to begin."

At this point, victory was certain.