Chapter 308: Business in the Arena (4/4) (1/2)

”Stay on guard; I will begin now,” I state before abruptly appearing behind Jeanne and slamming my palm into her back.

Unable to react in time, my palm contacts her back and results in her sliding forward a few meters.

Oh? She was able to take the attack with such ease? Usually, such an attack and the force used would've made my opponent's feet leave the ground, yet Jeanne simply slid across the ground and nothing more.

From the looks of it, she didn't take much damage and isn't feeling any pain either.

Taking in a deep breath, I proceed to create a fancy-looking white rapier and point the tip at Jeanne.

The next moment, I dash forth and appear right in front of her before attempting to pierce her right shoulder with the rapier.

This time, she reacts appropriately by barely dodging the rapier and counters by throwing a punch at my chest.

Having decided to be on the offensive, I refrain from using any of my abilities for defense, but instead, I channel Holy Essence into the rapier and release it hastily, resulting in Jeanne getting propelled back a little.

Alright, I've already got the gist of her endurance, speed, and reaction speed. Now, the only thing left to figure out from her general capabilities is her defense.

As such, I utilize Blink to create some distance between us before raising my right arm and channeling a significant amount of Holy Essence into it.

Seeming to sense something, Jeanne's expression changes as she fixes her banner into the ground and begins praying.

[Oh Lord, bless this subject to overcome the ineluctable hurdle.]

Uh… I don't know how to feel about attacking someone who is praying to me for protection.

It's odd, to say the least.

Shaking my head, I release all the energy channeled into my arm in one go and use Light Manipulation to abruptly split it into four beams once they've gotten close to her.

My reason for doing this is simple - see whether Jeanne's defense is strong all around her or only in one direction.

Surprisingly, despite her being attack in four different directions, Jeanne remains unperturbed as she stands her ground while gripping her banner and chanting a prayer.

Following this, a bright light shines from within her body before expanding and forming a golden barrier around her.

Immediately after this, the four beams of light contact the barrier, resulting in an odd phenomenon taking place.

As if a vacuum has appeared around Jeanne, the four beams of energy get 'sucked' into nothingness.

Perplexed about this turn of events, I focus my sight on where the energy seemingly disappeared to, only to notice remnants of it leading to Jeanne's body.

No way… Did she absorb it? Could this lass be immune to Holy Essence? Or is it all forms of 'light' attacks in general?

Either way, this is something that I should definitely look into, for all I know, she could be the natural bane of certain potential enemies that might appear in the future.

With that thought swirling in my mind, I set my sight on Jeanne and prepare to rush at her with the intention of competing in close-quarter combat.

--

”Spectacular,” I say as I stretch my arms upward, ”Your capabilities exceeded my expectations.”

As a response to my praise, the exhausted Jeanne remains on her knees as she gasps for air.

It sure took me a long damn time to get her tired. Her vitality is sure something else. It far exceeds that of the Devils and most others I've fought before.

”Still,” I say in a troubled tone, ”This isn't enough. I have yet to see how powerful your attacks are and whether if it's more useful against multiple enemies or a single one.”

Hearing my words, Jeanne's expression turns solemn as she closes her eyes, most likely intending to pray.

”Wait,” I say, causing her to open her eyes, ”Were you planning to pray for more energy, err, strength?”

”Yes,” she responds in a weakened tone, seemingly still affected by exhaustion.

”In that case, there is a much quicker method of restoring your body to prime condition.”

A curious glint shines within Jeanne's eyes as she gazes at me keenly.

”Here,” I utter as I approach her and crouch in front of her.

”If I recall correctly, you aforesaid that you dedicate your body to me, right?”

”Yes, My Lord. All of me belongs to you. Make use of me as you deem fit, for there is no greater honor than serving you.”

”In that case, close your eyes,” I state with a slight grin.

Once Jeanne does as I ordered her to, I close whatever distance is left between us before casually pressing my lips against hers.

Surprisingly, not only does she not react in any apparent manner to my actions, but she separates her lips, allowing me to insert my tongue inside her mouth.

Naturally, I am not doing this with the intention of playing around, but to replenish her energy and examine her status while I am at it.

As such, I channel Holy Essence into my tongue before having it gradually conducted over to her.

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Name: Jeanne D'Arc

Age: 19(0)

Race: ????

Str: 46 | Agi: 33 | Dex: 45

Int: 50 | Def: 53 | Vit: 55

Abilities:-

La Pucelle -|- Divine Union -|- Revelation -|- Holy Servant (Passive) -|- Magic Resistance (Passive) -|- ???? -|- ????

Utilities:-

Luminosite Eternelle