Dimensional Descent

Aina suffered the first strike, blocking with a swing of her ax. But the strength was so great that it blew her hands up, almost knocking the weapon out of her hands entirely.

The second came even faster, slashing against an opening in her stomach.

Battle Ax Force bloomed and spiraled, forming a protective barrier. But that just sapped at more of Aina's stores, both her Force and her mind and focus.

Even then, it didn't work well.

The barrier shattered, slashing against her abs and leaving her military garb tattered and almost torn through entirely.

Her body flew out and she landed heavily on the ground, barely managing to resist falling to a knee as the third strike came.

"You can always give up, lady," a laughter echoed with an eerie coldness, "so long as you're willing to take the risk, that is."

If Aina lost a match, she would have to win the others in dominant fashion to have a chance. If she dragged out the battles like this, she would just have points deducted instead. By then, even if she managed to eke out nine total victories, there was no way the Stele would judge her as being worthy of the Finals.

Nothing outside of this arena would be taken into account. As far as Orion and everyone else was concerned...

This was over.

The third strike landed, and blood pooled at the edge of Aina's lip. Even with the arena entirely cracked, she could feel her heels reaching the very edge of it.

Suddenly, somehow standing in the air, Orion appeared before her.

"Haha, you didn't think I would just let you fall out, right?"

and in that instant, Aina's

reaching out with a hand and grabbing

react, Aina pulled down

the air shattered under her pure strength, and he was

eyes blinked in surprise, not quite understanding what

Aina, still heaving for breath, her body radiating with murderous intent, Orion felt like

tired that she couldn't display more strength; it was rather that her weakness was a form of rejuvenation. She was trying

yourself; the next

seem

done today, you've

rang loud and clear. A cold shiver ran up Orion's spine, however he hid it

then think

disappeared. Whether she even heard

...

felt like she was staring at a field of

could feel a familiar rage pooling up inside her, a furious rage that came from her Berserk God

she lost her mind in battle. In fact, the last time was the Joan Zone. It was something that she had gotten under control

her buttons. The fact she didn't

blood rumbled, and she felt something pulling inside

that Aina could do to recover without using Blood Force. Well, at

comprehension of Vital Star Force, for one. It would synergize with her as

she was having an easy time, who knew what else they

line, and not allow her emotions to

the tug Forces put on her. Right now, she was stewing in that