Upon closer observation, however, Icicle noticed patterns.

'First, they can't summon the same weapon twice in a row.'

Kagerou often summoned less suitable weapons when a previously used one would have been ideal. Likely, each weapon required a cooldown period.

'Second, they must choose the right weapon instantly to match the situation.'

The wide variety of available weapons meant endless choices but also decision fatigue.

Icicle decided to read Kagerou’s patterns and anticipate their choices.

Despite their apparent mastery, Kagerou consistently favored offense over defense, often choosing melee-focused equipment like metal arms and maces over ranged magic staves.

Counterattacks would likely prove most effective.

"Weapon Summon—Crimson Gauntlet"

A magic circle appeared around Kagerou’s arm, and a crimson gauntlet emerged—a size smaller than the massive metal limb from before.

Icicle hardened her arm using her body-manipulation ability, transforming it into a drill-like shape with an internal hollow chamber.

She directed wind spirits into the cavity, creating a shrill hum as the arm began spinning at high speed.

Timing the strike, she lunged forward.

"Windpiercer Palm!"

The drill collided with the crimson gauntlet. The forces balanced for a moment, but Kagerou's strength ultimately prevailed. The gauntlet was punctured, but Icicle was sent tumbling away.

She bit her lip against the pain but kept her gaze locked on Kagerou’s arm.

'And third... Damaged weapons disintegrate into light particles.'

So far, none of the weapons she'd damaged had reappeared.

'They likely can’t reuse broken weapons for a while.'

But even with that insight, the battle was slowly tilting against her.

Icicle exhaled sharply, then tore away the damaged carapace from her right hand, allowing new layers to grow in its place.

The magic power required to use summoning magic is not particularly high.

However, summoning a sentient spirit and summoning an inanimate object differ greatly; naturally, the latter consumes far less magic.

Furthermore, there is likely a significant difference in the amount of magic power possessed by Icicle and Kagerou.

As a result, if the battle continues as it is, Icicle will undoubtedly be the one to tire first.

'They have more combat experience, more magical power… In that case, I must find another way to win.'

Icicle had no significant injuries, thanks to the light spirits healing her wounds after each strike.

However, Kagerou, who had been summoning defensive armaments when needed, remained completely unscathed.

There was a clear gap in their pure combat abilities.

What advantage did Icicle have over Kagerou?

As she pondered this, the answer came to her.

After a brief hesitation, she steeled herself.

"With the next strike… I will end this."

"Heh… In that case, so will I."

Layered magical circles appeared across Kagerou’s body.

When the glow faded, he stood clad in an unfamiliar, pitch-black suit of armor.

The magical energy radiating from it surpassed any weaponry he had summoned thus far.

Yet Icicle could not afford to flinch now.

She couldn't allow herself to lose here.

Discarding any thoughts of conserving magic, she reached out to the spirits to unleash her strongest possible strike.

"Call Elemental"

"…?! What is this presence…"

Kagerou’s body shuddered involuntarily as the sensation washed over him.

Icicle stood with her arms raised, wearing a fearless smile.

Above her head, a small magic circle glowed—just a solid crimson disc at a glance.

Yet upon closer inspection, it held an overwhelming density of information.

'This is bad.'

Kagerou’s intuition screamed danger. He launched himself forward, intent on striking her down before the spell completed.

However, before his sword could pierce her—

Something emerged from the circle and caught his blade.

"…Ufufu, how pitiful."

A girl with a slender build stood there.

Her voice carried a sensuality at odds with her youthful appearance.

She giggled as she gripped the sword. Her delicate, pale fingers glowed faintly red.

What followed defied imagination.

The enchanted blade Kagerou had summoned bent like soft candy.

It dissolved into particles of light.

Kagerou leaped back, cold sweat running down his face.

"No… An upper-ranked spirit…"

Spirits had a clear hierarchy.

The higher the rank, the greater the magical power required to summon them.

Upper-ranked spirits possess their own will.

They consider themselves above humans and often react violently to forced contracts, sometimes killing or devouring the summoner.

Thus, commanding an upper-ranked spirit is virtually impossible.

—But influencing their actions is not.

This was Icicle's hidden trump card.

By pouring almost all her magic into the summoning, she could momentarily guide the spirit’s actions.

"Tch…!"

"Oh my… such futile tricks…"

Kagerou summoned weapon after weapon, only to watch them crumble upon contact with the spirit.

His mind raced.

'There’s no way she can maintain control of an upper spirit for long. If I can just endure this… I'll win!'

He clung to this hope.

Even influencing an upper spirit's behavior must drain unimaginable amounts of magic.

Icicle's expression had turned pale; her breathing was shallow, her eyes unfocused.

Kagerou poured all his efforts into defense, summoning armaments in rapid succession.

So fixated was he on the spirit’s relentless assault—

That he never noticed Icicle's hand until it pierced his chest.

"Im…possible… You can’t control an upper spirit and move at the same time…"

"Indeed… That's why I exploited that assumption."

Kagerou collapsed, coughing up blood.

With the spirit’s magic disrupted, the summoned entity vanished.

Icicle stood amidst the aftermath, blood dripping from her arm as she gasped for breath.

Kagerou had been correct: summoning and guiding the upper spirit had drained nearly all her magic.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have been able to move afterward.

But Icicle was no ordinary individual.

She was a tamed monster, bonded to Bruno and Ivy.

A magical link connected them.

Through that link, she borrowed power from Ivy—who possessed inexhaustible reserves of magic—to fuel her final attack.

"I'm sorry for drawing upon your strength when the battle with the Demon Lord still awaits us…"

Icicle murmured an apology toward her absent ally.

Though her body was heavy with exhaustion, she could still move.

She climbed the steps ahead, glancing toward the unseen battle raging beyond.