Her master had mentioned this idea before, but he left it in her hands because he wanted her to learn on her own. She trained every day, her frustration growing the longer it took to learn this magic. In a completely destroyed training field, she read some books about fusion.
"I already learned it, so why? Why can't I reproduce it?"
She threw her book aside as she stood up. Returning to the center, she summoned her Yuki-Onna, which was the first summon she had called when she reached the fifth circle after spending a year and a half away from her master. That was exactly why she wanted to merge with her before the other summons.
"Do you understand why I can't do it, Yuki-Onna?"
The woman with a slightly ghostly appearance looked thoughtful as she placed her hand on her cheek. Among all her Yokai, this was one of the most intelligent and had helped her greatly in understanding ice magic.
"Maybe it's because your level isn't high enough to contain so much power."
"So you're saying I'm weak? Makes sense."
Seeing her summoner sad, Yuki-Onna sighed a cold and sorrowful breath. The confidence of the young girl was crushed after not being taken by Enrico to help him with that barrier.
"Lady Yumeha, tell me— is your master weak?"
"Of course not, Yuki. You shouldn't even think of repeating that in my—"
"Then you are not weak, Lady."
Surprising Yumeha, Yuki-Onna walked across the training field and began freezing the entire place. Moments later all that ice shattered, and the destroyed field returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
"Yumeha, don't you think that having no confidence in yourself is the same as having no confidence in your master?"
"I…"
"What you're doing is a huge disrespect, Yumeha."
Yumeha lowered her head, realizing that her summon's words were true — by underestimating her own strength, she was disrespecting his. Their souls, bodies, strength… everything was connected by the bond of their contract.
"I really was being an idiot, right, Yuki?"
"Yes, but that's probably why I'm here — to put your head back in place."
Yuki-Onna's expression was full of self-pride. Although Yumeha didn't like it too much, her summon deserved it. Besides, a little pride wouldn't hurt.
"That's right. If we're connected, then my confidence in my strength is the same as trusting my master."
This was the best decision of her life. Thanks to it, she felt even more connected to her master and even began to feel what he felt in some small moments.
With her confidence blooming completely, she received her reward when she saw her master emerge and made her evolve instantly when he reached the sixth circle.
"Yes, my master is the one I will follow until the end."
Flora opened her eyes when she saw her trees being frozen by a cold atmosphere surrounding Yumeha. The air was crystallized, and her breath turned into white vapor. The mist enveloping Yumeha from head to toe began to fade, revealing her new appearance.
"You transformed?"
Yumeha's hair remained short, covering parts of her eyes, but now it was completely white with a soft bluish glow like snow. Ice particles drifted away from her, disintegrating in the air. Yumeha's eyes were originally red, but now they were pale blue and translucent with an ethereal emptiness inside.
Her skin became white like cold porcelain, and even her clothing had changed completely — now wearing a long white haori with blue borders and snowflake patterns appearing whenever she used her magic. Snow fell around her even in that enclosed environment, changing the climate as she had changed the structure of the prison.
"It seems you're not arrogant anymore, Nartheis."
Yumeha's voice came out with a slight echo, making Flora clench her teeth. It seemed her opponent was truly at the same level as her. At first, analyzing her level, she had thought Yumeha was too weak, but now it was different.
"Mother of evil nature, grant me power to crush this enemy."
A giant dark aura erupted from Flora's body, revealing a more monstrous appearance as if she were an entity. A swamp covered the entire area with something filthy, and Yumeha jumped onto a platform of ice she created.
In some places a dead vegetation appeared on the walls and in spots the swamp didn't reach, the trees became dead but seemed stronger, with more powerful magic leaking from their bodies.
"Ha, I admit, this castle really knows how to place opponents of the same level to fight."
Yumeha had a serious and cold expression. She even agreed with her opponent — this castle knew even the magics she hadn't shown or used.
"Seems we agree on something, Nartheis."
"It's a shame you'll die then."
From inside the swamp, Flora emerged with her hair extended down to her feet, transformed into living black vines that writhed. Her skin took on an ashy green tone like tree bark. Some parts appeared cracked, revealing pulsating purple light between the gaps. Her eyes were completely black, and twisted branches grew from her head resembling horns.
"Shame? No, I will enjoy killing you."
Her arms lengthened slightly, her fingers taking the shape of claws. Her legs became more muscular, and her body gained a more bestial proportion. Behind her a large carnivorous flower emerged, opening like a living mantle. The flower moved, breathed, growled — it was part of her.
Seeing fungi growing shortly after the dead vegetation, Yumeha began to think about what kind of response her master would give. With a cold and confident smile, she looked calmly despite the high difficulty of the battle.
"You may try."
New veins of irritation appeared on Flora's face. With a quick movement, the two vanished, and an explosion among the trees destroyed the ones closest at an instant. Yumeha had managed to hit Flora's stomach with her staff, while Flora had struck Yumeha's shoulder. Both without bleeding from the other's blow.