"Ho-ho-ho! This is the crystallization of the love between myself and Axel-sama," Ayaka declared proudly.
Whether "love" had anything to do with it was debatable, but it was certainly influenced by my power. The whip was a nine-tails—nine separate thongs tipped with blades. It was a dead ringer for the "Nine-Tails Mode" of my Adamant Halper, the weapon I use for close-quarters combat with my Glow Savior.
"And Chizuru Naba's is the 'Bracelet of the Iris Domain,' correct?"
"Yes," Chizuru replied with a satisfied smile, showing off the gem-encrusted band on her right wrist.
"The downside of Pactio Artifacts is that while the Master Card tells us the name, it doesn't come with an instruction manual," Eva noted. "We'll just have to test them one by one. Ayaka, let's see that whip."
Eva took the Whip of Fresh Blood and began inspecting it. "With a name like 'Fresh Blood,' I'd expect some sort of blood-related special ability… Hmm? These blade tips… oh, I see."
A curious grin spread across Eva's face. Without warning, she began an incantation.
"Sagitta Magica: Series Glacialis!"
"Hey!" I shouted.
"Wait, Evangeline-san?!" Negi cried out.
We scrambled back, but the ice arrows Eva summoned simply hovered in the air, stationary.
"…Hmm? Did I miscalculate? No, wait. This is a Pactio Artifact. Which means… Axel, get over here and use some magic."
"Huh? What for?"
"Just do it."
I tilted my head but walked over. Eva handed me one of the bladed tips of Ayaka's whip. "Hold this and cast something simple."
"Fine by me." I focused my mind. "Practe, Bigi, Nar… Let there be light! (Fire!)"
I finished the spell, waiting for the flicker of flame. And I waited.
"Wait, why didn't it trigger?"
Nothing happened. I glanced at my mental status screen; my SP had dropped by 1, so the command had definitely been sent. (And then it immediately refilled thanks to my SP Boost.)
"…Do you feel that?" Eva ignored my confusion and turned to Ayaka.
Ayaka closed her eyes for a few seconds, clutching the handle of the whip. Then, she nodded firmly. "Yes. I understand now."
"Good. Then show us."
Following Eva's lead, Ayaka swung the whip toward an empty patch of ground. The whip cracked through the air, and at the moment of impact—
BOOM!
A fireball the size of a human head erupted from the tip of the whip.
"Just as I thought," Eva said, looking pleased with herself.
"Eva?" I prompted.
She explained with a smug air of superiority. Apparently, the bladed tips of the whip can "store" magic. Ayaka, as the wielder, can then trigger those stored spells at will. However, it seemed there was a catch: it could only store magic from people Ayaka had a direct spiritual link to—namely me (her partner) or Chizuru (my other partner). If she could absorb enemy magic, it would be broken, but as it stands, it's a powerful tactical battery.
"So, is it a useful weapon?" Ayaka asked.
Kamo nodded emphatically. "Are you kidding? An undiscovered Artifact that can store nine spells for instant use? Plus, we haven't even confirmed the 'blood' abilities yet. If I report this to the Ermine Association, the finder's fee will be massive!"
(We'd later discover that by channeling mana into the whip, Ayaka could also manipulate its movement with total fluid control.)
"Next, Chizuru Naba. Your turn," Eva commanded. "The 'Iris Domain.' Show us the one you used yesterday."
"…Like this?"
Chizuru touched the red stone on the bracelet. Immediately, a translucent red dome erupted from her, forming a defensive shell just like the day before. Eva poked at the barrier with interest, then called out to her doll.
"Chachazero, give this thing a whack."
"You got it, Boss!"
Chachazero swung her oversized machete with lethal force. But when the blade hit the red light, it was repelled with a sharp clack.
"Gah! You gotta be kidding!" the doll chirped.
"Hmm. The barrier itself functions similarly to my own magical shields," Eva noted. "Next."
Chizuru touched the orange stone. A new dome of orange light expanded.
"This one doesn't seem to do—wait. Ho, not bad at all."
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