Jolly Knight Vs. NPC: Part 3

*haaah* Eidos Exhales after that change.

Her defense is way stronger than I expected. I feel like it needs multiple people just to have a chance to penetrate her defense.

"!!" that's it.

Eidos knew he couldn't keep up with Marie's raw power alone. He needed to rely on his wits and tactics. With a quick incantation, he summoned a barrier of shimmering energy that absorbed the brunt of a particularly powerful spell.

But he didn't stop there. Eidos used the distraction to his advantage, teleporting behind Marie in a blur of motion. Before she could react, he unleashed a series of quick strikes with his staff, each blow infused with his own magic.

Marie was forced to defend herself, her staff moving with blinding speed to parry Eidos's attacks. Her grin widened, impressed by his agility and ingenuity.

The duel raged on, each combatant pushing the other to the limits. Marie continued to showcase her immense power, but Eidos used his intelligence and adaptability to keep up. He lured her into traps, exploited weaknesses, and dodged spells with finesse.

The Jolly Knights watched in awe as the battle unfolded. It was clear that Eidos was a force to be reckoned with, even against an opponent as formidable as Marie.

As the fight reached its climax, Eidos summoned his last reserves of energy. With a burst of determination, he unleashed a dazzling spell, a cascade of light and energy that illuminated the entire training ground.

-350 MP

[MP 15/5600]

Eidos seized the moment of blindness, his agility and reflexes coming into play. In a blur of motion, he closed the gap between them, staff held firmly in hand. With a swift strike, he knocked Marie's staff from her grasp, sending it clattering across the floor.

"Not bad, Eidos, but my staff is not the reason why I am strong."

Marie's expression shifted from playful to something more serious. She emitted a red aura, and her hair seemed to dance in the air around her. Her words carried a weight of experience and power.

"You still haven't managed to damage me," Marie stated, her tone stern. "You are still lacking."

Before Eidos could respond, a sudden explosion rocked the room. Magic missiles materialized out of thin air and pelted Marie's back, causing her to stagger forward.

[QL skill has been successfully activated.]

MP 0/5600

[You have no remaining MP left.]

[You deal 450 damage.]

"i- it worked"

Eidos's eyes widened as he watched the unexpected turn of events. His last-ditch effort had struck true, and Marie had taken damage. It was a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Marie's surprise was evident as she turned to face Eidos. Her eyes widened slightly, and she took a moment to process what had just happened.

ting

[Achievement received: Fight Back]

Passive Skill: Fight Back - You gain a 10% boost in status against stronger enemies.

Eidos, feeling the strain of the battle and the exhaustion setting in, dropped to his knees. He panted heavily, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. Despite his fatigue, a triumphant smile graced his face.

"H-how about that?" he managed to say between breaths.

Eidos's mind raced as he faced the formidable Marie in battle. Her defenses were impregnable, and his attacks had thus far been futile. He knew that a direct assault wouldn't be enough to overcome her strength and skill.

"I thought that if I can't destroy her defenses alone, then why not attack in different directions at the same time?" Eidos pondered, his thoughts racing in the midst of battle. He remembered his past encounter as he used his QL skill, the power to reset positions and actions.

Last time I used my QL skill to turn me back to the position I was in before, he recalled, a spark of inspiration igniting in his mind.

So I thought, why not use that on my skills?

With determination burning in his eyes, Eidos acted swiftly. He began casting a flurry of spells and abilities, each one charged with his mana and purpose. He utilized his QL skill in conjunction with them, synchronizing their activation.

Eidos's actions were a gamble, a bold and calculated risk. He poured his remaining mana into the skills, knowing that the QL skill required all of it to trigger. As long as he had even a small reserve left, the plan should work.

The seconds ticked by as Eidos prepared his coordinated assault. He could feel the strain on his magical reserves, the pressure of the battle mounting. Doubt gnawed at the edges of his mind, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Then, as the perfect moment presented itself, he activated his carefully orchestrated combination of skills. They surged forth simultaneously, converging on Marie from different directions with impeccable timing.

"S-success," Eidos gasped, his voice filled with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. The spells and abilities struck Marie, breaking through her defenses and delivering a powerful blow.

It was a moment of victory, a testament to Eidos's creativity and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. The room was filled with a charged energy, and the other Jolly Knights watched in awe at the display of skill and strategy.

Eidos had found a way to overcome Marie's formidable defenses, even if only for a brief moment, and in doing so, he had proven his mettle as a warrior.

Marie, still recovering from the surprise attack, chuckled softly. "Well done, Eidos," she admitted.

"You've shown resourcefulness and adaptability in battle. Those are valuable traits."

Eidos's chest swelled with pride at her words. Despite the odds stacked against him, he had managed to hold his ground and even gain an advantage for a moment. It was a small but significant step in his journey to becoming a formidable warrior.

As the room settled and the tension eased, Eidos couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of respect and camaraderie with Marie. She had tested him, pushed him to his limits, and in doing so, she had revealed a glimpse of her true character.

The other Jolly Knights watched the battle's aftermath with interest and whispered among themselves.

"Still,"

Marie's cheerful demeanor shifted to a serious one as she stated, "However, it falls short of what's needed."