Ayame's Inner Thoughts

The beast stumbles due to the sudden and unexpected force, and I seize the moment by dashing forward to unleash a [Vertical Slash] aimed at its neck. The creature instantly feels the danger and envelops itself in a thick casing of ice.

"Foolish…" I murmur with satisfaction while readying to strike again. 

I draw in a deep breath to prepare my sword for a mighty blow to cleave both ice and beast at the same time. 

However, before I could raise my weapon, the frozen Direwolf erupts like a fiery volcano. 

Flames spew outward and I find my hand forced as I must use a charge of my [Flash Step] backward to avoid the explosive attack. I can only do so three times a fight, so every use must bring results.

The beast is relentless and its mastery of elemental magic is evident in its cunning defensive strategy.

This overwhelmingly flashy move must've been pretty draining on its reserves because the wolf stops enveloping its body in lightning.