Chapter 102: Challenge Again

"About that...to be honest, I'm not too sure either!" 

I didn't know where to start. The speculation about me being the Water Angel had already started when we left Edenmere, and it was just further confirmed here. But even so, it still felt somewhat unreal, as the experience of living on Earth was unforgettable. 

To be honest, I felt quite displeased! Even if we were all reincarnated from Elemental Angels, why could Nicola awaken so quickly and freely use her wind elemental abilities, while I could only rely on human magic cultivation methods to gradually try applying my water abilities? They've hardly had much effect so far, and almost all my skill points went into life skills!

However, there was some information about the Water Angel Gisphrael. According to the historical records, she undertook a very important task in the creation of this space, but the specific content was just a long string of gibberish. Her job title seemed to be something like "Shaping **".

"What exactly was this missing part about?"

I racked my brain but couldn't figure it out. Isn't healing the most widespread use of the water element? It's said that high-level water mages, combined with light magic, can even revive the dead - true resurrection magic!

"Since this trial space has a much smaller spatial range compared to the real world, the total amount of light elements is insufficient to sustain Beluto's unparalleled power. To achieve the intended trial effect, some degree of modification was needed to support Beluto's power demands. The projected design could only reach half of the true Beluto's strength. Now, due to the aging research facility, it has further decreased to less than a quarter!"

However, after listening to Special Assistant No. 5's explanation, I finally understood. The "Light God" we previously encountered only had less than a quarter of its true historical strength - it was basically an inferior counterfeit product!

"The Beluto on the mountaintop only had that little power left?"

Upon hearing this, Adrian was stunned for a moment. After thinking briefly, he said to me seriously:

"Feliciana, maybe we really can defeat him!"

After all, the main reason we failed against Beluto last time was because I was controlled and ended up betraying our team. No one had truly experienced the Light God's real power.

"No way? Even just a quarter of its power is still very strong!"

However, I felt a bit hesitant. According to the information collected by the "Dona" War Research Institute, the Saint Angel Cyra's strength was actually quite formidable, at least possessing half of Beluto's power. And we had already practically "cleared" Cyra once. From this perspective, Beluto didn't seem invincible either.

But how could we resolve the issue of me being controlled? There was no way to avoid that, no matter how you looked at it!

"If worst comes to worst, you can just leave before the final battle with Beluto. This time, with ample preparation, maybe the rest of us can defeat him!"

"Really, no problem?" 

What he said did make some sense. The records showed that Beluto used basically the same skills as the Saint Angel Cyra, leading one to speculate that Cyra had actually shared some of the Light God's power. A mere six-winged angel couldn't possibly possess such terrifying strength.

"Don't worry! If it were the real Light God, I might not have this confidence. But against this counterfeit, I swear I'll smash his skull! Last time was just our first encounter with this situation, so we weren't prepared."

Adrian clenched his fists tightly, asserting with certainty.

"Trust me, I'll make sure I get you out of here safely!"

"...Alright then!"

Since Adrian insisted, it meant he must feel quite confident. I could only push down my anxiety and nod in agreement. Moreover, continually hiding here wasn't a solution either. Worst case, we could just defeat Cyra and run. As long as I didn't join the final battle and avoided contact with Beluto, it might greatly reduce the pressure on everyone...

The plan was set.

It's worth mentioning that in the abundant information provided by Special Assistant No. 5, we unexpectedly found clues about Pope Cysper!

During the time when the Pope and I entered the cave, the fragmented defense system of the 'Dona' War Research Institute detected a high-level threat intruder! Following emergency procedures, it forcibly transferred the target to a specially constructed maze facility within the institute to buy time. However, the internal defense maze had been severely damaged over the years, with most defensive functions lost. Unable to stop the intruding threat, they eventually had to transfer the target directly outside the laboratory.

"So the Pope wasn't actually in any danger, he just ended up back outside the cave. But why didn't you go with him?"

Since you were both transferred to the maze, why did only Cysper end up getting transferred out in the end? Adrian noticed many unclear points in this fragmented report.

"Uh, we had gotten separated by quite a distance at that point..."

As I recalled, Cysper had run extremely fast, and I almost couldn't catch up to him. Perhaps that was why I was left behind alone. But why was he identified as a high-level threat?

Cysper should have been entering this cave for the first time, right? Even counting from when he first appeared on this continent, it was after this research facility had been abandoned for thousands of years. But we couldn't find any clues, as most of the security-related content was lost.

Next came the forced reset day. 

Standing at the entrance of the "Starting Village", I gazed up at the azure expanse above. This time, instead of turning away, I took a long-awaited step forward.

First trick Vivianne into going to the "Shelter", meet up with the two Star Glory knights, then challenge the "fashionably late" apostles, and remember to warn Mike about avoiding the light beams descending from above...

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner, just routine operations I had experienced countless times before. 

Then all of us gathered again in the "Shelter" to face the impending "Light Judgment". But this time, there was no need for Judith to go upstairs and painstakingly lay out sand. With the experience from previous times, I could simply envelop everyone inside the "Light Sanctuary" to successfully avoid harm. However, the time saved wasn't for leisure, as Judith was hurriedly crafting magic scrolls at Adrian's urging.

These magic scrolls were actually the same kind of magic arrays Reed had specially made for the eight-winged angel Phoebe to store high-level spells! Back then, Phoebe had inscribed the magic array on her own body based on her needs. Judith didn't do that though, simply drawing them on scrolls.

As for what spells were stored inside, of course it was the most crucial "Light Sanctuary".

This was a special preparation made for dealing with the Light God, since I couldn't participate in the final battle. After all, the high-level light spell "Light Sanctuary" was indispensable, almost perfectly defending against any of Cyra's elemental attacks. After I left the battlefield, there would be no such support, so over ten instances of "Light Sanctuary" were pre-stored in the scrolls for Judith to use as needed.

Then came the battle plan.

Adrian first spent a while instructing Judith on using "Light Sanctuary", then found Ron and discussed with him privately for a long time. Just as I was about to eavesdrop on what they were saying, the discussion suddenly ended. Immediately after, Ron went to find Mike, and they both took out an exquisitely crafted set of armor from their storage spaces. 

That's right, the full-body plate armor commonly seen in the Middle Ages! Apparently this armor was very heavy, imbued with quite a few spells to defend against physical damage. However, even powerful Star Glory knights were generally unwilling to wear it, only taking it out for major ceremonial occasions.

But now, at Adrian's request, they actually forcibly combined the two suits of armor together (due to the size difference, Ron's set was much smaller) and had Mike wear them both!

"Mobility is a bit inconvenient, but I can still move normally. I just hope I don't have to use this until the very end..."

That was Mike's evaluation on using it. Ridiculous! 

For an ordinary person, or a low-ranking mage like Judith, they probably couldn't even move in this thing. But for Mike, an awakened battle qi warrior with enhanced physical conditioning, it was just like wearing some extra thick layers of clothing.

"Why are you making such heavy armor?" Vivianne asked, puzzled.

"Cyra has a skill that allows the light element to take physical weapon form. This way we can successfully defend against those physical attacks. And I believe the Light God Beluto must have a similar technique."

That was Adrian's explanation. However, I couldn't help feeling a bit puzzled. I had never seen him go through such time-consuming and laborious efforts before! Moreover, with only Mike able to use it, what about the others? But then again, Mike's overall strength was the greatest among us all, so giving him sufficient protection was quite necessary.

With all the preparations complete, we then proceeded to take on Cyra again following the established process!