CHAPTER 78: MEL VS LICH

The Bone Hounds’ limbs clattered in a chaotic rhythm as they lunged, nearing Mel as their jaws spread wide open.

"Summon: Doll Hound. Echo Series: Rally."

A rapid chain of chantings, and two Doll Hound’s claws pounced on the two Bone Hounds.

Mel watched as the hounds writhed into each other in a desperate struggle, their bodies rolling together like tumbling weeds.

As the Doll Hounds flipped on top, their claws clenched the opponents’ bony arms, and their mouths opened to reveal cotton-stuffed teeth sharpened into unnatural points.

Clench. And with a snap, the bone hounds’ heads were lobbed off.

With delighted whimpers, they climbed steadily toward their master, jaw still clutched onto the bony hounds’ heads.

Their soft, cottony tails wagged as they sat, button eyes flashing with anticipation.

"Hehe. I’ll let Nyxia play with you two later, so no worries."

As Mel patted the two Doll Hounds, her eyes curved in affection as they leaned into her touch.

The heartwarming scene, however, was broken when the Lich before her muttered.

"Such strange Buff Magic... to defeat my Adept Undeads so easily..."

Mel glanced back at the Lich, now pointing its staff at the ground.

With a low growl that was more beastly than human, it chanted. "Undead Knight: Summon."

A black droplet trickled down to the ground, as magic circles with darkened edges burst forth.

Within the circle, a black skeletal hand clawed its way up, sword in its grip, shimmering against the starlight’s shimmer.

Mel hummed, amused, as she gazed up at the emerging Undead Knight, his towering frame casting a shadow that nearly swallowed the entire corridor.

It held a black sword and shield, a coliseum-style helmet resting on its skull, empty eye sockets staring forward.

[ Welcome, partner, to your first witness of an Expert Undead! ]

Mel’s lips curved like a vixen. ’As strong as Rosana?’

[ Must less stronger! ]

’Then it is fine.’

She tapped her chin in contemplation before deciding to summon her strongest as well. "Summon: Blade Bug. Echo Series: Battle Hymn."

With a magic circle, a Bug made of green shells stepped through with elegance, its green carcass worn like armour on its chest, with two blades attached to its limbs.

Mel frowned a little upon noticing the red belt on its waist, and the suspiciously metallic gauntlets on its arms, legs, and helmet.

Mel held back a chuckle as the blade bug struck a pose- its waist bent, legs spread, knees dramatically buckled.

The Lich tilted its head in utter confusion, like a man in his fifties trying to make sense of a kids’ show he’d walked in on halfway.

Yet the Undead Knight roared, as if the enemy’s pose had insulted his very existence, then charged forward with thunderous steps.

The Blade Bug looked up as the black sword rose high, then smoothly shifted aside just as it came crashing down.

As it moved, a bladed arm lifted, grazing against the Knight’s skeletal limb with a scrape.

Not a scratch. Mel examined the Undead Knight’s grazed arm. The bone remained untouched with no cracks or splinters.

The bizarre dance between the Knight and the bug continued; with each heavy strike, the bug slipped aside, its blade flashing but leaving no dents or marks.

Shadows mingled beneath the starlight, twisting and merging as the duel dragged on in silence.

Mel exhaled from behind as the bug struck again. "Hey hey! Don’t you think your Undead seems a little too aggressive?"

She observed how the Undead Knight never raised its shield, not even once, only robotically swinging its sword in a childish anger.

The Lich cradled its staff and muttered, "Grudges from the past... cloud one’s judgment."

"Hm..." Mel tapped her cheek as her bug dodged another strike. "Well, Undeads were only scary when they drove in numbers. Why don’t you summon its buddy?"

With a clatter of its teeth, the lich hung its head. "Not possible... no permission for this trial..."

A glimmer of realisation crossed Mel’s eyes, her mind racing with the echoes of sword striking bone.

Only Familiars of the Witch of Pride could inherit abilities from Pride itself/

And while the Saintess hadn’t mentioned it outright, Mel couldn’t recall archbishops who wielded Realm-type abilities in the game’s canon.

Coupling with how an Expert ranked Lich was here, and it’s strangely induced loyalty to its master...

Mel’s brows furrowed together, yet it was not hard for her to guess who the ’Master’ was, or who brought her to this Dream realm.

What induced the most confusion was why she came herself, as opposed to the game’s canon, when described as a more cautious, distanced individual.

Well, I’ll figure it out when she tells me herself.

Mel grinned easily as she stared back at the bug-knight battle. Dodge, strike, dodge, strike, dodge—

Now.

With her staff pointed precisely, she muttered, "Echo Series: Sonic Boost."

The moment the Bug ducked, its antenna nearly scraped by the descending blade, a surge of renewed vigor pulsed through it, a frenzied purple glow coating its blade.

Without a sound, the Bug swung. A violet streak traced its arc through the air before the blade cleaved clean through the Skeletal Knight’s chest.

The skeletal knight was cleaved cleanly in two, its upper half falling to reveal the lich’s eerie indifference.

Mel scanned the lich’s figure, its eyes locked on hers. "So, is your master now downstairs?"

Thanks to her Partner’s information, she could at least confirm that the Witch Cult believed they were in an advantageous position, confident enough to bring Mel through unharmed.

More than that, it had to be a bold, last-ditch gamble by someone wielding the highest authority in the Cult, one unlikely to risk such heavy losses if failed.

And, last of all, it was a plan given the opportunity to unfold by the Saintess herself, the same Saintess who arranged a last-minute trip for Class 1-A on their second day of school.

Ah... was Partner baiting someone out?

Feeling closer to the truth than she thought, Mel hummed softly when the Lich bowed its head in respect.

"Congratulations on passing the trial, Mel Sakura."

The Lich then gestured towards the stairwell. "Please, this way."

A chortle escaped Mel’s throat, for the anticipation she had held for a long time finally bubbling to the surface.

----------------

As Mel was led downstairs towards the Lounge, she examined around.

The broad space was empty: no sign of anyone having sat on the sofa, and the counter held no prepared green tea for guests.

Mel’s cheerful voice broke the silence as the Lich floated toward the counter. "I don’t think anyone’s here."

From behind, the Lich’s hood fluttered in the still air - a foreboding omen of menace soon to arrive.

Then, within Mel’s curious gaze, it settled its staff firmly on the ground, its back hunching over the counter.

Mel’s thoughts drifted back to the Lich’s oddly cradling hand on the staff, and her eyes widened with amused realization.

"Ah..."

She watched the empty sockets within the skull atop the staff ignite, purple flames flickering as they were trapped within the shadows.

Then, the skull atop the staff spoke.

"It’s an honor to meet one of the two holders of ’Mind-bending’ magic, Mel Sakura."

Mel’s shoulders sagged with relief and resignation—her guess was right, even if it meant facing one of the final bosses sooner than expected.

The declaration of the skull boomed in her mind.

"I am Nyrel, the leader of the Witch’s Cult. One that sought to band together all Witches in this World."