Mana clicked her tongue in displeasure, twisted around, and used the Laser Light Sword in her right hand to cut through Jessica's Territory.
But Jessica had already charged her Magic Cannon. She aimed at Mana and fired.
"Don't underestimate me!"
She shouted the words as she attacked.
But Mana had no intention of letting her have her way. She gathered her Territory and skimmed along the torrent of magical energy, rapidly closing in on Jessica.
Then she raised her Light Sword high and slashed at her.
Of course, Jessica was no fool. Just before the blade struck her, she deployed a defensive Territory.
Mana's Light Sword collided with Jessica's Territory, sending sparks flying.
At first, they were evenly matched. Neither could overpower the other.
But in the next instant—
"Ugh—"
Something suddenly went wrong with Jessica.
Her breath caught as though she had gone into convulsions, and blood flowed from her eyes and nose.
The Territory surrounding her body began to weaken.
With her power suddenly fading, it could no longer withstand Mana's slash.
Her Territory shattered in an instant, and Mana's Light Sword struck the frame of Scarlet Lycoris.
The blow completely destroyed the Magic Cannon and magic Light Sword on Jessica's right arm.
But Mana took no pleasure in it. Her face tightened.
"You've already reached your limit! This fight is over! Jessica, stop!"
Jessica had gained enough power to stand against Mana in such a short time for one reason.
She had undergone extensive magical processing that had compressed her remaining lifespan into a single day.
And she was using Scarlet Lycoris, a Realizer that drained her life.
Jessica was clearly on the verge of collapse, yet she showed no sign of stopping.
Ignoring Mana, she pointed her one remaining Cannon Muzzle at her.
Then she fired