"This is surprising…"
The deep voice of Legris Damien suddenly echoed across the vast space, instantly putting an end to the moment Ciara and Jerry shared.
The latter fidgeted, rightly expressing anxiety as he heard the voice. As for the former, a deep frown formed on her face.
She was probably incredibly upset that Legris had interrupted her magical moment with Jerry.
"To think you would arrive at precisely the right moment…"
A dark hole, like a stain in reality, began to spread in the sky. Legris appeared from within it, his eyes looking down on the two.
Jerry was still laying on the floor, since he was exhausted, but Ciara was standing upright by his side.
"How did you know that he was in danger? No, that isn't the right question." He sighed.
Darkness slowly began to manifest on his body, the black flames licking his outfit with their forbidden power.
"How were you able to locate us?"
"Hmph! You know nothing!" Ciara responded, giving an antagonistic smile.
Her lips were curled up, but the deep glare she had on her face was yet to fade away.
"Even if my Jerry is universes away, I can still detect him and know his exact coordinates!
A small "E-eh?" leaked out of Jerry's lips as soon as he heard that, and even Legris had a bead of sweat fall from his face.
"I see. So you've honed your abilities to such an extent. Sensing someone so far away… that's an incredible feat." Legris chuckled slightly, though hints of nervousness could be detected in his tone.
What Ciara had just said so casually was too heavy for him to ignore.
Even Jerry, as he helplessly lay on the ground, could not help but stare at Ciara with absolute wonder.
'She has improved that much? How…?' He gawked silently.
Jerry knew she was a genius, but wasn't this just absurd? The last time they saw she was barely able to detect people on a planetary level.
'Now she can detect people even if they are universes away? T-that's beyond amazing!'
And all of this was even without considering the dimensional barriers playing a huge factor.
"Huh? What the hell are you talking about? When did I say I could do that for just anyone?"
Ciara broke the silence of awe, causing both of the men around her to stare in sheer confusion.
"I only said it applies to my Jerry. How would I be able to detect anyone who is universes away? That's insane!"
Once she uttered those words, Jerry and Legris became momentarily allies in their journey to enlightenment.
Whether Ciara's abilities improved or not was still up to scrutiny. However, it seemed she only cultivated her sensory prowess with one person in mind.
Jerry Keller.
"A-ah, I see. So you only know of Jerry's situation, which is why you came here and saved him right as he was about to perish."
"Yeah, that's about accurate." Ciara responded to Legris' statement with an air of nonchalance.
It was almost as if this wasn't a tense moment in the slightest.
"I see…"
"By the way, I should be asking you how you're not gone yet. I'm sure I destroyed your body, and there also weren't any other bodies of yours around, so how come you're still here?" Ciara asked, both arms folded.
Jerry's jaw dropped as soon as he heard the absurd question.
Did she really ask such a man to explain the secrets behind his one advantage? There was no way in hell Legris would divulge how he was able to—
"Ah, that. As long as variants of mine exist in the same plane of existence as me, I can always respawn."
'WHAT?! He told her?!' Jerry couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing.
Legris and Ciara were having such an honest discourse that it was difficult to picture them as enemies.
"I see. So other variants of yours are with the others? That sounds bad…" Ciara mumbled, rubbing her chin as she spoke.
"Yeah. Everyone is having trouble dealing with me right now. Well, you're about to experience the same as well." Legris responded with a grin.
"Is that so?"
The conversation felt so laid back that Jerry thought he was the crazy one.
'Is she controlling his mind? Is that what's going on right now?'
Legris didn't seem like he was being controlled, though. He appeared perfectly normal, and his animosity had not diminished in the slightest.
Yet… he was being so genuine.
"It's strange that I can't read your mind or affect you with my [Phantom Link], though. That would have made things much easier…" Ciara sighed, now tearing both hands as if getting ready for a fist fight.
"Well, you can say I'm built different." Legris responded with a shrug.
"What the hell does that even mean?"
"It means I exist in a different plane than you do, so it'll be difficult
—if not downright impossible for you to do so."
"Tch. I see. That's regrettable then."
"I suppose. I'm curious to see what you'll offer against me, though."
As Jerry watched them converse more, they seemed like old acquaintances rather than enemies. However, at this point, he had grown desensitized to it.
Rather than try to understand what was going on with Ciara and Legris, he pondered more about his own situation.
'Ciara is saving me again, huh? Even though I wanted to… I promised that… damnit…'
It was a relief to see her, though that didn't stop the pain in his heart from reminding him of his weakness.
He felt horrible.
'This time… this time I failed.'
However, Jerry's lit ablaze once more. He gritted his teeth as he gathered the strength to Clancy both of his fists.
'Next time… next time… NEXT TIME I won't fail!'
It was arrogant of him, but Jerry felt it at the core of his soul.
'I'll keep my promise to you!'
However, since that next time was still a distance off, he could do nothing but spectate the imminent fight that would go down between Ciara and Legris.
'A-ah! I should warn her about him… about his abilities and—'
~Don't worry about me, Jerry. I already have all the information I need.~
Once he heard Ciara's voice in his head, Jerry immediately understood.
'You've gone through my memories?'
~Just a little peek at the recent ones. Don't be mad, I couldn't help myself.~
'Haha… I understand. It's fine.'
Since it was all for the sake of defeating this absolute monster, Jerry genuinely did not think he could even get upset at her for taking the initiative.
~Yayy! Now watch me carefully as I kick his butt for hurting you.~
'Thanks, babe. I'm counting on you!'
Whether it was because he called her babe, or that he said he was counting on her, the effects of Jerry's words caused Ciara's entire face to turn beet red.
~KYUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!~
Her internal squeal nearly deafened Jerry, but he managed to survive.
~Just you watch me, babe!~
With her eyes glowing purple, and Aether dancing all around her, Ciara took a step forward and gave the most confident smile ever.
~I'll make you proud!~
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