Nezerick sidestepped and brought the hilt of his sword down on Irene's back. "Hmmm, that should've crushed your spine. Interesting." 

She lay dazed on the ground, back wide open. Seulgi took over and teleported to safety.

"Stupid girl. You're still not fully linked to your familiar." Belle growled. She leapt towards Nezerick, drawing back her fist as far as she could. Nezerick smirked. "What could a mere pun-". Belle's fist grew feiry hot and she punched with all her might. 

Nezerick was knocked back several meters. "How'd you like my Explosive Fists? Spicy, aren't they?" 

"I see. Is that you, Vulcan?" The gloves suddenly spewed fire, burning the grass around Belle. "Well, that confirms my suspicions. You're a familiar too, since you know mine." Belle stated, preparing for her next attack. She started chanting. Magic circles appeared beneath her, glowing a bright orange. The atmosphere felt electric, tension in the air. Her gloves changed forms, looking more menacing.

"Such complex circles. I've never seen those in scrolls before." Luna stared in awe. 

"I'll end things with this." Belle said. She disappeared. Nezerick gripped his sword, clearly on guard. Then Belle reappeared, plummeting towards Nezerick, fist-first. "Destructive Art: Vulcan's Rage!" 

Everyone, except Irene, was knocked back by the sheer force of Belle's punch. But the dust cleared and Nezerick was still standing. A strange, eerie-looking shield was coming from his sword, protecting him from the attack. "H-How!?" Belle screamed, confused and exhausted. , my mana's all gone from that attack. 

"So that was supposed to be your ultimate attack? Pitiful." Nezerick mocked. He raised his sword towards Belle. "The name of my sword is Backbiter. And he can absorb attacks and reflect them back to their caster. Like this." 

A huge explosion of energy hit Belle point-blank. She was knocked back, t