“Hehehe… You want to spar with me? At full force?” Bella asked with a teasing smile.
“Yes, but just physical power,” Aengus replied calmly.
“Oh, feeling confident, are we? That’s my man,” Bella said, her eyes gleaming with mischief. She clenched her fists and gathered her raw power. “Then I won’t hold back. It’s time for you to witness your wife’s true strength.”
“Less talk. Let’s begin,” Aengus said, his posture steady and focused.
Whoosh.
As soon as he finished speaking, Bella lunged at him with a blend of grace and deadly precision.
Boom!
Aengus managed to block her initial strike, but the force was so intense that his hand went numb. The shockwave from the impact collapsed the ground beneath his feet. Despite the pain, Aengus stood his ground, moving swiftly through the dust and debris as he blocked her relentless barrage.
His passive skills—Quick Reflexes, Melee Combat, and Predator’s Instinct—were working overtime to keep him in the fight. Without them, facing Bella, who was far more experienced, would have been daunting.
The battle continued fiercely.
Sen, Sienna, Vespera, and the others watched from a safe distance, having retreated earlier, sensing the immense danger.
Bella’s flawless face remained serene as she appeared before Aengus, her speed almost teleporting her from one spot to another. But Aengus wasn’t easily caught off guard; he grabbed her foot mid-attack, effectively blocking her critical strike.
Bella quickly retracted her leg, standing tall and poised.
“Impressive, darling,” she said with a smile. “But now… let’s see if you can block this.”
Suddenly, Bella leapt into the air, spinning like a violent whirlwind. Her dark attire blurred into an ethereal form as a powerful vortex of wind swirled behind her. The air around them became chaotic from the intensity of her move.
Aengus, unfazed, launched himself into the air with a powerful stomp, aiming to meet her head-on.
BOOM!
The collision unleashed an explosive shockwave. Aengus was flung backward, while Bella hovered in the air, a triumphant smile on her face.
“Oops,” she clicked her tongue playfully before diving down to catch him midair, preventing him from crashing to the ground. Aengus would have been fine on his own, but Bella’s gesture was both kind and teasing.
Aengus’s blood surged with adrenaline, his entire body buzzing from the impact. Despite the excitement of the battle, he recognized his limits. He was outmatched in raw strength.
Acknowledging his loss, he exhaled deeply. Despite his progress, he still fell short of being a complete match for her.
Bella smiled as she embraced Aengus, their bodies pressed together, sharing warmth. Her neck flushed a soft red, and Aengus couldn’t ignore the soft sensation against his chest.
They landed gracefully, their eyes locking in a brief, intimate moment.
“Hehe…” Bella chuckled softly, her voice teasing.
“Darling, do you want to go to the bed?” she asked playfully, her eyes filled with charm and unmistakable temptation.
Aengus cleared his throat, quickly recovering from the allure. “No,” he replied firmly, stepping back and distancing himself from Bella’s seductive presence.
Bella laughed, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She glanced at the blade hanging from Aengus’ waist.
“So, darling, why don’t you show me your new weapon? It feels incredibly powerful!” she teased, her curiosity piqued.
Aengus narrowed his eyes slightly, noticing her interest. Before he could respond, Bella swiftly grabbed the blade from his side, causing a flicker of annoyance to cross his face. Yet, his expression shifted to surprise as he watched her handle Aegis effortlessly. The weapon’s weight and aura seemed to have no effect on her.
“Did Aegis acknowledge her presence?” Aengus wondered. The weapon could sense loyalty and hidden motives.
For a moment, Aengus found himself captivated by Bella’s presence—her mischievous smile, fluttering lashes, and delicate red lips. Her creamy skin and long black hair seemed more vibrant than ever. He shook the thought away, focusing instead on the weapon in her hands.
Bella, seemingly oblivious to Aengus’ momentary distraction, unsheathed the blade with casual curiosity.
A radiant flash of holy light surged from the sword, causing everyone present to flinch.
“Ouch!” Sen, Sienna, and Vespera shielded their eyes. Bella, though briefly startled, marveled at the gleaming blade now resting in her hand.
When the light dimmed, the blade’s intricate runic engravings were visible, and its holy aura still hummed with immense power.
“Hot!” Bella exclaimed, feeling the intense heat of the blade, though it didn’t burn her. She turned to Aengus, her eyes twinkling with admiration. “It’s handsome, just like you, darling,” she said with a teasing grin.
Aengus recovered, though his heart stirred at her words. Sienna, watching from the side, couldn’t hide her growing jealousy.
Sen noticed and sympathetically patted her on the shoulder, understanding her feelings but saying nothing.
“I get it,” Aengus said indifferently. “Now, give it back.”
“Tsk… Here, take it back. I don’t need a fake one. I only need you,” Bella said, tossing the blade into the air.
Sienna felt a pang of inferiority at Bella’s bold statements.
“Can she ever hope to achieve that?” she wondered.
Aengus caught the blade and stored it in his spatial bracelet this time.
Aegis roared in frustration, reluctant to be stored away in the lifeless void. Yet, it was powerless to resist.
“Huh? It can talk as well?” Bella seemed genuinely surprised, tilting her head as if she had just realized Aegis had a voice of its own.
“Darling,” she began with a playful pout, “why don’t you make one for me before we head to the Fortress City? I want a talking weapon too! You can be so boring at times, and at least it would keep me company when you’re not around.”
Aengus blinked, surprised that she could hear the mental communication between him and Aegis. He recalled her mind control ability and realized she might have picked up on the conversation subconsciously or that Aegis had allowed her to hear it. He glanced at them, contemplating the request.
Sen, Sienna, and the others watched with curiosity. Although they were intrigued by the idea of having their own sentient weapons, none of them dared to ask Aengus for one. The idea seemed too bold.
“Alright,” Aengus finally agreed, his voice carrying a note of resignation. “I was going to make one for you all anyway. But you’ll have to provide the materials and a weapon of your choice.”
Bella’s face lit up with excitement. “You’re the best, darling!” she replied charmingly, her joy almost infectious.
The others, observing from the sidelines, were taken aback by Aengus’s willingness. Not wanting to miss out on the opportunity, they quickly brought out their own weapons and materials, eager to have them synthesized into sentient weapons as well.
Thus began the miraculous process of creating powerful, sentient weapons for each of them.
