"Why did Senheiser start fighting with Belldet?"

"I heard Belldet got called a shorty."

"That's too much, isn't it? Belldet is just… not obviously tall. Is that really something to attack as a physical flaw? Besides, Senheiser towers over her. This is like fighting a fire hose from the second floor."

"Even if Belldet took offense, Senheiser didn't have to entertain the fight, right?"

"Well, Senheiser fired the first shot, but Belldet ripped into both sisters until they had no choice."

"What did she say?"

"Something along the lines of calling them relentless, double-teaming, ganging up from all sides, scheming inside and out, slick-tongued…"

Tap!

Evelyn landed lightly atop the dessert table. With a sharp stomp of her small leather boot, the entire table shattered into dust. She sprang forward, carving a streak of blue through the air to close in on Nona. In the blink of an eye, her right hand hooked toward the elf's nape.

Miracle, Wicked Crescendo!

A slick sheen suddenly spread across Nona's skin. The moment Evelyn's palm touched the back of her neck, it slid right past. Capitalizing on Evelyn's momentum instead, Nona spun in place, her long right leg sweeping out in a crescent arc like a cloud-thin razor, slashing toward the blue-haired girl!

Miracle, Combustion Burst!

Boom!

A thunderous explosion belched thick black smoke, overturning and shattering nearby dining tables!

Evelyn burst out of the smoke and landed on another table, her limbs touching down with feline grace. Her pupils had narrowed into vertical slits, her expression resembling a feral jackal or wolf. Soot smeared her once-clear azure hair, and streaks of blood stained her elegant, noble gown.

Nona waved a hand to disperse the smoke. By now, a layer of transparent oil coated...