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[X] Stand your ground and form a barrier. This is part of the training

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Another shower of energy blasts approaches Grimnir. He pours more of his own strength into his barrier as it approaches. He shudders at the impact, but he doesn't get knocked down. Panting heavily, he prepares himself for the next attack.

"T-that was close," he mutters to himself. Individually, the bolts are not much more powerful than the ones she used earlier, but coming at him all together at once, he can barely defend himself.

But this is still part of his training. He is sure that he will become stronger if he follows the magician's instructions. This most certainly isn't a waste of time, and even if he ends up injured, Dr. Yagokoro can probably patch him up. He can trust Alice, can't he? She isn't stupid or crazy enough to really hurt him...

The next barrage of energy pushes him back several feet. He can feel his stamina being drained. His barrier is growing steadily weaker, and he is starting to have difficulty hovering. She should be stopping her attacks soon, shouldn't she?

Grimnir takes a peek at the magician. Unfortunately, her spell card trance isn't complete yet. But that isn't what worries him. He notices something else. Alice is smiling.

"Oh shit," he mutters.

The dollmaker seems to be getting carried away. While such confidence is a new and refreshing change for her, he can't help but start to worry about the situation. She is moving from side to side as she attacks, as if this was an actual spell card duel. Has she forgotten that this is only training? He most certainly has no chance against her in a real battle.

Grimnir looks around. Eientei is pretty far from this part of the Bamboo Forest, and there is no one else in sight. It would be pointless to call for help.

He braces himself for the next attack. This time, the shower of energy pushes him down hard. The barrier is starting to make unusual popping noises. That can't be good. He needs to put more power into the barrier. If he can only-

Grimnir cries out in pain. One of the energy bolts breaks through the barrier and hits him solidly on the shoulder. The pain is excruciating, and he can smell burnt flesh. If that hit his head, he would probably be dead by now.

He back at Alice. Thankfully, her spell card trance seems to be over. Maybe he can talk to her now.

"Hey Alice!" cries Grimnir. "Can you hear me?"

Alice looks down at him. He stares back with mouth agape. So beautiful. He has never seen the timid dollmaker like this. Confidence and strength seems to radiate from her like the soft warmth of the sun. She weaves such power so elegantly and with grace. He is filled with awe at the girl.

"I'm impressed," says Alice. "Even in Gensokyo, there aren't many humans who can defend against my whole spell card. And you were able to do so without dodging the attacks."

"I-I try my best," he mumbles. "At the very least, I don't want to be a burden to anyone."

Her smile widens.

"A burden? I certainly doubt that," she says. "At the rate you are learning, you will soon be capable of far greater things. I look forward to the day when I can duel you without holding back."

She was holding back?

"Ahahaha," he says weakly. "Can we take a break for a bit? That took a lot out of me."

Alice stops smiling.

"Don't you dare try to escape from this! I won't be satisfied until I see your true limit," returns the dollmaker.

She pulls out another spell card from her dress.

"W-what the hell?" cries Grimnir. "Are you insane?"

Alice ignores him as she begins chanting. Grimnir is completely exhausted. He can barely keep himself a few feet above the ground. If this next attack hits, he is likely to be killed instantly. He doesn't even have enough strength to flee.

This situation is just as hopeless as before. But he didn't die that time, and he won't die now. Slowly, he remembers the magician's words.

"Something you can hold on to and believe in," he recalls.

His magic...
[ ] Form the strongest barrier. You must show your resolve.
[ ] Try to attack her somehow. Maybe you can interrupt her trance.
[ ] Sharpen your perception. Think out of the box.

His anchor...
[ ] Alice
[ ] Marisa
[ ] Yukari