"Ooooh..."

The Archetype blinked once as the shield came up, then stopped, staring at the bright symbols with eyes full of innocent wonder. Her fist was still pressed up against the barrier, but it couldn't move even an inch closer to Hikari, who stood completely unharmed even in the wake of that sudden attack.

The echoes of a ringing bell were joined by the loud clapping of Tokiko's hands. "Ohohoho[i]ho[/i]! That wasn't bad, Hikari-san!" She raised her index finger, pointing upwards. "With this, you pass Lesson One: [i]how to block a hit![/i]" 

Obviously, she'd expected Hikari to be capable of pulling off such a basic spell. But there was more than that. The newbie magical girl hadn't shown any hesitation or surprise, and had deployed her newly discovered defense almost intuitively. [i]Which means it's time to turn things up a notch.[/i] Tokiko's grin widened, and another finger flicked up to join the first. "Now it's time for Lesson Two: [i]knowing the limits of your own defenses![/i] Get her, my loyal Eve-chan!"

"Grrr!" The monstergirl grit her teeth, then threw another punch, slamming her other fist straight into the barrier. "Ora!" 

The second strike didn't break through either, but it was swiftly followed by a third, and then a fourth, coming faster and faster now, a chorus of ringing bells accompanying Eve's enthusiastic shouts. "Ora ora oraaaaa!" That shield might have been able to protect Hikari so far, but how long would it hold up against such punishment?

[@VitaVitaAR]