Magic 10 Volume 6

"Satin Ice!"

A glaring light wrapped in a frigid, cutting shroud shot forth from the monocle. This magic's speciality was that its effect triggered instantly upon her focusing on a target. In other words, this magic travelled at what was effectively the speed of light. In a split-second, the temperature around Stella fell below freezing point right through to absolute zero. Even liquid nitrogen, which was well-known to be able to freeze objects instantly, reached only around minus 200 degrees Celsius. No human could remain unharmed when exposed to temperatures even lower than that. It would freeze them right down to the marrow―their heart having stopped long before that. No matter the terms in which one spoke of it―activation speed, range or stopping power―it was a first-rate ability. With it Mikoto could go toe-to-toe with any of the powerhouses in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Tournament.

That was true. Only one person—

"Empress Dress."

—the strongest fire user in the world, was exempt. Turning the entirety of the utterly frozen atmosphere into steam under extreme heat, she caused it to dissipate before the raiment of roiling flames that was clad about her.

"As I thought, that's how that would go, huh."