Adom had certain expectations about how this encounter would unfold. Obviously, the butterfly woman would be formidable. She was, after all, a lieutenant of the so-called Sovereign Metamorph, transformed beyond humanity, wielding an artifact powerful enough to contain a wind elemental, and possessing wings with hypnotic patterns specifically evolved to ensnare minds.By all reasonable metrics, she should have been a significant threat—possibly the most dangerous opponent he had faced in this new life.The fight should have lasted minutes, if not hours. There should have been dramatic reversals of fortune, desperate moments where victory seemed impossible, perhaps even a heroic sacrifice or two.It was... disorienting how easy it was.When Adom activated [Wind Step] and reappeared behind Visariel, he fully expected to be countered immediately. Surely a being of her caliber would anticipate such a basic tactic. When his [Frost Lance] caught her left wing, crystallizing the delicate membrane into brittle ice, he waited for the trap to spring—for her apparent vulnerability to reveal itself as a feint.But her shocked expression seemed genuine. Too genuine."Is she playing with me?" he thought, immediately weaving [Barrier Shield] as a precaution.Visariel raised her orb, purple energy coalescing into what was undoubtedly a deadly spell. Adom countered with [Mana Disrupt], striking the orb directly. The purple energy within it flickered, then destabilized. The magical net around Kianthras unraveled.This wasn't right. Someone of her power shouldn't be this... predictable.Visariel's face contorted with what appeared to be genuine surprise, then quickly shifted to focused determination. Her fingers traced complex patterns—skilled, precise movements that generated three separate attack spells simultaneously. Purple tendrils, barbed and glistening, lashed toward (...)