Chapter 81

I stared at my hands, trying to sense the new power that had entered my body.

"Hmm..."

"How, how is it, Sir Cyril?"

"Yes, I have obtained new power."

In response to Jeanne's question, I answered clearly. I could feel a distinct sensation within me.

That sensation soon became a clearer image in my mind.

I followed that image, reached up, and pulled out a few strands of hair.

I blew on them.

The hair I had blown on changed in mid-air.

The hair turned into paper dolls.

The paper dragon I had fought the moment I stepped in here.

Similar paper dolls.

"This... this is..."

"Hehehehe, it's just like my best friend!"

"Yes, it's like a... clone of me."

"You've done this before?"

"Yes. That was a speed clone created by the afterimage of the dragon transformation's super speed. This is different; it's a fully individual clone with its own mass."

I said this and began to "control" my paper dolls.

Controlling multiple paper dolls was difficult.

It felt like playing a percussion instrument with my right hand and a string instrument with my left, and at first, I was quite confused. But gradually, I got used to it.

The paper dolls paired up, danced, did calisthenics, and practiced battle moves.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"Hehehehe, this will add more versatility to combat."

"Yes, it may not have much offensive power, but it can be used for feints and exploiting openings."

I nodded and turned to Patricia.

"Thank you."

"Um... I don't really understand, but... okay."

She nodded, though she was a bit puzzled.

"Um... Sir Cyril?"

"Hmm? What is it?"

"Can you use the Dragon Tree to make tools for your paper dolls?"

"...Yeah."

I nodded and approached the Dragon Tree.

I plucked a little bit, just like before, and took it in my hand.

I did this for a while.

I stared at it, focused, and clenched it, trying various things.

But nothing happened.

"It doesn't seem to work."

I turned around and answered Jeanne with a wry smile.

"It didn't work?"

"Yes, it worked for Patricia, but I don't feel any of the same sensations or signs."

"That's... disappointing. I thought Sir Cyril's paper clones could become even stronger if they could wield weapons."

"Yeah, I know. But instead of just using them as paper clones, maybe we can combine them with something—"

As I said this, I froze.

"Sir Cyril?"

"Hehehehe, that's the look of someone who's had an idea."

"..."

The little squirrel was right. A scene flashed through my mind.

It was a simple scene, and the moment it flashed, I immediately understood what to do.

I faced my paper doll.

I extended both hands toward it.

I released a ball of flame at the paper doll.

Nine-fingered Flame Bullet—a ball of flame aimed at the paper doll.

The paper doll didn't dodge; it was hit and caught fire.

From the outside, it looked like it was burning.

"Is... is it burning? Or... not burning?"

Jeanne was surprised.

Indeed, it was unclear whether the paper doll was burning.

The flame was maintained, and at first glance, the paper doll was on fire.

But for a piece of paper, this level of heat should have burned it to ashes in a few seconds.

However, the paper doll remained unchanged in the flames, not burning out, and it didn't even look like it was burning.

It's no wonder Jeanne was confused.

"It's not burning."

"Does that mean...?"

"It's the same as me—and Chris. The flame has no effect on it."

"Oh, I see!"

Jeanne was taken aback.

She knew about this ability, so she immediately understood.

I further manipulated the paper doll.

Even though it was on fire and covered in flames, I could control it just as before.

I made it dance and jump, moving it freely.

"Chris, can you help me with a test?"

"Hehehehe, bring it on!"

The little squirrel didn't ask what I was going to do; she seemed to understand what I was thinking.

If she understood, it would be easier.

I added more paper dolls, doubling their number, and set them on fire with Flame Bullets.

Then, I made them all charge at once.

The fiery army attacked the little squirrel all at once.

The little squirrel dodged the attack.

She avoided the flaming paper dolls as if they were Flame Bullets.

Even though the dolls were dodged, they chased after the little squirrel.

One of them hit.

The little squirrel caught fire and stopped.

She stopped but smiled.

Since the little squirrel is "Chris," the flame had no effect on her.

As proof, she even looked like she was enjoying a nice, warm bath.

Still, she stopped—and smiled.

She understood what I was trying to do and played along, pretending to stop when hit.

The remaining flaming paper dolls pounced on the stopped little squirrel.

And—there was a massive explosion.

"Kyaa!"

Jeanne was startled by the raging flames, and I shielded her with my back.

"Ah... thank you..."

"Sorry, are you okay?"

"I'm fine... thank you..."

She seemed relieved and happy to be protected.

I nodded and looked at the little squirrel.

After the flames, the paper dolls lost their power and fell to the ground.

The flames on the little squirrel also disappeared.

"Hehehehe, it worked well."

"Yes, not a bullet that just hopes to hit, but a Flame Bullet that can track with 'my will' after it's fired."

"Hehehehe, you combined them well. As expected of my best friend."

I was praised by the little squirrel, and I was satisfied with the usefulness of this combination, secretly admiring my own ingenuity.