BANG—!!
Just as Arsene dove like a fierce hawk towards Hare floating in the sky, ready to unleash a brutal claw strike upon her delicate form...
A brilliant yet gentle purple light suddenly burst forth from Hare's slender body.
Like something out of a wondrous dream, the purple light wove itself into a sturdy protective barrier, gently enveloping Hare, who had curled up like a sleeping infant within it.
Arsene's claws slammed violently against the barrier woven from pleasant dreams, creating a loud impact.
The immense force rebounding from the purple barrier sent Arsene reeling backward several meters.
Arsene's attack merely caused ripples across the barrier's surface; it wasn't nearly enough to break through.
Ren didn't feel discouraged, though.
That attack was just a probe; he hadn't gone all out yet.
Besides, Arsene possessed not only physical attacks but also special magical skills.
Judging by the feedback from the purple barrier, a few more persistent strikes from Arsene should definitely be enough to shatter it.
However, a strange phenomenon unfolding before Ren momentarily halted his command for Arsene to continue the assault.
"Is that... a defensive-type Persona?"
The dreamlike light formed the barrier, cradling the curled-up Hare within.
As Hare retreated into the protective shell, a dazzling purple phantom light flared up. It then materialized into the figure of a beautiful woman clad in futuristic, full-body purple-and-white armor.
This armored woman wielded a sharp spear and carried three identical backup weapons strapped to her back.
Her purple-and-white mask covered most of her face, revealing only her delicate, flawless chin. The mask featured decorations resembling rabbit ears or perhaps wings, flanking a shimmering lavender gem at its center.
Seeing the armored female figure appear beneath Hare—a figure remarkably similar in build to Hare herself—Ren raised an eyebrow in surprise.
When Hare first appeared, claiming to be a "Stigmata Crystallization," Ren had initially thought she was a Persona that had gained sentience, able to use her powers directly like Lavenza.
But looking at it now... maybe she was more like Teddie or Morgana? A Shadow who gained sentience and then awakened the ability to wield a Persona?
If Ren hadn't personally seen Hare summon this armored version, his first assumption would likely have been that the armored figure with the purple-and-white mask was the actual Persona user.
"Well, things just got interesting. My first fight against another Persona user... Let's go all out, Arsene!"
Matching Ren's rising excitement, the blue-azure aura around Arsene deepened and intensified.
Its presence grew more powerful. Flapping its black wings forcefully, Arsene charged headlong towards the Armored Hare, who was simultaneously hurtling towards him.
BOOM—!!
Arsene's slashing claws collided violently with Armored Hare's thrusting purple spear, erupting in a deafening explosion of force.
After the initial clash, both combatants recoiled backward.
Arsene flew back roughly five meters before stabilizing itself with a beat of its black wings.
Armored Hare, however, was pushed back a full ten meters, her lighter form struggling slightly to halt its momentum.
"Technically, this is my Dream Projection," Armored Hare explained in a calm, unhurried tone. "But according to your theory, as a Stigmata Crystallization, my Dream Projection could indeed be called a 'Persona'."
Though she spoke calmly, the slender fingers gripping the purple spear trembled slightly. She was internally surprised by the sheer, savage strength Arsene displayed.
Even though he just awakened, he's truly a perfect Stigmata awakener specialized for this environment, she thought. With the Imaginary Space as the battlefield, Ren Amamiya's power is easily on par with mine, a World Serpent executive.
"Dream Projection? The power of dreams... I feel like... maybe I can use that too."
Ren glanced up at Hare floating within her protective sphere, his dark eyes reflecting the brilliant, dreamlike purple glow.
Gazing at that radiant light born of dreams, a look of dawning comprehension slowly filled Ren's eyes.
Sizzle—!!
Purple dream-energy surged rapidly between Arsene's black, bird-like claws, quickly weaving itself into the shape of a long, thin needle.
With a sudden flick, Arsene hurled the Dream Needle forward.
The purple needle shot through the air like a bullet, instantly appearing before Armored Hare and striking her armored chest with unstoppable force.
Hit squarely by the fiercely propelled purple needle, Armored Hare's body shuddered.
She stumbled back a few steps, the brow hidden beneath her purple mask furrowing slightly in pain, a soft grunt escaping her pink lips.
"That's... Dream Power? You... just by watching me use my Dream Power, you learned how to harness it yourself?!"
The purple Dream Needle hadn't inflicted significant damage on Armored Hare.
But the implication behind it caused her eyes to fly wide open in astonishment. Her cherry-like mouth fell agape as she stared incredulously at Ren, who stood in the distance looking as if this were the most natural thing in the world.
Just by witnessing Dream Power being used once, Ren Amamiya had grasped how to use it himself, without any instruction.
Such terrifyingly rapid learning ability was utterly astounding!
"It's called Dream Needle... but as expected, it didn't work on you. Blocked, huh?"
Ren had Arsene casually conjure another purple Dream Needle, twirling it in its claws. His gaze seemed to perceive a large [Block] notification hovering over Armored Hare.
Dream Needle was one of Arsene's skills, dealing Piercing damage with a chance to inflict Sleep.
Seeing Hare use dream-based abilities naturally led Ren to figure out how to use this corresponding skill.
Although Armored Hare took the physical impact of the Dream Needle, she clearly hadn't fallen asleep.
"Well, I am already dreaming right now," Armored Hare replied, the visible corner of her mouth beneath the mask curving into a gentle smile. "How can someone already in a dream, fall asleep?"
For some reason, Ren felt Hare's tone towards him had become subtly, almost imperceptibly, warmer, more familiar.