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Every muscle in Zeff’s right arm flexed in unison as he focused on it, making a boxing-glove-sized water jet surge forth from around his forearm and fist.

Typically, when it came to fighting much older servants who had far stronger passive soul defenses, Zeff was of the opinion that pinpoint strikes were the way to go. The magnified application of force on a smaller surface area was necessary in order to help overcome their armor-like flesh.

But of course, the problem with such small attacks was that, while they might’ve been able to pierce more easily, they still weren’t likely to do much actual damage, especially to the undead. That was why he’d made this one fist-sized. A solid hit would do more than just puncture.

Zeff doubted Marda would let him get close enough for that, though, especially with how obvious his approach was. Raga Marda might not’ve been looking in his direction as he barreled through and bounded over various prison guards, but Zeff was quite confident that the man could sense him coming. Not to mention, the water jet was howling loud enough to draw plenty of extra attention, too, even over the battle’s clamor.

This was by design. For one thing, he wanted to get Marda off of Diego, and for another, the jet was only half of the attack.

More than anything, attacks on servants needed to debilitate, at least for a moment, so that further pressure could be applied. And to that end, big and obvious water jets were not the best weapon. Too easy to avoid.

That was why the other half of the attack was a simple platform of ice, raised up instantly beneath the Tiger’s feet.

It was one of the oldest tricks in the materializer’s handbook, but there was a reason for that. Compared to most techniques, it was disproportionately effective for how easy it was to perform. Being able to make someone lose their footing whenever you wanted was quite frankly unfair.

Zeff’s platform sent Marda airborne. As far as their intel was aware, Marda was a transfiguration user who frequently relied upon weapons and tools, so this was--

The man vanished in midair before Zeff could reach him. Zeff slashed at the empty space where he’d been, in case it was Invisibility, but the attack felt like it missed, meeting with no tangible resistance.