Vergil is sent back a little with the impact of their blades colliding. He's able to stop too much momentum from pushing him too far away, but it would appear that it plays to his disadvantage in the end as Mizu grapples onto his arm and draws himself in close. It's a snap decision, but Vergil isn't willing to chance getting stabbed in that particular side again. Not with how far and deep Mizu will no doubt be able to drive it at this angle. He'll be pushed all the more closer to his limits if the strike lands, and it will be too awkward and clumsy to cross his body with Mirage Edge to protect himself.

Thus, it hits like a gale from a storm and Vergil is engulfed in a blue light similar to that of his spectral manifestations, blasting outward in the blink of an eye in a wide radius that sends snow flying out and forcing back Mizu's blade before it can hit its target. If Mizu manages to hold on tight enough to Vergil that he's merely lifted by the transformation rather than thrown, he'll find in place of smooth skin to be scales akin to that of a reptile beneath his hand. Despite the reptilian armor though, Vergil runs feverishly hot like this, albeit none of the infernal energy exhausting from his horns or arms burns to the touch. It's the clone Mizu has seen time and time again made truly real and solid albeit without the Yamato sheathed.

Vergil's tail lashes behind him.

If Mizu thought Vergil was quick and strong before, he is about to have a much truer demonstration of Vergil's demonic power.