As you utter the incantation, a shimmering shield of arcane energy envelops the target, absorbing part of the incoming attack and storing its energy. This energy can then be unleashed in the target's next strike, turning defense into offense.

Effects:

The shield absorbs up to 10 points of damage from the triggering attack.
The next time the target hits with a melee or ranged weapon attack before the end of their next turn, they deal additional force damage equal to half the absorbed damage (rounded down).

At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage absorption increases by 5 for each slot level above 2nd.