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Chapter 64: To You, Who are Like the Sun (1)
Chapter 64: To You, Who are Like the Sun (1)
Chapter 64: To You, Who are Like the Sun (1)
Suddenly, he started crying, and just as suddenly, he drew his sword and asked me to fight. His emotional instability knew no bounds. I didnt understand his current situation, nor was I interested.
But
Dark Sword
Darkness condensed in my right hand, forming a sword.
Faced with a challenge, refusing was not an option.
Now. Come at me.
Abel didnt move immediately.
How much time had passed? The more I concentrated, the more unnecessary information slipped away.
Yet, this irritation didnt fade.
The reason this guy in front of me was challenging me didnt matter. But the fact that he dared to challenge me in his state of indecision was infuriating.
Abel moved.
A frontal slash without any finesse.
No fighting spirit. No murderous intent.
Such an act wasnt even an attack, just an insult.
Kaha!
I punched him, sending him flying.
Just like the first time we crossed swords.
The reason doesnt matter. Come at me seriously. After all, you cant win against me.
I spat out my words in irritation.
What meaning he found in them, if any, I didnt know.
Im sorry I am sorry Thank you, Luke.
Somehow, he apologized and, inexplicably, thanked me.
I completely didnt understand the meaning. Not that I was interested in what state of mind led him to say those words.
But it was clear that a fighting spirit had taken hold in Abels eyes.
Kuku, let me say it again. Come at me.
Physical Reinforcement
A Presence of Magical Power.
Then, he moved. This slash bore no resemblance to the previous onea serious strike. Thats good.
To overpower an opponent who comes at me with their whole being. Thats what I prefer. Anything less is meaningless.
Hmm, the sword is as honest as ever
!
A sudden stop.
Abels movement was beyond my expectations.
Rahh!
With a tearing shout, he unleashed a kick aimed solely at catching me off guard.
I could barely defend, but my stance was compromised.
I jumped back, taking a defensive position. Next.
Kukuku, quite the ill-mannered move, isnt it? Whose influence is that?
No need to think about it. This must be something Alfred taught me something I would do.
Ahahahaha! Indeed, you are abominable!!
Techniques are meant to be stolen.
He was watching me.
No, more like observing.
Physical Reinforcement
Even faster.
Physical Reinforcement
Even heavier.
Physical Reinforcement Physical Reinforcement
But his movements became more complex.
His sword, laced with numerous feints, trying to deceive me.
I acknowledge it. You have grown.
When we first confronted each other at Aslan Magic Academy, I thought I could win even with my eyes closedbut now, youve become strong enough to make me keep them open.
Your unconventional moves have increased.
Yet, your swordplay has become more refined.
Slash!
His strike unleashed as if targeting the gaps in my consciousness.
Apparently, hes learned to use skills too. Making the most of the fact I didnt have this information, a merciless attack I couldnt anticipate.
Dark Slash.
!
But theres nothing you can do that I cant.
Abel abruptly interrupted his slash and leaped backward. A desperate but sensible decision.
The difference in technique and skill is clear. If he had continued to face me head-on, the outcome would have been certain.
You may have grown a bit, but ultimately, youre still far below me. In the end, youre just imitating me.
Indeed, with the fifth level of Physical Reinforcement unleashed, he is fast. A regular elemental mage might not be accustomed to fighting such an unusual opponent and could be completely overwhelmed. But
It wont work on me.
No need for special magic or skills.
My eyes, trained and honed through swordsmanship, can predict the future if I can catch even the slightest glimpse.
No matter how complex the movements, a few exchanges of swords are enough for me to discern habits and preferred patterns.
No matter how fast or heavy.
If I can see it, I can counter it.
Yes, if I can see it, even just a little
Luke, can I really fight with all my might?
Ha?
Abel looked almost tearful, his words clearly emerging from deep internal conflict.
Understanding this, I was nearly overwhelmed by a rising anger.
This is the first time Ive felt such insult in my life.
Intense anger spread through my body like waves, causing a slight tremble. But, even in the midst of battle, I must remain composed.
Letting emotions take over would be foolish, as the rational part of my brain reminds me.
I wont say it again. Come at me with everything you have.
Understood. Here I come.
At that moment, my anger abruptly subsided, as if something had snapped within me. It was an intuitive sense of alertness.
Physical Reinforcement
Abel vanished.
Not figuratively, but literally. In an instant, Abel disappeared from my sight.
The delayed sound of a roar and the slicing of wind followed.
!
If I can see it, I can deal with it.
But hes too fast to see.
Yaaaah!
My body reflexively turned towards the source of the sound.
The angle was bad. The timing, worse.
The tremendous impact that traveled through my hand and resonated throughout my body was too great to deflect, and I was easily blown away.
Armor of Darkness, Wings of Darkness
I controlled my uncontrollable body with magic, soaring into the air.
Looking down at the ground, I locked eyes with Abel, who was panting heavily.
And then, I couldnt help but laugh.
Ahahahaha!
He forced me to use magic.
For the first time, I was driven into a situation where I had no choice but to use magic, not of my own volition. And not just any magic, but Wings of Darkness to control my body, and reflexively, I also activated Armor of Darkness.
That strike was so forceful, so alarming that even I felt a sense of crisis.
How amusing.
I must be wearing a split grin right now.
Its been a while since Ive felt this exhilarated.
What Abel did was exceedingly simple. He enhanced his body with both magic and skills.
Simple, yet immensely powerful. An obvious, straightforward strength.
Well, its not that I cant replicate it, but now is a good time to try out a new spell.
Dark Magic Eye
Dark magical power dwells in my eyes.
This spell allows me to absorb the magic of anyone within a certain range who enters my field of vision. It also significantly enhances all abilities related to seeing.
This is enough. I slowly descend to the ground.
Lets start over.
Here I come.
Once again, Abel vanished. No, he leaped at high speed to my right front.
I can see him. If I can see him, theres no problem at all. No matter how fast or heavy, I can handle it.
Teyah!
Really, hes underestimating me.
Raising his voice despite attacking from a blind spot shows hes not completely ruthless.
Still fast. If my reaction is even slightly slower next time, it could decide the outcome.
But, no problem.
A straightforward diagonal slash. Probably his unconscious preference or a favored technique.
His overall movements have become more complex, but Abels initial strike is as straightforward as ever.
See, right there.
Now, just to let this power slip away.
!
Breathing, angle, timing.
Everything is perfect.
With no enhancement except my eyes, I cant afford a single mistake but thats an impossibility.
I swing my sword smoothly, like flowing water.
Abel, carried by his momentum, rolls past me, then looks up at me with eyes full of astonishment while supporting himself on the ground.
Just like the first time we crossed swords.
Are we done?
Not yet!
Slash, slash, slash.
A rapid exchange of sword strikes, unleashed at a speed beyond reason. The sheer velocity makes it impossible to counter; I must focus all my nerves on deflecting.
But thats fine. Theres no problem at all.
Abel seems to have noticed the discomfort too.
With his current speed, its difficult to target him with Dark Absorption and Dark Sun, which has a lag in activation, is not an option.
However, Dark Magic Eye imposes a time limit on this fight. Unlike Dark Absorption, it doesnt have an immediate effect, but as long as Abel remains in my sight, he will gradually lose magic power.
This means, over time, he will slowly become slower.
Like being strangled by a silk thread.
Slowly, slowly losing power.
From the moment I activated this magic, Abels only option was a very brief battle.
Especially the first strike was crucial, but its all in the past now.
I win.
Yeah.
I pointed my sword at Abels throat.