As soon as I swung down the sword, the dueling ground was painted with silence.
A quietness that was unpleasant.
But it lasted only for a moment.
The momentarily stopped wind turned into a storm and swept through the dueling ground, and at the same time.
Crack crack crack crack-!!
The dueling ground was split apart. No, it wasn’t just the dueling ground that was split.
The clouds, the ground, the air, even every speck of dust.
Everything on the path of the sword was split in half.
“……”
Caron and Lucia, standing on either side of the split dueling ground floor.
Lucia turned her head towards me and shouted.
“Hey! Don’t use our family’s secret technique so casually!”
“Keke, this is punishment for ignoring me. A man’s jealousy is scary.”
“Hmm~ It certainly is scary. Okay, I’ll deal with you first. It’s enough to deal with this old man afterwards.”
Lucia provoked slightly, but Caron showed no reaction.
Because he was busy staring at me. No, should I say glaring?
Come to think of it…
‘Ah right, Caron didn’t know I could use other families’ secret techniques.’
What Caron saw was only the [One Flash] I used in the anthill.
‘At that time, I made an excuse that I dreamed of being the rat of the Lester family and learned it through a deal with Renia.’
The absurd excuse that I, as a genius, can imitate other families’ secret techniques just by seeing them once.
Currently, this is an excuse and secret known only to Luna, Rezé, Yuridia, and Lucia.
So it’s only natural for Caron to glare at me as if he’s going to devour me.
Because he wouldn’t have known that I can use other families’ secret techniques.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Because I’m planning to show everything I have today anyway.
‘It’s better to unify the excuses too.’
If I don’t unify and just make up excuses according to the situation, things like this are bound to happen.
[Divine Imitation] is a skill I’ll usefully use until the end.
It’s better to create a situation where I can use it freely without paying attention, if possible.
‘The kid who dreamed of being the Lester family’s rat and a genius of imitation.’
This should be enough.
Rather than hiding it and getting caught by Caron, it’s better to confidently reveal it in a situation like this.
Because now there’s someone who will protect me.
“Keke, you’re finally looking this way.”
“You bastard…! How did you use the vision technique of the Lucid family… and with this power at that!”
Keke, it’s a secret.
-If I say that, he looks like he’s going to kill me. So let’s save the jokes for later.
“Keke, let’s postpone our date for later. Because we’re in the middle of a test now.”
Of course, it’s a date where tremendous psychological warfare takes place.
A thrilling date where my lifeline goes back and forth with every single word!
“…That would be good. I look forward to it. It seems it will be a very hot date.”
Ah, no. I don’t want a date that hot.
It might be better to just get killed by Lucia’s hand.
“What? Were you keeping it a secret? Hmm~ That’s amazing. To deceive that old man.”
“Are you saying you knew?”
“Of course. You think I taught that guy for no reason? There was a good enough reason for all of it.”
“I thought you were trying to kidnap him to forcibly marry him……”
“Wh-What are you talking about, old man! I’m not a criminal!”
“Hmm, you better come up with a more plausible excuse. With that level of statement, you won’t avoid actual prison time.”
“This damn old man, really!!”
Thud thud thud thud-!
Tap tap tap tap-!
Their fierce fighting started again.
It’s a situation I don’t like.
Both Lucia and Caron.
‘Only I should be used! Don’t become close, you two!’
The first secret technique of the Lester family style.
One Flash.
Boom-!
A huge flash of light absorbing the surrounding light and advancing in a single line.
The [One Flash] that left the dueling ground crashed into the forest, leaving a huge sword mark.
Caron and Lucia.
“Impudent fellow. Did traces remain? Moreover, damaging the environment. I’ll give you 1 demerit point.”
“Do guidance instructors also have the authority to give and take points? Then I’ll also give that kid 1 demerit point. I don’t know about me, but this old man should have been hit!”
Naturally they dodged my [One Flash].
‘They’re real monsters.’
No matter how low my stats are, [Sky Splitter] and [One Flash] receive an A-grade rating.
But they dodge it like it’s nothing.
Shouldn’t they have at least let it cut their collar or something?
“Okay then… Shall we get serious now?”
Lucia drew out a wooden sword.
I could tell from the atmosphere. That the real thing starts now.
‘Divine Imitation!’
Both Lucia and Caron have the [Reflex] skill.
Changing [Swordsmanship] to [Reflex] and at the same time.
Clang!
The wooden sword swung by Lucia clashed with my wooden sword.
“Kuk!”
“Oh~ You’ve improved a lot? You couldn’t even block this at first.”
“…Keke, isn’t this all thanks to Ms. Lucia’s hard work.”
“That’s true. But that also ends today.”
“Please don’t say such disappointing things.”
If I win the bet.
“You said you’ll accept me as your disciple.”
The bet that she’ll accept me as her disciple if I’m recognized or if I surprise her again.
“…I guess it won’t work after all. I was going to go easy since it’s the last day.”
“Excuse me?”
“Let’s get beaten up a bit today too.”
Lucia’s eyes gleamed ominously.
“Until you’re about to die.”
Clang!
The sound of wooden swords clashing echoed in the air.
It was already the 5th minute since the fight with Lucia began.
Since Lucia took an offensive-only stance, it’s fair to say I only defended for more than 4 minutes.
‘No, was it 4 minutes and 30 seconds?’
I can’t know exactly, but one thing was certain.
That I was being completely beaten.
‘Of course, considering my level, I’m enduring really well.’
The reason I was able to endure until now.
Not only because Lucia is limiting her power to 6-star knight level, but also.
“Opening!”
Bang!
Lucia’s wooden sword lightly struck my wooden sword upwards, and while spinning around once, she raised her right leg.
It’s a kick.
I immediately used an artifact. The artifact I received from Caron and the top contributor to subduing the demon Bineus.
[Silver Flash].
“Ugh!”
The moment Lucia’s body slightly stiffened, I immediately pulled my body back.
Whoosh!
Lucia’s foot sliced the wind with a vigorous sound.
I was able to endure for 5 minutes because of this [Silver Flash].
Whenever I fell into a crisis, I used [Silver Flash] to temporarily stun her and escape the crisis.
How did I press the button of [Silver Flash] while holding the wooden sword with both hands?
…I pressed it with my lips.
That’s right. Currently, I have [Silver Flash] in the form of a pocket watch in my mouth.
Press press. It presses very well.
The downside is that I drool?
“Ugh! That thing is really bothersome!”
“Mmph mmph, how ith it, the thight of the hero.”
“…I can’t understand a single thing you’re saying? Take that out of your mouth and speak!”
Clang!
But [Silver Flash] is an artifact with a cooldown of 5 turns.
It can’t always be used.
“Kuk!”
At times like this, I have no choice but to take it with my body.
But even that only works once or twice. Now, even just blocking makes my hands tremble.
“Die!”
Trying to kill such a weak and cute student. Are you in your right mind?
Lucia’s fierce thrust.
If I get hit by that, my body will be skewered like a kebab.
I slightly extended the wooden sword and spun my body around once.
At the same time, I used [Eye Opening].
The second secret technique of the Lester family style.
Moon Shadow.
The second secret technique of the Lester family that can block any attack once.
Since it received an A-grade rating due to [Divine Imitation], I could sufficiently block Lucia’s thrust.
The problem was that Lucia’s figure disappeared.
“This is already the third time I’m seeing it? I was surprised at first, but not anymore.”
A chilling voice was heard from behind.
At the same time, the sound of kicking the ground was heard.
“I finally caught you, little rat.”
I was caught in a reversal.
I can’t dodge. Blocking is even more impossible.
There’s no choice. I have no choice but to use my last means of defense.
“Shield!”
A translucent hemisphere enveloped my surroundings.
The shield in [Nameless Believer’s Ring], an artifact I received from Caron.
Clang clang-!
Since it can block attacks up to 6th circle level, it can sufficiently block the attack of Lucia who is limiting her power.
And catching an attack opportunity is a bonus.
Using the [Eye Opening] skill and at the same time.
The first secret technique of the Lester family style.
One Flash.
A single flash emitted while swallowing light.
The moment she blocks, I was planning to use [Sky Splitter].
Right at that moment.
Swish-.
Lucia bent her waist back and dodged the [One Flash].
It’s a nimble movement. Annoyingly so.
Boom boom boom boom-! Crash!
The innocent forest was blown away by the [One Flash].
Caron ran there and started madly cutting the surrounding trees.
To prevent traces of the [One Flash] from remaining.
At first, it looked cute, but not anymore.
I could also see Caron’s anger rising throughout his body, but.
‘That’s also being repeated for the fourth time now.’
[One Flash], [Sky Splitter], psychological warfare, and the use of artifacts.
However.
None of them worked on Lucia.
I spit out the [Silver Flash] I was holding in my mouth.
“Huh? What, is it over now?”
“Keke, what’s there to work. Are you really only using the power of a 6-star knight?”
“Of course. I’m not even using secret techniques. This much is the level of going extremely easy on you.”
Since Caron isn’t particularly stopping her, Lucia’s words must be true.
In the first place, I heard that a 6-star knight is a skilled person who can be treated well wherever they go.
“Well, judging by your reaction, it seems your resources have been exposed. Let’s end it here. Ah, should I let you know one thing?”
“What is it?”
“When you attack, your left foot moves first in over 80% of cases. If the right foot moves first, it’s safe to say there’s no intention to attack.”
“……”
“If you have an opponent you have to fight multiple times or it’s a tournament, be careful not to let your habits be known. This will be my last teaching to you.”
Habits.
Certainly a scary guy. To me.
And to Lucia as well.
“This much is good fighting, so don’t cry.”
“Keke, you don’t cry, Ms. Lucia. Because the match isn’t over yet.”
“I always like your spirit. It’s just that your skills can’t keep up with it.”
Didn’t you say it was good fighting just a little while ago?
Anyway, she’s so fickle.
“I’m going.”
Bang!
As soon as she spoke, Lucia kicked the ground.
Clack! Clack clack clack-!
After a few exchanges of sword strikes, the crisis soon came.
Lucia thrust her wooden sword towards my heart.
[Moon Shadow] has been figured out, [Silver Flash] is not in my mouth, and [Shield] is on cooldown.
There’s no way to block it. So I.
Took the stance of the [Fleur Family Style].
“…!”
[Fleur Family Style] is a secret technique, but it’s classified as a training method.
There’s no way it can block Lucia’s attack.
But.
Bang!
Lucia retreated back.
The reason Lucia retreated. It’s precisely because of ‘habits’.
‘You figured out my habits?’
Probably. Because I’m a beginner.
I always tried to fight differently, but Lucia is a being who has reached the end of knighthood.
The angle of swinging the sword, tactics, secret techniques I’m trying to use.
She might even know habits that I don’t know about.
But.
‘It’s the same for this side too.’
Lucia isn’t stupid enough to reveal her habits.
Even if I know her habits, I won’t be able to use them either.
However.
‘Creating an opening that doesn’t exist.’
That much is sufficiently possible. Just like this.
Smirk-.
I slightly smiled.
That’s right. This is a trick. A trick of pretending ‘there’s something’ while taking the stance of the [Fleur Family Style].
Since I’ve never done this during a duel, it’s only natural for Lucia to be cautious.
“This!”
Lucia, realizing she was tricked, ran straight towards me.
Trying to block before I use [One Flash] or [Sky Splitter].
‘It’s going according to plan.’
Attacks poured out without rest for 5 minutes, declaring it’s the last, and the frustration of being tricked.
I thought she would aggressively engage.
A wooden sword firmly held with both hands.
I pulled the handle part of the wooden sword towards my chest.
The tip of the wooden sword was pointed at the running Lucia.
It’s a stance to use my ‘secret weapon’.
From the moment I found out Lucia was the opponent, I thought about it all day.
Against Lucia, what is the most powerful skill I can use with [Divine Imitation]?
Magic is rejected because there’s a cooldown, Yuridia’s [Demon Slave] is also rejected for the same reason.
[One Flash], [Earth Flip], [Sky Splitter], etc.
They’re powerful but all secret techniques Lucia knows, so they’re excluded.
Just as she knows my habits, she’ll know the stance for all secret techniques.
So.
‘I’ll use the most powerful secret technique among the ones Lucia doesn’t know.’
And this is precisely.
The last puzzle piece I chose.
Thrusting the wooden sword forward, I used the secret technique I had stored in [Divine Imitation].
Daike’s third original secret technique.
Schlüssel. (TL Note: As you may have noticed, all of Daike’s sword techniques are German Swordsmanship.)
–TL Notes–
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