Chapter 587 - The Peerless Ice Blade and the Eternal Warbler, Part Five
"—…Gah…!"
The recoil from pushing myself too hard, from chaining one Art after another without a moment's rest, echoes in my mind.
My own style, [Kashiki Nito]—its essence is to infuse the Outer Force of another into the refined power of my own Inner Force.
It is a path born from studying and emulating the `Shukuchi` I could never even grasp, a path that uses another form of layered power to wield a sword that transcends the ordinary.
The Outer Force of another… in other words, it is a passive sword, one that makes the power of the enemy I face my own.
Therefore, the Peerless is not a purely offensive form. It is an evolution of my former title, the Sword Protector—a form of offense that lies beyond defense.
It is still far from complete.
Even now, though the system has recognized my techniques as Arts and granted me the right to name them… I am still so far from my ideal, from the form worthy to stand beside the one I admire.
But still—
"…One step at a time, I will reach it someday."
Like this great spire of ice piercing the heavens. Just as now, I was able to make my reforged blade reach the disciple who carries on the legacy of the `Sword Saint`.
"Am I right, Haru—How long do you plan on sleeping?"
A crack ran through the ice prison.
From the fissure, blackness. And a brilliant, crimson light spilled forth.
And then,
"—[Shifuu Itto]."
A myriad of sword-winds burst forth,
"[Shizuku]."
and like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, they shattered the prison of ice into a thousand pieces.
◇◆◇◆◇
—To be honest, I had no intention of using it.
It felt like the system had carelessly tossed it at me, certifying it as an Art with about as much thought as if it were some kind of mistake. It was so incomplete that I felt embarrassed to even speak its name, a fledgling sword style that was not even halfway to its true form, with its self-imposed four techniques still not all present.
Even so,
"—…It hasn't even been half a year."
To this guy, who stood amidst the wreckage of the shattered ice prison, complaining to me.
"…Seriously, right? The gods must really love putting pressure on me."
If my Kesshiki style, an imitation of the original, wouldn't work on this guy who knew the `Sword Saint` better than I did—then to speak with the sword he had requested, I had no other choice.
"Irori, my bad."
"…"
An apology, before we fight.
The Blessing of the Crimson Jewel, which nullifies death, was shattered by his white blade. The Agaphanthus Amulet, which clears status ailments, was shattered by the immobilizing frost… Having already used `[Desperate Crimson]`, my three protective jewels were broken. My untied hair swayed as I faced him, sword in hand, his eyes piercing mine.
"At full power… I can only manage two strikes."
I looked him straight in the eye and confessed with a wry smile—and he laughed, as if in exasperation.
"…That is just like you."
"Well, it's been less than half a year since my debut. Being inexperienced is just part of the package, so cut me some slack."
I never can pull off looking cool. It's always been this way. To say it myself feels ridiculous, but that's just how the Acrobat is.
Still,
Yes, still, to him.
To the first real male best friend I've ever had, I want to challenge him with everything I've got, without any pretense—so I'll wager everything I am right now on this single strike.
"Irori."
"Haru."
"To you alone,"
"To you alone,"
"—I absolutely will not lose."
"—I absolutely will not lose."
Now, let's settle this.
"Shifuu Itto, First Strike—[Hayate]."
"Kashiki Nito, First Strike—[Hakuou]."
One winner. One loser. Whatever the outcome, no hard feelings.
I won't accept defeat.
I'll just keep challenging you until I win.
This is the first exchange in a never-ending rivalry, one so foolish yet so exhilarating.
Let's show the world what we've got, and then move on to the next stage.
◇◆◇◆◇
—I can hear the cheers.
Even though they're muffled, I can hear cheers so loud they could break my eardrums.
After our final clash, I turned around.
As I watch the fading red embers scatter, a lone victor stands.
—In his hand is a single blue sword.
"—…"
Words fail me. I just stand there.
My heart is a chaotic mix of raging heat and a sorrowful emptiness.
I am deliriously happy about my victory, and agonizingly pained by my enemy's defeat—I'm struck by a wave of conflicting emotions I can't even describe… and what finally escapes me is,
"…Haa, honestly…"
A small, deflated laugh.
"—This makes it the second time, you cheeky kouhai."
The moment I muttered that, the blue sword in my hand shattered from its midpoint. I let out a deep sigh.
It seems I'm not allowed a clean, true victory. And that makes me happy… Ah, no matter how I look at it, I'm just so happy I can't stand it.
But a conclusion is a conclusion. Since one of us lost, there will absolutely be a next time.
Because we are, without a doubt, two sore losers of the same feather.
And so, as I found myself already yearning for the second round that would inevitably come, I sighed in exasperation at my own heart—and thought of my best friend, who was probably sulking spectacularly right about now.
"Finally—… I suppose I've repaid one big debt."
The sky I looked up at was a clear, endless blue.
Uguisu (Warbler). Also known as the Haru-tsuge-dori (Spring-announcing bird).
The innocent wings that appeared, clad in white, to announce a vibrant spring (beginning).
――――――――――――――――――
◇Status◇
Title: Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 110
STR: 300
AGI: 300
DEX: 0
VIT: 0(+200)
MID: 350(+330)
LUC: 300
◇Skills◇
・[Naraka Gandharva, All-Capable Arms]
《Mistlurade, Ten-Stringed Fingers》
《Lumina Raygust》
《Elfast Lugar》⇒《Frezon Revolver》Up!
《Ex Machina Altered》
《Greed's Precept》⇒《Box of Greed》Up!
・Water Magic Aptitude
《Aqua》
《Flood》
《Current Haken》
《Water Enchant》
・Active
《Reflect Explode》
《Flash Traveler》
《Shadow Leaf》
《Eyes Oculus, Mirror-Heaven Eye》
・Passive
《White Dragon's Blessing》
《Rega-Lielta, King of the Brilliant Rabbit》
《Attentive Limit》
《Gigant Figure, Super Heavy Arts》
《Adamant Magic Twin Clad》
《Talaria Record》
《Floating Star, Meteor Dash》
《Trickster of Zenith》
《Dangerous Light, Fast Recovery》
《Cutting Body, Unyielding Advance》⇒《Unconquerable Precept》Up!
《Luna Nobody, Guardian of the Shimmering Moon》
《Master of Magic》
《Reject Sentence》
《Shadow-Conquering Slayer》
《Four-Sided Blessing》
◇Arts◇
【Kesshiki Ittoryu】
《Hisui (Flying Water)》
《Uchigane (Striking Iron)》
《Amayuki (Heavenly Snow)》
《Karehomura (Withered Flame)》
《Ekou (Heavy Light)》New!
《Nanahoshi (Seven Stars)》
《Hourai (Blade Thunder)》
Secret Technique: 《Yuikaze (Bound Wind)》
【Shifuu Ittoryu】New!
《Hayate (Gale)》New!
《Shizuku (Droplet)》New!
――――――――――――――――――
And so, here are the protagonist's detailed stats after the two-month blank period.
This marks the conclusion. Thank you for following along. To those of you who were thinking "what the heck is going on" the entire time, you're not alone. Please look forward to the future explanation chapter.