kscans

Chapter 155 - The Maiden of the Scales, Attended by a Thousand Blades - Part 5

"Reading my moves is cheating, isn't it!?"

"You know my entire hand!"

"That's true—aaah!!"

"Kuh, ugh...!!"

Even as we trade verbal blows, I'm still darting around the world of lines, trying to launch an attack—but, and I can only be astonished by this, Sora parries every single one.

It's no good, she's reading me.

No matter how fast I run, at a speed that should be impossible to track visually, she can predict where I'm going and block me unless it's a continuous barrage.

So then, what about a barrage? The problem is, I can't quite control myself at this speed, and—Sora's anti-me special weapon, [Revertir Blume], is just...!!

That armor of swords—or rather, that veil of swords—is an offensive barrier that I myself designed.

No matter what tricks I tried, in the end, her strategy would only work against opponents her thought-control speed could keep up with... and well, that was the issue.

Normally, there aren't many people who are that biased towards agility, or rather, it was because she had been constantly watching an exception like me by her side that Sora sought a way to deal with that kind of opponent.

And... if Sora asked for it, there was no way I wouldn't answer, right?

So I stuffed it full, without holding anything back—every single thing I hate having done to me, I packed it all into that veil of swords!!

First and foremost, [Revertir Blume] isn't a 'wall.' To be precise, that barrier is a double-edged sword-armor that distributes damage to both parties.

Simply put, it's a technique where she surrounds herself with magic swords shrunk down to the size of pebbles... in other words, it's a tool for placing a large number of blades between herself and her opponent's attack.

If someone were to push through, Sora would naturally take damage as well—but that's the difference between an enemy and the user.

Anyone who touches it will be mercilessly assaulted by a sharp counterattack, while Sora, though taking some damage herself, can manipulate the magic swords that touch her to be "pushed out," thereby avoiding the attack itself.

This technique, which focuses on trading damage, is, well... super effective against glass cannons like me.

So I should just avoid the counter and land a single blow as I brush past without stopping? If I were to make such a foolishly direct move, I'd just end up diving into the other sword dust she has placed around, and the match would be over.

It is, so to speak, a thoroughly defensive stance—and yet, since its main purpose is to intercept and chip away, a path is, of course, left open.

Yes, right in front of the girl who stands with her sword at the ready, looking straight at me.

A moment ago, I tried a little trick and attacked from behind... but alas, it seems I have no choice but to challenge her head-on.

If I want to avoid the surrounding sword dust, I have no choice but to charge from the front.

If I save my speed to weave through the sword dust like before, Sora's read on me will allow her to intercept in time.

Then there's only one option—from the wide-open front, at my first top speed of this fight, I must deliver a fatal blow to Sora before I'm swallowed by the flower petals of her counter.

And with that—let's have Sora-san experience it, too.

"[Parabellum Bullet]."

And, [Flip Stroke] activated.

"Hah—"

You've seen it before. Sora reacts to the light effect that has appeared on my right hand—

"Reluctantly, I'll have to live up to my reputation—!!"

A barrage of crimson runs, a dashing body scattering lightning.

The high-speed, crimson-scarlet ring I showed off against Irori—this move, whose sole purpose is to disorient, can actually exert considerable pressure on the opponent caught in its center.

It's a special trick that made even the Sword Protector, who possesses an 'absolute defense' equal to or greater than Sora's, brace himself for a moment—there's no way it won't shake her up on the first viewing!

"Th-this...!!"

No matter how well she understands me, the fact that Sora isn't used to PvP doesn't change. If she lets her mind be disturbed even slightly by the tension of our exchange, the magic swords that rely on her thought control will lose their cohesion.

As I weave through the barrage of sword bullets, I continue to search for that one perfect opening—and I find it.

Position, right here.

Time, right now.

And, as expected of her reading of me, Sora turns around as if jolted—but that very action is the final piece of the puzzle I needed.

The door is open in front, and at this very moment—with Sora led by my feint, there are no blades to obstruct this 'one step' in front of or behind her!!

[Exchange Voltate] activated.

And [Floating Leaf] and all other mobility skills, activate in parallel!!

"Hah—..."

In a moment that was less than an instant—whether she was able to track me as I closed in or not, her wide amber eyes reflected my image, swinging a giant black battle-axe.

Sorry, can't do it—[Blink Switch].

Leaving behind a faint effect, the [Giant's Hand Axe] vanished from my hand.

And Sora's sword, as she made the decision to counter despite her astonishment, reached my neck—and the system barrier that deployed scattered with a fierce ringing and a flash of light.

"............"

"............Ah, eh...? Why..."

I had less than ten percent of my HP left, and it was clear that last blow would have been fatal.

It was obvious to anyone watching that the fierce battle had come to an abrupt end... We stood still, our movements frozen, each wearing a different expression.

One, confusion. The other... well, I wonder what kind of face I'm making. I'm almost certain it's not a handsome one.

"...Sorry. It was just, sort of, a reflex, I guess."

"Haru...?"

What should I say... No, really, what excuse could I possibly give that would be forgiven?

After all that crossing of swords, to think that just as I was about to deliver the final blow, I saw Sora's face and my hands stopped moving.

I don't want to say it—or rather, I can't.

To her, who came at me with everything she had, I know that would be an incredibly disrespectful act.

"............"

As Sora stares at me, I resolve not to look away, facing her despite my own awkwardness. Even if I hide it, I know the intelligent girl will surely figure it out—

"Hah..."

And so, as my hands were caught by both of Sora's, who had dispelled her magic swords, I felt my inappropriate end to the match being taken. The eyes that looked up at me seemed to be smiling, somewhat satisfied, contrary to my own inner turmoil.

"—Was I able to stand beside you?"

If the result was left ambiguous, then at least let the words be clear.

Just as Sora can easily read my heart, I too can understand what she seeks as if it were my own.

I feel pathetic for taking advantage of the kindness of my partner, who reached out her hand without pursuing the matter, but...

"...Of course. From the bottom of my heart, you're a partner to be proud of."

When I reply so, Sora smiles, genuinely happy at my words.

Thanks to a certain idiot, it wasn't a clean conclusion—but thus, the first match between the two of us came to a temporary close.

---

I mean, you can't, right? It's impossible, isn't it? At least, I couldn't, and the protagonist couldn't either.

For those who might point out, "Wouldn't you be invincible if you just covered your whole body in multiple layers of [Revertir Blume]?" I'll preemptively say that's impossible due to a clear weakness.