kscans

Chapter 587 - The Peerless Ice Blade and the Eternal Warbler, Part Five

"Ugh—...kh, hah...!"

The backlash from pushing myself too far, from stringing together one technique after another without a moment's rest, echoes in my brain.

My personal style, [Kashiki Nito]—its essence is formed by imbuing the ultimate 'Inner Force' with an 'Outer Force' from beyond myself.

It is a path to wielding a transcendent blade through another kind of 'compounded power,' one I discovered while trying to emulate the [Shukuchi] technique I could never even begin to grasp.

That 'Outer Force' from beyond myself... in other words, it is a receptive sword style that makes the enemy's power my own.

Therefore, [Peerless] is not a purely offensive form. It is a progression from my former title, [Sword Protector]—an offensive style that lies beyond defense.

It is still far from complete.

Even now, after the system has recognized my techniques as Arts and granted me the right to name them... the ideal I seek, a form worthy of standing beside the one I admire, is still a distant dream.

And yet—

"...One step at a time, I will reach it someday."

Like this great monolith of ice piercing the heavens. Just as I have, in this moment, managed to land my re-sharpened blade upon the 'disciple' who carries on the legacy of the [Sword Saint].

"Isn't that right, Haru—how long do you plan to sleep?"

A crack runs through the ice prison.

From the fissure, blackness spills out. A brilliant, crimson light begins to leak.

And then,

"—[Shifu Itto]."

A torrent of countless sword flashes—countless winds—erupted.

"《Shizuku (Droplet)》."

As if breaking open a cocoon, they shattered the binding ice into a thousand pieces.

◇◆◇◆◇

—To be honest, I had no intention of using it.

The system had so carelessly tossed me the Arts certification, it felt like it had been done by mistake. It was beyond incomplete; the 'four' styles I had set for myself were not yet all present. It was an immature sword style, not even halfway down its path, one I felt embarrassed to truly name.

Still,

"—...It hasn't even been half a year, you know."

He hurled his complaint at me as I stood in the center of the pulverized remains of the ice prison.

"...Yeah, tell me about it. Seems the gods love putting pressure on me."

If my own version of Kesshiki Ittoryu, inferior to the original, wouldn't work on this guy who knows the [Sword Saint] better than I do—then to speak with the 'blade' he demanded, I had no other choice.

"Irori, my bad."

"..."

One apology, before we clashed.

My 'Ruby's Protection,' which nullified a fatal blow, had been shattered by his white blade. My [Agaphanthus Amulet], which negated status effects, had been spent on his freezing paralysis... And since I'd already activated [Desperate Crimson], my three treasured jewels of protection were now broken. With his hair unbound and flowing, he leveled his blade at me, his eyes piercing.

"At full power, I can still only manage two shots."

I met his gaze and confessed with a wry smile—and he laughed, as if in exasperation.

"...You're always like this, aren't you?"

"Well, I've only been at this for less than six months. Forgive me for being a bit green. It's only natural."

I never can seem to look cool. It's so typical of 'Haru the Acrobat'... though saying it myself is utterly ridiculous.

But still,

Ah, still, against him.

Against the first real best friend I've ever had, I want to face him with everything I've got, without any pretense—so I'll bet all of my current self on this single strike.

"Irori."

"Haru."

"You're the one person..."

"You're the one person..."

"—I absolutely refuse to lose to."

"—I absolutely refuse to lose to."

Now, let's settle this.

"Shifu Itto, First Strike—《Hayate (Gale)》!"

"Kashiki Nito, First Strike—《Hakuo (White Warbler)》!"

One will win. One will lose. No matter which it is, there will be no hard feelings.

I won't accept defeat.

I'll just keep challenging him until I win.

Let's show the world the first exchange in this ridiculous, yet supremely thrilling, unending rivalry.

Let's move on to the next stage.

◇◆◇◆◇

—I can hear the cheers.

Even muffled, the roar is loud enough to shatter my eardrums.

After our final clash, I look back.

Watching the fading red embers scatter, the lone victor stands motionless.

—In his hand is a single, blue blade.

"—..."

Words fail me. I just stand there.

My heart is a chaotic mix of raging heat and a sorrowful emptiness.

I'm so deliriously happy about my own victory, and so agonizingly pained by his defeat—I'm struck by waves of conflicting emotions that I can't even describe... and what finally escapes me is,

"...Hah, honestly..."

A single, small, deflated smile.

"—That's twice now, you impudent junior."

The moment I grumbled, I let out a deep sigh, the blue blade in my hand shattered from its midpoint.

It seems a truly clean victory isn't something he'll allow me. I'm happy about that, and yet... ah, it's just so frustratingly wonderful.

But a victory is a victory. Since one of us lost, there will absolutely be a 'next time.'

Because we are, without a doubt, two sore losers of a kind.

And so, as I found myself already yearning for the second round that was sure to come, I sighed in exasperation at my own heart—and thought of my best friend, who was probably sulking magnificently right about now.

"Finally—...I suppose I've repaid just one of my great debts."

The sky I looked up at was endlessly blue and clear.

---

The bush warbler, also known as the harbinger of spring.

A pure white wing, announcing a lively new beginning.

――――――――――――――――――
◇Status◇
Title: Haru the Acrobat
Name: Haru
Lv: 110
STR: 300
AGI: 300
DEX: 0
VIT: 0 (+200)
MID: 350 (+330)
LUC: 300

◇Skill◇
・Naraka Gandharva
《Mistlurade》
《Lumina Raygust》
《Elfast Luger》⇒《Frezon Revolver》Up!
《Exchange Implode》
《Greed's Precept》⇒《Greed's Trunk》Up!

・Water Magic Aptitude
《Aqua》
《Flood》
《Current Haken》
《Water Enchant》

・Active
《Reflect Explode》
《Flash Traveler》
《Shadow Leaf》
《Eyes Oculus》

・Passive
《White Dragon's Blessing》
《Rega-Lielta》
《Attentive Limit》
《Gigant Figure》
《Goma Soten》
《Talaria Record》
《Floating Star》
《Trickster of Zenith》
《Dangerous Light, Fast Recovery》
《Cutting Body, Unyielding Advance》⇒《Imposing Conquest, Unfaltering》Up!
《Luna Nobody, Guardian of the Shimmering Moon》
《Master of Magic》

《Reject Sentence》
《Shadow-Crossing 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)》
　Oral Tradition:《Yuikaze (Bound Wind)》

【Shifu Ittoryu】New!
《Hayate (Gale)》New!
《Shizuku (Droplet)》New!
――――――――――――――――――

And that's the protagonist's detailed status after the two-month blank period.

The match is settled. Thank you for following along.
For those of you who were thinking "What the heck is going on?" the whole time, you're not alone. Please look forward to the explanation episodes to come.