Chapter 7 – Overwhelming
When I first met Ayame-san, he seemed radiant to me.
“—Are you okay?”
He appeared gracefully, saving me in that moment. I will surely never forget that moment for the rest of my life.
At that time, I was falling into despair.
My father had collapsed, and only my mother and I were trying to repay the debt somehow. During this, Lord Eric persistently demanded things from me.
He sees me as nothing more than a thing. And he thinks it doesn’t matter what happens to commoners.
In this world where magic supremacy is the norm, nobles are absolute. Coming to the Kingdom of Arcadia, I painfully realized this truth.
“I… I have to do my best,”
Though my parents were not magicians, I had a talent for magic.
“You’re amazing, Luna,”
“Yes. Luna is truly incredible,”
“Ehehe,”
Brought up with praise, I believed my magic was extraordinary. But in the end, I was just a frog in a well.
The kingdom’s magicians were far more skilled than I was. Especially the nobles—they were on a completely different level. I’ve seen Lord Eric’s magic a few times, and it was a cut above anything my tiny magic could manage.
Ah. Maybe I should just go along with what he says.
I kept fighting the inner conflict- if I endured, my family could be saved.
“Luna. I’ll be counting on you from now on,”
Despite being a swordsman, Ayame-san maintained a composed and resolute attitude. When Lord Eric called out to him, he never flinched.
I admired how firmly he held himself.
“Wow…!”
The battle against the griffin was nerve-wracking. Certainly, Ayame-san’s swordsmanship was astonishingly refined. Even to an amateur like me, it was clear.
At the same time, I also respected his mental strength. Because fighting a griffin at such close range is naturally terrifying. If even a slight attack hit, it would be lethal.
But despite that, Ayame-san calmly handled himself.
Mind, technique, and body—he possessed all three. That was who Ayame-san was.
I realized that I was developing feelings for him, but I knew I didn’t deserve him. Surely, Ayame-san would go much further.
Perhaps she could even become an S-rank adventurer—it’s not just a dream.
“Luna. Don’t look so worried. It’s okay. I won’t lose,”
“Ayame-san…”
Suddenly, Lord Eric and Ayame-san faced each other in a duel.
Tears almost welled up. Because he always treats me kindly. For me, who was all alone in this kingdom, he was the only person I had.
“Please…! Please…”
I prayed simply for Ayame-san’s safety, more than for myself.
God, please grant Ayame-san your protection—
†
“Thunder Spear”
Eric deployed multiple Thunder Spears. Seven of them hovered behind him, crackling with intense static electricity.
“Well then, let’s start with some basic moves. Be prepared to lose a limb or two. But don’t worry—with recovery magic, it can be healed immediately. Heheh…”
The spears were launched all at once.
The speed was tremendous, but I ran to the left and kept dodging it.
“Ha ha ha! Nice! As expected, you’re different from ordinary swordsmen, but how long can you keep up with me?!”
“……”
Eric probably fully intends to toy with me.
Honestly, that’s more convenient for me.
Since it’s my first magic battle, I need to understand what kind of tricks he has.
His attribute is lightning. However, he could be manipulating multiple attributes. Also, there’s the possibility of troublesome mental interference magic.
I haven’t yet unleashed the full power of the Amajiki, so I focused solely on dodging.
“Looks like all you can do is dodge. But how about this?”
Eric lightly moved his fingertips and flicked something aside.
“Flame Pillar”
Suddenly, a pillar of fire soared up right beneath me.
“Ha ha ha! Did I kill you?!”
I sliced through the pillar of flames with Amajiki. The scorching wind burned my skin, but I defended against it with my willpower.
Fire sparks fluttered here and there, and I slowly advanced from within the flames.
“To have this much power and speed without incantation is truly impressive. I’ve pretty much gauged your capabilities. Now, I’ll come at you too—let’s go, Eric.”
Holding the Amajiki in an upward slash stance, I closed the distance to Eric with just one step.
“Waa, You’re fast…”
I knew he was watching my fight with the Griffin, so I kept my speed moderate. Therefore, it seems Eric can’t keep up with my increased speed—at least for now—
“Huh…!”
I attempted a lunge slash, but my Amajiki was blocked by the magic barrier covering Eric. It’s a thin membrane, but incredibly tough—harder than that of the Griffin.
“If you’re going to keep fighting, then be prepared to face the consequences. This is a warning!”
Eric’s fist, wrapped in lightning, rushed toward my eyes. I caught it with the Amajiki, channeling my strength backward and creating some distance.
“Now then, if you apologize now, I might forgive you. Of course, with the condition that you swear absolute obedience to me for the rest of your life.”
“No need for that.”
“Huh?”
“I’ve seen through your bottom.”
“Ha ha ha ha! Nice! That’s funny! I love tormenting those who go around acting all tough. Well then, shall we go all out now?”
Suddenly, a tremendous amount of magical power was unleashed.
Are you serious? Then, I will also unleash my appropriate strength.
—
“Amajiki—Release”
Running my fingers along the blade, the Amajiki’s sword body changed to a pure white. At the same time, I ceased controlling my energy and fully unleashed everything.
“Now, I push forward.”
The greatest magic. I wonder how much fun it will bring me.
I advance toward Eric with anticipation—!
“Thunder Spear, Flame Spear—!”
Both the Thunder Spear on Eric’s left half and the Flame Spear on his right half materialized, shooting out like carpet bombing. Thunderous explosions rang out, and everything rained down on me simultaneously.
“Ha ha ha! No way you can dodge this! So, what will you do? Ayameee!!”
Eric showed a distorted smile, but there’s no longer any need to dodge.
Because the capabilities of this demon sword, the Amajiki, are fully unleashed.
“──Is this all you’ve got?”
The lightning and fiery spears raining down like a storm I slice through everything with Amajiki, standing silently and still.
Then, I move in again towards Erik.
“Huh, huh──!?”
Un expecting me to come straight at him, Erik widened his eyes in bewilderment and could only stand there stunned.
A flash.
The sword, fully imbued with my willpower, easily pierced through his magic defense and deeply slashed his cheek.
“Huh? I was cut? Someone like me…?”
He still hasn’t fully grasped the situation.
And I kick Erik firmly in the solar plexus, sending him flying backwards. Unable to properly break his fall, he rolls unceremoniously on the ground.
“Gah…!”
Erik vomits stomach acid, his face twisted in pain. He definitely isn’t used to pain.
Meanwhile, I slowly approach while wielding Amajiki.
“My demon sword devours all kinds of abnormal abilities. And Magic is no exception. And, the abilities it swallows can be returned. You were cut by the magic power you yourself created with your magic.”
“Hah… Hah… I-I don’t understand! What’s up with that strange magic tool of yours!?”
“Like I said, that’s all there is to it. Nothing more, nothing less. So, what will you do? Will you admit defeat?”
“—Damn it…!”
Erik restores his bleeding through magic and still has plenty of energy left.
And his hatred towards me hasn’t faded; if anything, it seems to be burning even stronger.
“If you’re going to keep fighting, then be prepared to face the consequences. This is a warning!”
I return his words exactly as he said them.
“Don’t be ridiculous! I am from the Carter family! Do you understand what you’re doing to someone from a Count’s household!?”
“That’s the result of the grudge your family originally created. Karma. What goes around comes around.”
“You… you bastarddddd—!!!”
Erik raises his right hand, unleashing a Thunder Spear, but I simply swing my sword lightly and cut it apart, devouring his magic with Amajiki.
“If you have any pride as a noble, you can still fight. Stand up. Show me that noble spirit.”
“You son of a—! Damn it, damn it, damn it—!!!”
Yes. Get angry. Show me the very bottom of your soul.
I was sure of it. In this world, my sword can reach even greater heights.
And so, the battle between me and Eric enters its final phase.
—————————
[AN: The climax is next. Please look forward to it!]
[TNL: I doubt it is that good]
Chapter 8: The Decisive Battle
The battle progressed to the next stage, and I was chasing after Eric.
“I see,”
As I closed in on him, trying to catch up, he kept just enough distance to keep me at bay with magic. I could close the gap instantly and strike him down, but he was reading that move.
This is an invitation, but it’s interesting.
If he didn’t come like this, I wouldn’t have the chance to enjoy a magic duel.
I thought if I demonstrated my strength and stirred him up, Eric would reveal his true, serious power — and that prediction was spot on.
I plan to surpass all that, making it fuel for my sword.
“──Shh,”
I pretended to be struck by a sudden idea.
I exhaled and accelerated all at once. I advanced toward Eric, but he suddenly spun around and started firing a barrage of fire spears at me.
They were launched at my feet; dodging them would cause them to explode on the ground, creating a cloud of dust.
From within that dust, a high-speed thunder spear emerged, flying toward my face, but I slashed them all away.
“I’m going to take that power,”
By slashing and devouring the Thunder Spear, I imbued my blade with lightning.
“──Raijin (Thunder Edge).”
The ability of Amajiki is to devour and return mystical powers, but strictly speaking, it doesn’t directly reflect the powers it devours.
However, for future reference, I deliberately reflected Eric’s lightning attribute magic onto my blade this time.
Suddenly, Eric appeared behind me. His whole body was charged with electricity, and his hand struck out with a hand knife wrapped in lightning, attacking me.
“Haa—!”
“Dieeeeee!”
I engaged in fierce melee with Eric.
Is he enhancing his close combat with magic? He’s pretty adept at close-quarters fighting.
His eyes were shining brightly—those eyes contained a dense concentration of magic energy.
Our attacks collided fiercely, sparks flying. Eric’s reaction speed must be twice what it was earlier.
His reflexes are too fast. It’s probably due to that eye’s ability.
Then, it became a kind of lock-up, like a tsuba-no-ia (guard clash), and we both pushed back while flying backwards.
I didn’t chase after him recklessly. First, I focused on accurately analyzing the current situation.
“With my Thunder Body Armor and my Mystic Eyes, I won’t lose. You even forced me to use my trump card—I will absolutely kill you,”
His magic power continues to swell, sparking and begins to become violently charged with crackling sound.
“I am a genius. I am not the type to lose to just a swordsman!!”
“This is interesting. As expected, battle is something that excites the soul.”
Having fought up to this point, I realized that magic duels require advanced tactics.
You need to properly understand your opponent’s magical traits and then strategize to overcome and outdo them.
—
“The elements are lightning and fire. But the main focus is lightning. The problem is that eye — the Mystic Eyes, was it? It’s probably a special kind of mystical eye infused with some abnormal power. It seems to detect not just movement but also my vital energy…”
I quickly organized the situation in my mind. The mystic eyes, by its nature, likely visualizes the sources of power like magic and vital energy.
It’s troublesome not just because it perceives body movements but because it can even sense the core itself.
Now, how do I strategize to counter this?
Most likely, the decisive battle will happen in the next fight. Both sides have their hands exhausted. Now, it’s a matter of which one can outmatch the other.
And from my vast experience so far, I have deduced the path to victory.
“Eric. You are certainly strong, but I will surpass that.”
“Haha! Now this is interesting! If you think you can do it, try! Ayameeeeee!”
In an instant. I vanished from the spot. I had entered top speed in the blink of an eye.
“I’ve already predicted your attack! No one can escape from my eyes!”
Eric reacts with superhuman speed to the lightning attack that appears behind him.
That lightning is cast around my sword’s blade, but what was there was not me, only the lightning.
“Not there…!?”
His attack merely slices through the air, futile.
Meanwhile, I temporarily cut off my spiritual energy and flew into the sky. I launched two things ahead: one was my presence turned into spiritual energy, and the other was lightning. Eric mistook them for each other.
This illusion-producing sword art is one of my seven ultimate techniques.
Its name is—
“Third Sword, Utsusemi(Vanishing Illusion)”
From above, I swung my Amajiki with full force, completely severing Eric’s right arm.
His right arm, from shoulder onward, was gone, and bright blood sprayed into the air.
“U-uhhh…! My right arm, aaahhh…!”
“Stay calm. With healing magic, you should be able to mend it, right? You said that yourself.”
“Damn it, damn it, damn it!! You purposely made the blade electrified and lured me in, you bastard!?”
“Exactly. Your super reaction using your Mystic Eyes was impressive. But I took advantage of that.”
While shouting and swearing, Eric had already stopped the bleeding. It’s also possible for him to cast healing magic on himself. With this, he probably won’t die.
Now then, shall we end this?
I approached Eric.
“No, no, no! There’s no way I’ll lose to a swordsman!”
“Your defeat is inevitable. Admit it.”
“Shut up! C-curse you aaaaaaaaa!”
Gathering his last ounce of strength, Eric staggered to his feet, but he’s no longer in a body capable of fighting.
“Swordsmen like you are trash. Just bow down to me!”
With only himself, he raises his fist in his left hand and approaches me.
I acknowledge his spirit for standing up despite his arm being cut off, but it’s reckless bravery.
I point the tip of my sword at his neck. Thin skin is torn, and blood trickles down.
“Hi-hii…!”
Eric instinctively stumbles backward and looks up at me.
“Do you want to keep going?”
I gently place Amajiki on his neck. The power to decide life or death is completely in my hands. With someone like him, I must make it clear thoroughly.
So that he will never again have the will to oppress others.
“C-curse it! I’ll tell my father! You’d better watch out what happens next! Do you understand the power of the count’s family?”
“Even now, that’s all you have to say? Unfortunately for you, authority has no effect on me. They say ‘dead men tell no tales’—what are your thoughts on that?”
—Huh?
Realizing the meaning behind my words, Eric’s face suddenly turns pale.
The sword that was placed around his neck is now held in a high stance.
And then, I narrowed my eyes and looked down at Eric coldly from above.
“Wait, wait, wait! I get it! I’ll admit defeat! I will properly undo the contract with Luna’s father! Absolutely!”
“An addition. Do you swear that you will never oppress others again?”
“I swear! I swear to it!“
“It is very hard to believe.”
“I’ve overwritten the contract onto the Magic Crest! This will definitely be fulfilled!”
Realizing that his life is on the line, Eric suddenly becomes desperate. It was an extremely shameful scene, but I have no particular feelings about it.
“Farewell, magician—sleep.”
“U-ugh, uwaaaaahhh!!!”
I did not cut off Eric’s neck with a single stroke— instead I stopped the blade just in time.
It was only a shallow cut on the skin, but that was enough for him to lose consciousness.
He was spewing foam from his mouth, looking terrible. Well, it was because I was emitting genuine killing intent. No wonder.
I had no intention of killing him. It would be a waste to turn such a scoundrel into rust on my demon sword.
Moreover, Luna probably wouldn’t like me taking a life. This was the best I could do.
“Eric’s followers. Do you want to fight me? If you come, I’ll accept your challenge.”
“Eek…!”
“Tr-Too strong!”
When I glare at them, the magicians who followed Eric run away.
“Ayame-san…!”
“Luna. With this, the matter of Luna’s father is settled.”
Luna ran to me with all her strength and tightly embraced me. Her body was still trembling faintly.
I gently caught her and stroked her head.
“Thank you! Truly, truly, thank you…!! I can never repay this debt in a lifetime!!”
“I merely did what was natural. And this battle was fun. Magical duels are incredibly exciting.”
When I said that, Luna smiled.
“Indeed, Ayame-san, you really are that kind of person.”
“? What do you mean by that?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
She embraced me as if to cherish me.
“…….”
My gaze shifted not to Eric, who had fainted, but to the griffin I had just defeated.
As expected, it was a concern.
The wound on the griffin was not caused by Eric. That sharp cut is completely different from his magical abilities.
Then—who could it be?
“Ayame-san. You staring into the distance? Is something wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Despite the lingering doubt, the matter with Luna was resolved safely.
However, at this time we still didn’t know that a conspiracy lurks within the kingdom.