Chapter 29

In the previous chapter, I changed the content at 7:00 AM on the 18th. Please check it out if you haven't read it yet.

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A habit I never missed.

If asked what that habit was, I would answer without hesitation: the way of the sword.

Of course, I have also trained in magic with all my might. However, it is different from the way of the sword.

The way of the sword has become an integral part of my body.

That's why, when Felter said he wanted to fight, I took up a wooden sword and faced him.

Felter was unarmed.

"I allow the use of weapons."

"...I already have a weapon."

With that, Felter showed me his fist.

It was a knuckle duster, also known as a brass knuckle. While a longer weapon would be advantageous, I wondered if it was okay to start like this.

As I was thinking this, Felter glared at me with a fierce smile.

"This is made of mithril, which has broken swords and spears before. Rather, are you going to fight with that wooden sword?"

"Of course, this is enough for me."

"If that's the case, there's no problem."

With both of us agreeing, the match began.

Without waiting for any signal, Felter took his stance.

"Let's go."

"Please."

The moment I replied, Felter kicked off the ground.

Skillfully, he swung his fist while casting a spell. I didn't block his punch head-on with the wooden sword but deflected it to the sides.

"Enhance leg strength."

A moment later, Felter cast a spell. He threw his last punch at me, kicked off the ground, and disappeared from my sight.

A low rumble echoed from various places. Felter's footprints, which had just been neatly arranged, were left on the ground of the arena.

His footprints were embedded at least three centimeters deep. As I was distracted by this, I sensed an attack coming from the left.

"Shit!"

I sharply exhaled and deflected Felter's punch. Then, I kicked his abdomen, which had stopped to attack.

"Ah!?"

Felter was sent flying backward, gasping for breath.

"...Enhance body strength. I didn't notice because the light was too dim, but you were enhancing your leg strength, right?"

"I'm enhancing my leg strength, defense, and arm strength."

As he muttered, Felter moved toward me. The sliding steps he had mastered unconsciously became incredibly fast due to his enhanced leg strength.

Felter, who had closed the distance in an instant, jumped to the side with his eyes slightly open.

I immediately chased after him and swung the wooden sword horizontally at the ground.

Felter's defense barely managed to intercept it. He received the wooden sword with his knuckle duster and moved back two or three steps to avoid the impact.

He has good instincts.

I couldn't help but praise Felter's talent for fighting.

However, Felter seemed unsatisfied with the recent exchange. He quickly put some distance between us and began to cast a spell.

He would use only one.

"Enhance strength!"

With his strength enhanced, Felter crouched and took his stance.

"That choice is, in a sense, correct. You can't win with speed or technique. So, you're aiming to overpower me with brute strength."

Reading Felter's thoughts, he turned to me with a stern expression.

"Come at me. If you're not afraid of my counterattack."

It was a poor provocation. So poor that I almost laughed, but if I backed down, I would create a place for Felter to run in his mind.

Felter, who believes that strength is everything, must be completely overpowered by force.

If so, I must face him head-on.

I smiled and approached Felter step by step.

Felter has absolute confidence in his strength. That's why he enhances his strength in an unfavorable situation and challenges a head-on fight.

Swinging his fist with all his might, Felter let out a battle cry.

With a roar like a beast, Felter swung his fist at me.

I received it with the handle of the wooden sword.

A terrifying boom sounded, and my feet sank slightly into the ground. Despite dampening the impact, it was a formidable destructive force.

However, I stopped. Now, he probably has no choice but to attack recklessly.

Thinking this, I countered and sent Felter flying. He flew away like a ball.

Felter, who staggered and stood up, could no longer hide his shock.

"Wh-What nonsense...!"

He shouted and punched the ground. The ground cracked with a sound, and Felter lowered his head.

Then, he picked up a rock larger than his head and aimed it at me.

"Take this!"

As he roared, Felter threw the large rock at me with terrifying speed.

I swung the wooden sword down at the high-speed incoming rock. With a dry, sharp sound, the rock split in two.

Felter was dumbfounded.

"W-What are you!?"

Despite his anxiety, Felter didn't stop his attacks. I advanced, cutting through all of his attacks.

"...You're relying on long-range attacks now, aren't you? Do you understand? You are the weakest right now."

With two meters left.

At that distance, I told him, and Felter bared his teeth, raised both hands, and brought them down on my head.

I received it by discarding the wooden sword.

Without any martial arts technique, Felter attacked with all his might. It must have been a terrifying force.

My magic reflected it.

"Physical reflection."

I muttered and caught Felter's attack with the palms of both hands.

Immediately, Felter's body was sent flying into the air as if hit by a large dump truck.

He fell on his back at a distance and couldn't move, even the resilient Felter.

The audience, who had been cheering and gasping, lost their voices at Felter's battered appearance.

After a second or two, Strass and Eliza, who had suddenly realized, hurriedly moved.

"Those who can heal injuries, gather here immediately!"

"Are you okay, Felter!?"

At their words, a few students ran over.

Well, the tough Felter should be fine. He probably has a concussion, broken shoulder blades, and collarbones, but from the feel of it, his life is not in danger.

Looking around, I saw Sheryl, who was flustered.

I approached her and spoke.

"Let's go back, shall we? Want to have dinner together?"

"Eh? A-Are you sure Felter-senpai is okay?"

"He's fine. No problem."

Hearing this, Sheryl nodded, relieved.

"Then, can we talk later?"

I shook my head from side to side.

"No. After such a crushing defeat, he probably doesn't want to be spoken to. That's how it is. From experience, losing in something you're good at can be mentally tough. So, let's avoid seeing Felter for a week, shall we?"

"...Have you ever lost, Aoi-sensei?"

"Yes, I have. Many times. Do you want to hear about it?"

"Y-Yes! I'd like to hear it!"

We left the scene while having this conversation.

As a result of this incident, my position as a witch became even stronger, and I was feared even more.

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