Chapter 76

<075. Hell and Heaven>

All of Aila's special training was based on the "Piyak Punch No. 1."

She had already heard about the weight and output of the prototype and had meticulously designed the training course based on that.

Incidentally, Aila overestimated this "Piyak Punch No. 1" to an extreme degree. According to her evaluation, it was a truly romantic weapon.

When asked what part was romantic, she replied:

"Launch! Cartridge! It's definitely cool!"

Thank you for the concise summary.

Anyway, despite her high praise for this "cartridge-type battle gauntlet prototype," Aila provided a truly thorough and calm education.

"There are only three things I will teach Piyak: footwork, evasion, and a powerful striking technique."

"Okay, okay!"

"There's no rule that says we can't teach Tristar-style self-defense techniques to outsiders. It's more flexible than you think. We're not a martial arts family but a magical one. However, we lack absolute time."

"Yes, senpai."

"Due to the lack of time, I can't teach you many techniques. So, the basic footwork to close or create distance, the evasion to deflect a greatsword's attack at least once, and the powerful striking technique to accurately hit the opponent's weak point."

"Okay, okay..."

And Aila only taught these three things thoroughly.

"Shall we start?"

"Uh, uh, uh?"

As she said, she began to swing a greatsword made of black amethyst in the air using magic.

"Why not? If you don't dodge, you'll get hit and fly away?!"

"Ah, ah, ah?!"

It was a truly terrifying attack.

The black amethyst sword, created by combining Gail Strike's height and the greatsword's length, approached Milmay with a terrifying momentum and stopped just before hitting her.

"Ah, ah..."

"This means you shouldn't take your eyes off the opponent's attack, even if you get hit. Now, let's continue!"

At first, it was all about evasion. Then came the charge.

Once she could move her feet to some extent in response to the attacks, the next step was evasion.

"Tristar-style greatsword techniques are quite famous, thanks to the students of the Strike family over the generations, and their techniques are registered in the Jefrin archives. However, you shouldn't think that's all there is. There must be a secret move."

"Okay, okay!"

"So, you must learn the evasion technique to deflect the opponent's sword in any situation."

After that, Milmay was flying around.

Bang! Bang! The moment she failed to evade, she was hit by the greatsword's blade and bounced around.

Of course, Aila used the highest-quality recovery potion ordered from the Tristar family to help her recover.

Anyway, once she could evade, Aila taught her the last thing.

"Finally, the powerful striking technique. Piyak, all living things have a natural enemy, did you know that?"

"Uh, uh..."

"And Piyak's natural enemy is Gail Strike. With a long tradition and history, perfect techniques, a well-trained body, and decent stats."

"Right, senpai."

"But all living things struggle to avoid being eaten by their natural enemies! Otherwise, they would have gone extinct!"

"R-right!"

"Exactly! So, this one strike is to prepare for that counter!"

"Wow, senpai really knows everything."

"Hehe..."

Aila said this with a smile.

Her sudden change from cool to this was truly Aila-like.

Hmm. But Milmay's point is valid.

Knowing about extinction and natural enemies shows she's quite knowledgeable.

It's not a common topic.

"How does Aila know about these things?"

In response to my question, Aila smiled and answered:

"Preparing to give the natural enemy a blow! It's a truly rebellious stance that doesn't bow to the system! I focused on studying that part!"

"Ah, I see."

"Ah, I see."

So, that's possible.

"Piyak must now show with one strike that she is not prey. And that will be the Piyak Punch!"

"Uh, uh!"

After saying this, Aila helped Milmay with her form and gave her final advice.

"By the way, Piyak?"

"Yes, senpai."

"Facing a natural enemy is like putting your life on the line. You should think that once you use it, you can't use it again."

"..."

"Use the Piyak Punch only once. Got it? Not twice."

"Uh?"

"...It will really hurt your shoulder if you use it more than once. Promise me."

Aila's advice was truly serious, and Milmay nodded.

"Yes, I won't use it twice."

***

Gail Strike didn't fall with one strike.

Indeed, the second-in-command of the year is the second-in-command. As expected, the second-best among the 40,000 new students at Jefrin.

The gauntlets in both hands.

Milmay named it "Cartridge-type Piyak Punch No. 1" by combining the names of the seniors she admired.

Wolfram said that this could knock out anyone with a strength stat of 16 or less in one hit, but upon reflection, it meant "can knock out" not "can defeat."

"Ugh, aaaaaah!!"

Gail Strike's counterattack was fierce and powerful.

"...It's not easy."

"But I can do it."

Feeling these conflicting emotions, Milmay lightly swayed her body.

Using Tristar-style footwork, she perfectly measured the distance and avoided the attack by a hair's breadth.

"Stay still! Damn it!!"

"..."

Fortunately.

The first strike, delivered in a gap, seemed to have stunned him.

It was more powerful than expected, but his attacks became much sloppier.

Whoosh. Swish. Thud. Swipe.

The greatsword swung, she dodged lightly, moved in, and delivered a straight punch.

"Ugh! I won't let you hit me twice!"

"..."

Clang!

The greatsword and gauntlet collided.

However, the sound was not an explosion but the clashing of metal.

Milmay didn't use the "Piyak Punch" this time.

She had only a few chances.

With the "reloading" weakness, she needed to attack slowly.

"Ugh, aaaaaah!"

But she couldn't just wait for opportunities.

She bit the chocolate ball in her mouth right after the duel started, and the "Half Berserk" effect was now active.

She had to settle this within ten minutes.

"Ugh, aaaaaah!!"

Whoosh! Clang!

Gail's attacks were now almost frenzied, destroying the arena wherever they hit.

Honestly, it was scary. It felt like a storm was raging in front of her.

Gail's greatsword, infused with mana, was like a typhoon, thoroughly blocking Milmay's approach.

"Come in! Come in and see!"

Gail, thinking he had regained the upper hand, sneered.

He saw Milmay as the weaker opponent again.

"Just because you got a good weapon, do you think I'll fall? Huh?!"

That's true. There were only ten minutes left, and she could only use one strike from her left hand.

So, she acknowledged it.

"That's true."

"Uh?"

This was the first time Milmay spoke during the battle.

The faces of the seniors watching from the second floor behind her came to mind.

Black Amethyst. The eldest daughter of Tristar.

Knight of Conviction. A senior to admire.

Dagger of the Abyss. Scary but kind.

Great Loewen格林. A beloved person.

At first, it was just admiration, but now she wanted to be with them on the second floor.

She wanted to be by their side.

'Admiration alone isn't enough. I have to prove myself.'

If she wavered in front of just this kind of opponent, she couldn't even stand by their side.

"So, I'll attack."

"Haha! Fool!"

Literally, Milmay charged honestly, and the greatsword came down to meet her.

It was a 100% hit. There was no way to avoid it.

If she got hit, it would be a definite loss.

And just before the sword hit,

The engine in her left hand roared.

Boom!

Her clenched left hand struck the blade of the greatsword.

Pain shot through her left arm.

Hitting a person would hurt less; the greatsword made her arm ache.

I understand why Senpai Aila said not to use it twice.

Using it twice would really hurt.

She had to keep her promise not to use it.

But Gail's sword was pushed back, his body was open, and now was the perfect opportunity to strike.

So,

"Would this count as using it twice?"

Milmay interlocked her gauntlets and activated the engine in her right arm.

"Wh-what?"

Boom!!

And the interlocked fists struck Gail's chest.

Crack! Crunch. Thud! Thud! Thud...

Sounds that shouldn't come from a human body echoed, and a person without wings flew.

A completely different level of power from the first strike. A proper "two-handed strike."

Gail flew like a bird set free, crashed to the ground, rolled seven and a half times, and slammed into the wall of the training hall.

"Huff."

Milmay breathed heavily, feeling drained.

The "Half Berserk" effect had ended, and the backlash had arrived.

If Gail got up now, she would have to forfeit...

But Gail lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth, and Milmay