Chapter 14

A huge purple warrior approaches with incredible speed. It’s really scary.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!"

Swinging down, sweeping horizontally, and slashing upwards. I narrowly avoid all the techniques unleashed by the warrior’s large katana.

"I see, you seem to have some knowledge of martial arts."

"Yeah, just by watching and imitating!"

It was pretty close, too much without mercy! I’m starting to worry if this talisman will really work...

"Whoa!"

That diagonal slash was really dangerous. Even though it’s a spirit, its sword skills are top-notch. No, considering the strength and physique required to wield two large katana, it’s more than just top-notch.

The reason I can avoid such monstrous slashes is thanks to the popular video site, Y◯uTube. In the two days since I decided to participate in the match, I watched all kinds of martial arts videos. Thanks to that, I can predict attacks from the initial movements, perform appropriate dodges and footwork, and maneuver to make it difficult for the opponent to attack—all at a high level. Thank you, God, and Y◯uTube!

As I keep dodging the slashes, the attacks stop. It seems the warrior realized it was futile. This is my chance. I move out of the warrior’s range and decide to summon my spirit.

"Half-sheet, half... Ouch!"

I dodged instinctively, but I couldn’t avoid it completely. The sleeve of my left shoulder is gone. I quickly check my arm, but it’s not cut. I’m sorry for doubting the talisman.

"Still, what was that just now?"

I was definitely slashed, but I was out of range. The blade is a bit over a meter long, so even if I leaned and extended my arm, the range shouldn’t be more than three meters. I was at least five meters away... Could it have been a flying slash?

"Hmm, so you wrapped spiritual energy around the blade and sent it with the slash. The power decreases with distance, I see."

The ability given by God is amazing. I didn’t understand it at first because I didn’t see the technique clearly, but it seems I can understand and master it to some extent even after it’s been used. However, the danger remains. Even with the power decreasing, with that strength, the slash could still have enough power to reach from one end of the arena to the other.

"Whoa! Again... Hey, half-sheet! Pen!"

Another flying slash came, but it seemed to target the half-sheet and pen. They don’t want me to use my technique. Also, my hands are covered in ink.

"I still have spares for the half-sheet and pen..."

If this continues, I won’t have a chance to summon my spirit. If only I had some way to attack...

"...Ah!"

I realized this from the sounds of battle coming from beyond the wall of flames. Could it be... that was a spell array!

"It seems you’ve had an idea. But I won’t give you the time to draw a spell array on the half-sheet."

"No, I’ll draw it no matter what!"

The battle between Kizasu and Sanzoku Castle continues.

◇

"Explosive Demon, maintain the wall."

"Roar!"

Following Kien’s command, the Explosive Demon began to channel spiritual energy into the wall of flames.

"That’s the Explosive Flame Demon..."

"Relax, the Explosive Demon can’t be used for anything but maintaining the wall. I’m the only one you have to worry about."

Kien responds to Ruka’s words.

"Hey, I’m here too, Kien!"

"Ah... right. Just stay back for now, Master."

"Got it. Call me if it gets dangerous, I’ll come to your aid!"

"Sure, sure."

After casually dismissing his master, Kien turns back to the Mizukami sisters.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. Let’s get started. 'Scatter Flame Bullet'!"

"Diene, please! 'Wall'!"

Runa blocks the approaching scatter of flames with a wall of water.

"So that’s Western 'Spirit Magic.' Are those blue orbs flying around you spirits?"

"They’re not spirits, they’re fairies!"

Runa corrects Kien’s question. Runa Mizukami is a spirit mage who uses spirit magic through the water fairy 'Diene'.

"Whether they’re spirits or fairies, it doesn’t matter. I wanted to defeat you quickly and face the masked guy, but your magic seems quite interesting. Give me a good show!"

A giant spear of water forms in the air and is launched at Kien. Spirit magic has several drawbacks, but it allows for powerful spells with minimal spiritual energy.

"Scatter Flame Bullet!"

Kien counters the water spear with a scatter of flames. Spirit magic’s powerful strike, combined with the advantage of fire over water, would normally make it impossible to block with such a level of fire magic. However—

"That was pretty good."

"Wh-what..."

There stands Kien, unharmed. Cheers echo from the audience. The reason the water spear didn’t reach, despite the advantage, is the overwhelming difference in experience. Even on the first try, he identified the unstable points in the spear’s structure and focused his attack on those points. Kien himself isn’t thinking about it, but his intuition from experience allows him to perform these feats unconsciously.

"Good job, Runa. Now it’s my turn."

Ruka pats her discouraged sister on the shoulder and takes out a talisman.

"Water, spear, shoot, 'Continuous Water Spear'!"

Ruka also generates water spears and launches them at Kien. There are three, but each is much smaller than the ones Runa created.

"Hey, are you taking me lightly?"

Just like before, the scatter of flames intercepts the three spears.

"K-Kien!"

"Huh? Gah!"

Fireno, who was far behind Kien, notices something abnormal and shouts. But it’s too late.

Two spears pierce Kien from behind.