Chapter 19

### Guard Technique Fifth Form: 'Vajra Shell'

This technique hardens a part of the body like a diamond.

The First Form 'Iron Bind' hardens the entire body, but 'Vajra Shell' reduces the hardened area in exchange for defense that surpasses 'Iron Bind.'

Furthermore, the parts not hardened can still move freely, making 'Vajra Shell' a more versatile technique than 'Iron Bind,' which immobilizes the user. Louis prefers to use this technique.

"Haahaaaaa!!!"

Charlotte attacks with a speed that a normal person can't even see, but Louis calmly deflects the strikes with his hardened arms.

Sometimes he blocks, sometimes he deflects.

He accurately and surely evades Charlotte's attacks.

(Who is this guy!?! He's deflecting swords with his bare hands and reacting to my strikes; it doesn't make any sense!!!)

Sweat begins to trickle down Charlotte's forehead.

She, who has never lost to adults, has never struggled this much. Yet, she can't see a way to defeat this seemingly weak boy of her age.

However, she changes her strategy without losing her composure. This flexibility is the key to her strength, which has earned her the title of the reincarnation of the legendary hero at a young age.

"Sakura Flower Flying Blade!!"

Charlotte takes a step back and releases magical blades shaped like cherry blossoms.

Louis easily dodges them, but the attack doesn't end there.

"Can you avoid this many?"

Above Charlotte, countless blades are created.

The pink blades stick together like real cherry blossoms, forming a cluster that looks like a real cherry tree.

"Go!! Sakura Flower Storm Dance!!"

The beautiful petals scatter, turning into a vast number of blades that rush towards Louis.

Each blade isn't very powerful, but being hit by so many would surely cause massive damage.

"Hey, are you okay!?"

Regas, who is acting as the referee, looks worried at the sight of the magic.

However, the battle has already surpassed the level where Regas can intervene. Just as he was about to rush in with a desperate resolve to fulfill his role, Yuri stops him.

"Sir Yuri, please don't stop me! I have to fulfill my role as an examiner..."

"Please calm down, sir. Louis' eyes are not dead yet."

As Yuri says, Louis is carefully observing the approaching blades.

There is no hint of resignation in his eyes; rather, he is excited by the new magic he is seeing.

"Wow, that's a lot. Just being strong isn't enough, is it?"

Louis dives into the blades, spinning and casting a spell.

"Advanced Wide-Area Flame!!"

The flames released around Louis, enhanced by his spinning, form a vortex of fire that engulfs him and burns the approaching blades.

The flames, with their wide-area effect, quickly grow to a size of about 10 meters in radius.

The magic blades aimed at Louis are burned one by one, like insects flying into a giant flame.

"U, no way..."

Unbelievable.

Her honed sword skills and inherited magic are useless.

She can't afford to lose. She must live up to the expectations of being the descendant of the legendary hero.

If she doesn't... she will betray the people who look up to her as a hero.

This is why Charlotte is so determined to be number one. She is trying to embody the ideal hero that the people envision.

Until today, everything has gone well. But the boy in front of her has easily shattered her plans.

"Phew, is that all of them?"

The flames dissipate, and Louis emerges.

Despite using such powerful magic, he doesn't even seem out of breath, which makes Charlotte feel a sense of despair for the first time in her life.

However, she doesn't give up and runs forward, gripping her sword. To become the ideal hero for everyone.

"I... can't lose!!"

She channels her determination into her sword strike, which Louis once again blocks with 'Vajra Shell.'

"I have to become everyone's hero! So, so, I can't...!"

Charlotte's family is a lineage of heroes.

However, not all of them awaken the power of a hero. Even if they do inherit the power, they must put in blood, sweat, and tears to become a true hero.

For nearly 300 years since the birth of the legendary hero 'Oga,' no one has become a hero until Charlotte was born.

Thus, the expectations and pressure on Charlotte, who was born with the potential of a hero, were immense, and she spent her childhood drenched in blood, sweat, and effort.

Growing up in such an environment, it's no wonder she became twisted.

"You've also... been through a lot, haven't you..."

Louis, who is blocking her sword, can feel her inner cries.

Those who suffered from lack of power and those who suffered from having power.

Louis and Charlotte, though their circumstances are opposite, share a similarity.

"Then I'll save you from this curse."

Just like the two masters who saved him back then.

Louis strengthens the qi in his arm, but Charlotte's sword speed continues to increase.

"You, you, you!!"

Charlotte's sword strikes are so intense that the audience feels fear.

However, Louis calmly reads the sword's trajectory and positions his left hand in front of him.

"Qi Technique, Guard Technique Second Form Variant: 'Vajra White Blade Capture'"

Louis amazingly catches the high-speed sword flash with his reinforced left hand and then strikes the hilt of the stopped sword with his right hand, knocking it out of Charlotte's hand.

"Wha...!!"

Charlotte is stunned by the sudden event.

Without her weapon and unable to cast magic, Louis gathers his qi and delivers a powerful blow.

"Qi Technique, Attack Technique First Form: 'Meteor Iron Fist'"

She's dead.

That's the honest feeling Charlotte has.

Louis' punch is so powerful and condensed that she understands she can't withstand this single strike.

(Ah, this is what it feels like to lose...)

Feeling this new emotion, Charlotte collapses to her knees.

Louis' fist approaches her face as if being drawn in... and stops just before it hits.

"...Huh?"

Confused by the sudden event, Louis opens his fist and extends his hand.

"Can I call it my win?"

Louis smiles, and Charlotte feels a strange sensation.

Her heart races, and her face heats up. She has never experienced such feelings before. At this moment, Charlotte strongly becomes aware of Louis as a boy for the first time.

--- However, the next moment, tragedy strikes Charlotte.

"Huh..."

Drip, drip, drip, drip.

Suddenly, the sound of water is heard.

It is coming from... Charlotte's skirt as she collapses.