Chapter 40

"Qigong technique, offensive form four, 'Cai Qi Huan Fa'!!"

As Louis shouted, his body began to glow golden.

This technique explosively enhances physical abilities in exchange for continuously consuming one's qi.

With Louis's amount of qi, it would last for five minutes. However, during that time, Louis would become significantly stronger than usual!

"Haahaaa!!"

Louis's sword, which had been on the defensive, gradually began to turn to offense.

Not only his strength but also his reflexes had improved, allowing him to dodge attacks and counter during openings.

"Hehe, interesting. I can probably speed up a bit more, right?"

As she said this, Sakura's sword speed increased dramatically.

It was now so fast that it was impossible to follow with the eyes. Louis read her eye movements, body weight, and killing intent to parry her attacks.

However, even with the power of qigong, he couldn't defend against everything and took a few slashes.

"Ugh... still, still! Super Physical Enhancement!!"

Combining qigong and magic.

The effect was tremendous, and Louis managed to knock away all of Sakura's supersonic slashes.

"Guahaaa!!"

"Wha—!"

With all his might, Louis knocked Sakura's sword out of her hand, and she let out a small scream.

For the first time in the battle, Sakura's posture was broken.

An unprecedented opportunity. If he missed this, he would never have another chance to win!

Gathering all his senses, he delivered his ultimate strike!!

"Magical Qigong Unity... True Dimensional Slash!!"

At the last moment, he unleashed a supreme strike, perfectly balancing magic and qigong.

Louis, standing at the brink of life and death, succeeded in the magical qigong unity that he had never been able to achieve before.

Seeing this technique, Sakura smiled gently.

"Yes, that's it. The strength that isn't bound by form is your true strength."

Louis's shining slash attacked Sakura.

However, she calmly and gracefully raised her sword to meet the strike head-on.

"Sakura Hoshin-ryu, Sakura Assault"

A rain of slashes was released in an instant.

They overlapped, forming an impenetrable shield to protect Sakura.

The Dimensional Slash grated against the Sakura Assault, trying to break through, but the strength of the Sakura Assault was formidable, and it couldn't be broken easily.

"Ugh, uohhhhhhh!!"

Magic, qigong, strength, spirit, and determination.

Louis poured everything he had into the attack.

Exerting power beyond his physical limits... he finally broke through the Sakura Assault.

---However, that was his limit.

There was nothing left to block them, but Louis had already run out of magic and qigong.

He had no strength left for a finishing blow.

"Damn... one move... and it's over, huh?"

Louis lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

But Sakura gently caught his body.

A thin cut appeared on Sakura's forehead, and a single drop of blood trickled down.

"Hehe, I didn't intend to take that."

Louis's attack had reached her.

Sakura was pleased by this fact.

"...You did well to push this far with such a small body."

She gently stroked Louis's unconscious head.

Her eyes were filled with tenderness, like a mother caressing her child.

"The fate you bear is too heavy and harsh. You will face many more difficulties ahead."

Sakura lifted Louis's bangs and looked at his still youthful face.

"May the blessing of the cherry blossoms be with you. And may many people help you."

Sakura gently kissed Louis's forehead, and his body turned to light and returned to his original form.

Watching this, Sakura whispered,

"I'm counting on you. The fate of the world rests on your shoulders."