Chapter 87

―――It had been about 200 years since Louis began his training in the Infinite Prison.

As usual, Louis was training with Rio. During a break, he asked Rio about something he had been wondering about while sparring.

"Hey, Rio. Can you read your opponent's movements? When we spar, you sometimes act faster than I do, right?"

"Hmm, to notice that means you've grown, Louis. Alright, I'll tell you as a special favor!"

Rio started to explain, wagging his large tail happily.

"We, the dragon race, especially those specialized in combat, possess a special eye called the 'Dragon Eye.'"

"'Dragon Eye'? Not a 'Magic Eye'?"

"Yes. Unlike a Magic Eye, which can visualize magic power, a Dragon Eye can visualize life force and qi."

Heh, Rio proudly explained the Dragon Eye.

However, Louis was a bit puzzled and didn't understand its advantages.

"What, your reaction is so lukewarm."

"Ah, sorry. I just can't quite grasp how it's useful."

"Haha, well, you won't understand its greatness until you actually master it."

Rio explained the power of the Dragon Eye to Louis.

"Those who have mastered the Dragon Eye can see the flow of qi and muscle movements. This means they can predict how their opponent will move. If they see force in the fist, they know the opponent will punch. If the opponent is about to kick but there's no force in the leg, they can see it as a feint."

"So, you can read your opponent's movements! That's amazing!!"

"Haha, that's right, that's right."

Louis, with sparkling eyes, praised the Dragon Eye, and Rio was very pleased, puffing out his nonexistent chest as much as possible.

On the other hand, Louis was a bit dejected as he realized something.

"But the Dragon Eye can only be obtained by the dragon race, right? I wish I had that power too."

When Louis said this with a hint of disappointment, Rio suddenly put his arm around Louis's shoulder.

"Haha! Don't worry. You'll be able to use it too!"

"Really? That's possible?"

Surprised and confused, Louis asked, and Rio gently assured him, saying it was obvious.

"I've been slowly infusing your body with the dragon qi, 'Dragon Power,' which only the dragon race possesses. In about 100 years, it will be fully integrated into your body, and you'll be able to wield the power of the dragon race."

"Me, with the power of the dragon race!? That's incredible!!"

The prospect of obtaining dragon power excited Louis, and Rio nodded happily, seeing his enthusiasm.

"However, the power of the dragon race doesn't awaken easily. It only awakens when you're in mortal danger or have a true will to fight. Ideally, I would awaken it for you, but I can't put you in mortal danger."

Rio scratched his nose, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Rio..."

"Anyway! Your body is filled with the power of the dragon race! So if you ever go out into the world, don't worry. The power of the dragon race will surely help you."

With that, Rio smiled at Louis.

"Thank you, Rio. This is the world as you see it, isn't it?"

Remembering the Dragon Eye, Louis looked around with his right eye, which could now see the flow of qi. Now, he could even sense the tiny qi of small insects. It was even easier to read the movements of his opponent, who possessed a large amount of qi. He could see how Kojirou was breathing, where he was looking, and what kind of attack he would make next as clearly as if he were holding it in his hand.

Kojirou, feeling as if his mind was being read, found his feet heavy, like a prey being stared down by a dragon. However, his pride as a 'Sword General' overcame this feeling.

Kojirou, with his sword at the ready, charged at Louis, weaving in multiple feints as he attacked.

Normally, it would be impossible to tell which of these feints was the real attack, even for a skilled swordsman.

However.

(This is a feint; there's no power in it. The real attack is a downward strike from above... but it's a feint to create distance for a thrust. This is it.)

With the Dragon Eye, Louis could see through all of Kojirou's feints. He slightly twisted his body to dodge the real thrust and swung the Dragon King Sword at Kojirou's extended arm.

"......Now!!"

With the increased strength from the awakened dragon power, Louis's superhuman strength cut through Kojirou's hand, which was protected by qi.

"―――Gah!!?!"

The sudden, searing pain contorted Kojirou's face. He tried to check his right hand, which should have been holding his sword, but to his shock, his hand was cleanly severed from his wrist.

The severed wrist and the sword, still clutched in the severed hand, were caught by Louis.

"You, you bastard!!"

"You were trying to kill me. Don't be so angry over losing a hand."

Saying this, Louis glared at Kojirou with his newly awakened Dragon Eye.