Chapter 27

EP.27 Growth-4

The Flame Sword Hwacheong, a sword forged from special ore found in the Volcano Volcano, was a weapon of fire that enveloped the blade in flames with each swing.

The Thunder Spear Pulgor, a spear made by absorbing lightning that fell from the sky, was renowned for its explosive power and speed.

The Mirror Shield, a shield crafted from the ancient mirror of the ruins, was not only sturdy but also had the unique advantage of reflecting attacks.

[You mean all those cheat weapons are stored there?]

"Yes, that's right. Even if we limit it to just Marquen's armory."

Not only personal armories, but even the armory owned by the Reinhardt family itself would be enough to stand against the kingdom's army.

However, there are many restrictions and permissions required to open them.

[Are you trying to twist things now to get into a duel?]

<No way. My purpose is clearly Aria's growth and the duel.>

Of course, if someone insists on giving something, it's not polite to refuse. It's proper etiquette to say 'thank you' and accept what an adult offers.

[Well... yeah. It would be nice to get a fancy one this time.]

<Hehe~ I have no such ulterior motives! Really!>

Leo looked at the old iron sword and said, if he could win, he would bid farewell to this cheap sword.

[Don't get too complacent. That kid, though young, has exceptional talent.]

<I know that better than anyone.>

Despite his calm appearance, Leo was also maintaining his own tension. This tension was a rational instinct he had gained through over 200 duels and defeats.

Creak

When the preparations were complete, the door to the dueling arena opened.

Leo moved towards the dueling arena where light was seeping in.

***

The dueling arena was even larger and more magnificent than the training ground.

Most of the people who attended the party sat in the audience with mixed expressions. It was a normal reaction, as they didn't attend the party for this purpose from the beginning.

[It's not even comparable to the training ground, is it?]

<Well, since it's a formal duel by the family's heiress, there's no need to hold back.>

As he stepped into the arena, the family's heiress entered from the front.

[...The aura is different.]

The aura was different. That expression was indeed fitting.

Instead of a soft dress, she wore leather armor, implicitly showcasing Aria's skills, and the long sword she held instead of a bouquet was enough to stimulate Leo's competitive spirit.

"Leo, thinking about it, we've never gone all out before."

That was true.

In the first duel, Aria used a dagger and was pushed back, and in the second duel, Leo restrained himself and didn't use magic.

There were situational constraints, but they weren't reasons to dampen the passion for the duel.

"So..."

The long sword was drawn from its scabbard, and the tip pointed straight at her rival.

"Let's go all out. I will too."

Leo's sword also aimed at her in response.

"I've never held back. I won't this time either."

The corners of the two knights' mouths curled up slightly.

The reason for their smiles was the same.

"Now, the duel between Aria Reinhardt and Leonardo will begin!"

The referee, seated above the arena, raised his hand to prepare for the match.

"The victory conditions are the opponent's surrender or inability to fight. If there is any unauthorized use of magical tools or interference, it will be a foul loss."

After the explanation, the raised hand slowly lowered.

"Start!!"

As the referee shouted, a gust of wind rose from Aria's position.

"She disappeared?!"

The audience was shocked, but Leo remained calm.

Clang!!

Aria stopped in front of Leo's sword. The metallic sound echoed, and even a moment's delay in reaction could mean being cut without realizing it.

[She's faster than before?]

Faster than before, even surpassing the young Aria from her previous life. In terms of agility alone, she was faster than Leonardo himself.

Clang!

Leo deflected Aria's fierce attack by pushing her sword away.

At the same time,

[Steam Smoke]

Hot steam burst out from the magic circle towards Aria. Pushed by the particles, Aria couldn't open her eyes.

"Ugh...!!"

When she opened her eyes, the hot particles had already covered the arena.

'Where is he? Where is Leonardo...?'

Swoosh!

The opponent she was looking for responded with a dagger.

"Faster...!"

Daggers were thrown in quick succession. While not impossible to deflect, it wasn't a light attack.

'But eventually, the daggers will run out. And then...'

The steam gradually cleared. A one-time spell of the 1st Circle couldn't obscure the view for long.

'There...!'

Beyond the fog, Leo's red eyes were visible. Aria had already charged and swung her sword.

[Lightning]

The counterattack was a 1st Circle lightning spell. Since it extended in a straight line, it was easy for Aria to dodge.

'I've got you...!'

Just before the sword touched,

Crackle!

The simple lightning bolt began to spread in all directions.

[Chain Lightning]

Aria was also caught in the chain of lightning.

"Ah...!!"

"...What...!"

The audience was shocked. The bored or indifferent expressions had long disappeared.

"...The daggers were connected by wires."

Chris (Tina) noticed first.

As Chris explained, the daggers Leonardo threw were connected by wires. The conductivity of the wire was enough to transmit the power of the lightning.

"The initial Steam Smoke was to enhance the power of the lightning spell."

The mist of water particles was sufficient to amplify the lightning spell. Not only in the air, but Aria's body was also soaked with moisture.

"...You're quite skilled with tricks."

Even Marquen had to acknowledge Leonardo's skills, albeit dryly.

[Did you finish her off?]

<I need to finish it.>

Leo started to charge, pulling the wires. If he could land a hit, victory would be his.

"...Ugh...!"

But

[What...!?]

The lightning around her began to dissipate. A mana wind was pushing out from Aria's center.

"Can't be..."

Aria Reinhardt.

The reason she was strong was due to her swordsmanship, physical abilities, senses, lineage, and various factors.

But Leo knew.

Her fundamental talent was

[2-star...]

"The form of her aura is 2-star...!"

The essence of mana itself.

Two condensed auras began to glow brightly outside her body. The condensed mana cores simultaneously pushed away and repelled the lightning.

"Ugh...!!"

Leo was pushed back slightly by the pressure of the mana.

"...What...! This power...?"

Aria, surprised by her own growth, didn't immediately launch an attack.

'Then...!'

Seizing the opportunity, Leo continued his attack. A rapid advance and swift sword strikes followed.

[Hey, can you wait a bit before transforming? It's unfair.]

<Winning is justice.>

Ultimately, the winner is right. To prove this, Leo didn't stop his attack.

Clang!!

But she had already adapted to her new power. Leo's reckless attack was being deflected, proving this.

"...Huff..."

Now the tide was turning in Aria's favor.

"Keep going. Leonardo."

It seemed that entering the armory wouldn't be easy.

***

It feels like my body is burning.

This wasn't just a description of intense pain.

It was a sensation of thin iron wires laid on the nerve fibers, muscles, and blood vessels, as if molten metal had replaced the blood in each vessel.

To put it more succinctly,

It felt like having an extra heart.

But

'...I can win...'

This strange awareness sharpened Aria's existence.

'Leonardo, I... will beat you...!'

The newly formed second core began to pulse.

"I will win!!"

Aria's mana enveloped the arena.

[...Can you win?]

The sage, who could sense the mana even as a spirit, asked cautiously.

<...I'm not sure.>

[Is that so? For something you're not sure about...]

Despite his words, Leo gripped his sword firmly.

[You seem too confident.]

His smile was far from his tense face.

It seemed he was genuinely pleased with her remarkable growth, and he swung his sword in a counterattack.

[But how do you plan to win?]

Originally, he intended to weaken her with his initial strategy and then win with a fierce attack.

But with her core now 2-star, such a soft strategy wouldn't work.

In terms of the number, amount, and intensity of aura cores, she already surpassed Leonardo. This alone was a sufficient reason for the disadvantage.

But

Such a powerful sword technique never once reached Leo.

'...Why... can't I land a single hit...!'

In terms of the weight, speed, and amount of mana, Aria had the advantage. It wasn't that she couldn't control her suddenly enhanced abilities.

But even such an overwhelming sword technique became powerless in front of Leonardo.

"...It's not just good reflexes."

Watching Leo's swordsmanship, Rios could only marvel.

"Yeah, this isn't just about talent or reflexes."

Having risen to the head of the family, Gladius had experienced and promoted many talents.

Thus, his judgment was the most cold and accurate of anyone present.

"Unbelievable, but that kid must have had intense experiences at a young age. At 13 years old."

Chris nodded in agreement with the head of the family's explanation.

"I've seen Leonardo's body before. In terms of scars alone, he's no different from a seasoned veteran who has crossed the line of death many times."

At this, the real veteran, Marquen, rested his face in his hand.

"...He's still defensive, but he's not bad."

As he said, Leo couldn't turn the tide with an attack.

[If this drags on, you'll be at a disadvantage. You know that, right?]

As the sage said, if it turned into a prolonged battle, the situation would turn against Leo. Aria would gradually get used to her 2-star core, and then the 1-star Leo would be overwhelmed by the sheer amount of mana.

So

[Lightning]

He aimed to end it quickly.

Aria stepped back to avoid the exploding lightning. Retreating, she caught her breath while holding her sword. Similarly, Leo briefly regained his breathing rhythm.

Once this breath is over, the conclusion will be reached.

[Direct breakthrough is impossible. You'll be pushed back by sheer power.]

Facing her directly would be equally disadvantageous. It was a fight where the side with faster and stronger mana and body had the advantage.

[Lightning]

But

Crackle!!

Leo's battle made up for this deficiency.

The current of the Lightning ran through Leo's body, accelerating him.

<This should work.>

[...What? What...]

Aria charged. A straightforward vertical slash, both speed and power overwhelming Leo.

Leo gripped his sword.

The second-in-command recalled.

For five years, what he had done to break this swordsmanship.

What kind of martial arts he had built up.

The sensory assumptions and adjustments were complete.

In an instant, the sword was drawn.

It wasn't a trick or a miscellaneous technique.

What cut the heaven-sent talent was the foundation, the ultimate basics.

•Cutting Form 1: Hal (割) Horizontal Cut

The deepening of the basics cut through the genius's sword.

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