Chapter 74

In the middle of the city, it wouldn't do to swing weapons around, so in the end, they returned to the academy.

There were a few people scattered around the academy grounds, but none of them seemed particularly concerned about what was happening here.

Hikaru faced Roye, surrounded by six young men, Mikhail, and Mirei.

"Weapons will be blunted. Anything else goes. Both sides agree, right?"

"Sure!"

"No problem."

Hikaru and Roye nodded in response to Mikhail's declaration.

Since there were people at the academy who could use healing magic, even if the injuries were fatal, they could still be treated. However, instant death was irreversible.

"Hikaru-kun, wait a moment."

Mirei approached Hikaru.

"What is it, Instructor Mirei?"

"This match is ridiculous. I explained it to you, didn't I? The advantages and disadvantages of the small sword. It's not meant for direct combat."

"I understand. But can you forgive it? The master of 'Cheers to Alcohol' was mocked."

"Hmm... I can't understand your anger, Hikaru-kun."

"Well, it's fine. I want to finish this quickly before too many people gather, so please step back."

"Ugh... Don't get hurt, okay? We have lectures starting tomorrow."

"...Instructor Mirei."

In the past few days, Mirei's attitude seemed to have changed—she was now so positive about the lectures.

As Hikaru felt moved inside,

"If you weren't here, I wouldn't get free drinks."

"—Return my moved feelings."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Never mind..."

"Alright, Hikaru! Let's start!"

When Mikhail called out,

"Wait a moment."

Hikaru started stretching to loosen up his body.

"What's that?"

"Stretching."

As Hikaru answered, the young men surrounding them commented,

"Isn't that the guy who always runs in the corner?"

"Oh, right. I've seen that weird... pose before."

"Still, Instructor Mirei is as sexy as ever..."

"I get it. I wouldn't come to lectures if it weren't for the small sword..."

Hikaru, thinking, "There's nothing sexy about it," finished his stretching.

"Okay."

"Hmph... Are you trying to confuse me with some meaningless dance? Let's get started. I'll show you my strength."

Roye, with a large sword, took a stance, but the tip of the blade was trembling.

(Not enough muscle strength, I guess.)

Hikaru thought to himself.

"Both sides, take your stances!"

Hikaru also held a training small sword in his right hand. It was a double-edged straight sword, different in shape from the one he usually used.

"Begin!"

Hikaru accepted this match not only because 'Cheers to Alcohol' was mocked but also because he wanted to test how much of what he had learned from Mirei had stuck.

If it were a rematch with Mikhail, he would have to fully utilize 'Stealth.' In that case, it would be unclear whether what he learned from Mirei would be effective.

But Roye was just right. Hikaru was at a level slightly above a beginner, and so was Roye.

"Seeeeeeeeee!!"

Roye charged forward with a downward slash from a high position.

(Come on, come on, come on. Teaching such an open attack? Even a child could dodge it.)

Hikaru glanced at Mikhail, who was holding his forehead. It seemed they were doing something different from the lecture.

He dodged the downward slash by twisting his body.

(Minimal movement, then—)

Hikaru kicked off the ground with a thud.

"Tsk! This is just a feint!"

Roye followed up with an upward slash from the low position, but—

"...Huh?"

Hikaru was already gone.

(Absorb the impact with your ankles and knees—without making a sound. Move as if you are part of the wind. Dissolve into the air—)

Hikaru had moved behind Roye.

Roye, unable to keep up with the weight of the sword, was swaying.

(I haven't been noticed—let me call out to him to prevent 'Assassination' from activating.)

Mirei watched with wide eyes.

"Take this!"

"Whoa!?"

Kicking Roye from behind with a yakuza kick, Roye tumbled forward.

The large sword clattered to the ground.

"—That's enough!"

Mikhail called out to stop them.

"What? Why, Instructor!? I can still fight!!"

Roye, who had already stood up, said, but—

"Idiot!!!!"

Mikhail's roar echoed.

It was so loud that Hikaru's ears rang.

"What are you saying, dropping your weapon, you idiot!! And besides, Hikaru knocked you down with a kick, but he had more than enough time to use his sword. In other words, you were spared!"

"Ugh... Gah..."

Roye hung his head.

(Ugh, my ears hurt. But did it work...? I can't tell with Roye.)

Then Mirei spoke up.

"Hikaru-kun—what you did just now was a bit different from what I taught you, right?"

"Huh? Is that so? Maybe it's too early to master it..."

"No, no, it's the opposite!"

"Opposite?"

"Since I taught you—what I was planning to teach next. You were starting to disappear, you know."

"Disappear..."

"...You're a strange student. I thought you were a beginner, but you have a good sense of courage and some unusual talent."

"It's a habit. I walk while hiding my presence."

"Huh?"

"Ah, never mind. Don't worry about it."

Mirei looked at him with a puzzled expression. Of course, there was no Killua in this world.

Hikaru was inwardly convinced.

The movements he just made were based on what Mirei had taught him.

Moreover, Hikaru had already experienced the 'Stealth' state multiple times.

His body was already conditioned to the ideal state. So, he just needed to move his body to achieve that state.

What Mirei meant by 'disappearing presence' was probably that.

"Instructor Mikhail!! Next, let me have a go!!"

"No, me!!"

"Me!! I can't let the large sword be mocked!"

Inspired by Roye's defeat, the students raised their hands one after another.

Mikhail asked with a grin,

"What do you think, Hikaru?"

The movements he made against Roye might have been a fluke, and his skills were still far from perfect. Mirei seemed to have fully grasped Hikaru's movements, and Mikhail even more so. Indeed, Mikhail had a look of, "Huh? Didn't he do something even more impressive?"

Hikaru wanted to engrain the current sensation into his body, so the simulated battles with other students were like a boat coming to his aid.

Looking at the Soul Board, it seemed there were students more skilled than Roye. Some even had a 1 in 'Large Sword' under 'Weapon Proficiency.'

"...Sure, why not?"

"That's great. You guys are in luck."

The students nodded with gleaming eyes, especially the young man with Jalarazack.

"Ah, right."

As Roye slunk away, Hikaru said,

"At least, Roye. You should apologize to the master of 'Cheers to Alcohol.'"

"Ugh..."

Hikaru didn't forget this point.

Hikaru was happy that he could make movements that somewhat resembled 'Stealth' even without using it.

In reality, his 'Strength' and 'Explosive Power' on the Soul Board were helping him achieve this.