Chapter 67

The sound of swords clashing fiercely echoed sharply across the arena.

My duel with Noel was in the heat of battle.

Just as our breathing began to grow ragged, Noel spoke a single word.

"Parry"

"!"

Suddenly, my sword was deflected.

Noel had activated the Parry skill.

However, at this point, I wasn't anxious.

(This is the first one.)

I continued to analyze calmly and prepared for the next attack.

Then, immediately after, Noel's body and sword were enveloped in a bluish-white light.

A familiar sight. This was probably—

"Sword Boost!"

As expected, Noel activated Sword Boost.

He must have aimed to take advantage of the moment my stance was broken by Parry.

(—But, that's too easy. Parry and Sword Boost are representative sword skills. I had anticipated this from the start.)

Despite the high-speed sword techniques approaching, I, who had read them from the beginning, skillfully dodged them.

Sword Boost is an excellent skill that increases sword speed, but it has a significant weakness.

After the skill is activated, there is a 0.2-second stun time.

It might seem like a short time, but to a swordsman, 0.2 seconds feels like an eternity.

If I counter during this gap, I can win.

As this thought crossed my mind, I frowned slightly.

(Really? A beginner might not, but someone with Noel's skill level should know the weakness of Sword Boost. If that's the case—)

While analyzing, the light surrounding Noel intensified.

I sensed the final strike and instinctively braced myself.

I tried to dodge at a certain distance to counter, but at that moment—

"Are you really going to let it go as you planned?"

"What?"

In front of me, Noel raised the corners of his mouth.

Immediately after, the sword he held emitted a blinding light.

And—

"【Charge Strike】!"

"―――!"

With a powerful cry, Noel swung his sword not at me, but at the ground.

The blade struck the ground, producing a loud noise, and a large amount of sand and dust flew around.

Furthermore, the wind blew me backward.

I adjusted my posture in mid-air and, while landing, focused on Noel.

(Of course, he must have a rare skill or two...)

The sword skill 【Charge Strike】.

With each swing of the sword, magic power accumulates on the blade, and at the intended moment, it can significantly increase the damage of a single strike, making it a one-hit kill rare skill.

It is usually used to deliver the final blow, but Noel, sensing that all his Sword Boosts would be dodged, decided to use it to buy time.

This alone shows that Noel has considerable combat sense.

As a result, what was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a counterattack for me was nullified.

However,

(This is the third one.)

With this, I have revealed three of Noel's skills.

There might be one more left.

If this is all he has, there is still a good chance for me.

Even though I am fighting with the restriction of not using skills, the automatic skill 【Will of the Sword Emperor】 is active, increasing my stats by 10%.

Considering my original skill level, the advantage is actually on my side—

"Too bad, Zeros Sylphid."

Just as I thought, Noel's cold voice echoed through the arena.

"Your ability to counter all my attacks is nothing short of remarkable... but, if you were to win, it would have been only at this moment."

"...What do you mean?"

"Even without saying it—this should be clear."

Noel kicked the ground and approached me.

He then unleashed a sharp slash, just as he had before.

At first glance, it seemed nothing had changed—

"!"

I immediately realized.

Noel's movements were faster and more powerful than at the start of the mock battle.

(Could this be...)

Stat increase over time.

I had a skill in mind that made this possible.

"―【Tempered Swordsmanship】?"

"Hmm, you know it?"

Noel nodded.

It seems my guess was correct.

【Tempered Swordsmanship】.

After activation, this sword skill increases strength, speed, and sword skill by 3% every 10 seconds, reaching a maximum of 30% after 100 seconds. The maximum enhancement state then lasts for 100 seconds.

The long cooldown and high MP consumption are its drawbacks, but it is an extremely powerful ability that outweighs these disadvantages.

(At any rate, this is the fourth one. All of Noel's skills are now known.)

Parry and Sword Boost are highly versatile and excellent skills, but the two remaining are particularly distinctive.

【Charge Strike】 and 【Tempered Swordsmanship】.

Both are rare skills that become more effective as the battle continues.

(I see. Despite his considerable skill, he fell behind me in the sword test.)

The test required quick results, which didn't suit Noel.

I understand this now.

"Anyway, that's not the issue right now."

It has been 50 seconds since the battle started, and the increase rate should have exceeded 15%.

The advantage of 【Will of the Sword Emperor】 is already gone.

From here on, the gap will only widen.

Considering levels and other skills, Noel is currently in the lead.

It's difficult to win in this state with my skills sealed.

(What should I do...)

As I was about to be consumed by my thoughts, Noel frowned and showed a look of disappointment.

"After all... is this really all you have? Your true strength?"

"..."

The surface showed deep disappointment in me.

It could be said that I was a disappointment.

It was not the expression of someone who was about to win the mock battle.

(...That makes sense.)

I recalled Noel's actions from yesterday to today.

Noel didn't challenge me just to beat someone weaker than himself.

Beneath it all was an insatiable pursuit of strength.

He didn't care about others' evaluations; he just needed to be satisfied with himself.

Some might see this as arrogance.

But—I am different.

Because it reminded me of my former self.

"......"

I slowly raised my gaze.

In front of me, the headmaster Noah sat in the VIP seat with an elegant smile.

Even when our gazes met, she continued to smile confidently.

Seeing her, I made a firm resolution.

―――――That's enough.

I exhaled softly and changed my mindset.

Then, I focused on Noel directly.

"―――?!"

It seems that alone was enough for Noel to understand my intention.

He raised his sword in a guarded stance and glared back with a tense expression.

To Noel, I quietly declared:

"Sorry for making you go through this charade."

"......From here on, it won't be like that, right?"

"Yeah."

I decided to change my strategy.

I thought I would crush Noel head-on, as he wished.

Even if it meant unsealing the skills I had sealed until now.

However, I didn't intend to use my skills recklessly.

As a 【Void Emblem】 holder, I still didn't want to reveal to the audience that I could use skills.

Within these restrictions, I planned to use skills to fight Noel.

Moreover, I am now standing before Noel as a swordsman.

I will use only sword skills to match him.

(I have four sword skills available now...)

【Parry】, 【Slash】, 【Sword Boost】, and 【Will of the Sword Emperor】 (automatically active).

Coincidentally, the same number of skills as Noel.

Among these, the slashing 【Slash】 and the blue light-emitting 【Sword Boost】 would be immediately noticed by the audience if activated.

(However, there are ways to use them.)

With some ingenuity, it should be possible to use these skills in battle.

Although the conditions have increased, making it seem like more restrictions, my thoughts became clearer and my concentration significantly improved.

This is nothing compared to the difficulties Zeronity has overcome.

I declared to Noel again:

"Come. I'll show you what you want to see."

"―――! That's more like it, Zeros Sylphid!"

Noel approached with a fierce smile and swung his sword.

Thus, the real battle began.

Next, in "068 The Former World's Rank 1 Unrivaled Swordsman ③",

we will see the conclusion.

The text will be nearly twice the usual length, so please look forward to it!