Chapter 14.2 - Thousand Blade Academy and the Big Five Holy Festival [4] – part 2 (2/2)
(Even though I was thinking of cutting the world after training moderately and returning to the original world…)
I didn’t have enough time to train moderately.
The time of 100 years was too short for me, as the time sensation of『one loop of 100 million years』 had permeated into my marrow.
(I haven’t even done 10% of what I wanted to do yet…)
It had completely caused indigestion.
(Although it was appeased by『desire for swinging』… Damn, I wanted to train more and more…)
I wonder if there is any way to stop the collapse of this world.
But … I couldn’t find the answer no matter how much I thought about it.
A sword is originally something that『cuts』and never『puts together』something.
(I guess I have to give up…)
As I shot a sidelong glance to the crumbling world, and the moment I sighed – an electric shock ran through my mind.
(…No, not yet. This isn’t the end yet!)
Perhaps this world may continue to loop a hundred years forever.
Yes, like the 100 million year button repeated 100 million years forever!
It’s still too early to give up.
There is still hope.
(P-Please, Please…)
Then as I slowly opened my eyes – Cain-san was storing away the soul dress.
(No matter how I look at this, this is the real world…)
Unfortunately, the 100-year bonus time stopped at one time… no loop occurred.
(Haa… No way I would get so lucky…)
As I dropped my shoulders, the audience seats on the side of Ice King Academy suddenly began to get excited.
「As expected, so amazing! It was a one-shot certain kill!」
「Cain-sama! Defeat the next opponent in the same style!」
「Hehe, the guys at Thousand Blade Academy might withdraw from the match, right? They might even be cowering in fear after witnessing the match just now!」
Somehow, it seems like Cain-san has already won.
When I was doubtful of this situation, the referee approached me with a pitiful look.
「〈Hell Hundred〉… is a truly terrifying soul dress. Allen-kun… how pitiful for such a young swordsman… Shall I count you as not being able to continue?」
For some reason he looked at me with sorrowful eyes and encouraged me to gently withdraw from the match.
「N-No no, I can still continue! Or more precisely, I’m about to get serious from now on!」
To withdraw without even doing anything… this is not a joke.
Although it was a little unsatisfactory, I’ve been training for a hundred years.
From now on, the results of the training must be fully tested.
And as I did,
「…Ha?」
The referee opened his eyes wide for some reason.
「Y-You can understand me…!? C-Can you really continue!? Rather, is your mental state alright!?」
「…? I don’t really understand, but I can still continue the match.」
「U-Understood…!」
Then the referee got off the stage quickly.
The only ones left on the stage was me, who was full of eagerness, and Cain-san, who for some reason thought he had already won.
Putting away the sword and turning his back towards the opponent – it is a foolish behavior that is nothing less than disqualification as a swordsman.
(I can’t bear to attack an opponent full of openings, but… this is a serious match.)
It is disrespectful to the other party, if I don’t take the chance when I see one.
(There’s only one thing I should do right now – just do my best!)
I gripped my sword tightly and immediately expressed the results of my training.
「Sakura Blossom One-Sword Style Secret Technique – Mirrored Sakura Slash!」
Four strikes from the left and right each like mirror match – eight slashes that could not be discerned by the eyes.
The first time I met Rose-san at the Sword Festival, she unleashed this special technique on the final stage.
Moreover, this version has its own modifications.
Instead of the traditional eight-consecutive strikes, it has evolved to produce eight slashes『simultaneously』with a single swing like the Eighth Sword – Yatagarasu.
「…Ha?」
Cain-san, who noticed eight slashes approaching from behind,
「Ga-haa…!?」
While his eyes widened in shock, he received those eight slashes all over his body.
「Aa…gu-ha…!?」
After that, he somehow tried to get up… but only to the point of squirming on the ground.
He probably received a mild concussion.
With his eyes out of focus, he pointed his trembling finger towards me.
「H-How?! You must have been sealed in that empty-hell-like world for a hundred years…?! Why are you still conscious !? Why isn’t your heart broken!?」
Then I parted only a single request to him who started to say a lot of incoherent things.
「Cain-san, 100 years is a bit too short… If there is an opportunity next time, I would like to ask you to at least add a loop function.」
As I requested so, he slightly banged his head.
「Absurd…!」
After that, the referee who confirmed that Cain-san lost consciousness, announced the results loudly.
「Cain Material, unable to continue! The winner, Allen Rodore!」
At that moment, the Thousand Blade Academy audience seating was filled with joy.
「Hell Yeaaaah! WE WONNNN!」
「Way to go, Allen! You were really amazing!」
「That’s our vanguard! Ride this wave and, defeat the general too!」
As I received warm and kind admiration from everyone, I raised my right hand and responded.