Chapter 56 - New semester and First-Year War [8] (1/2)
56. New semester and First-Year War [8]
With the tremendous power that was surging through my body, I held my sword high and swung it down at once.
「First Sword – Flying Shadow! 」
At the same time, Ria swung her sword in a large arc.
「Black Breath!」
The moment the two collided, the shadow I released cut through the black flame easily.
「…No way!?」
With her eyes wide open from the unexpected outcome, Ria immediately jumped sideways and avoided the looming Flying Shadow.
(…Yoshi, I can work with this!)
As I thought, I’m not going to lose in strength anymore…!
I decided that now is the chance to win and,
「HAAAAAAAAAAA!」
To change the state of battle into close combat, I quickly ran towards Ria.
「Draconic Roar!」
A tremendous amount of flames mixed in black and white blocked my path.
(As expected, she made that move…)
But right now – I can push through!
「-HA!」
With a side-sweep flash, I erased the flames that obstructed the path.
「M-My flames… with just your sword pressure…!?」
Due to the surprise, Ria stiffened slightly.
I didn’t miss that opportunity, and unleashed a diagonal slash with all my strength.
「SEI!」
「Kuh…Kyaa!?」
She immediately defended with her sword, but was blown to the side due to the overwhelming strength difference.
「What… ridiculous strength…!」
She managed to land safely and took a great distance.
「This kind of strength even without the presence of soul dress… As expected of Allen…」
「Same goes for Ria. In just four months, you can manipulate your soul dress to this extent… You are amazing after all.」
「Fufu, thank you. But my real power is from here on out!」
Saying that, she thrust her sword onto the stage and quietly closed her eyes.
The next moment,
「-Dragon Soul!」
She was dressed in sparkling white flame and dark black flame.
「This is …?!」
A tremendous pressure that pierces the whole body.
Only the space surrounding Ria was of a different weight. An extraordinary presence.
(Wow, Ria…)
It is nothing less than remarkable that she still had an ace up her sleeve.
「It’s going to be somewhat different from before, alright?」
「Aa, it appears to be so…!」
The moment I blinked.
The figure of Ria, with her sword held high, was in front of me.
「Fast!?」
This is different from Rose’s movement technique.
This was simply Ria’s physical speed.
It was that plain and simple. No secret or trick behind it. How troublesome.
「Eat this!」
The looming downward slash,
「Kuh…」
I reflexively rolled to the right and managed to avoid it.
「I won’t let you escape! High King Style – Consecutive Spears!」
「Kuh, Sakura Blossom One-Sword Style Secret Technique – Mirrored Sakura Slash!」
Our attacks met fiercely and sparks flew.
After that, our sword fight fell into a seesaw state. Our offensive and defensive exchanges were equally matched.
「High King Style – Strong Strike!」
「-HA!」
Our swords collided and stopped.
The two swords were locked in a completely antagonistic state.
The swords don’t even twitch as if time itself had stopped.
(No way… Even〈Dragon Soul〉can’t push him back…!?)
(I see… So, the cells in her body are stimulated by the white flames she wears. It’s a really good ability, with a wide range of applications…)
Our gaze intersected, and we jumped back at the same time.
(…As it stands, our physical abilities are completely even.)
In addition, the long-range black flames and the indiscriminate ranged attacks… I can deal with both of them now.
In short, what I should do here is simple. Just keep on engaging in close combat!
「-UOOOOHHHHHH!」
As I ran straight towards Ria,
「Kuh, White Coil!」
She deployed a huge white flame shield forward.
The white flame shield that functions the same as an impregnable fortress.
「Eighth Sword – Yatagarasu!」
I cut it down easily with the eight slashes.
「Wha…」
Her face turned pale, and she quickly leapt back.
「……」
「Haa Haa…」
As the battle went on, Ria’s breathing visibly became heavier.
(…I see, that state doesn’t seem to last that long.)
Can her body no longer bear the burden of soul dress?
Or does it have a duration like Rose’s〈Winter Sakura〉?