Chapter 97 - Five Kingdoms and Thirteen Knights of the Oracle [4] (2/2)

When I was thinking about that,

「Nee, Allen… Aren’t you misunderstanding something?」

「…Misunderstanding?」

「Yeah… The match between swordsmen is a serious battle. You don’t have to think about anything other than stopping your opponent’s heartbeat, no?!」

Saying that, he unleashed a wave of attacks again.

「Guh…」

One of the tentacles grazed my shoulder and fresh blood spurts in the air.

At the same time, however, fresh blood spilled from Dodriel’s skin, which had been torn into by his own shadow.

「Naa… Oi! Concentrate more on me! More! More! More!」

He swung his sword over and over again with a sorrowful expression.

While dealing with his consecutive attacks, I reorganised my thoughts.

(I had been thinking about the『future』.)

Even though I was in the middle of a serious battle with Dodriel, I was thinking about the after.

It’s rude towards a swordsman seeking a serious battle.

(This guy is literally standing here with his life on the line…)

Then, I too, as a swordsman, should fight this battle with everything I’ve got.

「I’m sorry, Dodriel. The swordsman’s match is a serious battle. You’re right.」 I apologized. 「I won’t think about anything else. For this moment… I’m going to use everything I’ve got!」

I unleashed all my darkness. Darkness dyed the surroundings black and created a jet-black stage. It was thicker than when I fought with Idol-san before. And it was deep enough to almost look like an abyss.

「Amazing! You’re amazing, Allen! Ahaha…you always surpass far beyond my expectations! It was the same at that time too! That’s what I love the most about you!」 he shouted, with a look of ecstasy on his face.

And then,

「HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」

「-UOOOOOHHHHHHHH!」

We started running at the same time as though predetermined.

「Sakura Blossom One-Sword Style Secret Technique – Mirrored Sakura Slash!」

「Rain Style Secret Technique – Passing Shower!」

The slashes clashed fiercely with sparks flying and disappeared.

At the same time, we both unleashed diagonal slashes. Dull metallic sound of sword and sword colliding resounded.

In a locked sword state, we glared at each other.

「You are strong, after all, Dodriel!」

「Of course! This dropout swordsman is getting carried away!」

By mobilising my full body weight, and physical strength, the locked sword state

「HA!」

「Damnit!」.

Was won by me, clad in darkness.

And I had already inserted it in advance at the place where Dodriel was blown away.

「Second Sword – Hazy Moon!」

「What?!」

The slashes that I inserted during the height of the fight, dug deep into his thigh.

「……shit!」

As he crouched on the spot, I drove in another attack.

「Eighth Sword – Yatagarasu!」

「Don’t underestimate me! Black Shadow!」

He unleashed a counterattack at the perfect timing.

However,

「-HA!」

I emitted jet-black darkness from my whole body and swallowed Black Shadow.

「Impossible!」

Eight slashes rained down on his body.

「Gu, ga…!」

The heavily damaged Dodriel jumped back and used the shadows to seal his wounds.

And our death match continued still.

And now,

「Haa haa…」

「Ah, aha, ahaha… As expected, you are strong, Allen…」

Soon, both our spiritual power will run out.

(In terms of crossing swords, I’m winning overwhelmingly…)

But… he doesn’t fall.

No matter how many times I cut, Dodriel does not fall.

I’m sure his mind is outdoing the body.

「Haa haa… It’s time to settle this!」

「Ah, haa… It’s regretful, but it can’t be avoided.」

The darkness that was covering my body was thin and the shadow running through his body was dim.

We’ve both reached our limits.

I’m sure the next attack will be the last.

I resolved myself and returned my sword into the scabbard.

「-Here I come, Dodriel!」

「Aa, come… Allen!」

Immediately after the short exchange of words, I ran straight towards him bare-handed.

(…With this thin darkness, I can’t defend his Black Shadow.)

I can’t win in terms of numbers.

Then all I have to do is unleash the fastest ultimate attack that renders numbers useless!

「DIEEEEEE! Rain Style Secret Technique – Passing Shower! Black Shadow!」

A sharp one-point thrust filled with killing intent and deep-seated grudge, and twenty tentacles fired at tremendous speed.

I ascertained that and drew out my fastest ultimate attack.

「Seventh Sword – Instant Flash!」

My godspeed Iai-slash, surpassed the sound barrier, and cut Dodriel together with Black Shadow.

As I looked back, he slowly fell where he stood.

This match is my victory.

「Fuu… That was quite close…」

And the moment I took a deep breath,

「Wha?!」

Eardrum crushing sound echoed throughout Thousand Blade Academy.

「W-What was that sound?!」

The direction is the schoolyard – the place where the president and others are fighting.

(I have a bad feeling…)

But right now, I have to move Ria and Rose to a safer place.

Thus, I, who had won the death match with Dodriel, held the two who were unconscious in one hand each, and headed to the staff room.