Accel World Vol 3 Chapter 4 (2/2)

Haruyuki forgot to even blink momentarily, and wondered if this was the real world or the virtual world.

If it was the virtual world— the electronic world where everything is decided by the brain's reaction speed, then that kind of reaction was possible. However for the real world, different kind of movements are restricted by physical laws. Inertia that holds the heavy body still, nerve transmission speed, muscle contraction speed and others put into consideration, seeing the attack then swinging the sword before the attack occurs is not possible, absolutely.

With just one exception that a limited number of people have for «ability».

While feeling his tightly held fists wet with sweat, Haruyuki stared at the two that again faced each other at the starting line.

”Second round!”

This time, it was a completely opposite developement than the first round. Tak.u.mu held his s.h.i.+nai horizontally, and faced the opponent. The eyes in his face mask were sharp as a blade, and his mouth was stiff.

On the other hand, Noumi who moved his sword tip up and down softly, did not seem to have any tension. Haruyuki could not see his face due to backlight, but there seem to be a thin smile on his lips.

Ten seconds. Twenty seconds.

Without either of them attacking, just time pa.s.sed.

Haruyuki opened both eyes wide, and just continued concentrating all his nerves on Noumi's face.

If Haruyuki's reasoning, or bad premonition was correct, then at some point in time, Noumi's mouth will move slightly. In a sound volume that no one could hear, to sing a short command.

To the two that was still other than the clock moving *Tick tick*, the advising teacher finally took a deep breath.

However, when he was going to say ”Wait”, right before that—

Suddenly Noumi raised his s.h.i.+nai with not a terribly fast speed.

And then Haruyuki finally saw it. Noumi's mouth, slightly and quickly opened and closed.

—Without a doubt.

The Acceleration command.

The 1st year student called Noumi, the Neuro Linker on his neck contained the mysterious super application «Brain Burst», and he was a Burst Linker.

”DOOoooo!”

At the instant that Noumi raised his s.h.i.+nai, Tak.u.mu cut towards the opened up bosom.

At the same time Haruyuki also shouted in his mouth.

”Burst Link!”

With a *Vis.h.i.+!* sound, the world was frozen in blue color.

With his 1000 time sped up senses, he saw Tak.u.mu's s.h.i.+nai slowly moved towards Noumi's trunk. No matter how you look at it, this attack could not possibly be dodged or defended by Noumi. That's right, even if he also «Accelerated» at that moment.

With his pink pig avatar, Haruyuki entered the match arena and peeked through the blue face mask of Noumi. Unfortunately it was beyond the range of the Social Camera, so the actual face could not be seen. But, just the smiling mouth was recreated by polygon.

While gazing at that face, Haruyuki used his left hand to start the Brain Burst console.

This 1st year student Noumi, how he managed to evade Haruyuki and Kuroyukihime's check after the school entrance ceremony was unknown. However right now, during the match his Neuro Linker must be connected to the Umesato middle school Local Net, then this Noumi's name must also appear on the matching list.

—At this moment, I will «Duel» him.

Haruyuki decided that while he waited for the list to refresh. Noumi clearly used Acceleration ability in the kendo club's match. Then probably, in the academic ability test next week he would also do that. However for Umesato middle school Burst Linkers, Haruyuki must teach him the ”During tests and matches, «Acceleration» is not allowed” iron rule of Nega Nebulas. If necessary, he will use virtual fists.

After the searching finished, in the list, Silver Crow, Black Lotus, Cyan Pile, and then Lime Bell popped up on the display.

”What...!?”

While his right hand was extended towards the list, Haruyuki heavily panted.

Not there.

Noumi's name was not there. The list was same as that day before, with only four known Burst Linker names on it!

”Wh...y?”

He whispered while dumbfounded.

He did not think he was mistaken. Probably Tak.u.mu also thought that this Noumi was a Burst Linker, so he attacked without waiting in the first round. So he won't give Noumi any time to sing the Acceleration command.

No way, is this the reappearance of the backdoor program that Tak.u.mu used half year ago?, he thought like that for an instant, but soon negated it. That program was used as a stepping stage for someone from outside, in the Global Net, to connect to.

However, at this moment, Noumi is actually in the Umesato middle school's kendo gym. Then without doubt he should be connected to the school Local Net, and thus should appear on the matching list, absolutely.

Haruyuki crossed the pig avatar's two short arms, hung his head down, and desperately turned this thinking wheels. It took him a full minute to sort out the three possibilities that could explain this situation.

Noumi is not a Burst Linker, but a kendo genius.

Noumi is a Burst Linker, but did not connect to the school Local Net.

Noumi is a Burst Linker, is connected to the Local Net, but can refuse to be shown on the matching list.

The truth should definitely be one of these. But, no matter which, unexplained parts remained.

While experiencing hard to say bad feelings and impatience, Haruyuki had a long sigh. Right now thinking more than that was pointless. He would need to discuss it later with Tak.u.mu and others.

Before he stopped the blue world and returned to his real body, Haruyuki stared at Noumi's shape once again.

He might be recklessly aiming for Tak.u.mu's face, with his s.h.i.+nai floating high above as he was about to jump. And Tak.u.mu's timing in his attack on the body, was perfect even in the untrained eye of Haruyuki.

Even if Noumi was a Burst Linker, or a kendo genius, or both, there was no longer anything he could do. Haruyuki wanted to look at Tak.u.mu getting a solid hit with his flesh eyes, so he shouted the Acceleration stop command while his eyes were wide open.

”Burst Out!”

From far away, the sounds of reality closed in. At the same time, color returned to the blue world. Tak.u.mu and Noumi's movements, slowly, slowly returned to normal speed—

”...!?”

And then Haruyuki, was again shocked for the umpteenth number of time in the past few minutes.

Noumi's body s.h.i.+fted right.

It could not be called the level of footwork. Noumi's foot, only the left tip was in contact with the match arena. Even so, with that one point as axis, the small body spun left like a figure skater, and slid right. From Tak.u.mu's s.h.i.+nai's chase, the body ran away, and escaped...

At that point, Haruyuki's senses' acceleration was fully canceled.

Tak.u.mu's s.h.i.+nai hit Noumi's body with a *slap*. But, it was too light.

Right after, Noumi's extended s.h.i.+nai that lashed out, caught Tak.u.mu's face mask with pin-point precision.

With a right foot step hard on the floor, he slashed down like that.

”NMEeaaa!!”

After that psyche, was a concentrated hit that could not be complained about.

Within the kendo gym that was returned to full silence, eventually the words ”Face hit!” echoed.

”...Winner decided!!”

From Haruyuki's hand, the bag with his indoor shoes dropped down.

<script>