Chapter 2.8 (1/2)
Chapter 2.8
2.8 Vera and Sora
Sora turns towards the center of the arena while saying, “What the!?” A cloud of dust from a sudden impact floats about and obstructs the view.
Sora focuses his vision and sees someone’s silhouette. He’s curious about it, but is more concerned with finding Jin and the vice president. “Ugh!”
Jin, having been struck by the impact, writhes in pain upon having been flung against the wall. Kuro-chan remains unconscious on the battle field. The vice president, Jin’s opponent, had been retrieving Kuro-chan, but was also sent flying against the wall.
“Are you al— !” Sora’s call gets cut short as a more pressing matter develops.
The dust settles and unveils the truth about silhouette hidden inside. Scarlet, gradient, bob cut hair, the crimson wings of an ak.u.ma, and – “Vera?”
Why’s that guy here for?
Vera looks around and grins, niyari, upon crossing eyes with Sora. “There you are, Sora=Basard.”
—Kyaaa
Many students scream upon seeing Vera’s ak.u.ma wings and hurry to escape the arena. The place is emptied in an instant save for a few students in the spectator seats. Among them is Yami and their cla.s.smates.
Asia and the others probably wanted to escape, but stayed when Yami refused to leave.[1]
Sora says, “What do you want?”
“Ah? Didn’t Dai Maou-sama tell you?”
Elias told me? …Thinking about it, I get the feeling we talked about something in a dream… Ah!
Sora says, “That’s right! I remember. It was something about you coming to see my usage of this left arm, right? …Looks like I’m troubling you, sorry about that.”
“I can’t believe you carelessly forgot like that… Well, it’s fine. I’ll examine you immedi—”
—Dokon!
Vera explodes as various spells target his body. Sora follows the direction of the magic to find Lydia and members of the faculty.
One of the teachers says, “What are you doing!? Run!!”
No, that’s impossible. I can move and Jin… can somewhat manage… but those guys are completely out cold. You teachers should get away from us—
Vera says, “You inferior life forms are in the way.”
Sora says, “Ah, wait!” But his plea is too slow.
Magic fires from Vera’s right arm as he lifts it. The dazzling, red light that streaks out like a gale gathers in one point and explodes.
Sora is unable to endure the intense shockwave that follows and is sent flying towards the wall near Jin. The wind gets knocked out of him, leaving him temporarily unable to breath. “—geh!”
He looks towards the faculty once the pain settles. He’s left speechless, “Wha…” Blood is everywhere. Teachers are collapsed on the ground with large, gaping holes in their bodies. Lydia is the only one standing, but is notably exhausted.
What was that spell! s.h.i.+t, the teachers are going to die at this rate. Well, it’s their fault for attacking first. Wait, isn’t this my fault?
Sora doubts he can defeat Vera, but there’s no choice. He says, “Hey, Jin, can you move?”
“Ah… yeah, what’s up?”
“Leave that guy to me. You take the unconscious and the teachers to some place safe.”
“Haa? You’ll die!?”
Sora says, “I’ll be fine
,” and springs straight for Vera while activating Reinforcement Body all throughout himself. Only an idiot would attack Maou Vera without a plan.
Sora shouts out as he stops in front of Vera. “All of you, get back! This guy wants me. Lydia, get the injured to safety!”
To Sora’s surprise, the board chairman doesn’t argue and cooperates with Jin on carry everyone out.
Vera laughs through his nose as he watches the faculty and students. He turns towards Sora and says, “You’re helping those inferior beings?”
In other words, he means humans, elves, dark elves, dwarves, and beasts?
Sora says, “Yeah, but aren’t I more or less the same as those inferior beings?”
Vera says, “Is there anything human about you?”
“Uwah, how terrible.”
Vera makes a creepy smile by raising the corners of his mouth once Jin and the rest are evacuated from arena. He turns from them towards Sora with eyes resembling those of a fierce beast stalking its prey. He clutches something black in his hand to manifest a giant, long, sword. The situation is the same from when he created Sora’s left arm.
Sora crouches and reaches for the short swords at his waist. I won’t be able to take that no matter how many times I strengthen myself with Reinforcement Body.
“Ah.” I left them in the weapons storage. Not good, now what do I do?
Vera’s expression returns to normal as he says, “Ah? What’s wrong? Oh, I see, you don’t have a weapon. Wait just a sec.”
What’s with this good will!? Vera-sama is a super angel!! Even though he’s an ak.u.ma.
Vera says, “Hora, use this.” He tosses Sora a pair of black daggers.
The two daggers make a grinding sound, saku, as he pulls them from the ground. He readies himself once they’re in hand.
Vera’s expression hardens into that of a beast’s once more. “Now then, the obstructions are gone. Show me what you can do Sora=Basard!”
Like a gale— No, he’s even faster. Vera swings his sword overhead and Sora lifts his right arm.
“Uooh…” Sora was originally going to block the strike, but a feeling tells him to avoid it at the last second.
Vera’s large sword doesn’t sink very deep into the ground, but still splits open a long ravine. I was saved thanks to that.
This is just like when I fought Elias. No, Vera might even be stronger than Dai Maou Elias… Gokurinko[2].
Vera says, “You have good judgement, but dodging is no good.”
Right, Vera is here to make sure I can properly use this left arm. In other words, I’m not supposed to avoid his attacks, I need to deflect them.
“Ooh, I’ll work hard!”
“Next, give me your best shot, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d. You can use body strengthening, but that’s it.”
Yeah, attacking with a skill completely goes against his reason for being here. Letting me use body strengthening is probably a favor.[3]
Sora says, “Here I come!” He kicks off the ground and flies straight for Vera. With body strengthening[4] giving him unworldly strength, he arrives in an instant and slashes both daggers at Vera’s face.
—Kin
A shockwave follows the clash of metal. Vera’s large sword completely blocks Sora’s attack, but his daggers manage eat into his blade.
Now!
Sora puts more power into his attack with an, “Uooooooh—!” Yet, Vera mows him down and sends him flying. Sora adjusts himself and instead of cras.h.i.+ng against the wall, lands on it.
Vera says, “Back when I gave you that arm, what did I say?”
“Eh? Something like…”
Something like… “It becomes stronger with your emotions.” He’s trying to tell me something… I’ll have more power if my feelings are stronger… That completely doesn’t make sense… I’ll just try it.
Vera says, “Looks like you remember.”
“Yeah, I’m trying again.” Sora kicks off the ground and appears before Vera with a dagger held overhead. This time, however—
I’ll defeat Vera. No, I’ll at least shatter his sword! I’ll break it no matter what! The stronger my feelings, the stronger I am— “Uooo-kam on!”
Sora swings with all his strength.
—Gin
Vera once more blocks with his large sword.
d.a.m.n it! I can’t break it like this. I need more. More!
“!?” Sora’s left shoulder down to his left hand burns and strength gushes through his body. “Hou.”
—Bakin!
Shockwaves dance off Vera’s large sword as the sound of crumbling metal fills the air.
Yeah, I destroyed his sword. Sora continues with his momentum, but uses metastasis before he can slash Vera. He returns to the wall and crashes into it. Body strengthening minimizes the pain from the impact, but it’s still enough to make his knees give way.
Vera extends his hand to him while he’s trying to stand back up. He says, “Magnificent. You completely overcame me, so why did you stop? The force behind your blow should have been enough to kill me.”
That’s a lie. That shouldn’t have been enough to kill him.
Sora says, “Fuu, was your test for me to kill you? Weren’t you confirming if I could master this arm? In that case, the test should have ended when I smash through your large sword.”
“Well, you’re a funny b.a.s.t.a.r.d… Mind if I ask you something?”