192 Common Traits Of The Dead (1/2)

The audience was expecting the duel to continue on spectacularly.

However, just a few seconds later, Harunaka began panting heavily as her lips were drained of their color, and she felt as if both her arms were no longer hers. The involuntary trembling made her feel somewhat shaken as sweat dripped down her face inside the mask.

The intense speed of her sword strokes had exhausted her to the point that when she shifted her footing, she nearly ended up stumbling over herself and falling to the ground. Despite her combative power having reached a considerably high degree of strength in that split-second, the move had taxed her body more than any of her previous training practices. In other words, this was the first time she had ever experienced the feeling of complete exhaustion of her mental capacity and physical strength. In fact, it was to the degree of over-exertion.

This feeling... was not exactly pleasant.

Seeing this from the opposite side, Kimura Kazuki's face was a show of approval and satisfaction. The 'Rainstorm Style' that Harunaka had just used had reached a level of perfection. He knew that this had to be due to Harunaka experiencing a comprehension of sword power, causing her sword skills to take an unconventionally large leap forward in strength.

In ordinary cases, a comprehension of sword power would only occur after a battle. Take Ono Nakamura's case, for example, she had comprehended the sword power following her participation in the Asahi Kendo Competition. However, the comprehension of sword power during battle came with superior benefits.

For instance, in Harunaka's case where she had been using the 'Rainstorm Style,' it would have previously been impossible for Harunaka to achieve that level of speed. Even after learning the skill, achieving such a level of speed would require vigorous training or the additional support of reiki. For Harunaka to display such speed without the use of reiki was an abnormal, an over-exertion of her body.

In fact, her speed moments ago had already fulfilled the criteria of the speed of the

'Sudden Flash.' This type of sword skill strengthening that was achieved through in-battle comprehension of sword power had broken through the body's physical limits and was a feat that depended on pure luck.

As long as Harunaka could recapture and relive that state, her body would be able to remember that state after her body had become accustomed to it. With a little training afterward, Harunaka would be able to fully master the 'Rainstorm Style,' and her progress in learning the Yagyu Flying Sword Style would likely be accelerated.

Seeing that Harunaka could barely stand on her own two feet, Kimura Kazuki raised his shinai and tapped her mask lightly, bringing the duel to an end.

”Kimura-senpai.” Harunaka stubbornly stood on the spot and smiled dazedly, ”I did it, I can feel that I've mastered the Rainstorm Style.”

”Yes, you have.” Kimura Kazuki sighed, ”You've become stronger. Have a few days of rest, and I'll teach you some new sword styles afterward.” Subsequently, he turned to the referee, intending to say something. However, upon seeing Harunaka's physical state, the referee did not require any words from Kimura Kazuki to call for a stretcher to carry Harunaka off the stage.

As Harunaka was carried off-stage, thunderous applause rose from the audience.

The applause was not directed at Kimura Kazuki. Instead, it was for Furuhashi Harunaka, or rather, it was meant for both of them. The audience had already realized at this point that for Furuhashi Harunaka to maintain her previous speed of sword strikes, she had probably exhausted all her energy as a girl.

Kimura Kazuki and Furuhashi Harunaka had given them such a spectacular duel that although the match only lasted a few seconds, it was completely deserving of their respect.

It was only from this moment that many people began to place their attention on the Sakura Kyu High School's Women's Team. They had not expected such talent in Sakura Kyu High School and that there would be such a skillful person besides the Head of Department Kimura. It seemed as though the girl's skills were completely overshadowed by that of Head of Department Kimura.

The following duel then came down to Kimura Kazuki and Ikioi Ito.

Both of them had put on a spectacular show of abilities during the team category, sending a wave of excitement rolling through the audience.