066. pride (2)
When the swords collided once, Aren realized.
A guy named Ifrande isn’t an ordinary person. At this level, it was safe to say that he was an ace of the Four Crusades. I didn’t send him out as the 4th hitter for nothing.
The power of the heavily coiled hammer was enough to make Aren’s entire arm numb.
If it weren’t for the ‘shedding’ technique he learned from sparring with Ponte several times, the shock transmitted to his entire body would have been quite large.
With the situation like this, Aren realized that he could not guarantee victory by doing it smoothly.
The crusader recovers his body even during battle through prayers, and surrounds his inexhaustible faith like magic. It was obvious that Aren would be at a disadvantage in a long-term battle.
Furthermore, the physical strength emanating from the strong body and the defensive power armed with a shield felt like an iron fortress that could not be easily penetrated by moderate attacks.
‘after.’
If so, this is your chance.
Aren remembered his specialty, ‘Descendants of the Sword Saint’.
The current growth rate is only 2 stars. It was the area that Aren had reached since he first grabbed the sword.
Even though he had accumulated experience and became skilled, it did not mean that his ‘class’ had risen.
Feeling that there was still a long way to go, Aren decided to challenge the 3-star realm.
A 3-star area that uses sword skills.
Full-fledged magic utilization classes, such as infusing mana into a sword, start learning from the second year.
However, Aren felt vaguely possible. [Descendant of the Swordsman] special skill was raising his understanding of the sword to the limit, and his magical talent for instantly penetrating the leap magic spell assisted.
There is even knowledge acquired while playing the game. Aren believed he could.
‘By intuition.’
creates a sword
Infusing magic power into the sword to strengthen the sword body is the sword skill. A stage where an aura unique to magical power rises around the sword body, which is also called “Aura Sword”.
The completed sword skill has the power to cut through even rocks as if cutting paper with a knife.
‘If I clumsily apply my sword skills, I’ll be able to pierce that shield.’
Aren drew mana from the battle.
The ability to use magic power is still lacking, but it was possible to infuse it into the sword with the concept of transferring magic power.
I push my magic power along the grain and hold onto it so that it doesn’t scatter. It sounds very easy in words, but it was definitely not easy to fight while maintaining it all the time.
I’m going to try it anyway.
It has been proven countless times that actual combat is the best way to accumulate experience.
Aren’s eyes widened. He blew out the speculation he had been hiding.
The mana that flowed into the sword took on a color.
His swordsmanship was pitch-black. The shimmering look was similar to his secret machine ‘Blackfire’.
However, ‘Black Fire’ is a flame mediated by his blood. The black haze that now surrounds Aren’s sword is purely made of Aren’s magical power.
At least imperfectly, the mana stayed on the frame of the sword body.
‘It’s not as easy as I thought.’
It was an imperfect sword that would scatter when the wind blew. Aren poured all his mind into holding the magical power to the blade.
I’ve seen it countless times in the game, but I couldn’t tell what it felt like in real life.
I just vaguely feel it.
I am certain that if I wield this, I can cut through even a shield clad in the power of that light.
* * *
ominous magic.
Ifrande had never seen the color of magical power black. I heard that it is a color that rarely appears, but when ‘Blackfire’ showed that color, the hostility towards the cadet named Aren grew even stronger. Simple prejudice, but it didn’t matter.
Ifrande recited the river god’s prayer. It is a prayer to temporarily borrow the power of an angel.
The stronger your faith, the longer you recite the prayer, and the stronger your body, the stronger the power of light.
I couldn’t pray for a long time. This is because Aren raised his sword above his head and started attacking.
The power of an angel descended, albeit minutely, into the shield and hammer.
The prayer text was short, but Iflande’s faith in destroying evil is second to none.
Divinity enveloped Ifrande’s body and whirled around.
“aaa!”
Ifrande flips her hammer and puts her shield in front. A group of lights charged in the shape of a bull.
‘I block the sword attack with a shield and hit the waist with a hammer.’
Ifrande raised her shield high in line with Aren’s falling sword.
–!
The air will explode with a tremendous impact. Ifrande’s prediction was spectacularly wrong.
“… … !”
The corner of the shield falling to the floor. Even after seeing the scene, Ifrande couldn’t quite comprehend what had happened.
Aren’s swordsmanship cut through the shield. Even though it was a sparring shield, it was not an instrument that could be cut this easily.
‘Did that guy just use a sword technique… … ?’
Gilliot gulped and opened his eyes. For a moment, magic shook Aren’s sword. And cut the shield diagonally.
It was clear that he was using a sword technique he had never learned. I wondered if there was such an absurd guy.
Ackerman and I considered him another genius.
Ifrande sighed.
It was because his top was torn along the trajectory of the shield that had been cut off.
If Aren had maintained his sword spirit a little longer, he would have seen blood.
‘Kuu!’
Ifrande hesitated in embarrassment, but Aren did not stop attacking.
Aren hit the waist with his sword blade again and entered.
Ifrande twisted the hammer to free the sword. However, in a situation where the attitude and mentality are already shaking, it is impossible to accept it properly. Ifrande fell in the direction the hammer was pushed.
Aren’s eyes flashed. Maintaining swordsmanship is now at its limit. I turned around with the shimmering black sword.
Afrande belatedly recites a prayer for protection. A cross of protection is engraved on the shield.
Aren uses the elasticity to lift the sword above his head and spin it. The sword with the added centrifugal force was thrust down as it was. With the determination to sever the cross of light.
—-!
The cross of light split and emitted light. Because the light was so intense, everyone who was watching Dalian was busy covering their eyes.
Darkness swallowed the light.
… … At least the priests camp saw it that way.
A shield split in half. A sword stuck in the floor. The sword landed precariously between Ifrande’s crotch.
“… … .”
shocking result. In the case of Ponte, it was overwhelming, but it was because Aren and Iflande’s sparring was regarded as a symbol of light and darkness.
According to Aren’s wish, the priests’ camp became dumb. No one was the first to open their mouth. Not even that common sigh came out.
-S, the match has been won! The winner is Aren Blackfire!
The emcee, who was stunned, belatedly called out the winner’s name. Only then, as if waking up from hypnosis, one by one from the fighting world began to open their mouths.
“this… … Did you win?”
tremble The person who saved the combat world from the brink of defeat was none other than Aren Blackfire.
“Look, did you see it! I’m right, he’s really strong!”
The cadet, who highly praised Aren’s skills, shouted. That’s what I said after looking at it.
Any image or negative feelings about Aren slowly disappeared.
The important thing is that Aren won and returned the score to square one.
Even if we hate it, we are on our side. It’s annoying and I don’t want to get close to it, but it’s better than the enemy.
When this thought crossed my mind, a belated cheer erupted.
“Damn it!”
“I believed you!”
“I didn’t see that bastard as bad from the beginning!”
“Don’t be mean.”
I heard a voice praising Aren, albeit awkwardly.
Gilliot clenched his fist and slapped Aren on the back.
“The strongest battle! The strongest battle!”
* * *
“Hey! What the hell are you!”
Gilliot put a headlock on me and screamed loudly. It was so loud that it felt like it was hitting my eardrum.
“Joe, let go. Instructor.”
The sparring was stopped, saying that I would repair the stage I destroyed for a while. With only the final confrontation left now, it was the right timing to take a break.
“You man! When did you learn swordsmanship?”
Gilliot, who was dragging me along, stopped on the way and asked. This was the only look he wanted to point out.
It must be strange.
It was because a first year student used sword skills, even for a short time.
In fact, I never even imagined that it would happen. It was more difficult than I had imagined to keep the blade flowing with magic power. It was all it took to wield it a few times.
“Preview… … I did.”
I wondered if there was any other excuse. I’m not saying it’s wrong because I learned it beforehand.
“Sweeup, did you learn swordsmanship in advance by yourself?”
Gilliot tilted his head, then nodded.
“Well, it’s not uncommon for families to invite a swordsman master to teach. Still, it’s the first time I’ve seen a first-year student use sword skills… … haha. I am a bastard, I am a bastard.”
Gilliot murmured to himself. He seemed to want a more convincing answer, but I had no intention of saying more.
“Well, I know you guys have a lot of secrets. There must be a reason why the man hides it. Not a bad thing! don’t ask anymore Come on, let’s go!”
When Gilliot dragged me away, the fighting guys cheered… … They welcomed me in the same way. It was disgusting, awkward, and clumsy, but they accepted it generously.
Whatever it was, as a result, I became a person who protected the pride of the combat world.
“Aren. After all, you don’t disappoint me!”
Ponte folded his arms and nodded, wondering what the hell he was so pleased with. Looking at the muscle-obsessed man’s dry teeth, I thought I’d won for no reason. It feels like the obsession will only get worse.
While the eyes were pouring uncomfortably, I was conscious of Cain, who was alone in the corner of the tent, trembling with anxiety.
“They told me to leave you alone. Not like Cain. I’m worried, Tsut.”
Gilliot clicked his tongue at the uncharacteristic Cain look. Even while I was sparring and descending, it seemed that Cain could hardly relax.
Rather, I might be more nervous because I won overwhelmingly.
‘I can’t do that.’
The pressure of having to win somehow must be weighing heavily on Cain.
That being said, Cain wasn’t always confident and cool.
Watching the Cain I knew fall apart, I couldn’t stay still.
I felt I should give you some helpful advice. Neither Siana nor Cain have sunfish.
While waiting for the stage maintenance, I stood in front of Cain holding the trophy.
“… … ?”
Cain asked why he had come. It was a peculiar pouty face.
got the trophy Cain’s gaze was fixed on the trophy held proudly in my hand.
Place the trophy in a prominent location. With the thought that it would be nice if the consolation I thought in a hurry would work for her.
“Do you want this?”
“Boast… … Are you here?”
Cain, who had been wandering around for a moment, suddenly stopped. He even glared at me.
“Listen to this.”
I casually threw the trophy at her.
“What is this… … .”
Cain, who took the trophy in a hurry, tried to get angry, but he swallowed his words in my rather serious face. It seemed like he decided to listen to me first.
“What is this?”
A blunt question.
“Isn’t it light?”
“Yes.”
Cain passed the trophy from one hand to the other, weighing it.
“Look closely. The pieces are also very clumsy. From a distance, it looked really cool.”
Cain also took a closer look at the sculpture at his words.
“uh… … So, this is really clumsy.”
This is Cain, who grew up only looking at the sculptures and objects of artisans all his life. The unripe sculpting skills of a practical cadet did not catch her eye.
Cain seriously looking at the trophy is cute, so I let out a breathless sound. Then Cain dyed the tips of his ears and shouted out loud.
“But, what!”
“That’s your trophy.”
Cain scratched his head awkwardly and threw the trophy back.
“I’ve felt it before, but you can’t really comfort me. well, thank you anyway Don’t worry. I will definitely win.”
Even as he said that, his gaze was uneasy. Cain was about to turn his back, whether it was because he was embarrassed or anxious.
“Cain, the trophy you longed for is actually like that. It’s ugly, and it’s not pure gold, it’s a lump of iron.”
Didn’t you come to cheer? Cain’s eyes widened fiercely at the sound of scratching his own planting.
“What are you going to do with me now? If you’re here to say that, get out! I’m going to play soon.”
Cain, who wanted to prove his worth by winning a trophy, cried out in tears as if he felt like he was being treated like such a fake gold nugget.
But I didn’t stop there. He spat out more words into the back of her angry head.
“A trophy is just a piece of metal. Getting that won’t change you right away.”
“Have you finished talking now?”
Unbearable, Cain strides forward and slaps me on the cheek. I grabbed her arm and squeezed it.
“Cain.”
“… … ?”
Cain tried to free his arm from me, but I wouldn’t let go.
“Once I get that trophy.”
He slowly loosened the strength in his hands.
“What are you going to do?”
“What do I do, I have to train again.”
“After that?”
“Then… … ? In addition… … .”
“I’ll train like an idiot.”
Cain’s brow wrinkled.
“You fool. Be careful with your words.”
Collecting just one trophy did not end Cain’s path to the sword.
“Your real goal isn’t a cheap trophy like this, is it?”
Even if he falls here, Cain will not stop. To become the guardian of the royal family she wants.
This means that he is not the kind of person who would be contemplative just because of a festival event.
“Your real goal is far away, in a high place, so don’t be afraid of things like this. It’s not like you.”
i know Cain, who has played countless times in the game, is the embodiment of hard work. Even if I fall, I get up and run again.
see cain The gun started spinning in his eyes.
yes, that eye My favorite Cain has eyes like that. Clear, bright blue eyes.
what about the ground What if the story twists?
I roll a little more. It’s enough to make Ackerman roll and Cain to clean up his own sh*t.
So, it’s my wish that you don’t tremble over things like this.
As soon as he let go of all the strength in his grip, Cain’s hand, which was being held, suddenly fell off.
“cheer up.”
I slipped and retrieved the trophy and turned around. I forcibly opened my fingers, which were dying from too many cheesy words.
‘I must have said it right?’
.
.
.
.
.
Not long after, Cain’s name was called.
Cain took a big step towards the shiny trophy in the distance.