"............"
《"Fine, it doesn't matter. If you really are okay with that."》
Right now, Takeru didn't care for the Witch HunterDullahan qualification.
There were more important things for Takeru.
《"Thanks... I'll leave it at that. Kusanagi-kun, I wish you luck in battle."》
The communication was cut, silence came.
Takeru tensed his body, and re-gripped the sword.
《”——Confirmed enemy restart. Host, prepare for battle."》
As Lapis said, the Hero that has been blown far away, King Arthur came back dragging his tattered body.
Apparently, the damage accumulated considerably.
From head to feet he was beat up all over, he looked really horrible.
《"Allow me to briefly explain my performances."》
"What's with this body? Are you not a sword-type Magical Heritage?"
He looked at his body which looked like a powered suit that tightly fit the body, and asked the question.
《"Host, currently intrinsic magic of the Relic Eater, enhanced the『Witch Hunter』's body. Bodily strength... everything besides the brain's reaction rate. It's possible to derive greater force than that of an ordinary person."》
He didn't hope for an increased reaction rate in the first place. The thing he needed, was the strengthening of the body.
Because the human body cannot keep up with his brain's performance and reaction speed, in order to use a complete Kusanagi Double-Edged Style, inhuman bodily strength was needed.
What Mistilteinn just said, was optimal for Takeru.
《"Suspending——enemy firing from the front."》
Even without Lapis saying it, Takeru took a stance already.
Activating Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou, he prepared for interception. The enemy aimed Excalibur at him trying to hit him with a magical bullet.
《"Avoiding is not necessary, please cut."》
In the slow-motion world, the voice resounded directly to his brain.
Believing Lapis's words he prepared to cut the magical bullet with the sword.
When the powerful attack hit. He felt vibrations coming from the sword, and swung the sword just like that.
Simultaneously, the magical bullet disappeared and landed by the King's feet.
King Arthur got hit by his own magical bullet and took damage again.
"I see...."
His body moves smoothly even if he triggered Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou, and his sword repelled magic.
Takeru confirmed his prey. There was one more thing to check, the physical sharpness.
"Lapis... you, as a sword how sharp are you?"
Asking frankly, Takeru spoke to Lapis.
"How much can you withstand my moves?"
He asked again.
A certain squid guru said that the bigger the prey is, the sharper the blade has to be. He needed a correspondingly sharp sword.
《"Please, do not worry. No matter what happens I definitely won't break."》
Immediately, Lapis answered.
She said it in a oddly strong manner, Takeru was confused by it a little.
《"I also assure you of the sword's sharpness. Something like orichalcum might as well be tofu. As for anti-magic effect, I am first class goods and take pride in it. I am completely different from that Excalibur-like fake. Although I'm slightly inferior in terms of amount of magic power produced, in close combat there is absolutely no problem."》
"? I-I see."
《"One more thing. I am able to change into any shape as long as it is a sword. It can be said that my versatility as a Magical Heritage is unrivalled. Please say so if you wish for it."》
Despite the lack of intonation, he felt it was strangely clear pronunciation.
...was she angry?
And Takeru said in a low voice,
"Then... a nodachi." [5B 1]
He cleared his throat.
《"Approved. Please pull the trigger. At the top of the handle, just below the collar."》
Just as he has been told, Takeru pulled the gun's trigger that was attached to the handle.
In just a moment, the long sword changed its shape into a nodachi as requested by Takeru. The sword was mystically shining azure. He narrowed his eyes, and his mouth drew an arc happily.
"I see, it's definitely convenient."
Convenient, the meaning of the spoken word was just as it was said.
Mistilteinn can become any type of sword, Kusanagi style can use any type of sword.
If you can change instantly depending on situation, this kind of thing is definitely very convenient.
《"For me, you are convenient as well."》
"What do you mean?"
《"I cannot be handled by average swordsmen. Even with the given strong body, the normal reaction speed of the brain is too slow. As a certain someone said, there's a limit to ordinary humans."》
"...I see, in other words you..."
Knowing his power, she chose him.
Takeru's mood has gotten better.
Selected by a sword. As a swordsman, he felt this happy for the first time.
"Lapis."
《"Yes."》
"——I'm counting on you."
《"——Yes, Host."》
They recognized each other briefly, and Takeru bolted towards the enemy.
《"Another bullet, incoming."》
As Lapis supported, the Hero rose up and fired a magical bullet in a split second.
——No tricks.
"Fuu!!"
Triggering Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou, he clashed with the magical bullet.
As if saying that the same attack will not work, Takeru warded off the bullet. But the same attack didn't work for him either.
In the slow-motion world, Takeru saw it.
Despite avoiding the deflected bullet by a hair's breadth, the large form that was about 3 meters away from the bullet, fell apart.
For a moment, he didn't know what happened.
《”The enemy just purged his armour in there."》
At the same time as Lapis reported, from the armour that fell apart. A human form of the size of an adult male jumped out.
"——Fast!"
Takeru swung his sword instantly, he warded off the enemy attack. *giiiinnn*!!
Excalibur and Mistilteinn clashed. Tremendous amount of sparks flew. The humanoid figure that appeared had a doll-like figure.
《"The enemy's insides are that of a golem made by alchemy. It's a doll with a soul of a Hero inside."》
"...despite being a doll, this guy is quite good..."
《"That's because inside is King Arthur. It's obvious that his strength transcends humans. Apparently the creator is pretty good as well, it's well adapted to the movements of King Arthur."》
"A doll or whatever, a Hero is a Hero you mean...!"
The competition reached its apex, he repelled the blade using the power of his entire body. Immediately after, a transcendental clash happened.
Intense sparks and metallic sound scattered. Normal people wouldn't be able to pursue them with their eyes.
Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou was already activated. The speed of the two people exchanging blows was as fast as a bullet or faster.
There was no significant difference between King Arthur and Takeru, both of their bodies' physical abilities benefited from a Magical Heritage.
It was really hard to deal with his extraordinary arms.
——But,
"Gaaaaa!!"
Between Kusanagi's Double-Edged style and the sword-style of King Arthur, there was a crucial difference in concept.
The sword-style of the King was made to fight against people.
Kusanagi Double Edged style was made to cut against those who are not human.
As he dodged an attack,
That difference was reflected in reality.
When it came to the weight of the blows——Takeru was cl
early winning.
Without regard for his own consumption. Without regard for his own injuries. A sword without regard to its own life.
The sword putting an end to those who are not human. Takeru swung it against those who are not human. Its destructive power is like that of demon with an iron club.
A downward cut explodes on King Arthur's right shoulder.
The blade that reached his right shoulder, cut off the right arm.
Takeru withdrew his sword and unleashed a powerful thrust.
But, despite losing his right arm,
King Arthur aimed Excalibur towards the ground and fired a magical bullet.
"——Guh!!"
Magical power collided with the ground and scattered, the impact assaulted Takeru's body.
Takeru makes some distance and fixes his posture.
The moment he distanced himself, a golden magical circle appeared under King Arthur's feet.
Magical power started rising and concentrating on Excalibur.
Takeru felt the chills he had already experienced before and became wary.
《"Intrinsic magic incoming."》
"In that case I'll take him down before it activates!"
《"It's futile. The opponent is aware of his vulnerability during the chant. Magical power is used to maintain activity, in other words, King Arthur is turning his own magic into a barrier."》
"You and I, can't we break through it?"
《"It is possible, but it won't take long now until the chant completes. King Arthur is using all of the magic power generated by Excalibur and his own magic power, this gives him a defensive capability similar to the sheath's. It's not as powerful as the barrier of the sheath, however that barrier is also made from significant concentration of magic power. The time we take to destroy the barrier in default state is thirty seconds. Time left until activation of intrinsic magic is ten seconds.."》
"...what do we do?"
He might aspire to be an Inquisitor, but magic was not Takeru's specialty. The only thing he can do is to use Mistilteinn with his sword skills, besides that, he was completely incompetent.
《"We shall use intrinsic magic as well, Host please pull the trigger and don't move."》
As he had been told to, Takeru pulled the trigger and held out his sword.
At that moment, a magical square appeared under Takeru's feet along with particles of azure.
【"—— Who killed Cock Robin? With my lance, and sword I killed Cock Robin —— "】
Responding to the chant, the blade of the sword Takeru poised began to shine in azure.
《"The blade absorbs any magic it comes in contact with, and it converts the absorbed magic power into damage the moment you attack. Its usage is impossible at long distance, and whether it hits or not depends on the ability of Host."》
"...got it, so I need to destroy the magic that guy is going to unleash."
《"Can you do it?"》
"Whether it's magic, light, or whatever, as long as the enemy is not human."
Takeru lifts up his sword, clad in his pride.
"Smiting those who are not human, the pinnacle of swordsmanship... when in possession of a sword and a body that will not break——Kusanagi will definitely not lose!"
Takeru took a stance, and put power in his whole body.
《"I am turning the armour into magic. This action will reduce the defence capabilities, try to avoid the enemy's attacks."》
"——Got it!"
The glow of King Arthur and Takeru's magic circles reached its peak, the air screamed around them.
Sparks are crackling and are dispersed around, the ground is shimmering.
And——
【"—— Grant of TwilightTwilight Enchantment."】
【"—— Knights of the Round".】
——Intrinsic magic of the two Magical Heritages activated.
At the same time as eleven knights appeared in the vicinity of the enemy, Takeru activated the complete Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou.
It was no longer dangerous. Because his body was not that of a human. He was going to exceed the limit.
The world slowed down to the very limit, the reaction rate is at maximum.
More, and more.
Slow down more. Speed up more.
A moment felt like an eternity. His eyes chased after the light
The world——has been left behind.
"——HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"
In the world that slowed down to the limit, Takeru dashed towards the enemy.
The eleven knights also became light and charged towards Takeru in unison.
Their speed was equal. In this world of fastest, the eleven knights and Takeru were equal.
Believing Lapis's words, he faced off with the eleven knights.
Fended off the thrust of the first one.
Dodged the horizontal blow of the second one and leaped up to destroy his head,
Crushed the third one's body with his sword.
Bisected the fourth knight who was shield-bashing him.
Defended himself from the simultaneous bow and sword attacks from the fifth and sixth ones with a sword-drawing technique in a flash.
Battered the seventh knight, who performed a leaping thrust, using his own thrust from below as he jumped.
Parried the eighth and ninth's heavy brilliant skill from behind, and then reversed his body and bisected them from the waist.
Showered the horseback-riding tenth knight's legs with slashing attacks.
Smashed the eleventh - huge knight's attack to the ground head on.
He rushed through the light like a storm, the knights were disappearing, being sucked in by Mistilteinn's blade when hit.
And——Takeru reached the final knight who was waiting, the original King Arthur.
"Lapis! A huge zweihander!"[5B 2]
《"Approved. Mode-Zweihander——enchantment reversal, flexible material release."》
After pulling the trigger, Mistillteinn changed from a nodachi to an over 10 meters long ridiculously big two-handed sword.
Takeru jumped up incredibly high in the sky with that sword in his hands.
Responding, King Arthur put his remaining magic power into Excalibur and shot it towards the leaping Takeru.
This was their final clash.
Both of them betting with everything they have, the Hero and the Witch Hunter.
"Kusanagi Double-Edged Style."
While in the air, Takeru resolved to use a mysterious special technique he didn't succeed using a single time before.
Possible only when using Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou, a forbidden technique.
Said to be impossible with a human physical ability, a sword of the variant.
A long time ago, it was said that the founder of the Kusanagi style used it, what was left is only a concept of an impossible technique.
Unleashing the Magic-Sweeping SwordSoumatou to the very limit, a state where the world is left behind unmoving, only by spinning eight times before slashing, this technique can be completed.
Such a ridiculous skill, Takeru had the confidence to pull it off now. With this sword, and with this body, it wasn't impossible for him.
"——Yamata no Orochi!" [5B 3]
Eight slashes unleashed at once.
Neutralizing the magical bullet King Arthur shot, and slashing his body directly with this unbelievable attack.
Takeru's strongest eight-slash shattered King Arthur's body, a huge crater appeared in the asphalt.
The impact enveloped their surroundings, and everything was dyed in azure.
Magic power collided with magic power, as if the morning sun appeared in the twilight sky, a dazzling light was released.
Part 3
Barely conscious, Ouka watched him.
Wearing azure armour, confronting the enemy head-on, his appearance.
Her tears spilled. That appearance of his, became Ouka's hope.
She didn't want to borrow the strength o
f others. Her vengeance was unstoppable. She didn't want the people involved to get hurt no matter what. That's why she simply avoided everyone.
Loneliness, suffering, pain, she pledged not to express them no matter what. Saying things that hurt other people on purpose, she distanced herself from others.
But, the truth was,
The truth was, she was about to burst into tears at any moment. She wanted to find someone who could help her, someone she could depend on.
Weak, scared, numb... it seemed like… she was simply lonely.
That's why.
『"I told you, because we're comrades." 』
When she was told that, she was shaken.
『"You don't have to put up with it any longer, Ootori." 』
When she was told that, her heart groaned.
『As a human being, Kusanagi Takeru, I will walk together with you." 』
When she was told that, she was happy.
But she couldn't accept it, rejected it, pushed it away, and walked alone once again.
However, even so, Takeru didn't pull out.
『"——Let me carry half of the burden." 』
She couldn't find no more reasons to refuse.
Just... leave it to him.
"...Kusa....nagi."
In the middle of the azure flames,
Proudly like a knight,
Approaching the weak, lonely girl. Takeru reached out to her.
The girl extended her small hands, and overlapped them with his big hands.
Feeling pain throughout his whole body, Takeru woke up.
The first thing he saw, was the twilight sky dyed in azure, and the incredibly gentle face of Ouka.
".....Oo....tori."
"Don't get up, it's fine. Using a Relic Eater consumes a significant amount of life force. You overused it without training. Stay still quietly."
"...I am..."
"You don't remember? After reaching out to me, you fell over immediately."
Takeru recalled everything. As Ouka said, he had no strength left in his body.
At the same time, he felt a pleasant sensation with the back of his head, and a chilly sensation on his forehead.
Takeru didn't seem to notice, but it was a situation where he was being patted on his head while being given a lap pillow by Ouka.
He smiled faintly towards Ouka.
"...Ootori."
"Nn?"
Antimagic Academy 35th Test Platoon - Volume 01 - Eienherjar wakes Page 16