Start of The Match

The host announced, “Then, all students except for the two in the first match of the first round please go back inside. I shall start the first match immediately!”

Everyone else goes to the back leaving only me and Reval. 

Uriko calls out, “Terran ♡”

Poh nudges her to the back, “Princess, we’ll be back soon~.”

Reval gives an unconcerned glance at the scene as Poh, who seemed stunned for some reason, takes the fluttering princess away. Then with a stern expression, Reval looked at me and sighed. “Terran, you seem to have returned to how you were back then.”

I reply, “Ah? What’s this, all of a sudden.”

Reval said, “I understand Princess Uriko’s feelings. Even so, I thought I am as I am.”

What’s with the sudden sad face? He suddenly looks disappointed. No way, did he lose the will to fight before we fight each other?

Reval continued, “But still I’ll show you. My strength. My feelings. Terran, today you’ll be my steppingstone!”

Seems my concern was unnecessary. Right from the start, there was no reluctance. No, even more unpleasant fighting spirit is released at the moment.

I replied, “Heh, I’m excited too, so I hope you don’t slip and fall off.”

Reval retorted, “As usual, only big talk!”

Then, I also prepare to attack without hesitation. Reval and I face each other in the arena, with Ling standing in the middle.

Fathers, mothers, emperors discuss, “Certainly, I only know Terran's ability according to the Academy’s current records, but I’m concerned he’s surprisingly gained a cocky sure nature.”

The large audience gossiped, 

“It’s a sight to see.”

“With how strong Reval is…”

“Mr. Reval, do your best…”

“Little man…”

And then. Sadiz’s voice echoed as a tense atmosphere emerged just before the start of the match. Her voice was heard saying, “Wait, Little man! Isn’t he empty-handed! I gave you a sword before you left!?”

Yes, now I’m empty-handed just warping the bandages. When the crowd suddenly realized what was happening, they voiced out from their surprise. 

“Hey, is the son of hero, Heero, nervous?”

“You’re going to show off the Magic Sword you’ve inherited from your father, aren’t you? To forget the sword in the end!”

“Ha ha, that’s no good. Isn’t this match already decided?”

No, in this case, everyone seems to be stunned at the thought that I forgot to bring the sword.

Naturally Reval gives a faint sigh. “Seriously. Go get your sword quickly.”

I sighed as the tension has gone away, and I said, “No, it’s okay.”

Reval was a little shocked, “What?”

Left arm lowered slightly, hold the stance in the half-body posture and raise the right fist a little. I retorted with a smirk, “I’m using my fists. That’s why.”

With a bounce in proper rhythm with the toes rather than the soles of the feet.

Enuma’s words resound beside me. "You mean to commence from the Great Demon Flicker? But will you not reveal the Breakthrough?"

I told him, "Of course… But first I want to try it out the sensation and sharpness of the movements, more than anything else." 

Enuma curious of the reason, "More than anything else?"

I thought is the training I went through, "The results of Magical Ladder. The results of Magical Speed Reading. The results of Phantom Spar and Domain training."

Enuma was satisfied with my words to be in a good mood. Yes, I want to try it out first. Reflexes and agility trained with the ladder. Also, footwork. Dynamic vision and peripheral vision trained by speed reading.

It’s hard to gauge those results when your physical abilities are boosted using a breakthrough.

Reval barked, “Hey, what do you mean, Terran!”

I was confused, “Hmm?”

Not knowing my intentions, Reval was furious with me trying to fight with my fist without holding a sword. Oh, seems pretty serious and angry. Not even my real parents know what’s going on here.

My mother shouted, “Heeeeeey, Terran! Ah, what are you doing? You’re supposed to wield the same Magic Sword as your dad!” 

My father scolded me, “Terran, for a joke it’s too much!”

It was the same for the princess who has had many mock battles with me over three years.

Uriko said. “Hey! Terran, take this seriously! Reval is serious about fighting, so I can’t overlook that attitude!”

I am annoyed at all these expectations, So I shout, “I’m here, not the Great Hero, Heero!  I’m the one who’s here, me! Terran Kamina”

Those closest to me astonished, “Heh!?”

Continuing I said, “And this is my way, starting here!”

Ling, though he is a little puzzled, raises his hand and announces the start of the match. It’s a signal to my new beginning. “Aah, is it okay now? Right, then the first match of the first round! Start!”

Here he comes! He immediately pulls the sword out of the sheath. “If only you would reflect on things a little, this is truly. Unforgivable! Enough! Terran, at least with this blow!”

A Bastard Sword. It can be swung either with one hand or both hands depending on the situation. Reval, who is not adept at magic, is a man who pursues only pure swordsmanship, not a sword that emphasizes destructive power like a Magic Sword. He kicked the ground with strength, and jumped a step to be in front of me.

I react to the movement, “Fast… I guess.”

He jumped in front of me as soon as it started and swung down at my shoulder from above. I backstep only half a step to avoid it.

However, he reacted to my movement, immediately changing the trajectory of the sword and turned the swing into a thrust.

The sharply changed trajectory of the sword aims at my left flank. Here, I evaded sideways by a hair’s breadth.

While evading to the side, I noticed Rebal’s head is defenseless. Oh, I could get three left-handed flicker shots in. But for the time being, let’s just get around that.

I said to myself, “My eyes are getting much better, very responsive.”

It seems Reval and the blood that had gone to his head have settled a little. You didn’t expect me to avoid the sword twice. His eyes are returning to their original shade with some astonishment. For now, I’ll take a little distance and wait.

Really, my father should not be surprised yet, not with this level. Yet he reacted aloud, but that’s fine. What is surprising is yet to come.

Reval seems a little more serious this time. “You are a bit capable, but if that’s the case, I’ll beat you up with a high-speed barrage you can’t avoid.”

Like with the two previous shots, I don’t put any strength in my shoulders.

Staying loose, and with a smooth stance, he once again jumps at me with a powerful step.

Reval cried out his attack, “Imperial Sword • Blooming Blade Profusion!!!!”

The sword glows as if the flash ran. From above, to the shoulders, from the side, from the bottom, a barrage from every angle. The crowd roared, and my parents and the emperor were amazed.

“Oh, that Reval, to have mastered that at his age!”

“Hey, Terran, retreat! If you receive that, it won’t end well!”

“He’s a terrifying natural talent Rebal. It’s complete as a technique.”

I’m surprised, too. It’s not much, but it’s a technique I could never bring out when I was imitating my father’s Magic Sword. This is the most difficult barrage technique in the Imperial Style swordplay.

I spend time reading the movements, “Top, Bottom, Middle, Right, Left, Right…”

Reval determined, “I won’t miss, Terran!”

Surprised. I avoided it, I didn’t feel the need to retreat. I mean, I’ve already seen through this technique. The crowd reacts in amazement.

“Oooooh, amazing, that Reval!”

“Oh, even Intermediate Warriors can’t use it, Blooming Blade Profusion!”

“Then, Terran is finished…”

“Oh, regrettable, thought he’d last a bit longer!”

Half-step down, bend slightly, repeating right and left… This is avoided by swaying the upper body. Every sword path, the next trajectory and Reval’s movements, the movement of the muscle and the line of sight can all be predicted as well. I know and react before I see.

Sadie can see it to, astonished by my ability to read the attack, "…… Li… ttle man…? Huh?"

As if it were precognition, I instantly see what Reval plans to do next. The moment I know, the brain-to-muscle command is performed instantly, and my body moves as the brain tells it to. Everything was as imagined and although the audience had been excited all along, they’re gradually feeling a little uncomfortable.

“Amazing, but the son of the great hero won’t leave with his limbs.”

“Ah. It’s only a matter of time.”

“It won’t be funny when it hits…”

My parents might have begun to notice.

“Ah… if I it hits… Wha-?”

“Oh… the attacks aren’t hitting. So…?”

“Really… N-No way… he saw through everything? That sword of Reval’s?”

“This is…”

Both the princess and Poh are puzzled.

Uriko said, “Wh-What’s going on?”

Poh shocked, “It can’t be… th-this is…”

Or rather, in the middle of a serious match, how do I even understand the reaction of the people around me? Am I getting distracted? No, that’s not it. My senses are sharpened and now I know that everything around me is within reach. Not only Reval, but also the flow of the wind, the voices and reactions of the audience, and my parents.

Enuma is laughing happily, "Fuhahahahaha, it is only natural."

That’s right. I can probably reach out for the sword’s path, grab it, and stop it.

Enuma said, "For the last two months, who do you think you have been sparring with? The movement of the former Sword Saint was traced, and the sparring exercise performed, and on occasion swung to the most powerful swordsmanship of the demon world, Heavenly Demon Sword Style. For a boy who has become slightly accustomed to my movements. This prodigy is mere child’s play, hold and then observe."

Enuma declared, "Now, it is time to show him your attack. The power of your left. And prove it! Those who control the left will control the spiritual realm of Demon World!"

Now I can do anything! I educate Reval who is puzzled by this situation the most in front of me. “I’ll enlighten you now, Reval! What you guys never knew, I’m me!”

“Wh-What? Wh-What’s the meaning of this? Terran… You are-”

Here we go!