Chapter 142
What appears to be an ordinary move actually carries the ferocity of a fatal blow, perfectly complementing the darkness hidden deep within the girl's heart. It is precisely because of the high degree of harmony between the two that her swordsmanship has improved considerably during this period.
In the darkness, a ray of light suddenly burst forth, as if to cut through the curtain of rain before them.
Facing the female swordsman who approached under the moonlight, the man standing firmly in place remained calm and composed, casually parrying the attack with one hand on the umbrella handle, intercepting the deadly sword slashing diagonally.
"Ah?"
Busujima Saeko was not surprised that the man in front of her could see through her sword technique, after all, this sword technique was originally taught to her by him, not to mention that he was at a level that could be described as divine in swordsmanship.
To her surprise, the umbrella remained completely undamaged after clashing with the sharp longsword.
'Could it be that my power was drained due to exquisite control...? No, absolutely not! No matter how exquisite the control of power, it is still subject to the laws of physics!'
Such a thought flashed through her mind.
The next second, she switched sword techniques, flicked her wrist, and thrust at her opponent's chest at an odd angle.
Another deadly move!
Since it is named 'Deadly', it is naturally designed to kill with every move.
"Not enough, not enough!"
"Busujima Senpai, your progress is indeed encouraging, but it's not quite satisfactory. Clearly, you haven't fully committed yourself to it yet..."
"Release yourself! Unleash your true self!"
With a casual flick of his Hasegawa Izumi, as if water were flowing, the attack vanished without a trace, and amidst the continuous parries, he spoke loudly.
The two passed each other.
Busujima Saeko knew in her heart that after learning the 'Thirteen Sword Techniques to Steal Life,' her other side had become one with the sword.
In other words, she can only unleash the true power of this sword technique when she unleashes her true nature without any concealment!
"My lord, I'm going to go."
Like the chilling sound of a cold wind suddenly breaking through the wind and rain.
Turning around again, the girl's expression was as if a ghost had descended.
How could 33 people possibly unleash something like Sword Qi?
Blood stained the area crimson.
The world before my eyes changed color in the blink of an eye.
Using the techniques from the 'Thirteen Sword Techniques to Steal Life,' Busujima Saeko unleashed her hidden killing intent. Suddenly, her Blood Qi surged, instantly filling her eyes. The red blood vessels in the whites of her eyes turned crimson from the congestion, and the ferocity emanating from her body was completely different from before.
This transformation-like state immediately astonished the spectators.
"There's even a second stage? This Busujima Senpai is no ordinary person!"
"Compared to before, Busujima Senpai's strength has increased significantly, even exceeding my expectations."
"Even just now, it was already difficult to catch her movements with my spiritual eyes activated. If she could become even stronger..."
"It's nothing special. It's just that we haven't been training for long enough. The gap has narrowed a lot compared to before, and she definitely received help from the Club President."
Seeing the gap between them, the girls were surprised, but none of them were discouraged; instead, they were full of fighting spirit.
"Very well, then let me amaze you!"
Hasegawa Izumi also witnessed the other's transformation, and a smirk appeared on her lips, revealing a hint of schadenfreude.
The seeds planted back then are finally beginning to blossom.
However, reaping abundant fruit is not so easy.
Busujima Saeko raised her sword to the sky, abandoning all superfluous thoughts in that moment. Her gaze focused on one point, pure and focused, with only the sword in her hand as the object she could entrust with her life.
"Sword Five"
She murmured softly and rushed toward the figure that was still clearly visible in the rainy night.
The girl's wrist flicked, and the sword danced like a blooming crimson rose.
In the seemingly complex swordplay, only one strike is the true killing move.
A deadly intent lies hidden within the beautiful sword techniques.
A beautiful sword, and a beautiful person.
With a blink of an eye, Hasegawa Izumi's azure eyes, clear as day, revealed the changes in the sword technique.
He did not choose to overpower others with force, but instead moved the tip of the umbrella forward slightly, precisely intercepting the moment when the sword stance was about to change.
"Clatter."
This was a brilliant counterattack.
This is enough to astound any master swordsman in the world.
However, the female swordsman in front of them was not among them.
Busujima Saeko stared intently, her expression cold, as if she had anticipated this turn of events. The instant the tip of her umbrella touched the blade of her sword, she immediately used the momentum to retreat. After her feet touched the ground, she twisted her body and flew away, sword and all.
The smooth, sharp blade sliced through the rain, still aiming for the neck, a vital part of the body.
"Good."
Hasegawa Izumi gave a thumbs-up, without moving an inch, as the long, upright umbrella was already positioned in front of her neck.
When receiving the sword, he did not use force to overpower others, but instead displayed a higher level of swordsmanship.
In her current state Busujima Saeko has reached a level of 'Unity of Person and Blade', and it is already extremely profound.
He understood that it was time to demonstrate an even higher level of skill.
This is the only way to guide the girl in the right direction.
"Sword Nine"
With no time to lose, Busujima Saeko, without being forced back, immediately continued her attack, gripping the hilt of her sword with both hands and raising it high.
Nine is the ultimate number. The ninth sword in the Thirteen Sword Techniques to Steal Life is a killing move of immense power, an extremely rare slashing technique.
She had already tested this move and found it could easily split a rock in two. If it were used on an ordinary person, it would likely split them in two as well.
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a loud noise!
A bolt of lightning struck from afar, illuminating the night for a fleeting moment. At that moment, the purple-haired beauty resembled an executioner, mercilessly raising her blade to strike.
Hasegawa Izumi simply handed over the umbrella; the whole action looked quite ordinary, and the force was not overwhelming, giving the impression of a futile attempt to break a rock.
However, in the next instant, Busujima Saeko's expression changed drastically. She inexplicably felt a chill run down her spine, as if a sword were held to her neck. Her mind, which had been immersed in Bloodlust, was stimulated and she couldn't help but awaken.
She immediately retreated ten meters away, looked down at her right hand holding the sword, and it seemed no different from before.
Mingming, she felt like her hand was about to be severed!
"To pursue the essence of the sword and infuse it with one's own will—that is called... sword intent!"
With her right hand behind her back, the Hasegawa Izumi draped diagonally behind her like a sword, she slowly leaned forward and spoke leisurely.
"Sword... intent?"
Busujima Saeko muttered something to herself, her eyes filled with utter confusion.
Does this mean giving the sword its own will?
This profound and mysterious realm is clearly a level above 'Unity of Person and Blade,' which led to a misunderstanding on her part.
"You should experience it for yourself."
Hasegawa Izumi smiled.
Memories etched into our being often carry more weight than words.
Furthermore, when the human body is attacked, it usually produces antibodies to defend itself, and the same applies to the understanding of sword intent.
"Sword Eleven!"
Busujima Saeko rallied, still in a furious, high-powered state, but her eyes now held a more human, emotional quality.
She moved with sword-like steps, charging forward like a cheetah, slashing sideways and leaving a dazzling, breathtaking trail in the night.
"Only by reaching the pinnacle of emotion can one reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship... If you wish to pursue the essence of the sword, you must find your own reason for wielding it."
While parrying the attack and then striking back, Hasegawa Izumi calmly explained his methods and experiences in comprehending sword intent.
Not only Busujima Saeko in the arena, but the girls watching from the sidelines also secretly took note.
Although they have no interest in becoming sword-wielding masters, at least they have some idea of what to expect if they encounter such opponents in the future.
"Sword Twelve!"
Busujima Saeko continued her sword strikes without pause.
The sword struck the umbrella again.
The same illusion of being cleaved over washed over her again, leaving her momentarily stunned and bewildered.
This made her realize that if she encountered a swordsman who had comprehended the essence of swordsmanship, she would probably have a hard time resisting him.
It's fair to say they're not even on the same level!
"I understand now. It's not the sword that generates the will, but rather the person wielding the sword who needs to uphold their own will..."
After several rounds of practice, a sense of understanding appeared in her eyes.
If the state of Unity of Person and Blade is to bring the sword in one's hand to life, making it a complete extension of one's own hands and feet, then "sword intent" is to integrate and transform one's own will, thereby unleashing a magical power.
"This is unbelievable...! Swordsmanship can actually reach such a level? Is that really something a human can do?"
Even after thinking it through, she still couldn't believe it.
This had a transformative effect on her worldview.
However, what happened next completely changed her perception of the world.
"You're nearing your limit; this training session should end now."
Hasegawa Izumi had figured out her stamina during the battle, so she was able to make a judgment.
Is it over yet?
Busujima Saeko wore an expression that suggested she hadn't had enough.
"You've already experienced sword intent, Senior. Although I feel you have an advantage in this area, comprehending it is by no means easy. So, let me first let you experience something that doesn't belong to the realm of swordsmanship, but is still part of it."
He continued.
"What is it?"
She eagerly awaited it.
"Sword Qi"
He uttered two words.
"How could a human possibly unleash something like Sword Qi?!"
Her expression was one of disbelief.
Human beings have limitations; such ethereal and unattainable things are impossible to achieve.
Busujima Saeko comes from a renowned family of swordsmen, and it is precisely because she is an expert that she is even more suspicious.
"Just as a fountain's height will never exceed its source, a swordsman's limit will never exceed the belief in his heart... Busujima Senpai, when you believe you have a limit, then you have truly reached your own limit."
At that moment, Hasegawa Izumi's voice had a deafening quality, jolting her awake from her state of self-doubt.
"Next, it's the final move."
Busujima Saeko temporarily set aside her conflicted thoughts and focused all her attention on the final move.
Originally, she thought of herself as a sinful person, a complete pervert, but the appearance of Hasegawa-kun changed everything, allowing her to truly understand herself.
If she could, whether it was becoming his apprentice, his lover, or something else... she wanted to pursue this incredible man before her.
There's also the physical training I've done over this period, the swordsmanship I've learned, the style I've honed, and the improvisational imagination I've developed...
She wanted to convey all of this to him.