Chapter 145

"Boom!"

Luo Mio slammed her right fist into the stage, and spiderweb-like cracks spread outwards from the point of impact.

"Azure Dragon Emerges from Water - Inch Power - Rock Breaker!"

Seeing Luo Mio's attack, Amagiri Ayato, who had dodged and created distance, broke out in a cold sweat.

If Luo Mio's attack had struck his body, even with the protection of the Stellar Power, he would probably have been sent flying.

"Bloom! 'Glorious Rending Flame Claw Blossom'!"

Yurith's voice rang out.

Five pillars of fire erupted from the ground where Luo Mio was standing, forming a fist-like shape that surrounded her from the outside in, the scorching flames enveloping Luo Mio completely.

Looking at the raging flames surrounding her, Luo Mio lowered her body, gathered her right hand in front of her abdomen to build up strength, and placed her left hand against her chest.

With a powerful push from the left foot, he punched his right fist upwards.

"Azure Dragon Emerges from Water - Inch Power · Cloud Mist!"

"Whoosh!"

A cracking sound rang out in mid-air, and a strong gust of wind shattered the five pillars of fire.

"The Transmission of the 'Amagiri Tatsumei Style' Sword Technique— Fourth Prayer Bee!"

With lightning speed, Amagiri Ayato circled outwards, twisting his wrist, before thrusting the "Black Furnace Demon Sword" with one hand towards Luo Mio in mid-air.

Seeing this, Luo Mio twisted her body, stretched out her left leg, and used the momentum to sweep it downwards heavily.

"Striking Iron - Phoenix Dive Kick!"

"Clang!"

Amagiri Ayato was knocked back several meters by the force of Luo Mio's inertia.

Luo Mio looked at Amagiri Ayato, feeling the residual heat and high temperature coming from her toes, and frowned slightly.

Even with enhanced magical defense, can it be completely ignored...?

"Bloom! 'Dragon Devouring Flame Flower'!"

Looking over, Luo Mio saw Yurith holding the "Wreath Sword" and drawing a circular Magic Circle towards Luo Mio.

Then flames burst forth, transforming into a giant fire dragon that flew towards Luo Mio.

Looking at the enormous fire dragon, Luo Mio couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

In an instant, an image flashed in my mind: a woman wielding a golden greatsword, her crimson hair tied in twin ponytails like a red lotus, wielding a dragon sword that had transformed into a blazing light.

While Luo Mio was still in a daze, the huge fire dragon had already flown up to Luo Mio.

The scorching heat rushed towards Luo Mio.

Starlight Mist, the Sun Chasing Radiance, Moon Shattering Silver Light... the three colors instantly appeared on Luo Mio's left arm, swirling and converging.

With his left fist surrounded by three colors, a powerful gust of wind whistled as he slammed into the giant fire dragon.

"Thousand Stars Sun Moon - Soaring Eagle!"

The three-colored fist made contact with the giant fire dragon at the very moment.

Yurith's blue eyes lit up, and she stretched out her left hand, palm up, towards Luo Mio, and then grasped it tightly.

"Explode!"

The enormous fire dragon exploded with a roar, transforming into a massive spherical fireball that engulfed Luo Mio.

Luo Mio's eyes darted around, and her arm moved slightly. The left fist that was originally thrown straight out was deflected to the right and turned into a swinging punch.

The next moment, the three colors, accompanied by a strong gale, blew away the huge fireball.

Upon seeing this, Yurith exclaimed in astonishment, "Really...?"

At this moment, Luo Mio's azure eyes were fixed on Yurith.

Upon noticing Luo Mio's gaze, Yurith instantly raised her "Wreath Sword," wary of Luo Mio.

"Yurith!"

Amagiri Ayato's voice rang in her ears.

"!"

Suddenly, Luo Mio, who had been some distance away from her, appeared right in front of her.

In desperation, Yurith swung her "Wreath Sword".

A shield of flames appeared before her.

"Bloom, Great Crimson Heart Flame Shield!"

"Clang!"

Just as Luo Mio was blocked by the "Great Crimson Heart Flame Shield", Yurith gathered and burst forth with Stellar Power at her feet, and then quickly distanced herself from Luo Mio.

Upon witnessing this scene, Yanase Miko, the commentator, exclaimed in surprise, "What a close call! The instant Luo Mio was blocked, Yurith quickly distanced herself from Luo Mio."

"But what exactly happened to Yurith? Why did she seem to be spacing out just now?"

Ha?

Upon hearing the sound from the live broadcast, Yurith frowned in surprise.

Am I spacing out...?!

Even though my eyes never left him...

How could I possibly be spacing out?

Yurith gritted her teeth and swung her arm.

Then, several wings of flame unfurled from Yurith's back, and her figure slowly rose upwards.

Her blue eyes watched Luo Mio and Amagiri Ayato's battle.

If it weren't for Amagiri Ayato's warning, her school badge would have been destroyed by now.

Could it be... a special ability...?

——

In the VIP box of the Star Academy.

Sasamiya Saya frowned and looked at Yurith.

"What is Lisfeit doing...?"

Kato Kirin watched Luo Mio's figure, lost in thought.

"Could it be that Senior Luo Mio used some kind of ability...?"

Seeing the puzzled Kato Kirin, who had rushed over from home, explained to her, "What you just used was a technique called 'Drawing Foot,' a skill that combines breathing techniques and footwork from ancient martial arts."

"Drawing Foot?"

Kong nodded, looking at the figures in the arena, and said, "'Drawing Foot' is a technique that uses special breathing and footwork to slip one's presence into the opponent's 'subconscious.'"

"The effect is just like before; even though their eyes are fixed on him, they can't detect him."

"Sister Yurith's eyes and brain did capture Brother's actions, but her consciousness categorized them as unnecessary information, so she couldn't identify them and ignored them."

Claudia was also taken aback when she heard Kong's explanation.

"A technique that slips into someone's subconscious..."

In the arena, Luo Mio slightly tilted her head, dodging Amagiri Ayato's slash.

He then spun around, extended his right leg, and lunged at Amagiri Ayato.

"Clang!"

Amagiri Ayato, who had blocked Luo Mio's leg strike, suddenly saw Luo Mio's left leg appear in his field of vision.

"A Thousand Stars, Egret Under the Moon"!

Amagiri Ayato her tongue in disapproval.

Unable to withdraw the "Black Furnace Demon Sword" defense in time, they could only gather the Stellar Power to form a small barrier.

"Bloom! Six-Petal Exploding Flame Flower!"

A huge flame flew towards Luo Mio like a burst of fire.

Seeing the scorching flames being released, Luo Mio moved her body to avoid them.

"Um?"

Having dodged the attack and regained her balance, Luo Mio seemed to sense something and looked around.

He was standing right in the center of the competition stage.

This location...

At the very next moment, Yurith's voice rang out.

Yurith's red sword tip, "Wreath Sword," was pointed at Luo Mio.

"Bloom! 'Great Wheel Burst Radiance'!"

A massive Magic Circle, approximately 20 meters in diameter, appeared beneath Luo Mio's feet.

Is it inducement...?

Just as Luo Mio was looking at the giant Magic Circle.

"—Second Round Open!"

Yurith's voice rang out again.

Luo Mio's gaze suddenly dimmed and turned crimson.

Look up.

Above Luo Mio, Magic Circle as large as the one beneath her feet appeared in the air.

Then, from the huge Magic Circle beneath her feet and above her, scorching flames surrounded Luo Mio like a wall of fire, making it impossible for her to get through.

The scorching flames surged towards Luo Mio like a waterfall.

As she watched the approaching flames, Luo Mio's lips slowly curled into a smile.

Not far away, Amagiri Ayato watched Luo Mio's figure in the burning flames.

At that moment, Amagiri Ayato's eyes suddenly narrowed.

Unbeknownst to him, Luo Mio's illusory figure flickered in the flames, holding a katana that was entirely black, like a raven's feather.

"!"

Amagiri Ayato was immediately startled.

Could it be...?!

"Yurith!" Amagiri Ayato roared.

Upon hearing his shouts, Yurith immediately became alert.

He swung the "Wreath Sword" horizontally.

"Bloom! 'Isolated Red Umbrella Flower'!"

"——" Heavy Wave Flame Phoenix Flower "!"

As the words fell, five-pointed petals appeared in front of Yurith, forming an umbrella shape like a burning flame, blocking her way.

Then, radiating outwards from itself, several layers of flames burst forth in waves.

Originally, the stage could cover nearly a third of the area, but in order to strengthen the defense, Yurith withdrew part of the coverage area and focused all the reinforcement on the defensive capabilities.

Amagiri Ayato also held the "Black Furnace Demon Sword," its tip pointed at Luo Mio, remaining constantly vigilant.

A short while later, just as the "Great Wheel Burst Radiance" collided and exploded violently, a bright golden light flashed at the center of the flames, followed by a clear thunderous sound that resounded throughout the entire stage.

In the ear—

The sound of the blade ringing out the instant it was drawn from its sheath rang out!