Chapter 78
"But as your best friend!"
"The agreement has not been fulfilled yet!"
"So... don't fall down, stay where you are!"
Chapter 78: Stepping Through That Door!
"Shall we be friends?"
In my memory, she blinked her clear, azure eyes, like a spring, and reached out her hand to me.
When I reached out and took your hand, you gave me a happy smile.
Seeing your smile makes me so happy!
Because you're the first one!
He gave me this smile.
"Because his smile gave you a new lease on life, but..."
——
"Drink--!"
I brandished the wooden knife in my hand, and my arm had been aching for a long time.
I glanced at my arm, which was dark red and swollen.
Watching you continue your hard work, sweat was already streaming down your forehead, and your training clothes were soaked.
Despite being a genius, you work even harder than the average person.
I want to get closer to you!
The following day...
You said this to me as you sat on the grass resting after training.
"Ikki, do you know about the KOK World Alliance Competition?..."
I know...
That's the arena for the world's most powerful and elite Blazer...
"Where shall we go for a fight someday?"
"How?"
I slowly opened my eyes wide.
You made a fist with one hand, extended it towards me, and said.
"You can't lose to anyone else before you get to that stage!"
You grinned.
"Because you must be defeated by me!"
I raised my fist, and we pressed our fists together, signifying our agreement.
"But... this promise has led you down this lonely, painful, and unbearable 'Path of Asura'."
——
"Drink... drink..."
Standing alone in the deserted, silent back mountain, even with his arm aching and his palms bleeding, staining the hilt of the sword... he continued to swing the wooden sword...
There was no one to teach them... they could only secretly hide and watch the other children of the same age practice.
That's why no one was willing to teach me...
Only you...
As I pondered for a long time how I could defeat my formidable foe.
You have told me your most powerful Blade Dance Technique.
"Thousand Stars"
Looking at you, surrounded by Star Mist Shadow, my eyes sparkled.
"This is my strongest technique!"
"A technique that unleashes all the magic power within me, greatly enhancing my strength and speed!"
Your "Thousand Stars" gave me the answer.
Yes...
For someone as weak as me to defeat an opponent, the only option is to go all out!
Just one minute!
Give it your all!
Forced concentration of magic and physical strength!
And then amplify it several times over, unleashing its full power!
"One Blade Asura"
That's my answer.
Later, I inadvertently mentioned that no one was willing to teach me.
You blinked.
"I'll teach you!"
Many of the moves in my Seven Secret Swords have your influence and guidance.
"First Secret Sword - Rhinoceros Strike"
This corresponds to your "Soaring Eagle".
"Second Secret Sword - Armor Break"
The sword's inch punch learned from your Inch-Punch Style.
"Fourth Secret Sword - Mirage Wolf"
This corresponds to your "instantaneous teleportation".
"But it's still 'fakery,' isn't it?"
"Isn't it a fact that 'One Blade Asura' can never compare to 'Thousand Stars'?"
"Like now..."
"So, wouldn't it be better to just stop...?"
"Haven't you already started to doubt yourself?"
"Was embarking on this path the right choice?"
"Just give up now."
"It's better to end things sooner rather than continue suffering like this."
——
A glint of color appeared in his empty eyes.
The dark red curtain blocked half of his vision.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh-!"
A hissing sound came from his dry, sore throat.
He struggled to his feet, swaying precariously.
His swaying body seemed to tell others that he could collapse at any moment.
With trembling hands, he pulled the Yin Iron out of the ground.
Hold the Yin Iron with both hands and place it at your sides.
The trembling in his hands was transmitted to the Yin Iron.
A faint, soft trembling sound of a knife rang out.
Her empty eyes stared at Luo Mio.
In a daze, it felt as if he wasn't looking at Luo Mio, but at a phantom that looked just like himself.
Yes... for someone as meaningless as me... perhaps disappearing is the best choice for me.
But...
(How about we go somewhere to have a match next time?)
"So... don't fall down, stay where you are!"
The agreement hasn't been fulfilled yet, how could I possibly stop here!
Grit your teeth!
Then, using every last bit of strength, take a step forward!
Pain, pain, pain...
Ignoring the fact that his body had reached its limit, he forced himself to swing the Yin Iron, and the pain was deeply etched into his brain.
"Stop! Your body has reached its limit!"
So what if it's a limit!
He is Miohua's best friend! The only one she acknowledges! And the one she wants to defeat with all her might!
What I can give him...
The answer lies in my single strike!
Not enough stamina?
It's like squeezing every last drop out of your body, like a sponge!
Blood!
And life!
Not enough magic?
Then let it burn!
I will turn my heart and soul into fuel!
I just want to...
(See that? That's an A-Rank Knight!)
(I'm so envious. I wish I could be an A-level student too.)
... Looking at Luo Mio, a genius A-Rank Knight.
He could only approach him by embarking on the "Path of Asura".
F-grade... and A-grade.
An emotion that welled up from the bottom of one's heart.
... just want
... just want
I just want to!
"One Blade Asura!"
A demon who dedicates his entire life to a promise, embarking on a path solely to unleash a single, powerful strike!
Stand with him at the top of the world!
In a dazed vision, he stood in the darkness of the shadows, like an abyss, while Luo Mio stood in the radiant light.