Volume 6 Chapter 39 True Power
Tears fell down Shikin's cheeks as he stopped moving.
"'What did you do?'"
I called out to Yotsuji, who had moved closer to me. She now had cat ears on her head and two tails coming out from her waist.
Come to think of it, when I first met Yotsuji, Kanami said she wasn't just a human. So this is what she meant.
But isn't this too much for attributes? It's bound to cause indigestion.
The cat-eared Yotsuji answered with a face that looked like she could collapse any moment.
"Haa, haa... Shikin's magic was actually self-suggestion. By using suggestion to turn the training as the Way of the Immortal into training for his master, he integrated two things that shouldn't normally coexist into one magic."
"'Suggestion, you say? So what you did just now...'"
"I implanted 'Kotodama' to dispel the suggestion. If the suggestion is lifted, the coexistence of longevity and Mukyuuren (infinite forge) should no longer be possible."
I see. I somehow understood what Yotsuji was saying.
So she used suggestion to establish the changes in magic.
If that's the case, it's understandable that there is no presence of Spiritual Penetration Art (Shinrei). After all, Shikin himself didn't see his true self.
The true form of "Mukyuuren (Infinite Forge)" is something that has transformed into powerful magic over a thousand years, despite being distorted.
And I know what will happen to Shikin next.
The collapse of identity leads to a weakening of magic. Yes, just like how it was for me before fighting Larkan.
"...So it seems. I had sealed away my memories."
Shikin muttered.
I cannot affirm or deny it. That fact is surely something only Shikin can understand.
His tone remained the same, but I could clearly sense the abnormalities happening within. There was an unsettling undercurrent beneath his words.
And there is also red cracks that appeared on Shikin's skin.
Like fragile porcelain about to break, he, who was supposed to be the strongest, appeared fragile. The once invulnerable facade was crumbling, revealing the vulnerability within.
Now, Shikin looked at Yotsuji.
Yotsuji tensed up, but Shikin spoke calmly, his voice betraying none of the turmoil that was evident on his damaged skin.
"So you're called Senri. I'll thank you."
"Thank...?"
"If it weren't for your insight and courage, I would have lost this memory. Therefore, allow me to express my gratitude."
Yotsuji blinked her eyes.
I never expected him to say that. Even in this state, it seems that Shikin's thought process is beyond common sense.
However, his weakening is evident.
"'Shikin, shall we settle this now?'"
"No way. Although I can't continue training, for the sake of my master, it seems that I must defeat you here."
"'Are you able to fight with that body?'"
Shikin is in a state of imminent collapse. The longevity power that was honed by the "Way of Immortal" is being lost.
"Of course."
Shikin laughed and enveloped himself in magic power.
Immediately, his physical collapse stopped. Did he regenerate his body with 'Mukyuuren (infinite forge)' and prevent the collapse? Can such a thing still happen?
"For the sake of justice, I had forgotten the most important memory that should never be forgotten. You may laugh. After a long period of oblivion, I can no longer remember the name of the person who should have been the most important."
"'I won't laugh.'"
I don't know anything about him, but I understood it through our fight. Shikin is not someone who escapes from a cruel reality. In order to reach the hope that lies ahead, he might have deceived even his own soul.
And it was in that understanding that I couldn't help but reflect on myself. Taking advantage of being able to return to Earth, I continued to avert my gaze from my past in Asteris. The reason I can still stand up now is because there are people who affirm me.
As I thought so, with a cracked face, Shikin calmly continued.
"I see, you're a good guy, Yuusuke."
"'I'm sorry, but I cannot accept Shoshuu with you.'"
"You can rest assured, I don't think I'll be with another person now either."
Is that so?
Shikin slowly exhaled and nodded as if chewing on something with closed eyes.
"I will acknowledge my own weaknesses. However, I chose this path and I won't deny this long time. Through repeated training, I have gained only the strength to continue on, even if I try to change my purpose."
And then, he lifted his face.
Like a burden had been lifted, his straight gaze looked at me.
——Impressive.
If his individuality collapses and he can no longer maintain magic, Shikin would have to pay the debt of having deceived for a thousand years.
However, Shikin sustains the Mukyoren and keeps himself alive with its power. Even if it may be deceitful, the accumulated years are not a lie.
If I were to forget the names of the people I met, like Eris, Sharla, Kou, and Asteris, would I easily accept that it was a result of my own weakness? I might be devastated by my own incompetence and unable to stand.
But Shikin achieved what I, with the help of Lisha and Kanami, was able to do all by himself at the last minute.
Surely, his magic power wavers, and its stability is lost. However, it is filled with an unknown fear of transformation. I can definitely sense the presence of a holy spirit within the wavering.
I show you my respect, Shikin. I raise my left arm while moving forward, and then swing it down.
"Don't worry, I am here with all of you," I assure him.
Now, my red cape loses its form and flickers like flames, spreading throughout my body.
Silver is dyed crimson, and magic power trembles in joy.
From now on, I will truly fight Shikin. It is not a soulless puppet of suggestion, but rather the strongest man with a living spirit.
"'My true name - Flame Linker (Infinity Light).'"
Donning with a deep red cape, I casually stepped into Shikin's range.
Neither of us said a word.
We both infused our entire magic power and raised our swords and fists to crush each other.
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