Volume 8 Chapter 6 The Perfect Amount Of Inability To Move
Once I put an end to my training with Tsukiko, she collapsed as if her legs gave way beneath her.
"Whoa!"
I support Tsukiko so she doesn't fall to the floor.
Her small body is radiating heat even through her clothes, and the sweat flowing down her like a waterfall tells the story of her concentration.
I've seen Tsukiko fight a few times before, but now that we're facing each other like this, it becomes clear.
Tsukiko is a genius.
The reason I can overwhelm her like this is because I have experience training and fighting in a world where magic, called Asteris, has thrived.
If Tsukiko had been born in Asteris, she would likely possess potential that rivals even Eris herself. She would be a magician capable of reaching the title of Sign and facing off against Lords head-on with magic.
As proof of that, she has achieved remarkable growth in less than an hour.
Could this be the reason Sharla is so invested...?
To be honest, I don't really want Tsukiko to get deeply involved in the God-Demon War. It's not really her concern, you know?
But now that we've come this far, it's my responsibility to strengthen our self-defense.
"How long are you going to keep staring at the sleeping lady's face?"
"Huh? No, wait, it's not what you think!"
"Don't deny it. Ever heard of tact?"
I quickly readjust Tsukiko, feeling a bit flustered. Hinata was giving me a look of exasperation. She's the one I have to take responsibility for, too.
"Sorry, Hinata. I'll leave Tsukiko in Kanami's care for a bit. Please get ready."
"That's fine, but don't do anything weird to sleeping Tsukiko-san, okay?"
"Who do you think I am? What do you take me for?"
Though I say that, truth be told, I can't help but feel my heart race from the sensation and warmth of Tsukiko in my arms. Is it really so wrong to steal a glimpse of her sleeping face? Is it...?
Hinata, her cheeks noticeably puffed, and Lisha, watching her with a wry smile, I hurriedly returned to the room, avoiding them. I left Tsukiko in Kanami's care.
Upon my return to the training room, Sanctuary had already been re-established, and Hinata was in the center, stretching.
No, she wasn't just Hinata anymore.
"Today, you're not like the scarecrow from the other day, right?"
Her hair dyed a cherry blossom color, cascading in waves. Her slender body had taken on a more feminine and well-rounded form, overflowing with magic power like a raging fire.
Noire Toare, the 'Lord Paranoize,' had versatile magic. It was an absurd ritual that materialized one's own desires.
Depending on her condition, she was one of the strongest Lords.
Feeling quite upbeat now, she was not an opponent to take lightly.
I activated 'My True Name' and stood before Noire.
"'Yeah, but I can't let Hinata get hurt. Noire, when the time comes, you'll protect Hinata.'"
"It's only natural. My body is practically the same. But more importantly, if you're easily defeated, it won't be a worthwhile training session, so do your best, okay?"
"'I'll handle it.'"
The moment I said that, Noire stepped forward.
Sanctuary groaned with each step, and particles of light fluttered down.
With her cherry-colored eyes, she peered closely at me.
One of the effects of 'Märchenmine (Young Maiden's Love) — Tonari (Side by Side)'. Her enhanced physical abilities are on par with mine.
Now, a barrage rained down upon me.
The wall of fists unleashed directly in front of me tries to engulf me.
"'Cress (Moon Blade)'"
With a circular slash, I can deflect them all at once.
But Noire's attacks won't be stopped at that level.
Just when I thought flames were engulfing the surroundings, kicks and punches kept flying at me from the other side without pause. If I try to fend them off and counterattack, 'Omori (Heavy Love)' makes my body feel heavy in inconvenient places.
She's indeed strong.
Hinata's body should have been the one, but I'm amazed by the fierce attack that doesn't make it seem so.
But it's a strange story.
I can see everything.
The flow of magic power, the movement of muscles, and Noire's breathing.
"Miss (Scorching My Body)──"
Noire, struggling to attack, tries to create an opening with a powerful blow.
I stepped in there.
Reflexively, she tries to counterattack, but her desperate blow only flounders.
I entangled it with my sword and pinned Noire to the floor.
The compressed flames burst and mix with gold and cherry blossoms.
"Huh, this──‼︎"
Noire tries to shake me off somehow from under my arm, but it's impossible. Our physical abilities are almost the same. The flames are also restrained by my magic power.
In this situation, I can't figure out what to do and can't move.
Noire struggled to free herself from the restraints for a while, but she either gave up or relaxed her strength.
"To push your junior like this, Senpai, you have such a hobby, huh?"
"'Stop imitating Hinata.'"
"That's what Yukari is saying."
"'Huh, for real?'"
I quickly released the restraints. Noire stood up, rubbing her arm.
"Well, pushing a lady down like that is quite uncalled for. I don't dislike it, but please follow the proper procedure."
"'Don't talk so sensitively about it every time'."
"Ugh, my chest hurts from being pushed around."
Noire said that and lifted her chest from below.
It's huge.
It's clearly different in mass from when it was Hinata's time. Is that also the effect of magic? I really want her to tell me.
"There's an opening."
Seizing the moment when my gaze was drawn to her chest, Noire thrust her piercing hand towards my face.
"'Too naive.'"
Avoiding it by tilting my head, I grabbed her slender wrist and threw her using it as a pivot.
Noire flew interestingly and landed on the ground.
Then she pouted.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"'What do you think?'"
"I can't accept being handled so easily."
"'Right now, it's Hinata's body. Rather impressive that you could move that much.'"
Noire puffed her cheeks like a hamster and said.
"My magic doesn't really matter in that sense. Even my original body was extravagant, right?"
"'Well, that's true, but...'"
"Yuusuke only started fighting recently. What's the reasoning behind it?"
No matter what reasoning she gives, I don't have much of a sense of it either.
For now, if it's Noire I'm up against, I'm in good shape enough to give her a good fight.
"'Well, shall we continue a little longer?'"
"I’ll definitely make you cry."
If I make her use up her energy here, she won't bother us unnecessarily for a while.
I slowly prepared my sword, closing the distance with Noire with all my strength.
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