Chapter 89.3 - The First Year at the Academy - End of the Year (3)
Concentrating my consciousness, I also ready my sword.
Harvis slowly exhales—casually stepping forward.
His initial move is a thrust—no!
Instinctively, I arch my body backward to avoid the growling blade.
This is [Spiral Water]? A spear skill!?
Harvis's sword, still in its rotational motion, transitions into [Hard Blow].
I leap to dodge, but [Shield Bash] follows like a flowing river.
The edge grazes my cheek, and when I regain my posture, it's a [Double Strike] from both sides.
I block one with my sword and catch the other with my arm.
Without time to groan in pain, it's [Piercing].
Swords and spears no longer matter.
Attack skills we possess are unleashed one after another.
Whether it's reckless activation due to skill modifiers or the result of training, Halvis continues to swing his sword fluidly.
I abandon counterattacks and focus solely on evading, but even that is not permitted.
Pain courses through my body, and dodging fatal blows is all I can manage.
When will this end?
And it's [Flowing Circular Sword Dance] now!?
"Is this a challenge!?"
The intense sound of impacts resonates through the training ground.
My [Power Strike] is deflected by [Power Strike], yet Harvis shows no signs of stopping.
I parry the initial strike of [Double Strike] with the initial strike of my [Double Strike] and retaliate.
Another round of striking sounds.
Halvis ceases the dance and retreats from the sword's reach.
I'm left dumbfounded, looking at the broken sword again.
Twice in one sparring session. First with an unfamiliar two-handed sword and now with a superior one-handed sword.
I realize Harvis was gesturing to me, still not satisfied.
I return the broken sword to its rack and pick up another wooden sword.
In the meantime, Elphemia approaches me.
"You're quite skilled, aren't you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Deflecting skills with skills."
She seems oddly triumphant.
"Isn't that how you feel?"
With a new wooden sword in hand, Harvis speaks up.
"Would you mind taking this seriously?"
"I'm taking it seriously."
"That can't be."
For a moment, a chill runs through his eyes.
Is he a little angry?
He mentioned one year ago when someone asked him to take it seriously, and he suffered for it.
"That's interesting. Will I end up the same way?"
"Who knows?"
I remember how skeptical Roland was back during the Eras Rhino incident.
When you reach their level, it's easy to detect such things.
Well, it's better than [Multiple Chanting].
That would have caused quite a commotion. Especially around Lapnas.
"Harvis-san, I have a special skill. It only lasts for a moment, but I can achieve astonishing speed. The skill's name is a secret."
It's quite understated compared to your fancy-sounding skills.
Facing each other again, I declare.
"Okay, let's go."
Whether he believes my lie or not, it doesn't matter.
Either way, it'll be over in an instant.
I activate [High-speed Movement].
My target is his torso.
If I keep the power in check, I shouldn't cause any injuries.
In the slowed-down world, I ready my sword and prepared to step forward.
But at that moment, I hesitated.
Halvis's expression moved slowly, and it was one of astonishment.
Just with this little trick, he saw through my speed?
I see. Until now, I've only used [High-speed Movement] against monsters. Even if he can read my minimal movements, he can't read my expressions.
Timing the activation wrong would make it obvious to skilled individuals.
Just knowing this is valuable.
But my actions and the outcome remain the same.
I adjust my stance and kick the ground.
Harvis moves gracefully, and we cross paths with a single slash.
I stand still and lower my gaze to my sword.
What was that just now?
"My defeat."
When I look back, Harvis is wearing a sheepish smile.
"I couldn't help it. I used magic."
That hard sensation just now, [Stone Coat], right?
I'm rather impressed. To activate it in less than a second.
"I was surprised. You managed to react just in time."
"It was just luck. I thought you might make the same move as during the goblin incident."
It wasn't luck. He read me completely.
With techniques like [Flowing Circular Sword Dance], this person and I have vastly different experiences in personal combat.
Harvis sets his sword and shield aside and extends his hand.
"Thank you. If I hadn't met you, I might have graduated while still thinking I was strong."
"Thank you too. It was a very valuable experience."
I shake his hand in return.
As we congratulate each other on our efforts, the spectators watch us with dumbfounded expressions, except for Elphemia.
"Can you tell me one thing?"
I turn my gaze back to Harvis's voice.
"What did you mean by that challenge earlier?"
"Ah…"
Unexpected question, and I stumbled over my words.
To my surprise, Elphemia answered for me.
Ignoring the frozen Lambert and the others, Elphemia dug into my embarrassment.
Listening to the story, Halvis bursts into laughter.
"I see, that's why [Flowing Circular Sword Dance]…"
Perhaps delighted by my reaction, Elphemia starts a light demonstration.
I'm not that clumsy, and it's a bit annoying and somewhat endearing. Even though we're doing the same thing.
Unable to contain himself, Harvis bursts into laughter, and the enthusiastic Elphemia continues.
"In yesterday's test…"
Feeling my embarrassment rise with my body temperature, I'm filled with contentment.
My year in Selene was filled with many experiences, goodbyes, and encounters.
I believe I've grown as a person.
And now, it ends with a battle against the strongest in the academy. There couldn't be a better way to conclude this journey.
So, let's stop now. I'm sorry for always holding you back.
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