Read Novel Full Chapter 536: Spar with the Sword Genius? [2]
Chapter 536: Spar with the Sword Genius? [2]
A storm of clashing swords formed within the centre of the training ground, rapidly gaining not only in speed but in force.
CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.
In the past, Lillian was no match against the Sword Genius, even being taught how to better her stance mid-fight by him. Back then, her strength, skill, speed, and dexterity were lacking.
But now?
CLANG!
With her rise to Tier 3, she was able to close some of those gaps. And Kuro knew that too; thus, he had begun to step up his game a little.
Lillian swung her sword overhead and was instantly parried by Kuro, who then spun on his heel with rapid momentum, transferring the force from Lillian’s attack to fuel a flowing stream of slashes.
The Rabbit stepped back, parrying the Sword Genius’s slashes that continuously flowed into another with such utter elegance and rhythm that it left Lillian baffled.
No matter how many times Lillian parried, there was always another strike coming directly for her.
With Lillian’s speed and reaction time, on top of her [Parallel Thinking] from her earring, she was able to hold her own.
But.
CLANG!
There was a clear gap in skills between the two of them in the martial arts.
Since Kuro began to flow a stream of attacks, Lillian had been pushed back several metres away from where she previously stood.
SWISH!
Kuro slashed upwards—
CLANG!
—Colliding with Lillian’s sword and knocking her off balance.
The Rabbit widened her eyes, but quickly moved to regain herself.
Taking a step back, Lillian pushed herself forward and immediately retaliated with a slash.
However, the moment she slashed at Kuro...
She watched him dodge by taking a nonchalant step back. In any other situation, Lillian would have tried to follow up with her missed attack.
But, in this case, she raised her arms and sword in defence.
Kuro saw this and finished his retreat. And the moment he did, he uttered three words as mana pulsed out of him:
"[Flow Reversal Crush]..."
In an instant, Lillian was met with a phantom shockwave that knocked her back, destabilising her balance. She stumbled, but hurriedly managed to raise her sword as a crushing swing fell upon her.
CLANG!
Kuro’s crushing sword collided with her sword, the sound loud enough to be compared to a thunderclap.
This was the first technique of the Heavy Retreating Stream—his combat style that’s built upon purely for counter-attacks and constant pressure.
Pushing his sword against Lillian’s, Kuro hummed, impressed.
"You managed to defend that, even when I uttered my technique’s name? You truly have grown."
"Well... Hard to say... When we only fought once..." Lillian groaned, pushing back and throwing him off.
Kuro stepped back.
"I suppose you are right to some sense, if I were anybody else." Kuro lowered himself into a stance, "But when you have wielded the sword for as long as I have, your senses are prone to probing your opponent’s capabilities."
What followed next was a battle that lasted an entire 3 hours, leading to the accumulation of a few spectators that soon departed upon Lillian’s defeat—some staying a bit to admire Lillian’s ensnaring beauty one last time.
At this present time, the sky was now coloured with a warm golden hue.
Upon being disarmed, Lillian sighed as she watched her sword fall and clatter beside her.
Kuro sheathed his sword and shook his head at Lillian’s expression, "No need to feel so gloomy. Even if your physical body exceeds mine slightly, a savage brute will undoubtedly fall to a skilled swordsman."
"Did you just... Compare me to a savage brute?" Lillian’s face twitched, having not expected such a response.
The Sword Genius blinked at the Rabbit before shrugging, "It’s but an example, if you feel like comparing yourself to the savage brute may improve yourself, then please do so."
Mizuki, who was enjoying the spar from the bench, waved his hand as he yelled, "He’s always says stuff like that, don’t worry! Don’t take it to heart... Or uh, do, if you want to improve yourself like he said!"
Lillian nodded at the Scion of the Kirisaya Family and watched as Kuro returned her sword to her.
"Although I must say, you lasted far longer than I was expecting, even if I was taking a bit easy on you." Kuro praised, ignorant of how his words may come off as arrogant. "It was almost like you were intentionally trying to extend the length of the spar."
Lillian smiled wryly at Kuro’s theory.
’He managed to deduce that...?’
He was spot on.
In the game, the player would only ever spar with Kuro to raise his favouritism/affection metre—eventually, leading to him being "romanced".
But Lillian wasn’t looking to achieve that one bit, well, besides gaining a small amount of his respect. Instead, other than testing her swordsmanship, she had another goal in mind.
The Regular’s Last Grasp, otherwise known as her black gauntlets, allowed her to copy the combat style of those she had fought in the past; granted, it only works if that targeted person had shown their technique to her.
Marionette’s case was different, as while she hadn’t really shown Lillian any of her techniques, the Rabbit managed to piece together the Assassin’s using her memory of the game, which surprisingly worked.
Since Kuro’s combat style was an excellent addition to her repertoire, there was no reason not to try to "steal" some of his techniques.
’Unfortunately, I only managed to see 6 out of the 13 techniqes of the Heavy Retreating Stream...’
In theory, Lillian could try to piece together Kuro’s techniques together from memory, but unlike with Marionette, she didn’t remember them very well...
Lillian sighed internally.
’Well, I’m only human after all... A mage, but human nonetheless.’
The Rabbit watched as Kuro went up to the Scion, finding the Sword Genius not even out of breath or sweaty. He really was taking it easy on her!
’I know I’m not that good, but I’m still a Tier 3...’ Lillian was in awe of Kuro’s endurance, as well as talent for the sword. ’But I guess he does have that Trait, after all...’