I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [91]

A streak of gold suddenly tinted the silver curtain, setting off an alarm in Okita Souji's mind.

The curtain tore apart, and blazing golden lightning shot forth like a divine spear, skimming past Okita's waist with unstoppable force.

But she had no time to breathe a sigh of relief; the imposing figure, like a god of thunder, was already closing in.

The acrid scent filling her nose, the constant rumbling in her ears, the frenzied lightning snakes writhing before her eyes…none of it mattered.

The burning sensation on her waist where the lightning grazed her, the thrill of battle coursing through her veins, the admiration she felt for the enemy before her…none of it was important.

Her Mind's Eye kicked into full gear, as her opponent activated her own Eye of Perception to face her.

Lightning gathered along Touka Toudou's spirit armament, Raijin, and in the next instant, sword energy fused with golden lightning split the arena.

With a single step, Okita evaded the strike. A glance out of the corner of her eye revealed three crackling lightning snakes hot on her trail.

Just as the lightning struck, Okita ducked, her body flattening against the ground like a spider, while the lightning serpent zipped past her head.

Then came a brilliant flash.

The blinding lightning converged above her, and Touka Toudou raised her blade, bringing it down with the force to cleave a mountain.

Okita, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, stabbed backward with precision. Her sword struck the side of Raijin, destabilizing the concentrated lightning along the blade and skewing its path.

Surprise flashed across Touka Toudou's face. She quickly raised her arm, but almost simultaneously, a powerful kick landed against her hastily raised arm, sending her flying.

Using the momentum of the kick, Okita spun mid-air, landing gracefully on the ground. Touka Toudou, meanwhile, was sent skidding a fair distance across the arena, her feet carving long tracks.

The battle between them briefly halted.

"This… This is unbelievable! I can't see much, but the intensity is beyond words!"

The announcer seemed on the verge of losing his mind; naturally, anyone witnessing such a spectacular fight would be filled with fiery excitement.

"Amazing…"

Stella covered her mouth, stunned by the ferocity of the fight.

Kurogane Ikki remained silent, but his furrowed brow and tightly clenched fists resting on his knees spoke volumes.

He began to imagine—if he were the one standing in the arena, facing either of them as an opponent…

Win or lose aside, he'd surely find it exhilarating, wouldn't he?

After all, he could see it; the two warriors in the ring were both wearing the same kind of smile.

They took a deep breath, the dust-stirred, acrid air filling their lungs, but neither of them cared.

Their most trusted weapons were in their hands.

Their opponent was right before them.

No need for words—the outcome, their pride, everything would be decided in the next exchange!

They both readied their preferred fighting stances.

And then… Touka Toudou moved.

She suddenly executed a subtle footwork maneuver, closing in on Okita in a flash. Her blade slid from its sheath, aimed directly at Okita's neck.

Clang!

Steel clashed, lightning splashing so close that it illuminated Okita's face, as well as Touka Toudou's astonished expression.

"My Sundered Footstep… was countered?!"

"You're surprised, aren't you, junior?"

Saikyo Nene, who should have been at the broadcast booth, was somehow in the front row of the audience, folding her fan with a knowing smile. "But… the old man's tricks won't work on this opponent."

Though Okita had blocked Touka Toudou's attack, even she was surprised.

"I… zoned out?"

She'd drawn her sword just in time thanks to Mind's Eye, but for a moment, Touka Toudou's form had vanished from her sight.

No, that wasn't right.

"I… overlooked her on purpose?"

No time to dwell on it, as lightning surged from Touka Toudou's weapon.

The writhing lightning snake tried to slither along the point of contact up to Okita's body, but she quickly reacted, withdrawing ten meters and leaving only an afterimage.

Okita gripped her sword with her right hand and touched her cheek with her left.

The spot where the lightning had struck was tingling, but it wasn't injured.

"Oh right, I forgot I have Magic Resistance from fighting swordsmen for so long."

With Magic Resistance C, though not as exceptional as Baobhan Sith's EX-level, it was leagues above the E-level that Saber-class knights were granted as a bonus.

If she just charged in with Magic Resistance and finished her off in one blow…

Well, on second thought, better not.

Okita could tell her opponent was waiting for an opening.

An opening to use Raikiri.

Magic Resistance might fend off lightning, but it couldn't possibly counter the cut of Raikiri, which could slice lightning itself.

Defense wasn't Okita's specialty, after all. Even with the cosmic Servant tech that granted her a jetpack, her endurance remained at rank E.

Dodging the lightning spear's thrust, Okita's blade flashed silver, slicing through the golden strike and shattering it into scattered lightning serpents.

Yep, my endurance is only E—if I drag this on, I'm done for.

Thunder rumbled like a god's wrath, and Touka Toudou, using her downward momentum, struck with a fierce slash. Okita deflected the blow with her redirection technique, then grasped her sword with both hands and returned with a diagonal strike. Touka blocked it with her blade.

But… was this really alright?

As they exchanged blows, watching the joy in Touka Toudou's expression, Okita found herself reflecting.

There wasn't a mirror, but surely, she was smiling just as brightly.

So, was this really alright?

Not allowing Touka Toudou to use her proud Raikiri, or dodging her blade?

It was true—last year's Seven Star Sword King had won this way, but… was it really alright?

Her fingers absentmindedly rubbed the rough hilt, each mark a testament to the countless battles and bloodshed she'd faced.

She wanted to win.

To defeat the honorable swordswoman before her, to best her pride in that secret art.

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