I will be that courage for you

Kirin closed the distance between them in a single leap and, in a flash, brought her katana down diagonally.

However, it was easily dodged by Tamazuki.

Still, Kirin didn't give up and persistently chased after him with a smooth, sharp cut.

Yet, as expected, it wasn't easy to cut Tamazuki.

Instead, his dodging skill was fully displayed at that moment, causing everyone to feel dreaded. There was no awkwardness. It was so smooth that it was almost art-like.

Facing a paper, the sharp blade became dull, but strangely enough, Kirin smiled. "You are amazing, Inugami-san!"

"You can be better, right, Toudou-san?"

"Yes!"

Like her sword, her eyes became sharp, almost piercing, then, in a moment, everything about her changed.

Her speed, precision, and technique rose to a higher level, or rather, she continued to grow stronger!

It was a relentless serial attack.

Her attacks connected from one blow to the next with a terrifying fluidity, giving her opponent no chance to counter.

His line of sight, distance, breathing—she instantly used every factor to direct the fight her way. She eliminated every option the opponent might have except for the one that was most favorable for her.

Linked Cranes.

This was the famous technique of Toudouryuu and one used by Kirin.

The Toudou Style was said to be "like folding a paper crane," in particular because of the precision of the combination attacks used to corner one's opponent. The esoteric master technique, the Linked Crances, was the embodiment of this style.

Yet, in the hands of this girl, this technique was brought to a new level.

Still, when Tamazuki had learned everything, he decided to stop this technique, which was known as being unstoppable.

Suddenly, on the spot where she didn't realize, her blade was redirected, and her chain attacks were broken in a strange manner since she didn't even realize when Tamazuki moved his blade.

Kirin was at a loss, but she quickly woke up and put a distance between them as she heard his voice.

"What kind of technique is that?" Tamazuki asked.

"Linked Cranes."

"Sorry, I don't know."

"It's okay, but what about that dodging technique? What martial art is that?"

"It's my original. Paper Art. But it is funny, right? While I try to become a paper, your technique is like folding a paper crane."

Kirin chuckled. "That's true, but what about the last? How did you stop my technique?"

Nesting, Flowering Tachibana, Wings in Flight, Waves on the Blue Sea—there are forty-nine combination techniques in the Toudou Style. Linked Cranes are a technique that achieves the perfect attack combination by incorporating all of them.

It should be an infinite combination with no end, yet it was stopped by Tamazuki.

"I will tell you later, but now, I have learned your technique. So let's play a game, shall we, Toudou-san?"

Then, to the surprise of everyone, Tamazuki also used Linked Cranes!

"?!"

"IMPOSSIBLE!"

Kirin's uncle, who was also a member of the Toudou Clan, was dumbfounded when he saw how fluid Tamazuki was at using the Linked Cranes, or rather, his level was on the same level as Kirin!

Everyone was also dumbfounded.

The famous Toudou Style technique, Linked Cranes, was mastered by Tamazuki in just a moment!

Kirin was also surprised, but she quickly reacted and also fought him with other Linked Cranes!

Yet, the one that surprised the most was Julis, and she quickly understood the meaning of the previous conversation between Claudia and Tamazuki. "Was this what you meant by devouring?" She couldn't ask this question to Tamazuki as he was in the fight, but she looked at Claudia to clear up her doubt.

However, Claudia only smiled. "What are you talking about?"

"....."

That answer gave a chill to Julis's heart since if that was the case, who would be able to defeat him?

Then, could she achieve her dream?

Tamazuki and Kirin kept exchanging relentless attacks on one another. They kept moving, and no one dared to stop since when they stopped, it would mean their battle ended.

Frankly, Tamazuki's speed and power were better than Kirin, so he should have a better at Linked Cranes, but he made his physical ability and technique on the same level as Kirin, so she could grow even more, and by then, he could learn a lot more.

Why did he do this?

Unlike him, this girl had a talent for the sword.

While he might be able to learn the Toudou Style to its core, he would be stuck there and unable to go even further, but Kirin was different since she would be able to develop Toudou Style even further, and this was what he sought after!

Still, he slowly raised the tempo, speed, and power, causing Kirin to feel that she was in crisis. However, her desire to win became stronger and stronger. More importantly, there was no way that she would end this fun battle like this!

Fun!

So much fun!

Even though they battled with the intention to defeat each other, their expression was bright, smiling like they were playing in the theme park. Nothing mattered at the moment. What was left was only their selfishness to continue this battle.

However, Kirin saw her limit since she knew no matter what she did, she wouldn't be able to shorten the difference in her physical ability, but even so, she wanted to become stronger!

At one point, her eyes flashed with a purple glimmer as she watched his entire body fill with Prana. Then, all of a sudden, everything became so clear, and she knew where he was going to move. Even though he was stronger and faster, she could anticipate his movement before he even started.

'Oh?'

He was surprised since it seemed Kirin awoke her latent talent, yet it made him smile brighter, and his eyes also flashed in the black glimmer.

At that moment, he understood the new ability which she had just learned.

Clairvoyance.

---

Watching the two fight each other with bright faces, Claudia felt a bit jealous since she knew that they were having fun.

Meanwhile, Julis watched their match with a complicated gaze.

---

Clairvoyance.

It was an ability to read one's intentions, only discernable through their Parana.

In simple terms, it was an ability to see what an opponent wanted to do.

It was an amazing ability, yet somehow he could tell that it was going to be useless on Nurarihyon.

However, it was a good ability, and he was glad to master it.

"KIRIN! DON'T YOU DARE TO LOSE!" Kirin's uncle screamed.

However, Kirin ignored him, and in her eyes was only Tamazuki. Only him.

'Ah, it's so much fun! I want this to continue!'

She wanted this to continue forever, but like Cinderella, all these beautiful dreams weren't permanent and would end soon.

While her skill grew at an incredible speed, her stamina drained almost at the bottom, and because of that, her body was drenched with sweat, but then once again, he deflected her, forcefully pushed her away with a strange swing which made her feel confused since she couldn't see that swing with her newfound ability.

"You know, I couldn't say anything before, but now, I am sure that you can achieve your dream without the help of your uncle."

"Huh?" Kirin was dumbfounded by his words.

"OI! KIRIN! STOP LISTENING TO HIM! CONTINUE TO FIGHT!"

Kirin's uncle shouted, but he was ignored.

"You have the ability, and with that ability, you should grasp that wish by yourselves."

"...that-that's impossible... I don't have that power... especially when I am alone..." Even though she was brimming with talent, she was as timid as ever, yet...

"Then, let me help you. I will lead you and be your courage."

"..."

Kirin blinked her eyes as she stared at his figure. He was so bright and radiant, yet so warm that it was so comfortable and brought her a giddy feeling. This feeling... she wasn't sure of the name, but she wanted to follow him.

"Really?"

"Yes." He nodded with a smile.

"..."

As expected, his smile was great.

Everyone was also stunned since it was their first time seeing him smile, and this smile almost weakened their legs as if they had just received an unexpected jab on their chin.

"But before that, let's end this duel."

"Yes!"

"I am sure that you are at your limit, so I will use my best ability to defeat you."

"Please!"

Kirin wasn't sure what his strongest technique was, or rather, he had never used his technique whenever he dueled. Instead, he had been using the technique of his opponent and then using them to defeat them.

However, it was different now since he was using his original technique.

Everyone also opened their eyes, trying to see his real technique, and many of them even put their best camera to record him.

Kirin was ready to face him with full concentration.

Even her uncle was silent since he knew everything would be determined by this one blow.

Then, it was just a moment, but his body vanished as if he was melting with nature.

Then...

"End of the duel! Winner: Inugamigyoubu Tamazuki!"

---

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