Chapter 72: Comedic Timing

Throughout all the battles Aleph experienced, he carefully realized his increase in strength. It became even more evident when Great Sage was awakened. 

In the fighting side, it gave him a huge edge through his speed of thoughts. It allowed him to plan ahead and deal with troublesome enemies, even if they were stronger than him in one aspect.

It wasn't only that.

'I could see her blade… that's her swordsmanship, I see.'

The entire world turned dark blue. Several images of Sakura appeared on her prior track.

Every miniscule detail, from her change of grip to her arms' movements, were presented to his eyes.

'Elemental Sight… If this thing is paired with something else…'

Elemental Sight was a power to see through things at first. Only when Great Sage appeared did Aleph realize its true potential.

In battle, its most important contribution was to see the enemy's past self. These traces allowed Aleph to glimpse more perfectly upon their next move.

Bam-!

Bam-!

Everything happened within a few seconds. All the meticulous planning inside Aleph's head was converted into a real result.

After pushing Sakura back with two strikes, he unhesitantly dealt with the greatsword in Kevin's hands.

Flick-!

Bam-!

Sou-!

Just like Sakura's sword, Aleph struck at its flat side. Instead of a head-on parry, it was more similar to flicking the blade away.

Seeing Kevin being wide-open, Aleph struck him with the staff's end at his forehead.

Bam-!

"Ow!"

Kevin was incapacitated for a while. He fell down to the ground, though he didn't let go of his weapon.

During the entire time, Sakura didn't hesitate to keep pressuring Aleph. She remained in his strike zone, swiftly striking him while using feints now and then.

At this point, Sakura already realized one thing.

'We're dancing to his tune the entire time.'

Though she didn't know his means, she could see the situation they were in. There was a reason why Aleph asked the two of them to go against him.

Bam-!

Bam-!

For the next ten seconds, Aleph remained on the defensive. Sakura wasn't able to find any way to get past his defense, thus resulting in this brief stalemate.

During the tenth second, Aleph saw Kevin vaulting from his position. The latter had recovered a while ago and only chose to act now.

It was also at this moment did Aleph step into the deadlock the two tacitly decided on. Kevin was coming at him from midair while Sakura was pressuring his front.

'Sheer strength or technique?'

Aleph made a choice.

He threw the wooden staff straight at Kevin's forehead (again). The latter didn't have enough time to react to the swift projectile, thus finding its mark again.

Bam-!

"Ow!"

Sakura didn't have the time to be surprised as she leveraged his lack of weapon. However, Aleph was able to nimbly dodge all of her strikes, as if he was predicting her next moves.

As the dodging session continued, Aleph suddenly lowered his stance and struck at her stomach. The punch was blocked abruptly by her left arm. 

Sakura slid several feet again. She felt the slightly numbing sensation on her left arm before her eyes focused on him.

'He's started it!'

This time, Aleph was the one to be on the offensive. No matter how much advantage she had with the sword, plus the fact Aleph was fighting bare handedly, it meant nothing once all of her moves were read.

By the time this spar ended—exactly two minutes after it started—both Kevin and Sakura were exhausted.

Aleph only had a few sweat on his forehead, a complete contrast between their situation.

"Let's start another round once you've rested."

This time, Aleph's words didn't sound arrogant anymore.

*****

"Ow… isn't this too big of a payback?"

"No, that's training. Look, aren't you creating your own ice? That helps."

"I won't even ask you questions anymore."

Two hours after their sparring sessions, Kevin and Sakura returned to the living lounge while being badly battered. The two had bruises all over them.

"This is also a good chance to test your recovery. Project Soldier opened a lot of firsts in human history." Aleph explained flatly.

"I mean… that was all your talent? Was that why you were training way back in high school?"

"Technically, it is one. Sakura is way better than you in this regard."

Aleph pointed out to the silent Sakura.

"You have the instinct but not the skills. There's a lot of catching up to do."

Suddenly, Sakura asked him an interesting question.

"Have you been doing swordsmanship, Sir Aleph?"

"Yeah, if you can consider me fighting against one."

"Can I meet him?"

"Unfortunately, no."

It remained unknown what was hidden in Aleph's heavy tone.

"But yes, he's the best swordsman I ever met. For starters, he swung his sword repeatedly… for several decades straight."

Just by hearing his description, Sakura finally understood where that sharp sensation from Aleph came from. Throughout the entire fight, his aura changed repeatedly. Be it a lightning-fast martial artist or an elegant swordsman who sheathes his sharpness (i.e., danger), she felt them from him.

While they were talking, Elysia arrived at their current situation.

"What did… how could you do this to a beautiful girl?"

'She gets along with everyone, but I do get why Mobius was annoyed to death by her.'

Aleph handed out another set of medical kits to Sakura. Realizing he could not help her apply these on some injuries, his eyes shifted to Elysia as he flatly stared at her.

The latter immediately understood what he meant.

"Alright, alright. I understand. I'll be responsible for her!"

"Ow… It's hard to do this by myself."

Hearing Kevin's words, Elysia promptly responded:

"Isn't it for training?"

The former gave Aleph a knowing stare.

"Why would I avoid clashing with her jokes?" Aleph stated flatly. "I can't beat her… and so does Mobius."

"I can hear you!" Elysia retorted.

"See?"

At this moment, the atmosphere of the entire lounge became lively.

"Was this the notorious Miss Pink Fairy in Fire MOTH..?" Kevin muttered.

"Congratulations, you got to experience it firsthand." Aleph congratulated him.

For the second time, Elysia fired off her rounds.

"What's wrong with it? I've heard boys like cute girls… and you're talking to one!"

Aleph, of course, wasn't left to be laying down.

"It's my first time seeing a cute girl disregard her calorie intake."

"Girls have a second stomach for sweets!"

"That is scientifically unproven. It's different to be a MANTIS, but to do it prior to this surgery is just..."

Once again, Aleph felt a strange sense of satisfaction upon clashing with Elysia's teasing. It was quite similar to when he teased Mobius and Mei, but it feels quite different.

After all, this was his first time going along with her jokes—a huge contrast to what he said earlier.

"In fact, sugar products are the main cause of weight gain along with carbohydrates. I won't ask for weight as it is a taboo, but do keep tabs on them."

"Did someone use it against you before?" Elysia asked.

"Yes, and I won't try asking it again."

"...You're sensible. How many cute girls have you taken down?!"

"Zero."

"...what?"

Aleph's status startled Elysia. Kevin and Sakura kept silent as they watched this two-man comedy show.

"Like I've said, I don't have any girlfriends… or the likes."

Internally, he added:

'Even in my past life…'

While he was waiting for her response, an alarm resounded in his mind.

[Achievement Unlocked: Hunter Gets Hunted]

[Hunter Gets Hunted: Beat someone on the field they excel at.]

For a moment, Aleph was speechless.