Technique of a Spirit Swordsman

'What?'

The Imperial Knights were too baffled by the extremity of the bet.

Teeth being plucked by themselves wouldn't too painful for them. However, as one of the representatives of the Mealma Empire, how can they show themselves to others with broken teeth.

That was not all.

'Is he confident or is he just messing with us?' Justin thought and asked, "Is that final?"

"Yes, that is not much, right?"

Ayensi could regrow his teeth with just a thought.

'Not that Master will lose on this bet.'

Spirit who was sneakily watching from the start thought.

'Well, except if he chose to lose on purpose.' she didn't see that outcome as far-fetch.

After all, Ayensi can't just show that he's indestructible. But Spirit didn't think much of this. She wouldn't question whatever Ayensi's decision will be. Even if it is the most unreasonable, evil, or perverted, she would gladly support him.

If Ayensi is the evilest and deviant from the very start, what can others do to stop him?

'Actually, I want it if he's a little perverted...' Spirit secretly wished.

Back to the scene, Justin laughed the bet off as he was confident he wouldn't lose.

'As long as this man isn't a Guardian, how tough can he possibly be?' was what lingered in his mind.

"Fine, I accept it!" Justin then raised his sword.

Then walked up to Ayensi and asked before asking, "Don't you have something to protect yourself, or are you going to parry my sword with your hand?"

"Hmm, it is my fault that you don't know yet since I haven't further introduced myself." Ayensi was calm even though the tip of Justin's blade was already just a meter away from his face.

"Again, my name is Ayensi Sole Tiowen. I am a Matter Tanker. My skin itself is already a fortified matter so you don't have to worry."

People in this world follows the same rule as the Guardians does. But instead of controlling a whole fragment of reality as the Guardians do, people can only take a small share from it.

Or more specifically, they borrow a piece of it.

With their Golden Princess becoming the Guardian of Spirit, the Mealma Empire proudly followed her and the majority of residents were Spiritists.

The bigger portion they can borrow, the stronger they will be. So theoretically, if they want to defeat a Guardian of Spirit, for example, all Spiritists should use an ability to borrow a portion of it.

However, of course, the Guardian of Spirit can easily take what she lent. Therefore, the Guardians are the top existence on the Lower Realms.

Now that Ayensi explained that he's a Matter Tanker, which is self-explanatory, they have no choice but to believe him.

"Then I will be using my first strike. Huff-"

Justin lightly swung his sword to test the water first. However, even though it was a light swing for him, it was enough to bring the wind with it.

A breeze blew with that fast sword strike.

Swoosh-- Clank*

Justin stopped and felt his sword vibrate. It was as if he hit a hard object that forced his stop.

He looked and saw Ayensi's palm blocking the side of his sword.

"Oh... impressive." Justin couldn't help but mutter as he retracted his sword.

'Look's like he's not bluffing. Stopping that sharp blade with his bare palm. No one other than Matter Users can show this result.' Captain Gragan analyzed.

Meanwhile, Shiena just stood there with a smile on her face while Spirit, in her hiding place, was scoffing at Justin's pointless attempt.

"Then I'll put force in the next attack."

Justin's smile didn't waver though. He then pulled his sword and with two hands, he made a stance. When he was ready, he made a wide movement that accentuated the force on his weapon.

"Huff-"

Swoosh---

The speed this time was faster and along with it, a stronger force.

Clank*

The ground trembled a bit and further vibrated along with the sword. Sparks flew off as the scene repeated. Ayensi blocked the side of Justin's blade with his bare palm.

"Huh?" Justin couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

The other Imperial Knights have the same expression as well.

He retracted his sword and retreated a few steps back. Justin analyzed the situation.

'This is bad. He's the real deal!'

Ayensi's image in front of him suddenly changed. This harmless-looking man seemed larger now as a dangerous aura was being emitted.

'Casually blocking my first strike is already amazing enough. However, I poured a bit of my technique in my second strike but he still casually blocked it.'

Justin wouldn't be so apprehensive if Ayensi somehow flinched on the second strike. But there was no reaction. Meaning, his capabilities were still something that Justin couldn't estimate with his "testing the water" attacks.

It was as if Justin dipped his toes on a lake to see how deep its shore was. Still not reaching the ground, Justin was not that worried at first. But when he dipped his whole leg and, once again, did not feel the ground, that became worrying.

Justin slightly gulped. What if he jumped into the shore of that lake and still couldn't the ground? If just the shore is already that deep, what would that say about the lake's trenches?

However, as a Spiritist, losing control of his emotions was only a mistake for amateurs. Soon, he calmed down and thought.

'I should use a proper technique now.'

Justin then properly held his sword. This was his last strike before deciding the losing side. No matter what happens, he didn't want any of his front teeth to be plucked.

'How can I pick up girls with a missing tooth!?'

A powerful force then surged within him!

The burst of Spirit Energy welled up within him as he thrust his sword forward. The Reality Fragment Spirit lies in the emotions of living beings. Its strength is proportionate to how strong a person feels.

Meanwhile, it also gives the essence of life in the material world. Therefore, Spirit is actually a complicated mix of Life, Matter, and more.

Sometimes, it gives strength, sometimes, it gives protection. That is why it is the essence of life! The true random, the unexpected, the turn of reality-

That is Spirit.

With a technique, Justin extracted strength, not only physical but also his determination, from Spirit.

[Mind Piercing the Heart]!

Justin almost gave his all to this thrust--- but-

Clank!*

The young Imperial Knight, who filled with determination, stopped as he felt his sword crack and vibrate from the force being abruptly stopped.

The force traveled downwards, cracking and caving the ground with an explosive sound.

Justin further pushed his sword in hope, 'Bleed!'

...

But it was another useless attempt. No matter how much he pushes, the target no longer budged.

Justin only saw Ayensi's smiling face with his bare palm still blocking the tip of the sword. Even though that palm "flinched" there was not a hint of blood on it.

The hot-blooded young Imperial Knight felt cold water washed over him as his face paled when he heard:

"Open your mouth, please."