-138- Hope you won't do anything reckless

"A swordsman actually using the skills of a magus? Moreover, employing the technique of the eighth tier of magus, only one step lower from the highest skill 'Magic Resilience'?"

Witnessing this scene firsthand, Yaya's mind held only one thought.

"How... how is this possible!?"

This same thought echoed in Akabane Raishin's mind.

"Why... How..."

Akabane Raishin was unable to articulate his confusion.

Being someone who had no connection to magic, Akabane Raishin couldn't fathom the astonishing feat Hibari had just accomplished.

But Hibari didn't stop there.

"Perhaps this will help you sober up a bit?"

Hibari spoke nonchalantly, despite Akabane Raishin's astonishment.

"Tell me, if this is the kind of power you possess now, do you honestly believe that you're incapable of even defending yourself against your clan's enemy?"

With a simple question, Hibari struck a blow to Akabane Raishin's core.

If Akabane Raishin truly possessed the kind of power Hibari had shown, then even if he couldn't defeat Akabane Tenzen, at the very least, he wouldn't be utterly defenseless, right?

"You've simply failed to master your skills, and instead of acknowledging your weaknesses, you're placing the blame on your limited training. You thought you lacked the potential for magic and came to the martial arts path, yet after a single loss, you're ready to discard that choice. Just how naive, how incompetent, how blind can you be?"

Each of Hibari's statements was like a blade, leaving Akabane Raishin bewildered.

But that's the crux of the issue, isn't it?

Despite Akabane Raishin's belief that he lacked magical talent and chose the path of martial arts, now that he's lost once, he's ready to abandon this path entirely. Isn't that childish, inept, and shortsighted?

"Or perhaps you think that if you had studied magic from a young age, you could somehow defeat your enemy?"

Hibari delivered the final blow.

Exactly.

He can't win.

Faced with a genius capable of overturning family history records, Akabane Raishin's limited talent, even with years of magical education from childhood, would still be insufficient to defeat Akabane Tenzen.

"So, what should I do...?"

Akabane Raishin muttered near-desperately.

And this is why Hibari is here.

"You have two paths before you."

Hibari raised his sword, pointing it at Akabane Raishin.

"Either give in to your wishes, abandon the martial arts, and pick up the magic you cast aside for the sake of revenge."

"Or, continue honing yourself until the day you can use your sword to sever your enemy's head."

"Two choices. Pick one."

Having said that, Hibari fell silent.

This is the turning point for Akabane Raishin.

A turning point that could shape his life.

Choosing the former would lead Akabane Raishin down a treacherous path, relying on talents he once denied to relentlessly pursue Akabane Tenzen, the family's prodigy, with the uncertain hope of catching up.

Choosing the latter, Akabane Raishin would embark on the path of becoming stronger.

How to choose?

There's no need to think about it anymore.

"...Relying on magic, I'll never be able to defeat Tenzen."

Akabane Raishin lifted his head, his bloodshot eyes meeting Hibari's gaze.

His choice was clear.

"Please guide me in swordsmanship again, Sensei!"

Akabane Raishin made his decision.

"Since that's your choice, I'll do my best to guide you."

Hibari's tone softened as he lowered his sword.

Afterward, Hibari and Akabane Raishin left together.

Embarking on a journey down a path that seemed to stretch endlessly into the horizon, the journey of becoming stronger.

...

"..."

Having learned the entire story from Yaya, Rozen couldn't help but fall into silence.

He never expected that Akabane Raishin would make the same decision as himself.

—To become stronger.

Though their paths differ, their ultimate goals are the same. The distinction lies in Rozen's intention to uncover all the truths, while Akabane Raishin is motivated solely by revenge.

"Still the same as before, only seeing what's right in front of you, you idiot," Rozen said with a mix of emotions.

Perhaps sensing Rozen's downcast mood, Yaya quickly changed the subject.

"Speaking of which, how was that swordsman able to use 'Magic Resilience'?"

This had been a lingering question for Yaya.

"It's not that strange," Rozen replied.

"Magic power derives from life force, which is vitality within the body that everyone possesses. With this in mind, it's not unusual to tap into the realm of magic by enhancing the body's strength."

Just like Servants, who aside from the Caster class, need to use mana to enhance their abilities. Even Fuyuki City's Saber employs "Mana Burst" to strengthen their body, unleashing astonishing combat power.

Their essence isn't that of magus, but they won't lose to any magus?

Even without being magus, by taking other routes to acquire strength, it's entirely possible.

The same principle applies in this world.

"I've come across records in my family's archives," Rozen explained to Yaya. "It's said that among accomplished martial artists, some can elevate their magical abilities through 'Qi' training without necessarily understanding magic's principles. Gradually, they gain skills like 'Rigid Body,' 'Magic Defense,' and 'Magic Resilience.'"

With these skills, even proficient martial artists can overpower magus in battle.

Consider that if Hibari enhanced his physical capabilities with 'Rigid Body' and used 'Magic Resilience' to boost his weapon's damage, he could fight using his remarkable martial skills. Why would he lose to ordinary magus?

Hence, Yaya's perception of the threat Hibari poses is undoubtedly accurate.

"I just didn't expect that Raishin's master would possess such abilities."

Rozen sighed.

Becoming this skilled is much harder than becoming a top-tier magus.

Rozen even wondered whether there might even be ten people like that in the entire world.

After all, Hibari has mastered skills that even most magus of the seventh tier would struggle with. Such individuals are incredibly rare.

Following someone of this caliber, for training, maybe one day Akabane Raishin could actually catch up to Akabane Tenzen?

With that thought in mind, Rozen looked at Yaya.

"Did Raishin tell you anything before he left?"

Rozen posed a question.

Yaya answered truthfully.

"He told me to tell you that the next time he comes back, he won't lose to Akabane Tenzen again. He'll definitely avenge the clan."

This reveals just how deep the hatred runs in Akabane Raishin's heart.

"...I hope he doesn't do anything reckless, that idiot."

All Rozen could do was offer this wish.