Chapter-03 · EP-046

Episode 46: Mock Battle - Part 2

"No, this is too dangerous! The opponent is level 4!"

Iori had changed into the sparring gear and came out of the changing room. But with the way things were going, Iori was about to fight the second-year swordsmanship club member, and no one else was saying anything, so I stepped in.

Iori was still level 1, while the second-year was level 4. The gap was huge.

I had felt the changes each time I leveled up in dungeon exploration. My attack power clearly increased, and the damage I dealt to monsters went up. I also felt faster at evading, and my stamina had improved, making me less prone to fatigue. The benefits of leveling up were that significant.

At the same time, fighting someone with a different level was daunting. Moreover, Iori was a girl. She might be tall and strong for a girl, but her opponent was a sturdy male, and a year older. She was completely outmatched physically, and on top of that, there was a three-level difference. It was dangerous. I had to fight instead.

"No, it's fine."

Iori answered lightly. And no one else seemed inclined to stop her.

Even Mei, who seemed capable, encouraged Iori.

"Ichinose, what are you worried about? Takigawa is probably the strongest among us."

"You mean stronger than me?"

"Of course. Unlike your chaotic swordsmanship, Takigawa's swordplay is solid."

"But the level difference…"

I was still worried about the level gap, so Iori asked me.

"Shirou, what changes when you level up?"

"Well, everything. You get stronger, faster. Your body becomes tougher, and your mind works quicker. You might be able to overcome a one-level difference with spirit, but a three-level gap is bad."

"Does the skill you possess change?"

"Skill? No, what increases is physical and mental capacity…"

"Then if it's a contest between my swordsmanship and my opponent's swordsmanship, the level difference doesn't matter."

"Huh? No, it's not that simple…"

What was the truth? I didn't think leveling up increased technical skill, though dexterity probably increased.

While I was trying to stop Iori, it was Haijima who lost patience.

"Are you going to fight or not? If you're scared, apologize and get out!"

This guy was so annoying…

Haijima confronted Iori, pointing his enchanted wooden sword at her and hurling insults.

"Anyway, Hachinohe-senpai doesn't even need to bother with a D-Class girl like her. I'll finish her off in an instant, just like before…"

As Haijima was speaking, his wooden sword suddenly flew out of his hand.

It clattered across the training hall floor.

"Out of my way."

Iori said, pushing Haijima aside.

I couldn't see it. Iori's lightning-fast strike had knocked Haijima's sword away.

Haijima stood frozen in shock.

Murasakimura, who had been writhing in pain from Haijima's earlier attack, called out to Takigawa.

"Takigawa-san, it's embarrassing, but please avenge me."

"Of course!"

And so, in the center of the training hall, the second-year swordsmanship club member and Iori faced each other.

But having seen her sword strike just now, I finally understood. Iori was strong. Probably stronger than me at level 3. Perhaps Iori could fight on par with someone at level 4.

Now that it had come to this, no one was going to stop their fight.

The second-year standing opposite Iori called out.

"What is your name?"

"Iori Takigawa, Class 1-D."

"Heiji Hachinohe, Class 2-B. You seem to have some skill with a sword, but unfortunately, it won't work on me. Don't be surprised. I study the Hokuto Tengen style."

"I see."

"It's a killing art of rough samurai, passed down in the Tohoku region. You've heard of it, right?"

"…Sorry."

"Wha…?"

I didn't really understand, but this second-year named Hachinohe seemed to follow some swordsmanship style.

Sorry, but I didn't know it either. Was it famous?

After an awkward silence, Hachinohe cleared his throat and looked at us on the sidelines.

"Ahem. So, if I win this match, Kujo-san, you'll agree to join the First Swordsmanship Club, correct?"

"Yes, that's fine."

For Iori, this was supposed to be avenging Murasakimura, who had lost due to foul play, but for some reason, it also turned into a proxy war wagering on Hikaru Kujo's membership.

I didn't care whether Hikaru joined or not, and avenging Murasakimura had also become secondary. The only strong feeling I had was not wanting Iori to get hurt.

As everyone's different agendas intersected, the mock battle between Iori Takigawa and the second-year swordsmanship club member, Heiji Hachinohe, was finally about to begin.

The club member acting as referee called out.

"Are both sides ready?"

Iori and Hachinohe nodded.

"Begin!"

With the start signal, the two stepped forward. The moment they entered each other's striking range, they both swung their swords simultaneously.

If they had locked blades, Iori would have been at an overwhelming disadvantage.

But just as I thought that, for some reason, their wooden swords didn't clash. Iori's sword subtly changed its trajectory, slipping past Hachinohe's blade and coming to rest against his neck.

Cold sweat trickled down Hachinohe's forehead.

Iori slowly slid her wooden sword sideways.

During that time, Hachinohe couldn't move.

If these had been real swords, Hachinohe would have had his neck cut and been killed.

The training hall fell silent.