第２７６堀：この舞台は２人のために (Part3)
While I was thinking about that, Popuri quickly switched to a high-volume attack, unleashing countless fireballs at Eoid, but…
"After having her Firestorm sliced through, Popuri has switched to a high-volume assault. It’s an unbelievable rate of fire, but he’s cutting, cutting, and cutting through that rain of attacks!"
"The audience is holding their breath at such tremendous swordsmanship. Even with Taiki’s movements being too fast to track, Eoid’s movements are visible enough that the sheer intensity of his skill is coming through clearly. Since he cannot use elemental magic and must fight using only mana manipulation, he has apparently been polishing his swordsmanship with desperate effort. It seems this has matched perfectly with the magic-slicing technique he learned from Taiki."
That’s right. When you really think about it, his swordsmanship is the result of constant effort, and his mana manipulation is a talent he’s had since birth. It wouldn’t be strange at all for him to be able to use it in more precise or specialized ways than even Taiki or me. It’s a case of him finally exploding with potential once he was given the catalyst.
"I see. So that’s how it is."
"A-amazing!! Go, Eoid, go!!"
Yeah, yeah. Amanda has started cheering, and that voice is surely reaching Eoid, giving him a boost. But the problem is…
"I should assume fire is ineffective. Then, how about this!"
Popuri said this and, just like Soel, created wind clones.
"Oh my!! Did she mimic Soel’s technique? No, there are even more of them. Seven of them! You can’t tell which one is the real body!"
"How will Eoid break through this situation?"
Exactly. The question is how much Eoid can mimic Taiki’s techniques.
"Damn it!!"
*Pop, pop!!*
Eoid unleashed a *Vacuum Slash* in a clumsy, imitative fashion. He can do that much, huh? But there’s a hole in that strategy. No, Eoid is certainly amazing, but…
"He managed it somehow, but he’s crushed five of the clones! He’s successfully mimicked Taiki’s technique, and now the last one is—"
*Thud.*
A low, heavy sound echoed, and Eoid went rolling across the stage.
"It seems she used the clones as a decoy to land a close-range wind magic strike from behind."
"I see. She had incorporated the destruction of her clones into her plan from the start."
Eoid tried desperately to stand up, but after taking a direct hit to the solar plexus, even breathing must be difficult. However, Popuri didn't follow up. She just stood there and opened her mouth.
"Eoid. It is true that you studied under Yuki-dono and Taiki-dono, and you grew stronger through observation. It is unbelievable. It is a fact that I used close-range magic. But that alone will not be enough to reach me. In the end, your techniques are nothing more than a poor imitation of Taiki-dono’s matches."
Right. His hand was tipped from the very beginning. Popuri had gone out of her way to use the same magic as Soel just to test him. And now, she was confirming whether he could apply what he’d learned.
"Hah… guh…"
Eoid still hadn't regained his breath.
"You should have been taught. Not to rely on these imitations, but how to master your own talent. If you are defeated here, you will have wasted the guidance of those two."
No, not really. I think this kind of thing is fine, too.
"Show me. Not an imitation, but a technique thought up by you alone. A way for you to fight."
What is this, some kind of cliché setup where he’s asked to show a legendary technique? I never taught him anything like that. If anything, there’s only Eoid’s mana-based weaponry…
Eoid had resorted to the *Vacuum Slash* because a mana shield can only defend from the front, leaving him no choice, and he can’t mimic something like a "Promised Sword of Light" like some king of knights somewhere. It’s impossible!
However, contrary to my thoughts, Eoid stood up and generated a bladed weapon through mana manipulation. Since this weapon was created from mana, it was a transparent, colorless blade that would be completely invisible to anyone without high mana perception.
"?"
Popuri tilted her head in confusion as she saw Eoid return his sword to its sheath, unable to sense the mana weapon currently in his hand. But Eoid saw that moment of confusion as an opening and lunged forward.
"What are you—!?"
Popuri muttered that, seeing Eoid’s movement and instinctively leaping back. But it was a step too late; blood was dripping from Popuri’s arm.
"…Don't tell me, you created a sword out of mana?"
Eoid didn't speak. First rule of our teachings: don't give the opponent information. He kept that rule and continued his assault.
"But that movement is for a one-handed sword. In that case…!!"
As expected of someone with her experience, she immediately judged the type of invisible weapon he was holding based on his stance and kept him in check with *Stone Shooter*. If she couldn't get close carelessly, she would attack with volume…
Eoid batted away the incoming stones with his sword.
…Wait? He batted them away? Ah, Eoid can’t do a *Great Slash*. Indeed, pushing through requires a certain amount of knowledge. If he thinks it’s hard and won't cut, the mana weapon—which is directly influenced by his mental image—won't cut.
Popuri noticed that opening and moved in to close the distance, just like before.
*Wham!!*
"Eep!?"
Popuri was repelled without being able to land an attack. The damage itself seemed minimal, and she regained her stance immediately, but her agitation was clearly visible.
"That just now, was that a *Shield Bash*!? D-don't tell me…"
That’s right. Who ever confirmed he only had a one-handed sword? Eoid never said he could only make weapons.
"U-uh, Popuri-senshu has been wounded by the empty-handed Eoid, and her attack has been deflected…"
"It’s just a guess, but looking at that stance, he must be turning his mana itself into armaments. A one-handed sword and a shield. If they were visible, there would be ways to deal with them, but… it’s so troublesome when they’re invisible."
No, you two can see them, right? Well, as commentators, that’s all they can say.
"Troublesome, indeed. As expected of someone who received tutelage from Yuki-dono and Taiki-dono. But you can’t attack me with that, can you?"
Prompted by Popuri, Eoid thrust his one-handed sword toward her. Naturally, at that distance, a one-handed sword shouldn't be able to reach. But…
"Guh…"
Popuri clutched her abdomen and doubled over on the spot.
"Oh my! What happened!? Popuri-senshu has suddenly doubled over!"
"That thrusting motion just now… I suspect he switched from a one-handed sword to a spear or something similar."
"I see. If he can create armaments with mana, it’s unnatural to assume he only has a one-handed sword. That means he landed a blow to her abdomen while she was off guard. That’s brutal! However, Eoid-senshu is not following up on Popuri-senshu."