第１１１４堀：模擬戦 (Part2)
"Yes... I see. I’m sorry. But, wait, really?"
"Indeed. It is no wonder you are confused. Even I find it startling that one with this appearance is a grown woman."
"Hey, pipe down over there. I’m already married, so it’s fine!"
Deryu offered a follow-up to the bewildered Wazfi. Well, given her appearance, confusion was only natural, but... Deryu herself looked plenty young, too. She looked about the same age as Mikos and the others—perhaps even younger, if I were being honest.
"For now, in your current state, it would be difficult to display your true strength against Agil, would it not?"
"Yeah. It’s definitely going to be awkward."
"Precisely. Even if you intend to beat her black and blue, it is better for Agil if you do not let your guard down. Leave this to me."
"Ugh, fine. I understand. But after this mock battle with Deryu, you’re up against me, Wazfi!"
"Er, yeah, alright. I suppose I just need to show off my skills here. Right, the plan is set—let’s get started!"
"Indeed. Kagura and the others, stay and watch. You will understand the meaning of this soon enough."
Wazfi headed toward the center of the training grounds with high spirits, but Deryu turned back to us, offering a sweet, smiling death sentence. Honestly, as much as I hate to say it, I couldn't conjure a single image of Wazfi winning. Still, I found myself hoping he’d last at least a little while. If he did, it would mean the time Mikos and the others had to spend fighting would... well, decrease. Or at least, I hoped it would.
"Heh, sorry for the wait. Wait, is Wazfi already about to fight?"
"You’ve arrived, Nilua."
I turned to the voice to find Nilua dressed not like a mage, but in a white lab coat that made her look more like a researcher. Her pockets were bulging, stuffed with a chaotic assortment of tools.
"Is that your combat gear, Nilua? Mind if I take a picture?"
"Oh, yeah. This is it. My style is to set up these little tricks and weave them into my magic. If I didn't, I could never have beaten that Wazfi."
"I mean, from what I've heard, Wazfi is a super-speed type, right? How did you stop him?"
"Oh, that’s easy. It’s... well, it wouldn't be any fun if I told you now. You’ll likely be fighting Wazfi later, so I’ll show you then."
She seemed surprisingly confident in her ability to fight, despite her appearance. I suppose that’s what you’d expect from the top student at the academy. Whether that battle with Wazfi would actually happen, however, depended entirely on the outcome of this mock battle.
The result was a foregone conclusion, but I hoped Wazfi would give it his all, if only so we could gauge the movements of Deryu—the one Mikos and the others would inevitably have to face.
I turned my attention to the two standing in the center of the arena. Wazfi was hopping in place, warming up, while Deryu stood in her usual, relaxed, natural posture.
"Are you prepared?"
"Yeah, I’m good to go. How about you? That’s quite a lovely dress you’re wearing."
"Indeed. This has always been my formal attire for combat."
That was the thing about Deryu. For some reason, she always fought in either a pure white or pitch-black dress. It looked like a joke, truly, but she was impossibly strong.
"Geez, between Agil and Deryu... Weed really doesn't take me or the monsters seriously at all, do they?"
"That perception stems from your own arrogance, Wazfi. Stop your whining and try defeating me first."
"You said it! Here I come!"
The moment he spoke, Wazfi lunged at Deryu with incredible speed. Oh, he was faster than I expected. But in the end, it was still well within the range that even Mikos could track. And so...
*Thwack!*
Ah, just as I thought. Deryu caught his fist with ease.
"!?"
"Hmm. With a lunge like that, most students would indeed be helpless, and the power behind this fist would shatter most defensive barriers. However... the lack of a follow-up is a deduction."
Deryu said this with a calm demeanor before releasing his fist.
"Wh-why didn't you attack?"
"My task today is to assess your combat capabilities, Wazfi. I have seen your initial, surprise blitz. Now, show me your sustained combat power. Come, you intend to defeat me, do you not?"
"Haha! I’m definitely going to land a hit!"
With that, Wazfi charged at her again. Well, let’s see how long he lasts.
Deryu vs. Wazfi.
*Man, I’m getting fired up!*
Where will this battle lead? And will Kagura and the others manage to survive this mock battle unscathed!?