Chapter 275: Attack Variations

Mika-san, blown away from her position, remained motionless as she watched for Lime’s next move.

Mika-san, who always pressed forward aggressively, showed a wait-and-see posture for the first time in this tournament.

I thought the match would stalemate, but Lime confidently created clones and suddenly shifted to offense.

Without using invisibility, she deliberately attacked openly.

However, all of her clones attacked with no-motion attacks, and Mika-san, unable to read the attacks, had no choice but to dodge.

Looking at Lime’s attacks again this way, the no-motion attacks were considerably slower compared to charged attacks.

I had thought they had only merits, but there were clear demerits—once accustomed to the movements, the speed seemed such that one could counterattack.

Mika-san seemed to notice this fact immediately, observing Lime with terrifying eyes unlike her usual cheerful demeanor.

Despite multiple golden Limes attacking continuously, Mika-san dodged accurately.

After about ten-odd seconds, she seemed to be reading them already, as her dodging movements gradually became smaller.

At this rate, she would completely read through the attacks.

Just as I began to think this, for some reason, Mika-san’s body bent into a “<” shape.

“Clean hit! 1-0 to Lime!”

From the referee’s call, I learned that Lime’s attack had hit.

However, I couldn’t understand what had happened or how she had taken the attack.

Taking a hit just as she was beginning to read through.

While Mika-san showed a confused expression, Lime further increased his number of clones and shifted to fierce offense.

With the increased number of clones, Lime’s intentions finally became visible.

The clones were divided into those attacking with no-motion and those charging before attacking, and Mika-san had taken a clean hit from a high-speed attack via a charged attack from outside her visual field.

Skillfully using variations in tempo, understandable because I was watching objectively, but from Mika-san’s perspective, it must have been extremely confusing.

Furthermore, she took another thrust from Lime from behind, making it 2-0.

Though Mika-san was cornered, she seemed to have finally noticed the existence of “clones charging attacks” from that attack.

From here, Mika-san’s movements changed drastically—dodging no-motion attacks while countering charged attacks.

Perhaps sharpened by being cornered, she perfectly countered a high-speed attack from behind, and here Mika-san got one back.

Having returned that blow, Lime should now find it difficult to perform charged attacks.

However, since the continuous no-motion attacks were also being read through, it was obvious that the moment she stopped charged attacks, Mika-san’s fierce offense would begin.

Though she had cornered her opponent, Lime was now somehow the one being cornered.

I watched closely to see how she would counter, but Lime showed no particular concern and repeated the same attacks as before.

I couldn’t tell if he judged the counter as a fluke, but as a layman, I thought this was far too unprepared.

And as all spectators watching the match anticipated, Mika-san once again countered Lime’s attack from behind.

Lime’s clone pathetically flew through the air, making it 2-2.

The flow had completely shifted to Mika-san, and the moment I thought the match was decided—

Once again, for some reason, Mika-san’s body bent into a “<” shape.

The referee also seemed not to understand what had happened, and after a brief silence…

“Match decided! Winner Lime 3-2! Therefore, the champion of the 3rd Mock Battle Tournament is Lime!”

Though none of the spectators, including myself, understood what had happened, they gave loud cheers anyway upon hearing the champion’s name.

I didn’t know what happened, but Lime achieved his first victory, avenging last year’s defeat.

Lime continued to overturn the title of weakest, finally rising to the top.

Not just strong but cute too—I think he’s truly the strongest existence.

“Kuaah! Lime, so strong! I’m frustrated but it was a complete defeat!”

Mika-san fell onto her back, expressing her frustration.

I’ll ask what happened later—for now, the awards ceremony.

“The final just ended, but time is limited, so let’s move to the awards ceremony! Best 4, please come forward!”

The four called by Sam-san: Rose-san, Margis-san, Mika-san, and Lime.

Lime was shinier and sparklier than ever, and though expressionless, it was funny how I could tell she was being smug.

“First, a big round of applause for these four! Congratulations on making it to the podium!”

With loud applause, prize money and prizes were handed out starting from Rose-san.

Since we had prepared considerable prize money and prizes even for Best 4, they should surely be pleased.

“And for the champion Lime, the awarding of the championship trophy! Furthermore, Satou will present 50 platinum coins in prize money and the championship prize!”

“Eh! There was a championship trophy this time! So nice!”

While Mika-san envied beside me, I stepped forward and presented the championship prize to Lime.

And this time, the championship prize was a smartphone.

Since there’s no signal in another world, its functionality is less than half at best, but it’s still a convenient item.

However, since Lime probably doesn’t need it, I’d like him to barter it for something good for him.

“Lime, congratulations! And thank you for becoming my familiar! I’m proud of Lime!”

When I told him this, Lime jumped at me vigorously.

Healed by Lime who is strong but cute, the awards ceremony ended with great success.