Chapter 75: I Want to Cross Blades

“By the way, Byron-sensei, what kind of student is the one with that atmosphere?”

“As I mentioned earlier, he’s not an ordinary student.”

Byron briefly explained the types of individuals from the Regula family lineage and the nature of the special match held at the fierce battle festival the other day.

“Combining the winners from each grade… I see. That explains why he’s so confident.”

“In his case, I don’t think it’s just because he has confidence…”

“Anyway, he was carrying a katana, wasn’t he… Could it be that he’s pursuing a career in that type of profession?”

Even among those from distant lands, there are those who follow the same path as us.

In a way, Shidou couldn’t help but smile at that thought.

However, in reality, the profession Ishud pursues is that of a berserker.

It’s not a profession related to samurai… but he’s not just an ordinary berserker.

“No, he’s a berserker, as rough as his demeanor suggests. However, he’s not your average berserker… that’s why he’s skilled with a katana, above average, I’d say.”

“To possess such combat prowess and skill as a berserker, enough for Byron-sensei to speak highly of him… Is he really just a student?”

“Unfortunately, he’s still just a first-year in the high school department.”

As the two conversed, they arrived at the unused training ground.

“Ishud, want to do some warm-up?”

“Of course, I’ll warm up. Can’t win against opponents without a warm-up.”

“I see…”

Perhaps Ishud didn’t want to showcase his swordsmanship skills until the actual performance, so after some stretching, he began shadowboxing.

(…………He’s a type of berserker, isn’t he?)

Knowing Ishud wasn’t just an ordinary student, Shidou also did his warm-up. However, occasionally glancing at Ishud’s shadow, he couldn’t imagine him being a typical berserker.

“Hey, Gulf.”

“W-What is it?”

Approached by a classmate he rarely talked to, Gulf was a bit cautious. However, the male student who spoke to him wasn’t foolish enough to think of doing anything stupid towards Ishud’s friend.

“What’s up with that guy… seriously?”

“You mean Ishud?”

“Yeah. I mean… he’s a berserker, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

More accurately, he’s a berserker of transformation, with various differences from a typical berserker.

“Even so… why is his bare-handed shadow so sharp?”

The male student who addressed Gulf is a second-job monk.

Despite specializing in martial arts… he felt inferior to Ishud’s martial arts skills.

“Ishudo mentioned something about starting to polish his unarmed combat skills because he’s in a close-quarters combat job, so he wanted to be able to fight even if his weapon gets knocked away… I think he said something like that?”

“…Wouldn’t it be more normal to just focus on your main weapon?”

“From Ishud’s perspective, maybe he doesn’t like the idea of turning his back or running away just because his weapon got knocked away.”

“…ugh, seriously, can’t even call him a barbarian.”

(Maybe he said something like that…)

In reality… while such sentiments weren’t nonexistent, Ishud didn’t mind the feeling of punching and kicking enemies to defeat them, and he actually enjoyed it, which is why he got into martial arts.

“Phew…”

“Are you ready, Ishud?”

“Yeah. Oh, Byron-sensei, here.”

“…I’ve indeed received it… Ishud, just to make sure, you’re not planning to reconsider, are you?”

It was the highest-grade potion, the Elixir, among recovery items. It’s an incredibly versatile item that can easily regenerate missing body parts, and even Byron would want it as a precaution for emergencies if possible.

“Of course not~~. It’s a perfect chance to fight against a seriously strong samurai, why would I let that slip?”

“…I see. Then, don’t waste this perfect chance.”

“Yeah!!!”

With an enthusiastic, almost crazed smile, he replied and pulled out his weapon… his renowned katana from the extradimensional space.

(Ah, I see. It makes sense now. It’s quite courageous of him to challenge me with a katana, not a typical berserker weapon. As soon as he assumed his stance… he quickly withdrew his crazed smile.)

Ishud and Shidou stood at the starting line, already prepared.

There was no signal to start this duel… Both of them merely rested their hands on their weapon hilts, not making a move yet.

“…”

Someone swallowed their saliva.

The sound of that small action reverberated through the training ground, enveloping it in silence.

To say more… the tension between the two transmitted to the audience seats, making the atmosphere almost suffocating.

(…Not bad. In fact, it’s fantastic… but what I want isn’t just a stare-down.)

Impatient? No, not exactly.

If there’s no opening, then create one yourself, make a move to generate an opportunity.

“Shi!!!!!!”

“Hyaaa!!!!”

Ishud unleashed a flash of lightning.

In an instant, he closed the distance with a slashing blade attack. Shidou, without panicking, countered with an iaido slash.

However, as the lightning blade dispersed, Ishud had already closed the distance.

““”Kah!!!!”””

““”What!!!??”””

The clash of renowned swords echoed throughout the training ground.

(Ah!!!! It’s obvious, but hold your ground, find an opening!!!!)

(I knew he was strong, but this is on another level!!!!)

Both of them immediately recognized that it would be futile to continue, so they backed away to create distance.

However, that was just for a moment.

Ishud, realizing he had to make a move himself to create an opening, didn’t hesitate and advanced again.

They exchanged slashing blows, with Ishud boldly attacking while also evading any attacks he couldn’t parry.

Due to the nature of a katana, which is essentially a beautiful but lethal kitchen knife, it’s not suited for blocking enemy attacks.

Ishud, although not quite like a typical berserker, had also mastered the technique of deflecting enemy attacks, but when facing attacks from a skilled opponent like Shidou… it was practically impossible to deflect everything.

Even while pressing the attack, Ishud knew that he had to evade every attack that couldn’t be parried with full force.

Even though it seems contradictory, Ishud continued to execute this strategy without hesitation, adapting to the situation.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter