SWDnovel #149 - Water-controlled air circle
#149 - Water-controlled air circle
Looking back.
It was already two and a half years ago.
Two months after Ayatsuji Ayase entered Hagun Academy, a man with a skull tattoo on his chest—Kurashiki Kurato, known as the Swordsman Killer—came to challenge her father.
The result.
Her father was defeated, severely injured, and fell into a coma. The dojo was taken away, the disciples were dismissed, and she was unable to take back the dojo from that man. The important dojo was wantonly trampled by villains.
That day, she lost everything.
Of course, Ayatsuji Ayase challenged Kurashiki Kurato almost every day in order to regain the dojo.
At first, the other party teased her, savoring the appearance of her miserable defeat.
But in the end, the other party seemed to be tired of it, and simply turned her away and completely ignored the challenge.
Therefore, if she wanted to challenge again, the only option left was the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, where she would fight him to the death in that competition.
Both of them are third-year students.
Her father's life is coming to an end.
The next Seven Star Sword Art Festival is the last chance. If she misses this opportunity, her father's soul will be imprisoned in that deep despair.
So…
“I will win! Whether or not I get my hands dirty, I will win!”
Ayatsuji Ayase tightly grasped the withered hands of her father, who was lying in a coma on the hospital bed.
No matter what means she uses, the most important thing is to achieve the result. If the weak want to overcome the strong, they must use any means necessary. This is reality.
— — — —
One o'clock in the afternoon.
Hagun Academy, Training Hall 6.
“Alright! It's about time, thank you everyone for waiting! Today's first match is about to begin—! This commentary will be provided by me…”
The commentator is hyping up the atmosphere.
Zun-zun is sitting in the audience, along with Stella, Kurogane Shizuku, and Arisouin Nagi. None of them have selection matches today.
“Is Ikki okay?”
“Brother…”
“I think this battle will be very difficult.”
They were all worried as they watched Kurogane Ikki slowly walk into the arena. Although he seemed fine on the surface, could he still compete with Ayatsuji Ayase after using up his special move?
Zun-zun is also curious about how Kurogane Ikki, who has lost his trump card, will deal with Ayatsuji Ayase, who has learned the Tsukikabe style.
The buzzer signaling the start of the match blared loudly.
At the same time—
Kurogane Ikki, wielding a jet-black blade, rushed towards Ayatsuji Ayase with the reaction speed of a sprinter. Lowering his body, he ran not only with his leg strength but also by utilizing the tendons of his entire body, his speed like a gale.
A perfect surprise attack.
But Ayatsuji Ayase seemed to see through everything. She didn't block like an ordinary swordsman, but instead flipped the blade and lightly tapped the hilt. The blade suddenly released a blood-red light.
The next second, Kurogane Ikki's body sprayed blood mist.
“Gah! Ah! Ah!”
He screamed, and his speed slowed down. Upon closer inspection, several cuts suddenly appeared on his body.
“Wha- wha- what was that just now! Several cuts suddenly appeared on Kurogane's body! What on earth is going on!”
The commentator shouted loudly.
To cut someone to pieces from a distance in an instant, this kind of special skill can undoubtedly only be done by a Blaze.
And this move is the ability of Ayatsuji Ayase's unique Device—Ripping Wound, and also the claw marks she laid down in the arena area in the early morning, setting up slashes as landmines.
Of course, doing this is cheating.
If the claw marks were carved during the match, then there would naturally be no problem. But she set up traps on the stage before the start of the match, which is obviously a violation of the rules.
But it doesn't matter.
Ayatsuji Ayase looked at Zun-zun in the audience, and then at Yuri Oreki in the broadcast room.
As long as Zun-zun doesn't say anything, and she fools the teacher…
In fact, this move's lethality is not high. If it were a direct kill, then that would be another matter.
Should I attack?
No, I can't.
Attacking rashly may lead to a counterattack.
Tsukikabe style is about waiting for the opportunity to suppress all of the enemy's moves.
So, she only needs to make good use of her ability and constantly interfere with Kurogane Ikki using her Blade Art, waiting for an opportunity to kill him with one blow using her unique Device. As long as she can successfully injure him, she will win this match.
Although the surprise attack just now caused some damage, it only slowed down Kurogane Ikki's advance and couldn't stop him.
It's still too early.
I can't attack yet.
And if I don't attack now, then there is only one thing the opponent can do.
Kurogane Ikki's charge was not only interrupted midway, but he was also seriously injured. Facing this situation, he will probably look for an opportunity to sort out his thoughts and reorganize his stance, then—
“Oh oh! Kurogane is retreating! It seems that after suffering the mysterious slashes, he intends to retreat and make a comeback?”
The commentator shouted again.
And Ayatsuji Ayase is aiming for this point, she tapped the blade again.
“Gah!?”
Kurogane Ikki's back was injured again.
“Ah ah ah? This is terrible! This time, he was slashed from behind! What on earth is happening in the arena!!!”
“…Tsukikabe style.”
Zun-zun slowly opened his mouth.
Stella was stunned when she heard this word. Her eyes were filled with innocent stupidity.
“What are you saying? Tsukikabe style? Isn't that a technique that requires blocking the opponent's sword moves continuously? Ikki hasn't even touched Senior Ayatsuji since the start of the battle… Wait a minute, what's with that look in your eyes?”
“As expected, your brain is as barren as the gap between your breasts.”
“Ugh…!”
“Indeed, the Tsukikabe style is as you said, but that is just the most basic application method for ordinary swordsmen, but we are Blazes.”
“The so-called Tsukikabe style, the method is not important, what is important is how to build a high wall in the opponent's heart, to make the opponent feel an insurmountable sense of frustration.”
“I didn't expect Senior Ayatsuji to be able to comprehend this point, as expected, this move is very suitable for her.”
“Whose side are you on!?”
Stella screamed.
Whose side he is on is not important, Zun-zun is just very gratified that Ayatsuji Ayase can use what he taught her to this extent.
However—
Kurogane Ikki, who was suddenly attacked from behind, finally fell to the ground.
This is a decisive gap, and at the same time, for Ayatsuji Ayase, it is a golden opportunity!
She has already pushed Kurogane Ikki into a dead end, and naturally she can also carry out delaying tactics to completely exhaust Kurogane Ikki's stamina. But she couldn't bear it and still chose to fight to the finish.
Because she is very scared.
Having spent a long time with Kurogane Ikki, she knows that the other party may be able to perceive the location of the Ripping Wounds with his amazing insight. Ayatsuji Ayase couldn't help but tremble at the thought of this.
Ordinary people don't need to consider this possibility, but the probability for Kurogane Ikki is not zero.
Therefore, she can only do it now.
Even a small scratch is fine, as long as there is a slight scratch, victory will be mine! I will decide the outcome with this strike!
Ayatsuji Ayase decided to launch an attack.
“…The outcome has been decided.”
“What?”
Zun-zun's voice was not low, but the shouts in the arena were too loud, and Stella didn't hear him clearly.
In the arena.
Ayatsuji Ayase launched a fierce attack, she kept waving the scarlet blade, descending a rain-like slash towards Kurogane Ikki, who was kneeling on the ground.
But even though Kurogane Ikki was kneeling on one knee, and at first glance his posture was very unstable, he was not affected at all. Facing the blade descending head-on, his defense was impeccable.
She can't touch him.
Clearly, she can win with just a slight scratch, but that slight scratch is out of reach. Kurogane Ikki even stood up while blocking the rain-like slashes.
Ayatsuji Ayase knew that continuing to fight would only put herself in danger, so she wanted to create distance.
However, she can't escape anymore.
A sense of stickiness enveloped her whole body.
Not only that, her sword, her arm, her steps, and even her thoughts were being led by Kurogane Ikki at some point.
How can this be!
Why can he maintain such excellent concentration?
He was clearly losing his composure—
“This is…!”
Ayatsuji Ayase suspiciously peeked at Kurogane Ikki's expression, and then she was greatly surprised.
The anger and anxiety that Kurogane Ikki had originally shown had disappeared, and now his eyes were like a calm spring, without a trace of ripples. He calmly overlooked Ayatsuji Ayase.
“To conform to the opponent, to pull the opponent into your own domain, and then to defeat the opponent with this. This is the true meaning of the Tsukikabe style that Zun-zun has always wanted Senior Ayatsuji to learn—”
…
“Flowing Water Control Circle.”
“Flowing Water Control Circle!… What does that mean?”
“Blocking the enemy's moves and understanding the enemy's intentions. Building a high wall in the opponent's heart is just an additional product. Just like Stella's flames, everything is paving the way for later extension techniques.”
Under the confused gaze of the others.
Zun-zun slowly opened his mouth to explain.
The so-called flowing water is not about deflecting the opponent's power, but about letting the body be manipulated by the flow. Through this action, it is possible to dissolve a power stronger than oneself without being hit.
Going one step further.
The feeling just now that all the power seemed to be absorbed is because Kurogane Ikki read Senior Ayatsuji's actions and took over her action position and manipulated her flow in advance.
In other words.
Following the flow, merging with the opponent, and finally letting one's own flow override the opponent's flow.
This is the ultimate meaning of the Flowing Water Control Circle.
Ayatsuji Ayase's extended application of the Tsukikabe style is eye-catching, but she still hasn't broken away from this category, and even actively gave up the advantages of the Tsukikabe style because of fear and anxiety.
On the other hand, Kurogane Ikki not only completely understood the Tsukikabe style but even comprehended a higher level of realm.
And the result—
“I will take back your dignity with my weakness!”
Under Kurogane Ikki's declaration, Ayatsuji Ayase had no choice but to be defeated. Her sword was knocked away, and she fell to the ground, unable to get up again.
“—The victory has been decided!”
The commentator shouted.
And Zun-zun also got up and stretched.
“Alright, I should go too.”
“Where to?”
“You really don't understand, Stella. First suppress, then raise. I've already suppressed for three chapters, now it's time to raise.”
“…Sorry, I don't understand what you're talking about.”
“I'm saying, let's go take off the enemy's clothes!”
The red light emanating from Zun-zun's eyes was a little creepy, which meant that someone was going to be in big trouble.