Anime, Girlfriend Shokuhou Misaki.

However, in such a short period of time, it is impossible for Makoto Haramura to surpass him; he is confident of that.

but--

"There's nothing surprising about it."

"I've said it before, haven't I? I can't possibly put all my heart into swordsmanship. My inherent spirit armor simply won't allow me to do that."

"Only the combination of swordsmanship and spearmanship is the path I should take."

"I used to need to devote myself to learning swordsmanship, but that was because I knew absolutely nothing about swordsmanship before."

"But now it's completely unnecessary."

The slash was like a beam of light, unleashed by Makoto Haramura, while dazzling starlight scattered around him like fragments.

"If you say that the Three Kingdoms Paradise is your achievement."

"So this 'Lianhe', which consists of fifty-six combo techniques, is my achievement."

Gazing at the countless flashes of sword light, Kurogane Ikki's expression hardened, but his eyes remained resolute.

"—The Third Secret Sword: Circle!"

The third secret sword technique, Circle, is a sword skill that uses the blade to meet the enemy's attack. It circulates the power contained in the strike within the body like drawing a circle, creating a reversal strike that completely reflects the blow back.

He didn't expect his counter-sword skill to cause much damage to Makoto Haramura.

But he only hoped to create a brief opening, a moment to escape the overwhelming attack and Haramura Makoto's relentless assault.

"Hey--"

"So he really did use this move. I've been waiting for this for a long time."

Just as Kurogane Ikki deflected the magic bullet aimed at him, Haramura Makoto had already blown the Amatsuki upright into his chest.

"Chong-"

A strange thing happened: once again, when Black Iron swung his sword, it was as if he had been hit by his own attack.

Even though Makoto Haramura did nothing but parry in a very ordinary way, it felt as if he had suffered a severe blow.

"Ayatsuji Ittō-ryū - Perfect Fit".

Using the force of that heavy blow, Kurogane Ikki retreated, moving two or three meters away in one step.

He then shared his own conjecture.

That's right, this is the sword technique that Makoto Haramura casually learned in the hospital room that day.

Although his main purpose was to get Ayatsuji Kaito to help him develop the sword technique "Swallow Return".

However, at Ayatsuji Kaito's insistence, he also listened to the explanation of the ultimate technique of Ayatsuji Ittō-ryū, the principle of Ten'i-no-kō (Perfect Shield).

—Sword Skill: Seamless!

A sword technique that can completely block and deflect an opponent's attack, and instead inflict greater damage on them.

"Want to run?"

At that moment, the corners of Makoto Haramura's mouth turned up slightly.

"Ten times speed!"

With a sudden burst of time manipulation, he moved like a blurry afterimage, instantly appearing above Kurogane Ikki once again.

"The attack was like a raging torrent, giving the opponent no chance to breathe."

"This is the true meaning and purpose of the 'Lianhe' that I created."

"It's not that simple after all."

For the first time since the start of the battle, a bitter smile appeared on Kurogane Ikki's lips.

This was the first time he had ever experienced being suppressed in close combat despite equal strength.

But right now.

"——One Blade Rakshasa!"

Kurogane Ikki's eyes widened in fury, and he suddenly roared, unleashing a burst of magical power that instantly filled the surrounding space.

The powerful magic acted directly on Haramura Makoto, transforming into a shockwave that was as solid as a physical object.

"Bam—"

There were no sparks flying, no crisp sounds of impact, only a deafening roar like an explosion.

The shockwave, solid as a physical object, exploded directly on Haramura Makoto's body. The terrifying impact, mixed with chaotic airflow and wind direction, struck Haramura Makoto, who hadn't yet adjusted his stance due to the hasty pursuit, as if he had been struck by lightning. His entire body was blown away, bouncing off like a ball.

However, just before crashing into the protective wall, Makoto Haramura successfully adjusted his body, performed a backflip in mid-air, and landed on the ground.

Re-establishing his stance, Makoto Haramura stared intently at Ikki Kurogane.

"It seems I can't win that way."

"Let's finish this match with this final blow."

Although the Three Heavens technique extended his action time to enhance his abilities, he had just been suppressed for a very long time by Makoto Haramura using "Renkaku".

A lot of time was wasted.

There's less than half a minute left. Even if they continue fighting, he'll still be suppressed by Makoto Haramura until his body enhancement time ends.

Therefore, a decisive blow is the only path to victory he can choose now.

"can!"

He didn't use his special abilities much in this match, at most occasionally using his time-manipulation ability to accelerate his movement, and he didn't use his space-manipulation ability even once.

The goal of engaging in close combat with Kurogane Ikki has been achieved.

After his battle with Kurogane Ikki, his "Renkaku" technique can now be said to have reached its full potential.

A brighter light appeared in Kurogane Ikki's eyes than before.

Then, he spread his legs wide apart, holding the spirit armor and Yin Iron at his sides.

This is a new sword stance.

It is one of the seven secret swords that Kurogane Ikki has not yet shown.

Makoto Haramura's lips curled up slightly.

With legs spread apart like a bowstring, it seemed as if all the strength in his body was being twisted into one. He held the Rain Moon sword horizontally in front of him, while the Void Rift sword was positioned like a cross directly above the hilt of the Rain Moon sword.

He poured all his physical and magical energy into this attack, unleashing his full power.

An idea simultaneously resonated in both of their minds.

"—The Seventh Secret Sword: Lightning."

"—Time Freeze!"

Chapter 094 Awakening

The moment of taking a step forward.

Everything before my eyes turned black and white; all sound and color vanished.

All the bones in his body were creaking, and the blood vessels in his wrists and thighs were all ruptured.

Do your best to the limit, give it your all.

He poured all his life force into this one strike, even if it meant losing all his strength and becoming utterly weak, weaker than a child.

But at this moment, he no longer needed to consider such unnecessary things.

All he needs to know is that what he's doing now will allow him to reach his peak.

"——The Seventh Secret Sword: Lightning!"

The terrifying magic surged like a raging torrent, and at that moment, Makoto Haramura's outburst silenced everyone present.

If we say that Ikki Kurogane's full outburst was silent and unexpected...

At that moment, Makoto Haramura's outburst was like the dazzling brilliance of a star exploding.

Indeed, Makoto Haramura's magic is no match for Stella's world-class magic.

As mentioned before, Makoto Haramura's magic is absolutely outstanding in the world.

He couldn't be as extreme as Ikki Kurogane.

He poured all his life force and magic into a single attack; this was the difference in spirit between him and Kurogane Ikki.

Ikki Kurogane abandoned everything in order to achieve victory.

But that was because of his inherently low ability; this was the only way he could be on par with him.

All he had to do was infuse it with his magic.

"—Time Freeze!"

The jet-black katana transformed into a shooting star, trailing a tail of light as it charged forward relentlessly.

A ghostly blue light instantly enveloped the entire arena, turning everything around it into a deathly silent space.

Time, space, mass—everything was frozen, stilled.

The entire audience fell into a deathly silence, everyone staring wide-eyed at the two on stage, not daring to utter a sound.

The enormous shockwave, like a tsunami, swept outwards, turning into a violent gale that whipped clothes, blasted up dust, and even scattered the clouds in the sky.

"Kakaka-"

The sharp blade tip, crackling with blue lightning, collided with the barrier of that time and space.

Cracks resembling a spiderweb spread out from Kurogane Ikki's sword, extending outwards.

But even as it spreads, it is constantly being repaired by magic.

There can be no hesitation, no pause.

They continue to suppress their entire lives, squeezing every last drop of their energy out of themselves.

If there is even the slightest pause, I will be swallowed up by this spacetime barrier, and then I will lose the competition.

Kurogane Ikki was very clear about his current situation.

"Ah-"

Kurogane Ikki let out a roar that could echo throughout the entire arena.

"Even if my blood vessels rupture, even if I'm shattered to pieces, it doesn't matter. As long as I can win, everything I have can be taken away and used."

"This is my resolve, this is my sword."

This is a more powerful force, a sharp magic resisting its own magic.

Makoto Haramura could clearly feel the will and determination of Ikki Kurogane transmitted back from that magical vibration.

He could even hear Kurogane Ikki's direct spiritual cry from here.

“I have indeed sensed your awareness, Ikki.”

Makoto Haramura's face appeared somewhat pale, a clear result of excessive magic consumption.

"But do you really think that's all the enlightenment I've gained?"

"It's just a fight where everything is at stake."

"It's not like I haven't been through it before."

The entire arena instantly emitted a blinding light, and the power of the magic seemed to increase several times in an instant. Kurogane Ikki, who was able to fight against Haramura Makoto just now, was swallowed up by Haramura Makoto's spacetime barrier in the next moment.

Half a second later, the barrier vanished like a mirage.

All that remained was Makoto Haramura, whose face was still pale.

There was also Kurogane Ikki, who was clutching his chest with one hand, using his sword as support to prop himself up on the ground, coughing incessantly, his face deathly pale.

He looked down at his chest.

There were no wounds, but the pain was extremely intense and noticeable.

That was precisely where the three magic bullets that hit him had struck. In addition, the Rakshasa Blade had completely exhausted all his physical strength, magic power, and energy. Now, even kneeling was a luxury for him. He was like a fish out of water, unable to swim anymore, and could only slowly lie down on the ground.