Chapter 45: Burning Life Shura! Taboo Sword!
The breeze rolled up withered leaves, spiraling through the silent streets.
Kurogane Ikki suppressed the turbulent qi and blood, his eyes betraying his shock as he hurriedly asked.
"Could Arthur also possess an ability similar to imitating sword skills?"
"It's quite troublesome to explain, so just assume it is."
Arthur waved his hand casually, and with his breathing, the Magic Conduction fluctuations suddenly intensified.
"I'm equally curious about your imitation sword skills. Try to replicate my move again."
Flame Style: Burning Wings!
In an instant, blazing flames soared from the platinum longsword, burning fiercely.
The wings of the Red Dragon spread open ferociously, and a terrifying heat wave rushed forward. Kurogane Ikki's face twisted in bitterness as he rapidly retreated, not daring to clash head-on.
Arthur forced his opponent back with a single move but did not pursue. He casually held the platinum longsword in a reverse grip and said loudly.
"Kurogane, imitating my moves isn't that simple. Besides the movements, you also need to learn how to properly channel Magic Conduction."
Kurogane Ikki panted slightly, repeating, "Properly… channel Magic Conduction?"
Leaving the breathing rhythm aside, Magic Conduction was the fundamental difference between them.
Complete Magic Conduction Breathing was from the inside out. Relying solely on movements could only replicate the form, not the essence.
Kurogane Ikki was lacking in Magic Conduction; merely enhancing his physical abilities was already his limit.
In other words, it was absolutely impossible for him to wield Magic Conduction as freely as Arthur, controlling various elemental forces.
"What, you haven't used your full strength yet, have you? Or are you saying—"
Thunder Style: Light Fang!
The sky exploded with light, and the slash tore through the sky, as swift as lightning, as fierce as a dragon's fang. A slight misstep would mean utter destruction!
Clang!
Metal clashed, sparks flying!
Arthur held his sword, pressing Kurogane Ikki to his knees. He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked.
"You think you can still act at ease when fighting me?"
After barely blocking the swift and powerful strike that was as fast as a thunderbolt, Kurogane Ikki's eyes changed abruptly, revealing sharp determination.
He rolled away to create distance, then stood up, his dark iron blade held horizontally across his chest, and apologized in a low voice.
"You're right. Lacking the talent of a Magic Knight, I have no right to be arrogant. From now on, I will no longer retreat!"
"It's just a practical training match. If I don't give my all even now, how can I be worthy of myself, who swore an oath with my life!"
"Arthur , please witness the fruits of my efforts so far!"
"Ittoshura!"
Boom—!
Azure flames erupted from his body, and a torrent of Magic Conduction, far exceeding what came before, raged and surged, cracking the street beneath his feet!
Before Arthur could ask, Kurogane Ikki had already shattered the ground, rushing forward with a furious momentum no less than Light Fang's!
Seventh Secret Sword: Lightning Flash!
… …
Clang, clang, clang!
The continuous clanging of metal echoed through the dormitory street.
Kurogane Ikki, who had been struggling earlier, now transformed into a blood-soaked Asura, charging forward relentlessly, his attacks like a tide, each move a life-or-death gamble!
At this moment, Arthur's smile faded, his eyes serious as he re-examined Kurogane Ikki before him.
Under the Transparent World's vision, the human body held no secrets.
After activating the so-called 'Ittoshura,' Kurogane Ikki compressed all the energy within his body, unleashing it in an instant!
His total Magic Conduction had not substantially increased; rather, he forcibly stimulated his deeply hidden life potential, going all-in!
However, this kind of desperate fighting style, like the Mark, was a forbidden technique that prematurely overdrawn one's life essence, and it could not last long!
The opponent's determination to fight with his life was indeed admirable!
Moon Style: Dark Claw!
Five shadowy claws tore through the night sky, irresistible!
Kurogane Ikki, unable to break through after a prolonged assault, suffered another heavy blow, staggering and rolling several meters away.
Arthur shouted sternly, "Stop, Kurogane! If you keep fighting, you'll die!"
"Cough… cough! Thank you for your concern… My situation… isn't that bad yet…"
Before he finished speaking, the azure flames enveloping Kurogane Ikki's body suddenly extinguished, and the surging Magic Conduction also dissipated, almost inaudible.
"Hmm!?"
Arthur's eyes showed surprise as he looked at Kurogane Ikki, who was slumped on the ground, temporarily unable to stand up.
Indeed, after performing Ittoshura, the opponent's strength was completely depleted, making him unable to move.
But was that all?
The opponent had clearly activated a secret technique that overdrawn his life essence, yet he could still retract it on his own after the battle?
This situation was truly beyond Arthur's expectations, making him secretly marvel.
"Kurogane, your creativity is far beyond what I imagined, comparable to that genius swordsman who pioneered the Breathing Technique back then."
Kurogane Ikki managed to calm his breathing, his eyes filled with curiosity as he hurriedly asked.
"What was the name of that genius swordsman? That…"
"Don't misunderstand, it's just that I've studied sword fighting styles from all over the world before, but I've never seen your moves, so I'm a bit curious."
Arthur said with a hint of emotion, "His name was Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He was a swordsman whose talent was almost divine."
"Because he was naturally indifferent and had no fixed abode, he left no legacy. I only learned his style by chance."
After hearing Arthur's explanation, Kurogane Ikki lowered his head, his eyes flickering, hesitating whether to ask for guidance on Magic Conduction Breathing.
It was rare to meet someone who wasn't intimidated by the Kurogane family's power and acknowledged his efforts. He really didn't want to appear too opportunistic.
"How about we exchange secret techniques?"
For a moment, Kurogane Ikki almost thought he had accidentally blurted out his thoughts.
But he quickly realized that this sentence actually came from Arthur's mouth.
"I have high hopes for your Ittoshura move; it might solve a problem that has troubled me for a long time."
"In exchange, I will teach you the Magic Conduction Breathing style that suits you, without holding anything back."
"You, consider it?"
Consider?
What the hell is there to consider?
Kurogane Ikki's eyes widened. A surge of power, from who knew where, erupted from his supposedly exhausted body, and he suddenly stood up!
"No need to consider, I agree!"
… …
As Arthur helped Kurogane Ikki return to the dormitory, Stella stood with her arms crossed on the roof of the dormitory building, looking down, her eyes flashing with a strange brilliance.
This princess, who had absolute confidence in her own strength, was in high spirits. The fierce battle just now had not moved her in the slightest.
"One is a strong opponent in combat on my level; the other possesses an unheard-of Blazng Blade technique."
"Indeed, coming to Hagun Academy was the right choice!"
… …
Chairwoman's office.
Shinguuji Kurono's gaze shifted from the monitor screen, and she turned her head to another observer.
"What do you think?"
Saikyō Nene held an iron fan, her petite figure clad in a wide kimono, feigning maturity as she lightly chuckled, covering her lips.
"Which one are you asking about, Kuu~chan?"
"Don't call me Kuu~chan!"
Shinguuji Kurono waved her hand irritably.
"I generally know about Kurogane's situation, as for that new kid…"
"He's very strong."
Saikyō Nene snapped open her iron fan, covering her chin, and replied with a smile.
"That kid never used his full strength, even when the Kurogane kid used his forbidden secret technique, it was the same."
"Kuu~chan~ you really hit the jackpot this time."
Shinguuji Kurono was too lazy to correct her friend's address again. She leaned back in her high-end office chair, muttering in a low voice.
"I hope so."