Chapter 383: The Twin-Wings Sword Style That Shocked the Entire Arena!
"Three! Four! Five!"
The countdown echoed throughout the arena.
However, Luke, who was inside the battle zone, turned a deaf ear to it.
He merely stood there quietly, looking in the direction where he had blasted Ouma away.
Until a gust of wild wind blew over.
Watching Ouma being launched back from the distance by a storm, Luke smiled.
Ouma was not unharmed.
Luke's strike just now had directly shattered his Tenryuu Armor and mana armor.
So Ouma, who had been thrown all the way out of the arena with only his bare body, looked extremely miserable on the outside.
The clothes on his upper body had already disappeared, and wounds of all sizes covered him.
However, although he looked miserable, the actual damage to Ouma was not too serious.
This kind of impact might have been fatal to others, but to people like Luke and Ouma, whose physical abilities were far beyond ordinary humans, it was not much.
As Ouma returned to the battle zone, the countdown also stopped at seven seconds.
Luke looked at Ouma as he firmly walked toward him, then suddenly asked,
"What is your reason for returning to the battlefield now?"
Luke's question made Ouma pause.
He fell silent for several seconds, then answered,
"…In truth, it isn't some reason worth mentioning."
"When I was little, I participated in a competition held within the Kurogane Family. The first time I won, I was very happy."
"So I thought, if I could become the strongest person in the world… that would definitely be extremely enjoyable."
"To put it directly, victory… no, becoming stronger itself is what makes me happy."
"My reason is just that simple."
Ouma himself did not think this was anything worth bragging about.
It was selfish, small, and not noble at all.
But what had supported him all the way to today was precisely this tiny wish.
Listening to Ouma's answer, an indescribable emotion flashed through Luke's eyes.
Only after a long while did he sigh with emotion.
"It really does feel nice… to have someone walking the same path."
Although they were not exactly the same, Ouma and Luke truly were very similar.
Luke smiled, then raised Starfall Sword again and pointed it at Ouma.
"You once wondered how I could contend with Edelweiss, right?"
Luke had not actually intended to use the Twin-Wings Sword Style in this match.
First, there was no need.
Second, it was a bit too conspicuous.
Unlike Hagun Academy's internal matches, among those who came to watch the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, there was no shortage of well-informed professional Mage-Knights.
Although not many people had seen Edelweiss's swordsmanship, it would inevitably be recognized here.
Better to avoid trouble when possible.
Luke had originally intended to keep a somewhat low profile before the semifinals.
Although he was already used to being investigated and watched, it was still not a good thing.
It might even disturb his time with Edelweiss.
But now, he had changed his mind slightly.
Ouma's words had touched him.
So Luke decided to answer his doubt.
"Prepare yourself."
There was no need for Luke to say more.
The instant he opened his mouth, Ouma had already made his preparations.
The immense pressure rushing toward him was more useful than any verbal warning.
At this moment, Luke seemed to have become a different person.
The sharp sword intent radiating from him was completely different from before.
So Ouma, having sensed this, focused his entire mind and prepared to defend.
However…
It had no effect.
Pfft—!
A huge wound appeared across Ouma's chest.
And Luke's figure impossibly appeared behind him.
Invisible to the eye.
Soundless and traceless.
No need to accelerate.
Extreme motion and stillness, rising directly from zero to one hundred.
It was precisely the Twin-Wings Sword Style!
…
"Wh-What exactly just happened?!"
The sudden change on the field shocked every spectator, and even the announcer at the commentary desk could not help crying out.
"When I saw competitor Ouma return to the battle zone, I thought I would see another exceptionally intense exchange like before."
"B-But… competitor Luke suddenly appeared behind competitor Ouma, and that wound…"
"D-Did competitor Luke launch an attack?!"
"I'm ashamed to say it, but his speed was simply too fast. I couldn't see what happened at all!!!"
Although this announcer's own strength could not be considered powerful, he was a regular announcer for the KOK A-rank League.
His experience could genuinely be called world-class.
And the commentary booth he was in was located in midair.
Not only did it have a good field of view, but it also gave him an overhead perspective on the match.
Even so, he had completely failed to see Luke's movements.
There had not even been a sound.
Luke had simply vanished from where he stood.
By the time the announcer reacted, the wound had already appeared on Ouma's body.
"What on earth is going on… The speed of competitor Luke's strike has completely surpassed my understanding!"
However, while the announcer was shocked, the other person beside him was even more shocked.
The Seven Star Sword Art Festival's commentary booth consisted of two people.
One was the announcer, who was responsible for most of the speaking.
The other was a professional Mage-Knight.
The purpose was to make up for scenes the announcer could not see through because of insufficient strength.
However, the current situation was a little different.
Because this professional Mage-Knight, this powerful Blazer who had once fought in the A-rank League, also could not see Luke's movements clearly.
But although he could not see clearly, he recognized it!
"B-But how is that possible… That swordsmanship is clearly…"
His shocked muttering was quickly noticed by the announcer beside him.
"Coach Muroto, do you know something?"
Muroto stared blankly at Luke on the field.
Only after several seconds did he barely suppress the shock in his heart.
He could confirm it.
That swordsmanship, that posture…
"Although there are some differences between two-sword style and one-sword style, that soundless movement, that absurd acceleration method beyond understanding—I once saw it before."
"Where did you see it? C-Could it have been in the A-rank League?!"
Facing the announcer's question, Muroto shook his head.
"You could never see it in those so-called matches."
"Because… she is the world's most vicious criminal, as well as the strongest swordsman in the world… Twin-Wings Edelweiss!"
His words spread throughout the entire venue through the broadcast.
For a moment, both inside and outside the dome fell into deathly silence.
At that moment, no one knew who said it, but a quiet question broke the pin-drop silence.
"I-In other words, has his swordsmanship already reached the same realm as that Twin-Wings?"
Those words ignited the atmosphere of the entire venue.
And at that moment, everyone's gaze gathered on Luke.
…
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