Chapter 16
Ex Strongest Swordsman 16 is out!
TLN:
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“Let’s see, teach me magic…!” (Soma)
“I don’t really understand at all.” (Aina)
When Soma told her the details of the content from yesterday, a confused voice sounded as a reply.
Well, after coming together here to do the daily routine, these were the words that uttered at the moment their faces met.
If she wasn’t confused, she was probably surprised.
Since she understood Soma, it would be easy to briefly explain the situation once she made a satisfactory expression after a while.
“It is out of common sense… well, it is true that people with Special Rank have such feelings, but I was only able to use magic only for one day, you know? Although I, myself, also don’t understand much about magic, being told to teach is…” (Aina)
“What? It is probably easier than ripping s.p.a.ce with a sword.” (Soma)
“Your standard is weird!” (Aina)
Aina was shouting as such, but for Soma, it was easier to rip s.p.a.ce with a sword, so the theory was logical for the time being.
However, it was true that the standard was wrong.
“Well, I won’t know until I try something. It may be unexpectedly easy to do it, if I try it.” (Soma)
“Hey, when you said ‘unexpectedly’, you don’t think that you can do it, right?” (Aina)
“…Phew♪, phew♪.” (Soma)
“Don’t do some awkward whistling as if you’re looking at the day after tomorrow! Never try to cheat yourself!” (Aina)
Well, to be honest, it wasn’t that he didn’t think he could do it. He actually expected that he couldn’t do it.
Of course, he wanted to be able to use magic.
Although he was thinking such things, he somehow felt regret when he learned the process.
Anyway, that was why he worked hard until now.
Moreover, even if such a fact was true, if he became able to use magic, he would unmistakably feel pleased from the bottom of his heart.
“Well. This is to return the favor yesterday. That is also under the pretext of asking.” (Soma)
“The favor yesterday? …Indeed, there is no mistake that it was a favor, but…” (Aina)
“Well, I was thinking to offset it with the help you lent a year ago, but then, it is not so balanced.” (Soma)
“…You are right. Compare to what I did for you from a year ago—” (Aina)
“Compared to the fact that I was rescued, it was too light to offset with what I’ve done yesterday.” (Soma)
“Eh, you mean!?” (Aina)
For some reason, Aina was surprised, but as Soma didn’t understand why she was like that, he just tilted his neck.
Speaking of what Soma did yesterday, compared to the usual daily routine, he just swung the wooden stick once.
It was shameless to equally compare it to saving lives.
“What do you mean by saving my life?” (Aina)
“There is no other meaning, right? If I leave ‘it’ alone, I also feel ‘it’ is too dangerous to me.” (Soma)
He completely didn’t put in any strength yesterday.
This place was such a place, so if he poorly did it, n.o.body would know. There was a possibility that she would be treated as missing in action.
It took a while for Soma to give that service, but it didn’t matter how he had done it.
Given that, it wasn’t an exaggeration when he spoke about saving her life.
“No matter how I think about it, you are exaggerating, but… oh well. Whatever you say, you won’t take back your words, right?” (Aina)
“Hmmm, you understand well.” (Soma)
“I have seen that face every day for a year. Even if I don’t like it, I still get it.” (Aina)
“Hmm… are you displeased? If that’s the case, you don’t have to say otherwise, but…” (Soma)
“Is that a figure of speech!?” (Aina)
While the situation progressed in such a way, they decided to try it for the time being.
Anyway, there were many things that he had not yet understood. Hence, he tried it in the same way as Aina, but—
“Hmm, put out the right hand, get ready with the posture, and… what next?” (Soma)
“Yes, chant while loading mana on the palm of your right hand—…” (Aina)
“Wait a second.” (Soma)
“Eh, what is it?” (Aina)
“When you spoke about mana and other stuff, what is mana in the first place, anyway?” (Soma)
“…Eh?” (Aina)
Although he was aware that there were numerous differences in understanding, he didn’t need that much time.
“Even if I have to say it, mana is just mana, you know?”(Aina)
“Hmmm, I don’t even feel such a thing, but… no, better yet, how about not having to mind about mana?” (Soma)
“Eh, what do you mean by that? You can’t use magic without mana, you know?” (Aina)
“Hmm, is that how it is? About using magic, how about comparing it with a series of actions of swordsmanship? Maybe I can understand better in that way?” (Soma)
“Even if you can understand it, I can’t even explain such a thing in the first place…!” (Aina)
To begin with, Aina seemed to be more about sensory than theory.
She tried to explain afterwards, but it wasn’t well understood, since the explanation was mixed with onomatopoeia.
By the way, it could be said that Soma was also more on sensory.
It would be easy if they were sharing similar feelings, but their understandings were different in many ways.
It didn’t take a long time to consider that this endeavor was impossible.
But to give up was something that Soma wouldn’t do.
While he was wondering if there was other method—
“In the first place, it is possible that I can’t feel it because I don’t understand it. Anyway, it is necessary to make me understand it, or…” (Soma)
“…Wait a sec, somehow I have a bad feeling. What are you thinking?” (Aina)
“No, I thought that whether I could understand it if you hit me with a spell.” (Soma)
“…Haa!?” (Aina)
“No, that is not correct. In the current situation, my good point is swordsmanship, so if I slice magic, maybe I will understand something.” (Soma)
“…Haa!?” (Aina)
Although he corrected with his exact meaning, Aina was astonished after all.
No, instead of using such words, Aina was looking at Soma as if she couldn’t believe it.
However, there was no way Soma knew that reason. He could only tilt his head.
“Hmm… is it really shocking?” (Soma)
“Rather than shocking, I should say that I am amazed, but… are you sure about this?” (Aina)
“Of course?” (Soma)
When he nodded, Aina let out a sigh.
And then, she directed reproachful eyes.
“…Anyhow, let’s not forget what you said just now, alright?” (Aina)
“Of course.” (Soma)
“Yeah… if that’s the case, I will not say anything more than this. It is fine to see you with painful eyes.” (Aina)
He didn’t understand the meaning of such words, but before he asked about it, Aina walked to a remote place.
Looking at how Aina prepared herself, Soma also took a stance.
And…
“—Oh Flame. Show me thy power, according to my will. Burn everything that stands before me.” (Aina)
He understood with a glance that this was different from what he saw yesterday.
It was clear when he heard the chant, but instead of one hand, Aina put both hands forward.
For some reason, he didn’t know why she seemed to be unusually motivated.
However, this situation was convenient for Soma.
—The Rule of the Sword – Protection of Dragon G.o.d – Ability of Discernment – Third Eyes – Spiritual Mind – Void Eyes. (TLN: The name in raw is 剣の理・龍神の加護・見識の才・心眼・精神集中・虚空の瞳)
While holding a wooden stick, he motionlessly strained his eyes and looked at everything.
And then, at the tip of both of her hands, he found something gathering.
Perhaps, that was what was called as mana—
“Hmmm… I don’t really understand it, huh…” (Soma)
He would understand if there was a little bit more details, but at present, it was different from such things.
By the way, the reason why Soma understood in that way was something he himself didn’t understand well.
However, he was thinking that if he was looking at various things, he wouldn’t see them as if they were ordinary matters. Hence, it would be good enough if he could understand them.
Actually, it was thanks to this, he saw something strange attached on Aina’s body, so there would be no problems if he kept looking at this.
Anyhow, he didn’t understand it that well, even if he could see that strange thing. Moreover, he had no time to feel it leisurely when looking at things.
“—Flame Arrow!” (Aina)
Flame appeared at the tip of both of Aina’s hands, and when he thought of what would happen next, it flew away with the moment that made him think whether it would explode.
A flame shaped like an arrow heading straight toward Soma, and—
— The Rule of the Sword – G.o.d Killer – Dragon Killer – Divine Protection of Dragon G.o.d – Absolute Slash – Ability of Discernment: Self-thought – Imitation – Demon Cutting Sword. (TLN: 剣の理・神殺し・龍殺し・龍神の加護・絶対切断・万魔の剣・見識の才：我流・模倣・斬魔の太刀. The technique is called Zanma no Tachi.)
A flash from the sword…
Immediately after the arrow approaching his chest, it was cut with a single swing.
“…Phew.” (Soma)
Looking at the flames spreading in the air, he let out a breath while unraveling his tightening nerves.
Since it would have been impossible to slice magic by swinging a wooden stick, Soma tried reproducing the sword technique he had in his previous life with a little concentration, but he felt a considerable fatigue, after all.
However, since he didn’t use all of his strength this time, he didn’t collapse. It seemed that he was a lot better compared to the him from one year ago.
“…Haa?” (Aina)
As he confirmed his growth, he heard a foolish voice somewhere.
It went without saying to whom it belonged, but when he turned his eyes toward the source, Aina was displaying a stupefied face.
“I don’t think a girl should look like that. Are you alright? I mean, why are you making such a face?” (Soma)
“Sh-shut up! Just forget about my face! Anyway, do you understand what you did just now?” (Aina)
“Hmm? Of course, I understand, why?” (Soma)
To be exact, he understood that he couldn’t do anything.
Yeah, even though he sliced magic with swordsmanship, he wasn’t sure how he should explain it.
“Hmmm… as expected, it is not good to say it in that way. I have to think a little bit more.” (Soma)
“That’s not what I meant!” (Aina)
“Hmm?” (Soma)
Apparently, what Aina wanted to say was something else.
Perhaps it should be said that she was unusually impatient.
Well, when Aina looked at Soma, who tilted his head as if he was thinking that there was something weird going on, she let out a big sigh.
“…Haaa. When I am with you, I feel like there is something wrong with my common sense.” (Aina)
“So, what are you talking about?” (Soma)
“No matter what you say, didn’t you tell me this earlier? That magic never fails… Did you know that I was really going to hit you? I was thinking that if you feel pain, you would think a little bit about how reckless you were. Even so… did you really slice the magic?” (Aina)
“I didn’t feel anything even if it is strange…? As for magic, for me, it was just an arrow of fire.” (Soma)
It was cute when he compared it to a dragon’s breath.
“You… you know my magic is a Special Rank magic, right? You shouldn’t be able to destroy a Special Rank magic, you know?” (Aina)
“Hmm? Is that so? I think that is similar as ripping s.p.a.ce. In fact, it was much easier than that.” (Soma)
“It’s completely different, you know? You see. Spatial transition is an Advanced Rank magic. So, based on what you said earlier, maybe, I can a.s.sume that you have an Advanced Rank Magic Skill and a Special Rank Swordsmanship Skill. If that is the case, you can certainly rip s.p.a.ce and it will connect.” (Aina)
“Hmm… do you mean that it will not connect if you don’t have a Special Rank magic skill?” (Soma)
“Well. If it is so, it may be impossible to rip s.p.a.ce itself in the first place. And that is not only limited to s.p.a.ce, in fact, it applies to all magic.” (Aina)
“But, I slice your magic apart, right?” (Soma)
“That’s why I said it is weird!” (Aina)
Even if she said so, Soma didn’t really get it.
For this reason, Camilla also didn’t give him a detailed explanation.
Later, he might need to properly ask her about this matter.
“Well, it can’t be help since I can slice it. Because of that, there is no meaning if I don’t understand what is mana or magic.” (Soma)
“Only you can say such a thing…” (Aina)
While saying so, Aina spewed a sigh, and the same goes to Soma.
It seemed that he would not be able to use magic so easily.
But, even though he thought that way, there were still other things he could try.
For today, it was probably good enough to try until this point.
He hadn’t done his daily routine yet. So, if the test was over, it would be a good time to do the routine.
Fortunately, he still had a lot of time.
If that’s the case, he didn’t have to be in a hurry.
Well, Aina’s cooperation was necessary for that, but… Soma didn’t have the slightest doubt about it at all.
It was a matter of course, since Aina was already here.
And there was also no need to mind about the meaning of this place.
He wouldn’t think any further about it too.
As Soma prepared a wooden stick as usual, he started his daily routine today as well.
—
TLN:
- Deleted one redundant (affirmative) sentence.
- I added quite a lot of words in this chapter. IMO, the author was trying to be more creative (or maybe went back to the style of initial chapters?) but again it’s difficult to me maintain the style. If it’s too much, please let me know.