"One-Cut Asura!"
Charles stared in genuine shock as a torrent of magic overflowed from Kurogane Ikki's body.
An F-rank's magic output was supposed to be pitiful—barely enough to circulate within the body, let alone manifest externally.
And in this world, where magic is tied to fate, increasing one's magic was deemed impossible unless one transcended into a Desperado.
So, there was only one explanation: Ikki was truly using everything.
In truth, no human being ever really fights with 100% of their strength. The body's full output exceeds its limits—using it would tear muscles, snap tendons, even fracture bones.
Magic works the same way: unleashing it without limit would destroy the body.
To protect itself, the human body enforces restrictions—instinctual barriers that prevent self-destruction.
Through rigorous training, experienced fighters can break through some of those barriers for bursts of power. But the deepest layer—the will to survive—remains unbroken.
But if someone could consciously shatter even that instinct and release everything, they would momentarily wield strength many times greater than normal.
Ikki had done just that.
He had achieved what no one even dared to imagine: overcoming his survival instinct and, for one minute, drawing out tenfold his usual strength. This was his secret technique—One-Cut Asura.
But to Charles, it resembled something else.
"This is… Kirin Gong? No... It's cruder. More reckless. But you really are something terrifying," Charles muttered.
Kirin Gong—an ultimate martial art from Shenlong Temple, taught only to those with monstrous talent and determination.
At present, only three people had mastered it: the current Doujin (Battle God), the Grand Elder of Shenlong Temple, and the fugitive Fuku Shouri—one of the Four Immortals.
The third… was Charles himself.
Even then, it had taken him years of grueling training and experiences across multiple worlds to grasp it. He had only just finished his Kirin Gong training before departing for this mission.
But Ikki's One-Cut Asura was something else—more brutal, a violent surge that tore through his body to grasp power.
Only in a world like this one—with its healing tech like the Regeneration Chambers—could someone survive using such a technique.
A fitting name—Asura.
Then Ikki vanished—right in front of the crowd's eyes.
Charles smiled. And disappeared, too.
The next moment, both reappeared in the arena's center. The collision between Yamato and the Dragonslayer cracked the ground beneath them.
Then they were gone again—reappearing in another corner like flickering ghosts.
"What's… going on?" Stella asked, stunned.
A tiny girl in a kimono had somehow appeared beside her and said, "That's pure speed. These two have surpassed visual perception—that's why it looks like teleportation."
"How interesting. Looks like this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival won't be boring after all."
Kurono had already noticed the uninvited guest. "So, you came after all."
The girl hid her smile behind a folding fan. "That doesn't matter. Let's focus on the fight. This level of student battle is rare."
Another clash. Another separation.
Ikki could feel it now—the gap called talent. Even using One-Cut Asura, Charles could keep up.
But rather than despair, Ikki was exhilarated.
Charles exhaled, faint draconic scales flickering across his face.
"Flame of the Fire Dragon!"
He unleashed a blazing wave that swept across a quarter of the arena. Audience members instinctively backed away, but Charles's control was precise—the flames never touched the crowd.
Even powered up, Ikki couldn't withstand such a torrent. He evaded at once.
Charles's gaze flicked to an empty space—his instincts screaming. He stomped forward, crushing the floor beneath him, and whipped his flame-wreathed arm toward it.
Suddenly, that "Ikki" vanished—and a shadow fell from above.
"Secret Sword #4 — Mirage Wolf!"
This time, Ikki had conjured the illusion right in front of his true self, close enough to fool even Charles. He launched his ambush before Charles could react.
Yamato tore through the fire surrounding Charles. As Ikki prepared to shift from downward to upward slash, Charles's palm closed around the blade.
Dragonslayer forced the katana down—and flames surged from Charles's left, the Evil Dragon, threatening to engulf Ikki.
The heat curled his hair. He couldn't dodge now.
"Secret Sword #2 — Armor Splitter!"
A surge of energy erupted from Yamato's edge—enough to force Dragonslayer aside and slash toward Charles.
The blade didn't pierce Charles's skin—his Dragonblood Mode made his body as tough as dragon scales.
But the impact still sent Charles flying. The fire attack he was preparing fizzled out.
Charles hadn't expected Ikki to apply inch-force to his sword—a clever counter that caught him slightly off guard.
Gazing at Ikki, now breathing hard, Charles asked, "How much longer can you keep that up?"
One-Cut Asura came with a cost. When the minute expired, Ikki would be completely spent.
Ikki did the math—less than ten seconds left.
"Long enough!"
He didn't waste breath. He took his stance for one final strike.
"Is that so?" Charles knew this next blow would be everything Ikki had left. He would respond in kind.
"Secret Sword #7 — Thunder Light!"
"Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon!"
Charles charged forward, propelled by erupting flames. Ikki became a bolt of lightning.
But then—Charles's punch missed. Ikki's strike had veered off course—just enough to slip past.
He'd been baited.
Ikki never intended for that strike to end the battle. It was a feint—meant to draw Charles into overextending.
Even Charles, throwing a full-force punch, would leave a gap.
Ikki now stood behind him, blade drawn.
Five seconds left.
"Secret Sword #1 — Rhino Thrust!"
His strongest move—everything he had poured into one blow. This was his road: the path of the Asura.
But unfortunately…
He stood against a dragon that defied all logic.
Charles's pupils shrank into reptilian slits. In Ikki's vision, a massive beast loomed in Charles's place.
Time seemed to freeze. Though his blade moved forward, fire erupted from Charles's backhand.
When the five seconds ended, the flames dispersed. Yamato's tip hovered at Charles's shoulder.
They stood face to face.
"…You really are strong, Ikki," Charles said, as the unconscious warrior collapsed.
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