Yesterday, little Ilan nonchalantly brought up a bowl of fiercely spicy Mapo Tofu soup. Thanks to her, my cold has completely recovered. I didn't feel too uncomfortable, but yesterday Ilan and the kitten seemed to be running as if their mouths were on fire. To this day, their lips are still swollen and red. "Jiti yi ruan kuan ma you gou ke ai (It’s completely customer-less today)", Ilan muttered presumably deliberately avoiding the contact of her lips, which would probably cause pain. I nodded while propping my head up. Closing time was coming as dusk approached.
Although my illness came from a lack of magical energy, I had no intention of giving up the sword-making training. If I cannot master this skill as soon as possible, then I would have no way to face potential dangers. For instance, if a real hero appeared before me now, I would not be able to make a good weapon for them. At worst, I might kill the hero unintentionally. In that case, I would turn into a villain instead. I refuse to believe I can't do it. It's just perceiving the framework and creating a matching pattern after all. As long as the approach is right, theoretically, there is always hope. I still make the swords recklessly despite the severe drain on my magic.
Just when I was pushing myself, Karona's voice echoed from above.
"Are you always this intense every night?"
Such misleading words could only come from her.
Seeing her, I collapsed on the ground and remarked, "Without even a greeting you barged in here, be careful, I might treat you like a thief and kick you out."
She looked as if she didn't come for a fight so I just laid on the ground without care. Unlike physical strength, magic doesn't grow with usage but significantly hurts nerves when overused.
She jumped off, landed on the stepping stone without making a sound, just like a cat. "No use trying to hide, even if I don’t see or hear you, I can sense your presence."
"Hmm." I grumbled, realizing I had been seen through. My attention was focused on controlling my breathing, so I didn't have the energy to inquire about her intentions. After a moment of awkward silence, she asked, "Are you really a weapons dealer?"
"Of course, do I look like a human trafficker?"
She replied with irritation, "But you might be more powerful than my teacher. I graduated with the best overall grade, still, I lost to you."
She spat the words out resentfully but finally admitted her defeat.
"So, you have been spying on me."
My tone was not questioning, just stating the obvious. Observing powerful people is the best way to understand the reason behind their power.
"But you do not seem different from others at all. I also cannot sense your power, and your skills seem limited to forging weapons only."
Clearly, she was still not convinced.
"How long has it been since you graduated?"
"A year and a half.”
"Did you fight with anyone face-to-face during this time?"
"Well, no, but I still remember the fight-"
"Those textbook techniques, you will never win against me with those. You are indeed an exceptional person: observant, responsive, possessing excellent memory and even high storage of magic. However, combat is not a comparison of data, experience is equally important.”
Karona was left without words. I stood up, intending to continue weapon-making.
"Let’s have another round. This time I will use all my techniques and put in my best foot."
However, I had lost interest. Regardless of how powerful the technique is, if the person is weak, it still wouldn't make a difference.
"If you win, I will introduce you to the person who made this sword."
"Let’s start right away!"
If I could meet the craftsman, perhaps, I would understand what I lack.
I am surely going to win this time.
No sooner than this had I thought, than Karona's figure disappeared instantly.
I dodged instinctively, right where I was standing, the sword spiked suddenly. Although I tried to keep up with Karona's figure, fireballs flew from all around.It's not that I couldn't dodge, but there were limited routes to take. That fireball was a lure.
Could she really grow so quickly in just a few days?
I waved my hand, repelling a fireball with the pressure of the wind, choosing a different route to break through. As expected, seven or eight sturdy vines brushed past me.
First of all, I need to land. Being in the air puts me at a disadvantage.
Suddenly, the vines by my side exploded.
Tsk, blinding lightning. Was it buried in the attacking vines in advance?
Even if I used my magic to scatter it forcibly, my right arm still suffered a scrape.
She wasn't obsessed with defeating me in speed, but rather using magic and her preserved skills. Her goal switched from 'being the best in every area' to 'victory in the end', shrugging off childish pride and combat theories.
She's gotten stronger.
I really want to compliment her, but it would be impolite during a fight, like showing off how I'm still capable.
"You're looking rather flustered, old man. With my preserved skills, I'm worthy of being called lightning fast!"
No matter how strong she's become, being aggressive and competitive is still wrong.
It's my obligation as a senior to teach my junior.
"Oh Almighty God of Holy Light, bless your followers with the light to illuminate the darkness!"
I infused my magic into the silver sword in one breath, the blade immediately bursting with a brilliant glow.
At the same second as my figure disappeared, the dirt around me shot up like rapidly growing plants, trapping me within.
Well, I can't just mosey along like this anymore.
Although I can easily break free from this level of restrain, doing so would be pointless. I guess Karona would feel proud thinking that her all-out attack has the power to make me run with my tail between my legs and hence become more arrogant, refusing to go ahead. Having a powerful opponent is not necessarily a bad thing for her, who has always led an honor student’s life.
"Universal Smithing."
Dirt flew around as I turned my body, catching the slashing silver sword with three fingers.
I wasn't hurt a bit, but in the fan-shaped area about several dozens of meters behind me, the dirt was rushing to the sky like evaporating.
Indeed, it was an incredibly fearsome power, but it was not enough to defeat me, even not enough to hit me.
