"......"
I steadied my stance and raised my sword once more.
Xenoas also readied his greatsword, measuring the distance between us.
Paying the utmost attention to his every movement, I hurriedly pieced together a strategy in my mind.
The strength to wield a greatsword with ease.
Unbelievable speed that didn't match his massive frame.
The judgment to adapt to any situation on the fly.
Every one of his abilities was exceptional. I couldn't find any obvious weakness.
He was a perfect swordsman.
I now understood all too well why Rena had regarded him as such a threat.
What should I do?
...Xenoas looked as though he had armored himself in muscle.
That immense strength was probably what allowed him to control that greatsword so freely.
Still, even he shouldn't be able to wield a greatsword as large as himself with only one hand.
It probably wouldn't take him out of the fight, but his combat ability should be cut in half.
In other words, if I could somehow render one of his arms unusable, a chance of victory should appear.
My target was Xenoas's arm.
All I needed was to inflict a sufficiently deep wound.
I'm faster than he is, so if I can make use of that advantage, it shouldn't be impossible.
"......"
"......"
Once again, we stared each other down.
It felt as though the air itself was trembling.
The pressure was so intense that it made my skin tingle.
Focus.
Focus even more, sharpening my awareness deeper and deeper.
And then...
"Hah!!!"
The moment I exhaled, I burst forward.
Like drawing back a bowstring, I pulled my sword behind me.
With my left hand extended forward, I charged.
Third Sword Technique: Crimson.
I hadn't completely mastered it yet...
But right now, this was my only option.
"Nghhh!"
Xenoas chose to intercept me.
Spinning in place, he swung his greatsword from the lower diagonal to the upper diagonal.
He intended to knock my sword away...
And split my body in two at the same time.
Remaining in a crouched posture, I rushed forward and evaded Xenoas's strike.
I slipped past his side and moved behind him...
At the same time, I swung my sword.
I felt the blade cut through flesh.
I hadn't reached the bone, but I had landed a solid hit.
A warrior as powerful as Xenoas could probably endure the pain...
But he shouldn't be able to ignore it completely.
Controlling his greatsword perfectly should now be much more difficult.
With this, my chances of victory should improve at least a little—
"Magnificent."
Looking at the blood flowing from his right arm, Xenoas spoke calmly.
His expression hadn't changed at all, but somehow, he seemed pleased.
"How long has it been since I last bled...? Very well, I acknowledge it. You are a formidable opponent."
"Thank you."
"You're thanking me?"
"Being told that by someone of your caliber makes me happy, even if we're enemies."
"Heh... Perhaps you and I are alike."
Xenoas laughed...
Then released an even greater fighting spirit than before.
The pressure far exceeded anything I had anticipated.
It felt as though I might lose consciousness just from standing here.
"Th-This is..."
"Allow me to apologize. I underestimated you. I mistakenly believed I could defeat you as I was."
"Wh... what did you say?"
"Therefore... I shall fight seriously."
An eerie light began to emanate from Xenoas's greatsword.
That's right...!
He wasn't just a swordsman.
He was a wielder of a magic sword!!!
He hadn't used that power until now.
He had been fighting purely with his own abilities.
And if the power of the magic sword was added on top of that...
"Now then, come... Roar, Gram."
"!?"
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