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Was it really over just like this?
His consciousness rose and fell as if drifting in an illusory sea.
His psyche had suffered a tremendous shock. At this moment, he had almost no ability to think left, he was nearly unconscious, yet deep within his mind, an instinctive voice continued to question him.
Was he satisfied with this?
Indeed.
He had already grasped the basics of the Twin Wings Sword, successfully stepping into that realm. In a true sense, he had surpassed himself and his limits. To be defeated by the fully serious "Twin Wings" could be called a glorious defeat.
The true Twin Wings Sword… was simply too powerful.
Even though he had stepped into the same realm, he still had no power to fight back.
And yet, what was this unwillingness in his heart?
"The battle is over."
Edelweiss lowered her stance.
"Take him back."
She said this to Arisuin Nagi beside her.
"Yes."
Arisuin Nagi cast her a deep look.
This was his first time seeing the legendary "world's strongest."
Contrary to the rumors of her being utterly vicious, the fact that Edelweiss had held back multiple times left a strong impression on him.
Perhaps this "world's strongest" swordsman was not the kind of heinous criminal the stories made her out to be.
Privately, he also let out a sigh of relief.
He had already prepared himself to risk his life, yet the outcome was far less dangerous than expected. Of course, as long as Ryoji was safe, he preferred things to end this way.
Step!
But at that moment…
A heavy footstep suddenly rang out.
"…The battle… isn't over yet."
A voice, suppressing pain, came from behind.
Edelweiss and Arisuin Nagi froze at the same time.
"How is that possible?!"
"Even after the Spiritual Item (Device) shattered… he's still standing?!"
They turned around.
His body swayed from side to side.
The blade in his hand was reduced to a fragment no longer than a finger. His face was deathly pale, he looked like a spent force on the verge of collapse. And yet, his eyes alone still refused to admit defeat.
When a Device shatters, the user loses consciousness, this was an absolute rule for Blazers.
Yet despite suffering such a violent mental shock, he stubbornly refused to fall.
That willpower was deeply moving.
"Why won't you fall?"
A trace of reluctance appeared in Edelweiss's eyes as she let out a long sigh.
"Falling now would be a kind of mercy for you."
Even in Edelweiss's lifetime, Ryoji's tenacity would rank among the top three she had ever seen.
But sometimes, the more tenacious one is, the more suffering they must endure.
"You're right."
Ryoji shook his head as stabbing pain continued to pierce his mind.
"You're right, but I don't accept it… As long as my heart hasn't broken, there's no reason for me to stop fighting!"
A burning fighting spirit still remained within him.
It was true that he didn't mind losing to the Twin Wings, but a swordsman's pride would not allow him to fall so easily.
"...If I can still struggle, then I'll struggle to the very end."
Ryoji raised the broken blade in his hand.
His consciousness was hazy, on the verge of collapse at any moment.
But he understood…
Understood that he still had the strength left to swing one final strike.
As he raised that broken blade… Edelweiss said nothing, silently bringing her twin swords up into guard.
At this moment, the battle was completely unequal.
And yet, out of respect for a true master of the sword, Edelweiss did not refuse the fight, even if all her opponent held was a broken blade.
"Ryoji-kun…"
Arisuin Nagi watched the two figures facing each other on the field. The tense, drawn-bow atmosphere filled the area, forcing him to suppress his anxiety as he stared toward the end of this decisive battle.
With only a broken blade left, how could he fight?
Dizzy, unable even to think clearly, how could he predict anything?
Ryoji gave no thought to any of those concerns.
At this moment, his vision was already pitch black. He had no room left to consider such extraneous matters.
Victory and defeat would be decided in an instant.
This was the genuine final strike.
Ryoji suddenly tightened his grip on the broken blade, his eyes wide open, his expression turning ferocious.
Weng…!
At that instant, a dazzling light burst forth from his hand, spreading into silver ripples that enveloped his entire body.
Edelweiss's gaze sharpened.
Before her eyes, a miracle appeared.
Within that light, countless silver particles gathered, converging onto the silver blade, transforming it into something even more radiant…
A sword!
The broken blade… had been reforged!
And what was reforged was not a katana, but a sword!
A silver one-handed longsword, shaped like a cross!
"…My sword?"
Edelweiss was momentarily speechless.
Reforging one's own soul-weapon through sheer willpower alone, such a thing was unheard of. Let alone transforming one's Device into the form of someone else's!
Had he changed himself in an instant, or awakened his true Blazer ability?
None of that mattered.
Edelweiss cast aside all such thoughts.
What she was witnessing now was a miracle unmatched in the world.
Never before had it happened, nor would there likely be anyone after.
She even felt a strange premonition.
She couldn't hold back.
If she did, she might lose.
She didn't know where this feeling came from, dismissing it as a whim, but she had no intention of restraining herself.
This strike would be her full power!
Shua!
But something completely unexpected happened.
Ryoji gripped that cross-shaped sword, yet instead of charging forward, he raised it and, with unstoppable momentum, hurled it straight at her!
What was he trying to do?
Edelweiss couldn't understand.
Throwing away his only weapon wasn't that suicide?
Or did this move conceal some profound mystery, some incredible power that could turn death into life?
No matter what, she only needed to unleash her full strength.
Facing the sword thrown straight at her, Edelweiss mobilized every muscle in her body, preparing to unleash the Twin Wings Sword.
But…
"What?"
Her expression suddenly changed.
"I can't move? Why?!"
At the instant she tried to swing, she realized her body seemed completely restrained. She couldn't move at all; she couldn't swing her sword!
And at that moment…
Ryoji had already charged forward.
Launching his final assault head-on against the "world's strongest"!
"But he doesn't have a sword!"
Edelweiss's gaze focused on his hands.
That's right, he had thrown away his only sword. Such a throw posed no threat to her, and instead left him unarmed!
But…
Weng…!
Silver light gathered once more. Countless particles surged in, converging into his empty, grasping hands.
Edelweiss's eyes widened slightly.
A second miracle had appeared.
In Ryoji's hands… A second Spiritual Item (Device) had manifested.
(End of Chapter)