Chapter 248 - I lost
Almost at the same instant Intetsu struck Ascalon, the heavy impact forcebwas transformed into a terrifying vibration.
It traveled up Ascalon's blade and into Roy's hand, threatening to shatter his arm bones.
However, the intensity of this vibration was well within Roy's tolerance range. It couldn't cause him substantial damage.
Moreover, resolving this technique wasn't difficult.
High-frequency vibration.
This was the secret behind the Sixth Secret Sword: Dokuga-no-tachi.
By vibrating the blade, the user could transmit shockwaves through the opponent's weapon, destroying their grip.
"Nice combo," Roy praised.
"But even so, you blocked it easily," Ikki said with a wry smile.
His mood was complicated. There was the pleasure of being recognized by a swordsman, but also the frustration of having his best attacks nullified.
Ikki knew very well that one of the reasons he executed the combo of Raikou into Saigeki and finally Dokuga-no-tachi so smoothly was that Roy was waiting for him to make a move.
Roy hadn't taken the initiative. If he had, Ikki wouldn't have been able to chain his Secret Swords so easily.
Yet, even his well-prepared combo was blocked.
At this moment, Ikki deeply understood why Kurono called him the strongest candidate. Roy was overwhelmingly powerful.
The battle between Blazers isn't just about swordsmanship; it's about Noble Arts.
Ikki knew that until now, Roy hadn't used a Noble Art. He was fighting solely with swordsmanship. If Roy used his ability or whatever it was that impressed the Chairwoman, the winner might be decided in an instant.
"I'm just physically stronger," Roy said with a smile.
Ikki knew this was modesty. His eyes burned hot, and he attacked again. It was a rare opportunity to compete with someone this strong.
When the swords collided again, Ikki felt unprecedented pressure.
He knew Roy had started to get serious, at least in terms of swordsmanship.
The heavy, rapid slashes kept pressing Ikki back, making his arms ache.
"Exquisite swordsmanship!" Ikki sighed from the bottom of his heart.
Speed, strength and skill.
Roy had all three. For a moment, Ikki was completely suppressed.
"Second Secret Sword: Retsu-koushi!"
Ikki twisted his lower body. An extremely obscure force was transmitted from his hips to his upper body, unleashing a zero distance slash through Intetsu.
At zero distance, a slash should be impossible; usually, one could only grapple. But Roy felt a sudden, explosive force from Intetsu's blade, knocking Ascalon back a short distance.
"Inch force?" Roy frowned.
Ikki was full of surprises. These Secret Swords broadened Roy's vision. This technique was clearly created to deal with being suppressed in a clinch.
Roy could create similar moves, but seeing Ikki's creativity was inspiring.
Having created a gap with Retsu-koushi, Ikki didn't stop. He lifted Intetsu slightly and slashed obliquely toward Roy's chest.
CLANG!
Unsurprisingly, the sword was blocked.
Roy quickly retracted his arm. Ascalon, which had been knocked away, snapped back down. Using the crossguard, Roy caught the oblique slash of Intetsu, stopping its momentum dead.
Then, Roy pushed outward. Under his superior strength, Ikki was forced back several steps.
"That kid Kurogane... he's planning to counterattack," Kurono observed, reading the situation clearly.
After a few minutes of fighting, Ikki should have figured out the patterns of Roy's sword technique.
"Let's see if the Worst One can force Roy to reveal more..."
After being pushed away, Ikki swung his sword at Roy again with strong fighting spirit. Only this time, he didn't use a Secret Sword.
"It's like playing against... myself," Roy frowned slightly.
Yes, his swordsmanship had been copied by Ikki. Ikki was using Roy's own moves against him.
"That's right! I've seen through your swordsmanship, Roy!"
Ikki admitted, breathless but confident. "You know my background. When I was young, no one was willing to teach me, so I had to watch others and steal their techniques."
"Because of that, this ability became sharper and sharper. In just one minute, I can see through most sword styles."
Swordsmanship has a logic, a context. As long as you follow these veins and reach the truth of the technique, you can master the whole set. Including skills, routines, and even the user's thought process.
While attacking Roy with Roy's own style, Ikki explained: "Once the interpretation is thorough enough, I can create counter techniques and surpass the opponent in every aspect!"
"This is my Noble Art, Blade Steal!"
Ikki announced his ultimate weapon.
"However, Roy, your swordsmanship is superb. I've only just mastered it, so I can't create a counter-style yet. This is the first time I've encountered a style so flawless."
"Did you see through it?"
Roy shook his head slightly. "All you saw through was my habit."
"Habit?" Ikki faltered, his rhythm disrupted.
"Swordsmanship isn't static," Roy said calmly.
Suddenly, the style of the sword in his hand changed. The heavy, oppressive rhythm vanished, replaced by something eerie and silent.
"What if I use... this?"
Roy stepped forward. His presence seemed to thin, making it hard for Ikki to focus on him.
Ikki's eyes widened. The logic he had just built around Roy's movements collapsed instantly. The angle, the timing, the breathing, everything was different.
This stance... this feeling...
"Ayatsuji Itto-ryu?!" Ikki gasped.
"Correct," Roy smiled.
He switched to the Ayatsuji Itto-ryu he had learned from Kaito just days ago. Specifically, the technique Markless.
Ikki's Blade Steal relied on analyzing the opponent's thoughts and patterns. But Roy, had no fixed pattern. He was a library of styles.
The moment Ikki analyzed one book, Roy simply shelved it and pulled out another.
Ikki barely blocked the invisible strike, sweat pouring down his face. His brain was overheating, trying to re analyze Roy from scratch.
"Too slow," Roy whispered.
Before Ikki could adjust, Roy vanished.
It wasn't speed. It wasn't magic.
Ikki's brain simply refused to process Roy's existence.
"Trackless Step..." Kurono muttered from the sidelines, her jaw tightening. "He's using my move now."
Roy appeared behind Ikki, Ascalon resting gently against the boy's neck.
"You possess a terrifying talent, Ikki," Roy said softly, lowering his sword. "But relying on copying won't work on someone who has no fixed form."
The arena fell silent.
Ikki stood frozen, the cold sensation of the blade still lingering on his skin. He lowered Intetsu, a look of defeat but also immense respect on his face.
"I lost," Ikki said, turning around with a bitter smile. "Complete defeat. The Chairwoman wasn't lying. You really are a monster."
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