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That's right, Ryoji's special ability had been nullified not because Twin Wings' ability canceled it out, but because she had escaped from within the framework of his "settings."
He didn't know how she managed it, but the truth behind his ability being negated was that she had "dodged the setting."
However, he was capable of applying two settings simultaneously, something Twin Wings didn't know. So naturally, she wouldn't guard against it. After evading his first setting, she would let her guard down, allowing his second setting to activate successfully.
"I admit there was a bit of a gamble involved, but fortunately, I won." Ryoji let out a genuine sigh of relief.
He actually didn't know whether, when Edelweiss evaded his setting, she could avoid both settings at once. But since he had no other option, he took the risk.
"You did manage to fool me."
Edelweiss gave a slight nod, acknowledging Ryoji's calculation, but then her tone shifted.
"But you only get one chance. And yet you didn't use it to defeat me?"
Now that she knew he could apply multiple types of settings, she wouldn't fall for it again. The next time she dodged, she would evade all settings at once. In other words, Ryoji had only one effective opportunity, only one setting that could work on her.
Yet he hadn't used that chance to defeat her. Instead, he used it to learn her sword technique.
"To be honest, I did consider using that opportunity to beat you. But my instincts wouldn't allow it. Even if I had used it, I probably still couldn't have won."
Ryoji grinned. "In that case, I might as well use that chance on the transmission of electronic signals!"
That's right.
He used his one and only setting opportunity to make the transmission speed of the electronic signals in his nervous system absolutely surpass Edelweiss's.
Only then did he unleash that flash-fast Twin Wings Sword!
"So does that mean Ryoji has already learned Twin Wings' swordsmanship?"
Arisuin Nagi's expression lit up with joy.
To think that in less than a minute of exchange, he had managed to copy the world's strongest sword technique?
"That's impossible."
Edelweiss slowly closed her eyes, as if sighing.
"The reason you were able to strike just now was that you set me as the target to surpass, forcing your electronic signals to transmit instantaneously. But in doing so, the electronic signals within your body have become completely disordered; they no longer know how to continue functioning."
Because of that sudden divine speed, the electronic signals had become confused.
They had originally operated according to their own orderly system. If Ryoji continued training his control over his body, his internal electronic signals would eventually evolve to Edelweiss's level.
Normally, such evolution should occur step by step.
But at this moment, Ryoji had abruptly reached a whole new realm using his Blazer's special ability, like forcing growth by pulling up seedlings, granting them an experience they weren't ready for.
So his body's electronic signals were bound to fall into chaos.
"In other words, right now you're not even as strong as your former self, let alone capable of fighting me."
Edelweiss shook her head.
Disordered electronic signals would cause muscle movements to become erratic. For example, just as he was about to deliver a fatal blow, his signals might suddenly assume the battle was over, causing his body to freeze. Even worse, when he needed to dodge, the signals might suddenly decide everything was safe, making him stop abruptly… the consequences would be disastrous.
In short, his body would fall into complete disarray.
This was the price of forced growth.
Right now, Ryoji had actually become weaker.
"Is that so?" Ryoji looked genuinely surprised.
He hadn't expected that at all.
"Ha!"
Ryoji raised his blade and gave it a light swing through the air. For a brief instant, the blade hesitated ever so slightly.
Ryoji's brow twitched. In that brief moment just now, he really had felt like his body wasn't obeying him.
What Edelweiss said was actually true! Because he had forcefully obtained that "evolution," his body had instead fallen into disorder.
Ryoji calmed himself and swung his blade again.
This time it was even worse, the swing didn't even go through. His movement froze at the instant just before the strike.
He said nothing, spreading his perception throughout his entire body.
He could clearly sense it, his body had just undergone a sudden evolution, and everywhere there was a feeling of maladjustment. His limbs seemed to have minds of their own.
"Shuā!"
Ryoji swung again, but the blade suddenly stalled when it reached a forty-five-degree angle.
Edelweiss watched him silently. She had no intention of pressing the attack. Instead, her gaze swept over his body again and again.
He's seriously trying to control it.
Admirable willpower, but trying to rein in such chaos in a short time… that's impossible with ordinary swings.
Her gaze gradually settled on his face.
Unable to control his stalled body, his expression grew heavier.
He had clearly learned the world's strongest sword technique, how could he stop here?
Edelweiss understood his thoughts, and also his unwillingness at this moment. She even felt an inexplicable urge to lend him a hand.
"Why am I thinking something like that?" She suddenly snapped back to herself, startled.
'Did he unknowingly influence my thoughts?'
'Is there something strange about this kid?'
'It can't be that I'm being swayed by some kind of male charm, right?'
Impossible!
Edelweiss firmly denied it in her heart.
"Ryoji-kun!" Suddenly, Arisuin Nagi's scream rang in her ears, snapping her back to reality.
She looked up, her expression changing drastically. Because she saw Ryoji raise his Spiritual Item (Device), but the tip of the sword was pointed at his own chest!
"You…!"
"Puchi!"
Before Edelweiss could even speak, Ryoji drove the blade straight into his own chest!
"Guh, ha!"
He violently coughed up a mouthful of blood. The front of his clothes was instantly dyed red by the blood gushing out from within.
Not an Illusory Form, but a Material Form!
That strike had truly been meant to kill him!
Ryoji's face fluctuated between pale and ashen.
But his hands didn't slow in the slightest. With one hand, he pulled the blade out of his chest, and with the other, he took out a crystal vial filled with a multicolored liquid from the pouch at his waist. Half of the potion he drank, and the other half he poured onto his chest.
In just a few seconds, the wound on his chest rapidly healed, leaving not even the slightest scar behind.
An Elixir.
Even someone on the brink of death could be dragged back from the gates of hell with a single bottle.
"Shuā!"
Color gradually returned to his face. Then his gaze sharpened, and he swung his blade once more.
Fast as a flash!
There was no acceleration phase; he reached maximum speed in an instant! His body showed not the slightest hesitation. Everything moved as one, his limbs once again under the control of his brain!
"I've learned it!" A defiant smile curled at the corner of his lips.
He declared it to Edelweiss. The sword of the world's strongest, was now in his grasp.
(End of Chapter)
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