While I was disrupting Tim’s rhythm at will and occasionally getting hit by his attacks, I listened to my father’s words.
Indeed, there is a reason he is called the Grey Fox.
Even though he knows he can win for sure, he plays the role of a caring father, drawing a bet from the opponent.
Moreover, the opponent thinks they can almost win. Provoked, they raised the stakes.
That’s to be expected.
On the surface, it’s my father who is betting on a slim hope. He’s the one being reckless.
But behind the scenes, there is no chance for Tim to win. It’s not just reckless; it could be said that the bet itself is a fraud.
Amidst this, I inadvertently stopped my hand at my father’s words.
Convert the damage received into magical power and channel it into the sword. A last resort, like the final glow of a fading fire.
The secret sword technique, Lamplight.
There is such a technique left by my mother. Indeed, it exists. It’s a technique I barely remembered when mentioned.
Is that what you mean by ‘take damage’?
But no. That technique is by no means a secret sword.
After all, converting damage into magical power is a flawed technique at best.
Magic swordsmanship is a technique that transforms the magic that should be cast into a sword, turning it into a magic sword.
It’s a technique that sacrifices range to gain power.
It fundamentally has high lethality.
Currently, we are using mock swords for dueling, but originally, Tim’s attacks would be even more powerful.
In such a situation, a technique that cannot be activated without taking damage is flawed. My father even said it’s unusable on the battlefield.
My mother is not foolish enough to make such a technique a secret sword.
But the flow changed with the mention of a secret sword art.
I distance myself from Tim.
I’m told to take damage because it wouldn’t be unnatural for me to turn the tables.
If I conspicuously mention a secret sword, the audience will expect it. If the expectations are high, it’s okay if the power is a bit stronger.
Because I can decide the match with one blow, there’s no need to show the fine details of my swordsmanship.
I anticipated this development as of yesterday, and to smoothly transition into this scenario, I cleverly provoked Duke Townset, leading to a standoff of parental pride.
And as an extra… or rather, the main bet.
I drew out the conditions of the bet from the opponent.
Creating an atmosphere where I might turn the tables.
I have to say, it’s impressive, and I think somewhere, a screw has come loose in his head.
There’s a reason why he’s guarded by the three countries.
The only saving grace is that he’s a person who prioritizes protecting his own territory and family above all else.
If he were ambitious, it would be unbearable.
“What’s wrong!? Got cold feet!?”
“Senior… there’s no chance for you to win anymore. Your mistake was not being able to decide it quickly.”
“Hmph… a secret sword art, huh… very well! I’ll accept your challenge!!”
With that, Tim began to gather lightning into his sword.
There are stages to magic swordsmanship.
The first is the enhancement I’m doing now.
The second is the property change that Tim is doing.
The last, the third stage. This is the real essence.
Its name is simply “Magic Sword Transformation.” It causes a form change, transforming it into one’s own unique magic sword.
“Magic Sword… ‘Thunder Roar’”
The shape of the mock sword changes.
The double-edged mock sword becomes single-edged, and a curve is added. The jet-black blade becomes thinner and longer. It’s more appropriate to call it a tachi than a sword.
The magic sword transformation of the mock sword consumes a considerable amount of magical power, but he still did it because he was wary of my secret sword.
It won’t last long, but it has more than enough power to finish me off.
“Come on!! Come at me!”
“Go! Tim! Show the power of the House of Duke Townset!!”
The father and son lean forward eagerly.
In contrast, my parent is completely relaxed.
Sitting firmly in the chair, he muttered.
“Do it, Roy.”
Following the voice, I hold the sword in my right hand.
I pull back my right foot and angle my body.
A thrusting stance. It’s not something I was taught. I remember my mother from my memories and the stance I learned from books.
Slowly, I convert the damage my body has taken into magical power and concentrate it at the tip of the sword.
The audience stirs, wondering if that’s the secret sword stance of the House of Luvell.
Tim also readies his magic sword, preparing for my attack.
He’s probably aiming for a cancellation.
If I attack, Tim will also attack.
What I need to do is “not overdo it.”
If I get carried away and put too much power into it, I might kill Tim.
But I have to make sure to break through Tim’s magic sword.
As I think about how much power to put in, the place falls silent.
Everyone holds their breath, knowing that the match will be decided in an instant.
Glancing over, I can see Yukina using her magic eye.
Oh well. She’s so studious. But the only thing she’ll see in this match is me, inheriting my mother’s technique.
“Secret Sword… Lamplight.”
Muttering, I thrust my sword as I charge.
In response, Tim swings down his magic sword.
The swords collide for an instant.
The collision of magical powers creates a gust of wind.
But the collision is just that, an instant.
Tim’s magic sword is immediately repelled.
“What!?”
In that moment, I slip into Tim’s guard, confirming that his body is protected by magic.
It would be terrible if I accidentally injured him.
But.
His attitude towards Yukina.
His attitude towards Rena.
He needs to reflect on that.
“I’ll make sure you apologize properly.”
I won’t injure him, but.
He’ll definitely be knocked out with the force I’m using, and I slam the mock sword into Tim’s stomach.
“Ugh!?”
Tim’s body lifts off the ground and bends into a ‘く’ shape.
He is then blown off the stage.
He hits the ground, rolls once, twice.
Seeing this, the teacher calls out and rushes to Tim.
“That’s it! The winner! Roy Luvell!!”
The venue erupts all at once.
A perfect setup.
The possibility of a comeback had emerged, and then a dramatic reversal.
The excitement was great because of the emotions involved.
But.
“Alright! Well done! Well done, Roy! With this, the House of Luvell is safe for a while!! With fifteen carriages worth of gold, anything is possible! I’ll increase your allowance, so look forward to it!!”
The most excited was my father.
