Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 578

" Magic Blade Technique, huh? That's an interesting name. Understood."

"Yep. Looking forward to it."

I might not be able to beat Rubens with just 'sword talent,' but when it comes to combining various elements into 'sword' talent, I won't lose.

By applying the ' Magic Cloth Technique' I learned from Curtis to imbue magic into a wooden sword, I can do something like this.

"Zanmashou (Slashing  Magic Soar)!"

The moment I shouted the technique's name and swung the wooden sword upward sharply, a magical slash flew out and raced across the ground with great force.

"This is...?!"

Rubens widened his eyes at the unexpected technique but quickly nullified it by deflecting it with his own magic-imbued wooden sword.

"I never expected you to turn the magic imbued in a wooden sword into a 'flying slash.' As always, your magical talent is impressive. However, this level of power won't work on me."

He smiled calmly, but I narrowed my eyes and smiled back.

"You're amazing, Rubens. Not only did you block it, but you also figured out the mechanics right away. The position of Vice-Captain of the Baldia Knights  order  isn't just for show. But the true value of this technique isn't its power."

"Not its power?"

Rubens tilted his head in confusion.

"That's right. This technique can be used repeatedly. Like this—Zanmashou: Ranged Barrage (Slashing Demon Soar: Wild Strike)!"

I imbued the wooden sword with magic again and swung it rapidly in a figure-eight pattern.

While the previous flying slash was a single attack, this time countless slashes raced toward Rubens across the ground.

But although Rubens was surprised, he didn't falter.

"An impressive technique. However, the issue of power remains."

He smirked fearlessly and charged forward, deflecting the incoming Zanmashou slashes.

As expected, Rubens is strong.

I can't stop him with just tricks.

Then, it's time for the next move.

I paused my swings and began imbuing the wooden sword with a fire attribute.

"Lord Rid, what's wrong? Are you done already?"

"No, i am just getting started. Zanmashou: Homura (Slashing Demon Soar: Blaze)!"

I swung the fully imbued wooden sword toward the approaching Rubens, and a fiery red Zanmashou raced across the ground.

Adding the fire attribute requires a bit of charging time, so I can't fire it repeatedly like the regular Zanmashou.

The magic consumption per strike has also increased, but the power is greater.

As before, Rubens tried to deflect it with his wooden sword, but this time, he couldn't cut through it.

The Zanmashou: Homura clashed with his sword, pushing against each other.

However, a relaxed smile still lingered on his face.

"Is this a fire attribute? Your magical swordsmanship never ceases to amaze me, Lord Lid. But even this won't stop me."

With that, Rubens let out a roar and cleaved the Zanmashou: Homura in two.

At the same time, the now directionless Zanmashou: Homura exploded on the spot.

A loud explosion echoed through the training ground, and thick smoke billowed up.

"A shame, but this technique won't work on me anymore—"

"You're amazing. But how about this?"

Rubens shrugged and shook his head, but I deliberately cut him off and leaped away from the spot.

I kept changing positions, firing Zanmashou and Zanmashou: Homura in rapid succession.

Before, I had been firing from the same spot, making it easier for Rubens to attack me.

But by leaping around and firing from all directions, even he would struggle to keep up.

Indeed, the relaxed expression on Rubens' face began to fade—or rather, he seemed a bit annoyed.

"Ugh, how bothersome."

He deflected a Zanmashou that came close and spat out in frustration, then pointed the tip of his wooden sword toward me from a distance.

"Do you plan to keep attacking from outside my range? This won't count as swordsmanship training."

Rubens narrowed his eyes and smiled, but upon closer inspection, small veins were popping on his forehead and cheeks.

Just a bit more, I thought to myself, smirking inwardly.

To further provoke him, I shrugged with an exasperated look and let out an exaggerated sigh.

"There's no such thing as 'bothersome' in a fight. Besides, I told you, I'm testing out new magic and wanted your feedback. Oh, could it be that you can't figure out how to counter it? No, surely the Vice-Captain of the Valdia Knights wouldn't have that problem, right?"

"Hoh..."

Rubens twitched his eyebrow and let out a deep sigh.

Ah, this.

I might have gone too far.

But it was too late. The air around us grew tense with the oppressive magical pressure he emitted.

"It seems Lord Lid has developed quite an overconfident streak without realizing it. This won't do. Not at all. I believe it's time for some strict guidance."

Rubens was still smiling, but there was an undeniable intensity in his expression.

Still, I couldn't back down now.

"I'm not overconfident. But sure, I'd like to see what you mean by 'strict guidance.' If you don't mind, that is."

I smiled back and continued leaping around, firing Zanmashou: Ranged Barrage and Zanmashou: Homura at Rubens from various angles.

Of course, he closed the distance by deflecting the attacks and charging at me, but he couldn't quite reach me.

After repeating this exchange several times, I paused to fire a Zanmashou: Ranged Barrage. At that moment, Rubens leaped toward me with great momentum.

He dodged the Zanmashou and closed the distance in an instant, raising his wooden sword.

"The same trick won't work multiple times. That technique leaves an opening after you use it. After seeing it so many times, I've figured out a counter."

What Rubens said was true.

After firing a Zanmashou, there's a slight delay before my next move.

He had noticed this gap during our exchanges and had been waiting for the right moment.

But sometimes, it's worth showing your weaknesses on purpose.

"Did you think there was only a 'slash' and not a 'thrust'?"

As I said this, I imbued the wooden sword with a slightly different type of magic and thrust it toward the approaching Rubens with great force.

"Matotsushou (Magic Thrust Soar)!"

In the next instant, the 'thrust' I delivered with the wooden sword became a 'flying thrust,' similar to the Zanmashou.

"Wha...?!"

Rubens clearly hadn't expected a new technique at this point and hastily defended with his wooden sword.

Matotsushou has a shorter range than Zanmashou but packs more power.

In his current stance, it would be difficult for him to deflect, so he shouldn't be able to withstand it.

Just as I thought that, the dry sound of wood shattering echoed through the training ground.

As expected, Rubens' wooden sword shattered under the impact of Matotsushou.

"Gotcha. This is my win."

Just as I was sure of my victory and my face broke into a smile, Rubens, whose wooden sword had been destroyed, flipped in midair and landed on the ground.

Then, in the same motion, he leaped toward me and closed the distance in an instant.

His sharp eyes glared at me up close, sending a chill down my spine.

"Ah, crap...?!"

"The moment of victory is when you're most vulnerable."

With a cold smile, Rubens swiftly pinned me down.