The Author's POV

June flew by and July was nearing. Summer had already approached and the temperatures were starting to rise.

Inside of a training ground.

—Clank! —Clank!

The heavy sound of metal resounded across the room.

"Ren, cover me!"

Shouted Kevin as he quickly moved right of me. As his foot tapped on the ground, his body suddenly shot upwards.

"Huup—!"

—Swoosh!

Right as Kevin's foot touched the ground, I drew a circle in the air and pointed my finger towards a certain spot in the distance. In the same direction, Kevin was headed.

"Thanks!"

Twisted his body, Kevin quickly arrived before my ring. Putting his foot on the ring, he propelled his body towards the center of the room where a young girl leisurely stood.

"Haaa—!"

Arriving before Monica, Kevin let out a shout and slashed his sword down.

"Hmm, not bad…"

—Clank!

Lifting her sword with one hand, Monica easily blocked Kevin's attack.

"…but still not good enough"

BAAAM—!

"Guuuh—!"

"Khhuu!"

Casually swinging her sword and parrying Kevin's attack, Kevin was instantly pushed in my direction.

Because of how fast he was going, I wasn't able to stop him in time and we soon both crashed against a wall.

"Kuegh…this is so unfair"

I muttered as I laid down on the ground. My back hurt like hell.

"I agree…"

Supporting his body with one arm, Kevin weakly stood up. Raising his sword, he glared in Monica's direction.

"Oh, you're not done? I like your fighting spirit"

"Ren, stand up. It's not over yet"

"Ugh…"

Lifting my head, I let out a groan.

‘Damn it, I just want to lay down on the ground for another minute. I'm the one who took the brunt of the attack, not you!'

Why couldn't he let me rest?

Putting my hand on my knee, I stood up and stretched my neck. My eyes soon interlocked with Kevin's.

"Seriously?"

Without him even telling me what he wanted to do, I understood what he meant.

"Alright…"

"Good"

Nodding my head, I placed my hand on the grip of my sword. Kevin on the other hand raised his sword with both hands.

"Huuu…"

Taking a deep breath, I channeled all the mana inside of my body. A white hue shrouded my body.

Kracka! Kracka!

within the white hue were blue bolts of lightning that repeatedly crackled in the air. By my side, an empowering red hue expanded from Kevin's body. He was

guys planning on using your strongest

the front, Monica's

—Swoosh! —Swoosh!

see if you guys are

her new sword in the air as if showing off, Monica

"Ready?"

"Never been readier…"

Kevin looked at

"Let's go…"

muttered as he slashed

VUUUUAM!

energy could be felt from the sword beam as a thick scar traced the

‘Slashing down with both

fifteenth movement of the Levisha style.

"Still…"

movement of the [Keiki

took a stance. Moments after, the world around me turned dark and I found myself standing right

"Huh?"

what to do. Taking

Monica was quickly able

"Not bad…"

with my and Kevin's attack, Monica smiled

—Sha!

to my horror, Monica easily dodged

my attack, Monica casually swung her sword down

—Craka!

of paper,

"Haa…haaa…this is so unfair"

I got on my knees and took heavy breaths. On the other side of the room, Kevin slumped down on the ground

‘Damn it'

[S] rank was

was treating us like children. She made it seems as though our most powerful attacks were nothing but

"I'm impressed"

on the scar left behind by Kevin's sword beam,

guys were this strong. You guys were almost

to Monica's shameless boast, my mouth

be more

be this way. If I had to complain,

"Here, take this"

my direction, Monica casually threw a book in

"This…"

didn't think too much at first, but my eyes soon shot

skimming through its contents, my heart started

===

[★★★✰ Quick-slash style]

on speed. With one quick draw, the user gains the ability to kill an opponent without them noticing anything had happened. Created to replicate the Keiki style. After years of research, this sword art was

===

"Is this for me?"

I looked at

you need to hide your sword art, I decided to give you a little gift. The sword art is three and a half stars, but given the criteria, this was the best I could

sword away, Monica nodded her

"You don't like it?"

it. There's no way

shook

not like

was, the idea of someone trying to imitate his sword art wasn't

style in circulation at the moment, but after a quick skim through, I

They were not even close to their

This, however, was different.

it wasn't. Meaning that the techniques looked

‘That's right…'

I practiced this sword art, I could now use the

would only limit me to the basic movements, this made things much

don't know what to say, thank

am your instructor I'll

ears turning red. She was trying her best to hide

forgot she

be, Monica

one compliment was enough to

so I must do

hide her embarrassment, in a

one actually knows you're coaching

said it out loud, given Monica's personality,

looking forward to