Chapter 471: Form of Flames
Alida's swordsmanship was the embodiment of speed. It was so sharp and swift, even Elna couldn't match it. But it wasn't just about speed. She let her sword hang loosely, gradually moving towards Nigel. He stiffened as Alida approached him, slow and relaxed.
Suddenly, Alida was behind him. Varying her speed, that was Alida's essence. She launched an attack aiming for his neck, an attack that would be devastating even with a barrier. Any normal opponent would have had their head cut off. But her opponent was a disciple of Rossarc, no matter how rotten.
Nigel, without turning around, blocked Alida's sword.
"So, you aimed for my neck after all."
"You respond well indeed. But have you forgotten? It's two against one."
Upon judging that Alida was aiming for his vital points, Nigel concentrated his attention only on those areas and didn't track Alida's movements. This was a move he could make because he had learned the defensive art of the Wind Form with Theodore from Rossarc. However, this left an opening right in front of Nigel.
Theodore seized this opportunity.
"Farewell, brother." Follow current novels on novel fire.net
Just as Theodore's sword was about to reach Nigel, the area around him was filled with blazing red flames. Theodore and Alida managed to escape from the flames just in time, putting some distance between them and Nigel.
"So, you can launch wide-range attacks as well."
"He won't be able to use it too many times."
Alida and Theodore decided on their strategy with a brief conversation. If he can't use it many times, they'll make him use it many times. Eventually, he will run out. It was a simple concept. They had a numerical advantage. They just had to keep attacking. That was their judgment.
However, when the flames disappeared, Nigel looked slightly different.
Until now, Nigel had been surrounded by a barrier of red flames. Now, it was blue. The flames flickered gently. Sensing danger, Alida and Theodore focused on defense. They knew something was coming. And it was a slash attack, cloaked in blue flames. The attack assaulted Alida. She was able to catch it but was forced to retreat due to its momentum. In the meantime, Nigel closed the distance with Theodore.
With the change to blue flames, Nigel's demeanor had clearly changed. Therefore, Theodore chose to endure rather than to try and defeat Nigel.
"You won't be able to defeat me if you only defend!"
Nigel launched a fierce attack. From above, from below, from left, from right. Theodore was assaulted by a barrage of attacks, intense as blazing flames. He deflected each one calmly, withstanding Nigel's onslaught.
"So, the defense you boast is just that much!"
"And your boasted attack is just that much!"
Theodore took a shallow hit on the shoulder. Nigel broke through what could be considered Theodore's barrier-like defense and appeared rather pleased, but Theodore disregarded it, resuming his stance. ɌÃꞐ𝐨ᛒЕȿ
"You never change... I've always despised your attitude."
"Indeed... It seems you were never meant to inherit the master's swordsmanship."
"I decline such lukewarm defensive swordplay. The aggressive sword art, the Form of Flames, is what suits me. It's a technique to dominate everything!"
Nigel had been probing for a gap in Theodore's defense, but getting impatient with Theodore's unyielding defense, he began to forcefully break it down. By delivering heavy blows, he aimed to disrupt Theodore's responses. Theodore's defensive sword was being repelled time after time, causing delays in his subsequent responses. Even so, by skillfully moving his feet, Theodore didn't expose a decisive opening.
"You can't defeat me by just defending!"
Nigel brought his sword down from above, and Theodore caught it. Their swords locked in a struggle under the weight of the heavy blow.
"Why... did you kill the master...?"
"Why? Are you asking that now?"
Nigel pushed against Theodore's sword. Theodore was forced to one knee but still continued to withstand Nigel's blade.
"Pitiful, Theodore. Have you lived all this time thinking about such things? Stuck on some filthy old man."
"Say what you will... You must have had a reason for killing the man we both called father. You wouldn't just kill him for no reason."
"There was no reason! I hated him, so I killed him!"
Theodore took a deep breath and put all his strength into pushing back Nigel's sword. Nigel resisted with equal force. But, at that moment, Theodore released his strength.
Nigel, who lost his balance, tried to quickly regain his sword stance. However, in that moment, Theodore's fist pierced Nigel's face. His fist, coated with wind magic, was turned into a magical punch. It broke through the flames and blew Nigel away.
"...We both had no parents and spent days and nights in rigorous training. The reason we managed to get through those days was because of you. I really... thought of you as a brother. I always thought... there must have been a reason... but if you say there wasn't, there's nothing I can do about it... Stand up, Nigel. As the vice captain of the royal guard, I will be the one to defeat you."
"Don't underestimate me... Stop acting like the senior disciple forever!"
And so, their swords clashed once again.
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