Lets go Arnos.

Ray aims the tip of Initeio at me and kicks the ground.

Like an arrow, Ray shoots straight towards me and stabs at my throat.

Slow.

I push my sword against the tip of the incoming Initeio.

Against a sword that can cut magic Hiding Magic <Najira> and Arms Strengthening <Adeshin> my Kongo Iron sword itself will be destroyed.

Or it should have but halfway through his thrust Ray changed the trajectory of his sword and aimed at my left hand.

When the tip of Initeio was about to stab my hand I opened it and Ray stopped his thrust.

Whats wrong? With your momentum, you could have pierced my palm.

If you catch my sword Ill lose.

Fumu. As expected.

I was going to let my hand be pierced and grab his sword. In pure sword techniques, Ray is better than me but in terms of strength, you cant compare us.

I could have completely sealed his sword if he had pierced my palm but it seems that wont be easy to do.

Its my turn now then.

I casually extend my left hand and grab at Initeio but Ray retracted his sword and avoided it.

As Im grabbing for his sword I also swing my sword down at his head with all my might.

Ray should have no choice but to block with Initeio, however, my sword will break if he does so he would both win and lose this match at the same time. If Ray doesnt win by destroying the <Demonic Absorption Bracelet> (1) hell be burdening me further. In other words, Ray cannot destroy my sword.

Whats he going to do? If he doesnt take this blow it will be a fatal injury.

Fuu.!

Ray intercepts my sword with Initeio but at the moment they collided I felt a strange response.

Its soft.

Ray absorbed the shock by not going against the power and skilfully diverting the direction of my force.

Ohh. Show me that again.

Sure. I dont mind.

Our swords cross and again a surprisingly quiet sound is heard and my sword is brushed off. I changed the angles, power and even fired a barrage of them but Ray parried them perfectly every time. At first glance Ray made it seem easy but it was no exaggeration to say that it bordered on godlike.

How many mazoku could do this even in the age of myths?

Youre a frightening man you know? Several times now you could have broken my sword.

Your sword is a demon sword. If not for the <Demonic Absorption Bracelet> this would be a different story.

We both have disadvantages.

Im using a normal Kongo Iron sword and I need to keep using <Najira> so Im not disqualified but the bracelet keeps absorbing my power.

Ray cant use his left arm and cant take my sword on directly either.

Our handicaps are probably about even.

I cant say either of our hearts are content with this but at least we dont have to worry about the disadvantages.

I cant believe it..that sword. It can fight evenly with Initeio..!

Initeio slashes magical techniques and it should sever any magic applied to swords as well! In fact the other demon swords he fought against all broke. Whats going on.?!

Perhaps because its a sword without magic Initeio is ineffective?

Idiot! If its just a plain metal sword it would break on the first strike.!

.Perhaps its true then.

..A sword of the heart forged by a true master craftsman.

.Hows it different to magic power..?

Irrelevant words flew about from the seating area.

The battle between me and Ray is intense. I doubt more than a few people can accurately grasp whats going on.

Are they going for an endurance match?

Ray parries my blade again. Because hes watching out for me trying to grab Initeio hes on the defensive.

I wont take advantage of your handicap. If I stall for time its going along with the expectations of the royal faction.

I dont care. No matter how much power is absorbed theres no problem. Think more about winning than me.

I forcibly cut down the distance between us as Ray is trying for a quick time out.

At that moment Initeio flashes.

Of course thats my intention!

Rays blade turned into a fierce attack and went straight for my left hand.

Naive.

I try to catch Initeio again but its path changes to my left arm so I stiffen my muscles and ready my sword.

Fresh blood scatters.

Ray cuts my left arm and I pierced Rays shoulder.