The Second Strongest Has Returned

Chapter 27

Growth

Lava Sword Hwacheong was a weapon made by refining special ore from the Volcano volcano. Every time it was wielded, flames would swirl around it, marking it as a weapon of fire.

The Thunderstrike Spear Pulchor was a spear made by absorbing lightning that fell from the sky, known for its explosive power and speed derived from the lightning, making its rapid thrusts unparalleled.

The Mirror Shield was made by grinding down a mirror found in ancient ruins. While it was incredibly sturdy, its unique feature was its ability to reflect and deflect attacks.

[“All these amazing weapons are stored there?”]

“Yes, I’m telling you. And that’s just in Marquen’s armory.”

If you considered not only the personal armories but also the weapon storages owned by the Reinhardt family, they could probably fend off a kingdom’s army. However, there were many permissions and restrictions on opening them.

[“Is that why you’re dueling now, to get your hands on them?”]

<“No way, my aim is solely Ariasphil’s growth and this duel.”>

Of course, refusing when offered would not be courteous. Accepting what adults gave with a “thank you” was a matter of manners and decorum.

[“Well… okay. This is a good chance to get something nice.”]

<“I assure you, I have no such selfish intentions! None at all!”>

Leo looked at his worn-out iron sword. If he could win, he could finally part ways with this cheap blade.

[“But don’t let your guard down. That kid may be young, but their talent is exceptional.”]

<“I am well aware of that.”>

Even though Leo seemed relaxed, he maintained a certain level of tension. This tension was a rational instinct gained through more than 200 duels and defeats.

Creak.

When the preparations were complete, the door to the duel arena opened.

Leo took a step toward the arena, where light was seeping in.

***

The duel arena was larger and more grandiose than the training ground.

Most of the people who had attended the party sat in the audience with indifferent expressions. It was a normal reaction since they hadn’t attended the party for this purpose from the start.

[“This doesn’t even compare to the training ground.”]

<“Of course, since the young lady of the family is formally dueling, there’s no need to hold back.”>

As Leo stepped into the arena, the young lady of the family appeared.

[“…The atmosphere is different.”]

The expression “the atmosphere is different” was truly fitting.

Instead of a soft dress, Ariasphil wore leather armor, subtly showcasing her prowess. The longsword she held instead of a bouquet was enough to ignite Leo’s competitive spirit.

“Leo, if you think about it, we’ve never gone all out before.”

She was right.

In their first duel, Arias had been pushed back using a dagger, and in the second duel, Leo had restricted himself from using magic.

Despite the situational constraints, this didn’t dampen their enthusiasm for the match.

“So…”

She drew her longsword from its sheath. The tip of the sword soon pointed straight at her rival.

“Fight with everything you’ve got. I will too.”

Leo’s sword also pointed at her in response.

“I’ve never held back. I won’t this time either.”

The corners of both knights’ mouths curled up slightly.

The reason for their smiles was the same.

“I now declare the duel between Ariasphil Reinhardt and Leonardo to begin!”

The referee raised his hand from the upper seats of the arena, preparing for the match.

“The conditions for victory are the opponent’s surrender or incapacitation. Any unauthorized magical tools or interference will result in a disqualification.”

After the explanation, the raised hand slowly descended.

“Begin!!”

At the shout, dust rose around Ariasphil’s spot.

“She disappeared?!”

The audience gasped, but Leonardo remained calm.

Clang!!

Arias, who had disappeared, stopped in front of Leo’s sword. The ringing metallic sound indicated that even a moment’s delay in reaction would result in being struck without realizing it.

[“Faster than before?”]

Her speed surpassed not only her previous self but also her younger self from her past life. In terms of pure agility, she was even faster than Leonardo.

Ching!

Deflecting her blade, Leo disrupted Arias’s fierce attack.

Simultaneously,

[“Steam Smoke.”]

Hot water vapor spewed from the magic circle toward Arias. Pushed back by the particles, she couldn’t keep her eyes open.

“Ugh…!!”

When she finally opened her eyes, the particles of heated water had already filled the arena.

‘Where is he? Where is Leonardo…?’

The opponent she sought responded with daggers instead of words.

“So fast…!”

The consecutive thrown daggers weren’t something she couldn’t deflect, but they weren’t easy to handle either.

‘But eventually, he’ll run out of daggers. And then…’

The thick water vapor also began to clear. A one-circle, one-time-use magic couldn’t obscure vision for long.

‘There he is…!’

Through the thinning mist, she saw Leo’s red eyes. Arias charged forward, swinging her sword.

[“Lightning.”]

The counterattack came as a one-circle lightning spell. Since the magic shot out in a straight line, it was simple for Arias to dodge.

‘I’ve got him…!’

Just as her sword was about to strike,

Crackle!

The straightforward lightning spread out in all directions.

[“Chain Lightning.”]

Arias got caught in the chained lightning.

“Aaaah…!!”

“…What is this…!”

The entire audience gasped in shock. Their earlier boredom or indifference had long disappeared.

“…The thrown daggers were connected by wires.”

Chris was the first to realize.

As Chris explained, the daggers Leo had thrown were connected by wires. Being made of metal, they conducted the lightning’s power effectively.

“Using Steam Smoke at the beginning was also to enhance the lightning spell.”

The particles of water scattered thickly enhanced the lightning spell sufficiently. Not only was the air filled with moisture, but so was Arias’s body.

“…He’s quite the tactician.”

Even Marquen had to dryly acknowledge Leo’s skill.

[“Did you finish her off?”]

Leo started to pull on the wire and charge forward. If he could land a sword strike, victory would be his.

“…Ugh…!”

But then,

[“What…!?“]

The surrounding lightning began to recede. Mana was being expelled from Arias at the center.

“No way…”

Ariasphil Reinhardt.

Her strength came from various factors such as swordsmanship, physical abilities, senses, and lineage.

But Leo knew.

Her fundamental talent was

[“She’s a 2-star…”]

“The aura has taken the form of 2-stars…!”

the essence of mana itself.

Outside her body, two clusters of aura began to shine brightly. The condensed mana cores simultaneously pushed back and deflected the lightning.

“Ugh…!!”

The pressure of the mana caused Leo to be pushed back a little.

“…What is this…! This power…?”

Even Arias seemed surprised by her own growth and did not immediately go on the offensive.

‘In that case…!’

Leo didn’t waste the opportunity and continued his attack. With quick advancement, swift strikes followed.

[“Hey, give me a break with the transformation. It’s kind of sneaky for a guy.”]

<“Winning is justice.”>

Ultimately, the victor is right. To prove that, Leo didn’t stop his offensive stance.

Clang!!

But she had already adapted to her own power. The fact that she was deflecting Leo’s aggressive moves proved it.

“…Hoo…”

The tide of the battle was now flowing in Ariasphil’s favor.

“Let’s continue, Leonardo.”

Entering the armory didn’t seem like it would be easy.

***

It felt like his body was burning.

It wasn’t just the sensation of searing pain.

It felt as if thin wires were laid over his nerve fibers, twined into a double layer, and molten metal was poured into his muscles and blood vessels instead of blood.

To put it more concisely.

It felt like he had gained another heart.

But

‘…I can win…’

This strange sensation sharpened Arias’s resolve.

‘Leonardo, I… against you…!’

The newly formed second core pulsed.

“I will win!!”

Ariasphil’s mana engulfed the arena.

[“…Can you win?”]

The Sage cautiously asked, feeling the palpable mana even in his spiritual form.

<“…I’m not sure.”>

[“Really? For someone unsure…”]

Despite his words of uncertainty, Leo steadied his sword.

[“…you’re smiling quite a bit.”]

His smile was far from a nervous one.

Rather, he seemed pleased with Arias’s remarkable growth as he swung his counterattack.

[“But how do you plan to win?”]

Originally, he had intended to weaken her with his initial strategy and then claim victory with a fierce assault. But now that her core had become 2-star, he couldn’t win with such a weak plan.

Just by the number, quantity, and strength of her auras, she already surpassed Leonardo. This was enough to explain why he was at a disadvantage.

However,

Despite her powerful sword energy, it never reached Leo even once.

‘…Why… can’t I land a single hit…!’

In terms of sword weight, speed, and mana quantity, Arias had the advantage. It wasn’t that she couldn’t control her suddenly enhanced abilities either.

But even her overwhelming sword energy was rendered powerless before Leonardo.

“…It’s not just that his senses are sharp.”

Watching Leo’s swordsmanship, Rios couldn’t help but quietly admire.

“Indeed, that’s beyond talent or intuition.”

Gladiolus, having experienced and recruited many talents on his way to becoming the head of the family, could say his discernment was sharper and more accurate than anyone present.

“It’s hard to believe, but that boy must have gone through intense experiences at a young age. At the age of 13.”

Agreeing with the head’s explanation, Chris nodded.

“I’ve seen Leonardo’s body before. Judging by his scars, he’s crossed the line between life and death several times, like an old veteran.”

At those words, Marquen, who was a true veteran, propped his face on one hand.

“…Though he’s still defensive, it’s not at a level that can be dismissed.”

As he said, Leo hadn’t turned the tide of the battle with his attacks.

[“If this drags out into a long battle, you’ll be at a disadvantage. You know that, right?”]

As the Sage mentioned, if it turned into a long battle, the situation would turn against Leo. Arias would gradually become more accustomed to her 2-star core, and once that happened, the 1-star Leo would be overwhelmed by the absolute mana difference.

Therefore,

[“Lightning.”]

He had to finish it quickly.

As the explosive lightning surged, Arias stepped back to avoid the heat. Backing away, she gripped her sword and steadied her breathing. Likewise, Leo took a moment to regulate his breathing.

Once this breath ended, the match would be decided.

[“You can’t win with a frontal assault. In terms of pure power, you’ll lose.”]

Facing her head-on was also disadvantageous. The faster and stronger mana and body had the upper hand in such a fight.

[“Lightning.”]

But

Crackle!

Making up for those deficiencies had been Leo’s way of fighting.

The current from the Lightning spell surged through Leo’s entire body, accelerating him.

<“With this, I can do it.”>

[“…What? What can you…”]

Arias charged. A straightforward vertical slash, overwhelming Leo in both speed and power.

Leo gripped his sword.

The second in command remembered.

For five years, what he had done to break that swordsmanship.

What kind of martial prowess he had built up.

After the assumptions and processes of his senses were completed,

For a moment, the sword was drawn.

It wasn’t a flashy trick or a complicated technique.

What cut down the talent bestowed by the heavens was the essence of basics, the pinnacle of fundamental skills.

•Slash First Form: “Cut,” a horizontal slash

The deep mastery of fundamentals cut through the genius’s sword.