"Ha, haa...!!"
As the dust settled, Lérang revealed himself.
He was gasping for breath, his demon sword planted in the ground.
’Just as I expected.’
I had anticipated that he wouldn’t die from a single [One Flash].
As I mentioned before, due to the stats being weaker relative to the level, [One Flash] was in a weakened state.
Of course, it was still a skill rated A with [Divine Imitation], exerting considerable power against an opponent of this level.
’The first objective has been achieved.’
To inflict significant damage with [One Flash] and reduce Lérang’s stat numbers.
The goal isn’t to kill, but to make him repent.
I need to incapacitate his limbs to some extent. That way, there will be more time for dialogue.
What about the second objective?
"How, how can..."
Lérang muttered in disbelief.
"How can you use One Flash!!"
Hmm, it seems the second objective has also been achieved.
To give him a ’mental shock’. That was precisely the second objective.
With this, the groundwork for repentance has been successfully laid.
Now, the remaining goal is the third and final objective.
’Make Lérang use the swordsmanship of the de Fleur family, and defeat him using that swordsmanship.’
If I can achieve this goal.
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I will be able to successfully make Lérang repent.
"Answer me! Hurry!"
Lérang yelled, not even bothering to tend to his own body.
The physical damage from [One Flash] was less significant than the fact I used [One Flash].
Furthermore, that I used a more beautiful and grand version of One Flash than Lérang himself.
He was completely captivated by that fact instead.
"Keke, One Flash isn’t exclusive to you, Professor Lérang."
"Kuk, kukkuk... Kahaha!!"
Suddenly, Lérang began to laugh loudly.
At some point, he stopped abruptly and became serious.
"What? What’s wrong with learning the swordsmanship of a prestigious family? You’re the same, aren’t you? Relying on the swordsmanship of the Lester family, the most prestigious of them all!"
I am also merely an imitator.
I’m not in a position to lecture others.
That’s what Lérang was saying. However.
"It’s different."
"Different, you say?"
"Yes. You still believe that the swordsmanship of prestigious families is the best, Professor Lérang. But I do not think so."
The beginning and the end of swordsmanship are the same.
Only the middle is different.
"Just now, you said to follow the words of my senior, right?"
"..."
"The path of imitation. As someone who has walked that path first and seen its end, let me give you a piece of advice as your senior."
You are wrong, Lérang. At the end of imitation.
"There is nothing."
* * *
With a pop-.
Rezé carefully looked around after opening the box lid.
About 15 minutes had passed since Zero disappeared.
But nothing here had changed.
Rodelin and the other kids still hadn’t come out of the building.
And the unidentified portal that had swallowed Zero had disappeared somewhere, not to reappear.
And.
"..."
Luna was sitting still as if turned to stone.
She continued to stare at the spot where Zero had disappeared.
She might actually turn into stone at this rate.
"Lu, Lu... Luna. He, here... Eat this."
Rezé offered her own snack.
Carrot-flavored potato chips. Rezé’s favorite snack.
"Huh? Thank you. I’ll enjoy it."
Crunch...
Crunch crunch!
Suddenly, Luna frowned.
"What is this? It’s carrot?"
"Yes, delicious, isn’t it?"
"...Well, it’s not to my taste."
Rezé’s head drooped.
There were too many people in the world who disliked carrots.
’How can this be? It’s so delicious.’
Rezé was downcast again today.
"Um, um... Luna."
"Hm, yes?"
"May, may I ask you something?"
"Ask."
"Why, why didn’t you go inside? If, if you’re this worried..."
Rezé couldn’t understand.
If she was this worried about Zero, it would have been better to go together.
Even if Zero expressed reluctance, Luna’s strength and stubbornness would have been enough to enter with Zero.
But she didn’t. Rezé was genuinely curious about the reason.
"Because he’s my friend."
"Excuse me?"
"Because he’s my friend, I trust him. And... he said he wants to grow on his own. We have to trust that, right?"
"..."
"It’s okay. Zero will definitely come back."
"How can you be so sure?"
Well.
"Because we promised."
A promise made between friends is always kept.
That was Luna’s principle and pride.
Since Zero is her friend, she believed that he would definitely keep his promise.
The promise to return.
"Well, I can’t help but feel a little anxious. Can you promise not to tell Zero that I was worried like this?"
"Huh? Oh... Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll definitely keep it."
Luna’s gaze once again turned to the place where Zero had disappeared.
Rezé thought as she put a carrot-flavored snack in her mouth.
How happy she would be if she could become Luna’s friend.
* * *
The third secret technique of the Lafrell family.
Illusion Sword.
The first secret technique of the Lester family.
One Flash.
Thump thump thump!
Boom!
"Kugh!"
Again, it was Lérang who was pushed back.
Lérang could use 5 family techniques, 10 secret techniques in total.
He had used each one of them, but none could surpass my [One Flash].
"This can’t be... This can’t be!"
"..."
"If only our family had such excellent swordsmanship! If only we had, I wouldn’t have ended up like this! I wouldn’t have made a contract with a demon!"
Lérang was already mentally broken.
’What a fool.’
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I know.
No matter how hard you imitate, it’s just that.
Imitation is just imitation.
It can never become real.
"What do you know! Not being born into a prestigious family is like being told to give up on the dream of becoming a hero! No matter how hard you try, you can’t reach their level of swordsmanship! Just like now!"
"..."
"I wanted to be a hero! I wanted to make a name across the continent, to be a hero that everyone would praise!"
The childhood dream of wanting to be a hero.
I could understand.
That Lérang’s mind was beginning to collapse.
"Demon Sword Release!"
Crack!
Dozens of blood vessels burst out of the demon sword and embedded themselves into Lérang’s right arm.
[Demon Sword Release].
Attack power increases by 200%, but the erosion rate increases by 0.5%.
For Lérang, whose erosion rate is nearly 80%, it might not seem to matter.
"Would it be okay if I killed you now? No one will understand. No one will know of your sacrifice!"
Sadly, the one to die won’t be me. It’s you.
And a hero.
"Is supposed to be like that, Professor Lérang."
Too busy saving the world, let alone the people right in front of them.
How can one be called a hero if they’re only looking out for their own interests?
I knew this fact very well.
From Luterus and the parrot, and.
From the many heroes I’ve encountered in this game, I’ve learned it.
"One thing is clear."
"What are you talking about!"
"You don’t deserve to be a hero."
"Nonsense! Stop spouting nonsense!!"
Wanting to be praised and choosing the path of a hero.
That’s low quality.
Lérang swung his demon sword. The demonic energy whirled around the sword like a storm.
’It seems, this is it.’
Lérang has completely erased the memory of the de Fleur family’s swordsmanship.
He never used his own swordsmanship.
The hidden reward is forfeited.
Lérang has strayed far from the one I knew. Now, just.
’Let’s kill him.’
I made up my mind.
I was really thinking of committing my first murder.
I gripped the sword handle tightly.
The first secret technique of the Lester family.
One Flash.
"Kraaaaaaak!!"
The demonic energy surrounding the demon sword disappeared entirely in the wind generated by [One Flash].
At that rate, both the arm and torso would be cut off at once.
I thought it was over then.
Lérang adjusted his grip on his sword.
The third secret technique of the Fleur family.
Steel Storm’s Wings.
Kuooo-!!
The flash of light I had launched.
It vanished in an instant, as if it had melted into the air.
[One Flash] was blocked, but I wasn’t upset.
Why? Because finally.
I had the chance to obtain the hidden reward.
"Keke, look. When you’re in a hurry, your roots show."
It must be the swordsmanship he had honed for the longest time.
Given it was a life-or-death situation, his body must have reacted on its own.
"Shut up! How is this even considered swordsmanship!"
Lérang used another secret technique.
The Lafrell family’s technique of stabbing three different spots at once.
The third secret technique of the Lafrell family.
Illusion Sword.
Though it was a critical moment, I wasn’t flustered.
Because I had watched closely when [One Flash] was blocked.
[Divine Imitation] slot change.
[Earth Flip] > [Steel Storm’s Wings]
The third secret technique of the de Fleur family.
Steel Storm’s Wings.
Kuooo-!!
The illusions of swords created by Lérang melted into the sky.
At the same time.
Fwoosh-!!
"Kek!"
Objects floating around rushed towards Lérang’s body.
They were all caught in the Wings of the Storm and flew at him.
"What, what is this...!"
"Keke, how about it. Isn’t Steel Storm’s Wings impressive?"
"That, that’s my family’s swordsmanship? Impossible!"
"Why do you think that?"
"Isn’t it obvious? My family’s swordsmanship couldn’t possibly be... couldn’t possibly be..."
So strong and beautiful, he must have thought.
This too was just a technique mimicked through [Divine Imitation], merely rated A.
S-class. What would the pinnacle of swordsmanship that the Fleur family sought look like?
It was unknown. To Lérang, and to me.
Merely an imitator.
"Don’t lie!"
The fight resumed.
Lérang using the Fleur family’s swordsmanship, and me countering with the same.
Long, but not necessarily boring.
Such time continued.
"Huff, huff..."
Lérang groaned, his demon sword planted in the ground.
I felt it. It was time to end this.
"As I said before, imitation can never become the real thing."
Imitation is just that, it can never become real.
And I knew this better than anyone.
Why?
’Because Divine Imitation ultimately hits the limit of being an A-class skill.’
[Divine Imitation] fixes the grade of all mimicked skills to A-class.
It’s good at first, but becomes a burden as time goes on.
In the final chapter, where the boss, the main character, and even the supporting characters, start using S-class skills in battle.
My character, whose maximum skill is A-class, ends up following other characters and playing a supportive role.
Therefore.
’Your growth seems all the more dazzling.’
Characters who don’t break even in moments of crisis. Kids who grow and move forward.
They always shone brightly.
Yes. Everyone is given equal opportunities.
As long as they don’t get trapped in feelings of inferiority, like Professor Lérang in front of me.
"Crushing and giving up on the possibility of becoming a hero. That is..."
None other than yourself, Professor Lérang.
--TL Notes--
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at /MattReading
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