NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Abnormal Growth Rate Part 2
“———Instructor Lowe… So you have a bad personality, don’t you?”
“Of course! In fact, I’d consider it a compliment; otherwise, I couldn’t do this job as a knight or instructor.”
“What!? Eresdia-jou, this person is invincible! They perfectly countered my sarcasm!”
“Why are you losing an argument you started…?”
I made a sarcastic complaint to Instructor Lowe, who unleashed a high-level magic that blew away my intermediate magic, but received a refreshingly direct and unapologetic 100% comeback in response.
Even I couldn’t help but feel teary-eyed at that.
Oh man, this person can really turn the tables!
They’re practically a perfect upgrade for me!
“Damn it, I’m definitely going to make you eat your words…!”
“What kind of emotions are you displaying…? Well, if you’re motivated, then I’m quite happy about it.”
Eresdia-Sama sighed in disbelief, but honestly, the slight flush on her cheeks betrays her excitement. No, it might even be worse than mine.
Just as my enthusiasm started to wane, a voice echoed through the air.
“———We have little time left. Let’s get started.”
Instructor Lowe, adorned in a sky-blue aura, spoke with an imposing voice.
Just the sound of it sent shivers through my entire body, even more than when I first fought Eresdia-Sama. Every cell within me felt like it was ringing an alarm, and I instinctively swallowed hard.
“…Eresdia-Sama, don’t rush into an attack, alright?”
“…I know, if I get hit directly, I’ll definitely lose.”
After exchanging one last light-hearted remark, we dashed forward simultaneously.
The distance between us and Instructor Lowe was about ten metres.
At our current levels, we could close that gap in under a second.
We closed the distance at a speed that easily surpassed normal humans.
“Ha…!”
“Ha!!”
To test the waters, we swung our wooden swords down from directly in front.
However, even if it was just a test, we both put our all into that strike.
While my synchronisation skills aside, even a normal instructor would grimace if I drew my sword.
I should have been able to do that, but…
“…Hmm, not bad.”
He said, showing no change in expression, and shockingly, he didn’t even draw his sword. Instead, he just bent his elbow and raised his arm to block our wooden swords.
“Seriously? Is he really human?”
“…The difference is staggering…”
Both Eresdia-Sama and I felt a shiver of fear, realising we had no choice but to back away without pursuing.
In an instant, we created several metres of distance, took a breath, and then charged again.
This time, we approached from both sides to flank Instructor Lowe, simultaneously swinging our swords.
The moment the blades of our wooden swords cut through the air, we thought we struck him—
“「ッ！？」”
Instructor Lowe’s figure vanished before our eyes.
Of course, our swords swung in the empty air.
Just as I widened my eyes in shock, a force struck from behind.
It was heavy, sharp… and incredibly painful.
“Ugh…”
“Zero!?”
Sent flying at an incredible speed, Eresdia-Sama shocked voice quickly faded away.
I couldn’t confirm it, but I felt my body bending like an inverted ‘U’.
It hurts so much!!!
What the heck? We’re using the same wooden swords, right!?
That impact alone nearly shattered my spine and ribs!
But I possess a somewhat underwhelming cheat ability—【Infinite Regeneration】.
By the time I was blown away, nearly all my bones had already regenerated.
Now I can fight again.
I twisted my body in mid-air and—
“Whoa!!”
I thrust my sword into the ground with all my might.
Thanks to my enhancement, it firmly lodged into the stone surface.
After a few seconds, I finally came to a stop.
When I looked up, I saw Eresdia-Sama desperately trying to keep up with Instructor Lowe’s sword strikes from a fair distance.
Whoa… she’s really doing well… huh?
I had just been admiring her, but as I focused on Eresdia-Sama face, I felt a shift in expression.
…She looks incredibly pleased.
“…Maybe I should just forfeit and let her enjoy it.”
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Eressea-Sama’s face swung toward me with remarkable force.
“———Hurry up! I’ll kill you, you know!?”
“Y-Yes, ma’am!!”
I wanted to ask where her earlier joy had gone, given her face now filled with fury.
I reflexively saluted.
But, well…
“———Let’s give it a shot.”
———Boom!!
With a powerful stomp on the ground, the stone surface cracked, and I accelerated with bullet-like speed.
In an instant, the scenery changed—I split between Eresdia-Sama and Instructor Lowe.
“Instructor, this time, please fight me.”
“…Your healing ability is truly remarkable, Zero.”
“That’s my only strong point—now!!”
———Swoosh!!
I poured more magic into my leg, unleashing my strongest kick yet.
The kick, slightly exceeding Mach speed, created a sonic boom and sent both Instructor Lowe and Eresdia-Sama flying as they attempted to block it with their wooden swords.
“Wait—why am I being blown away too!?”
“Otherwise, I can’t catch him off guard… Here we go!”
“Phew…!!”
As I shouted back to Eresdia-Sama, I immediately launched a flurry of attacks at the momentary surprise on Instructor Lowe’s face.
Downward strikes, counter-attacks, horizontal slashes, diagonal cuts, thrusts, kicks, and tackles—everything I could muster.
I abandoned the hope of dodging his counterattacks, stubbornly enduring to avoid being blown away while instantly regenerating with 【Infinite Regeneration】.
This was the best I could do in this situation, giving it my all.
“Woooooaaaaahhhh!!!”
“Ugh… What is this regeneration ability…?”
Even Instructor Lowe seemed bewildered by my reckless attacks and the rapid healing of my fractures and cuts.
With a grin, I shot him a smug smile and declared proudly.
“That’s why this is my only strong point.”
Honestly, if I didn’t have this ability, I wouldn’t be in this situation.
Well, I probably wouldn’t have trained in this brutal world even if I did… what a pity this world truly is.
With a huge sigh internally, I thought—
“———But, I’m still not there yet.”
Suddenly, my vision blurred.
Just before that, I felt Instructor Lowe’s fist flash through my line of sight, but I couldn’t be sure.
“!? What’s this…?”
“Is this the first time you’ve been shaken like this? It happens sometimes, so be careful.”
My legs lacked strength, and I couldn’t stand straight; my body and vision were swaying.
It seemed my sense of balance was skewed.
At this rate, even 【Infinite Regeneration】 wouldn’t work.
But—there’s still one thing I can do.
“!? H-Hey… I won’t let you get away, Instructor.”
With an unshakeable grip honed through three months of relentless destruction and regeneration, I firmly grasped Instructor Lowe’s leg—
“———I’m counting on you, Eresdia-Sama.”
“———【Attack Boost】. Leave it to me, Zero.”
Suddenly appearing behind me, Eresdia-Sama, enveloped in a blazing crimson aura, unleashed her advanced magic and swung down her sword.