“Heh, now’s your chance to surrender, you know? Are you sure about this?”

“I’m fine. Let’s fight seriously.”

At the test venue.

I was standing face to face with the old man.

I held my sword at the ready, while the old man raised his greatsword.

Maintaining a moderate distance, the two of us cautiously observed each other’s movements.

“…Hey, kid. How’re you feeling right now?”

“Huh?”

“For a Sword Saint’s son, you’re just a “Holder of a Useless Skill”, huh? And on top of that, an orphan took your role… Pfft, hahahahaha! If it were me, I’d be so ashamed I’d rather die!”

“Is… that so…”

This man was obnoxiously noisy even before the battle began. Honestly, he left himself wide open, but I had a hunch he was concealing his true strength. Kaya did say he’s the 《Strongest Swordsman》, after all.

Enough with the pre-battle banter—let’s get started already.

I lowered my stance and placed a hand on the hilt of my sword.

Sharpening all my senses.

Heightening my concentration to its absolute peak.

At this moment, my entire body was alert to everything around me.

Of course, I didn’t forget to activate 《Attack Power Up (Small)》. This wasn’t an opponent I could afford to hold back against.

“Whistle~”

Kaya let out a whistle.

“What the hell’s with you? Acting all high and mighty with that stance of yours.”

The old man took a few steps back.

“I know you’re strong. But… please, don’t hold back. Fight me seriously.”

After all, I had just learned the strongest sword style.

I wanted to test how far I could go right now.

If my opponent is the strongest swordsman, then I should be able to unleash my swordsmanship to the fullest.

“Hah! Acting cocky for some small fry, huh?”

The old man smirked.

“Fine… if you’re so eager to die, I’ll beat the crap out of you!”

Spitting on the ground, the old man charged at me.

—But he’s slow.

What’s that supposed to be?

That’s clearly off.

It’s like he’s on par with a Red Wolf at best.

So he’s holding back, huh? Even so, it’s way too sloppy.

When the old man swung his greatsword downward, I easily blocked it.

Clang!

The metallic sound echoed all around us.

“Hoho, not bad. You managed to block my ultimate 《Downward Strike》.”

Seriously? That’s your move’s name?

“…Um, senior. I told you, no need to hold back. I trained under my father, so feel free to get serious.”

“W-What…?”

“Ha!”

I forcibly swept his sword away, deflecting it. This created space between us, allowing us to reset our positions.

—But.

“Uwaaahhh!!”

Before I knew it, the old man had flown backward and crashed into the wall.

“…What are you doing?”

“Cough, hack, cough!”

He was choking badly.

“What’s wrong? Let’s fight seriously. This isn’t even a proper test.”

The test was probably intended to gauge my abilities.

But at this rate, that wouldn’t be possible.

“Kukuku… kekeke… hahahaha!!!”

The old man suddenly burst out laughing.

“You fool! You’ve gone and made me get serious! Don’t regret it now, you idiot!”

So he was holding back, huh?

Finally, it seemed like we’d have a proper match.

I slowly opened my eyes and spoke calmly.

“…Alright then, here I come!”

Engen Style.

First Form.

《Infinite Flash of the Netherworld》.

I kicked off the ground and dashed silently.

Becoming one with the air, my body hardly touched the ground as I sped forward.

In mere seconds, I would circle behind the old man.

But according to Kaya, this old man was the strongest swordsman. He didn’t look like it to me, but he could very well be at an S-rank level.

If that’s the case, I couldn’t let my guard down.

While sprinting, I kept track of the old man’s movements—

One second passed.

The old man didn’t move.

Two seconds passed.

…He still didn’t move.

Sacrificing two seconds was unexpected. He must be incredibly confident.

Three seconds passed.

“Huh?”

The old man let out a dumbfounded voice.

—As if he had only just noticed me running.

But that couldn’t be. He was supposed to be the strongest swordsman.

I had no choice but to deliver my full strength.

Four seconds passed.

I circled behind the old man and unleashed a slash in one fluid motion. Of course, that wasn’t the end.

Second slash, third slash, fourth slash…

My sword danced wildly, precisely striking the old man’s back.

This was one of the techniques of the Engen Style: 《Infinite Flash of the Netherworld》.

A devastating technique that allowed me to circle behind my opponent instantly and deliver fatal strikes.

But—(I’m sorry for repeating myself)—my opponent was the strongest swordsman. This level of swordsmanship probably wouldn’t faze him.

…Or so I had thought.

“Ugh… guh… bleegh!”

At my feet, the old man twisted his face in agony.