I designated the location of the match as a secluded place.

　From the point of view of Radiant-san and the others, there was no reason to refuse, so we were easily prepared to duel at the back of the tavern.

　Then we pledged our mutual wishes to the city's 'magic stone line' and we drew our swords on each other.
　By the way, my sword was borrowed from the knights surrounding me, not the Treasure Sword of the Areis Family. It's not necessary to use a sword with high offensive power in a match that will be stopped on the verge.

''-- Magical [Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradient)], Magical [Form]''

　I muttered.
　An expanding sense of magic.
　In addition, a few magic bubbles overflowed from the sword.

　The first magic tactic I want to try - practicing magic "forms".

　In fact, I found a little use for it after continuing to experiment with magic 《Form》 whenever I had time in the labyrinth.

　In the labyrinth, it was common to use both magic dimensions and forms together. When that happened, he realized that the Form was helping the magic dimension.
　Magic Form alone would not have much of an effect. But when the magic was used together, it seemed to be of real value.

　In other words, with this magic bubble, I could grasp space more strongly.
　The feeling is that this bubble can hold magic 《Dimension》. That's what I'm imagining.

　When I combined it with the magic connection, it should have taken me a long time to create a doorway up close, but by putting the magic connection into the bubble beforehand, I was able to create a doorway without spending too much time on it.

　Of course, this time I'm going to give him a magical dimension to help him make a doorway.

　I have to make the foam that contains the magic dimension wrapped around my sword.
　With this alone, the spatial perception effect on my sword will increase. You will be able to understand more precisely how the sword moves, and feel what vectors of force are being applied to it. It's as if the sword has become one of my physical organs.

　I hold the foam-clad sword in my right eye.
　Raydiant-san snickers at that.

''Huh, enhanced magic or ......?　However, if it's not the Ancestor's Sacred Magic, the stance is also sub-par. Shallow, evil ways are not the enemy, are they?

　Saying that, Raydiant-san also chants a magic.

''-- 《Growth》''

　A white light lights up on Raydiant-san's body.
　It's similar to the sacred magic that Dia showed.
　Perhaps it's the same attribute.

　While looking at it, I simply check Raydiant-san's status in 'Display'.


[Status]
　Sera Raydant.　
　Level 21.
　Status: physical enhancement 1.00


　The effects are easy to understand and reassuring.
　On the other hand, I feel sorry for Raydiant-san who has to deal with such a thing as dimensional magic at first sight.

''Well then, let's go.''
You can come back any time.

　Mr. Raydianto turns halfway down and places the tip of the one-handed sword in his right hand on the ground.
　It is a unique stance. To me it looks like an unprofitable stance. But since you hold a high level of swordsmanship skills, it can't be a sham.

　I build up strength in my axial leg as if to increase the internal pressure of my muscles.
　From the looks of it, there is no sign of any trickery from Raydiant-san. I can guess that he intends to lend his chest to me.
　It's fine to keep looking at it, but wasting time is against my creed.

''Hmph--!

　Exhaling and releasing the power of my compressed legs, I close the distance at once.
　My sword, which was moving with it, tries to suck on the right hand that Raydiant-san brought down - but Raydiant-san dodges the flash with room to spare. And with an evasive action, he swung his sword to my neck.

　A fluid movement in an instant.
　It's a splendid 'destination' that shows a glimpse of tireless effort.

　But my eyes catch it without a problem. It's a good idea to make sure that you're not going to miss anything due to the nature of magic.　　
　I immediately shift my body backwards and tame it by creating distance.

　As soon as the momentary contact is over, I move out of the way and return to my initial position.
　I look at Raydiant-san and he seems surprised that I've dealt with the earlier blow.

"...... way. You're quite good at that.

　Mr. Raydiant assesses it from the top.

　That's true too.
　She was the one who was skipping out on the earlier exchange, the one who was skipping out.

　I replay the series of movements in my brain. Then I realize.
　I was going to rip the back of my hand open. But Ms. Raydiant was going to stop the sword at my neck.
　Mr. Raydiant has the technology to do it.

　I gasp.
　It's not fear.

　I almost stop breathing with longing.

　It's an emotion I didn't feel with Tida.
　That's probably because Tida's technique was so sketchy.
　Although he was wielding a blade, there was no skill in it. It was only pure strength through overwhelming power and speed.

　But today it was different.
　It's strength that is almost a work of art through refined techniques.

　The way he carried his feet.
　The way he turned his hips.
　The way the shoulders are pulled out.
　The softness of the elbows.
　The toughness of the wrist.

　The fact that I could follow that perfected swordsmanship with my eyes gives me a sense of happiness.
　That's how beautiful a match with Mr. Radiant was - beautiful.

　The dreamy, game-playing nature that lies at the root of me brings me a sense of excitement.

　And I quickly quench that excitement.
　My purpose is not to admire Mr. Radiant's swordplay.
　If you're too cautious, there's a chance you'll fall behind.

　On the contrary, it can be described as an opponent who can be defeated if you're not careful.
　The goal is to measure your ability. And to make sure that you turn them away. It is not to play.

　I suppress my desire to continue to draw out Raydiant-san's swordsmanship.

''What's the matter, aren't you attacking me?''
No, I'm just thinking about it.

　Reidyant-san seemed to wonder why I was dumbfounded by the distance.
　Immediately I made an excuse as if I was thinking about how to attack.

''Hohoho....... It's a good thing that the earlier move is different from those idiots. You've found out just how good I am with the last round. It is a good thing that you have kidnapped the young lady.

　Believing that, Mr. Raydiant took the liberty of giving me credit for it.

'No, it's a wet job. 'That,'
'Huh, I haven't had such an interesting partner in a long time. Yes, it's been a long time. Next time I'll go to you.

　They don't even listen to my denials.
　But that doesn't mean they don't listen in anger. It appears as if they are unheard because of a new interest.

　I can feel Ms. Radiant's motivation on my skin.
　Her intimidation makes my skin go numb.
　This is one of the best swords in humanity. Just when I thought that.

　--Radiant-san's body is blurred.

　It's a body movement technique with a lean body movement.
　If I hadn't anticipated it, it would be impossible to catch up with the speed. But I know beforehand from her status that she is a knight specializing in speed. The difference is huge.

　I follow Raydiant-san's steps with my eyes.
　And I also see for sure that the sword is slashed up from below.

　I knock the sword to the side and take it.
　There is a high-pitched metallic sound.

　My sword leaps up and Reidyant-san's sword is flicked downwards.
　At that moment, I transfer the target of the magic 《Form》 to Raydiant-san's sword.
　A dimensional bubble attaches to it.

　The speed at which the enemy's information is obtained jumps up.
　I switch to a spatial understanding that specializes only in the movement of my sword and Raydianto-san's sword.
　The magic "Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradation)" is sharpened and the movement of our swords is conveyed to me millimeter by millimeter.

　--Good.

　The experiment is a success.
　The experiment proved to be an effective magic operation against swordsmen.

　There's nothing left to test.
　Now we just need to hide our abilities as much as possible and start a short battle.

　Instantly, with a huge amount of magic power, I will further strengthen my magic 《Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradiate)》.

　And while the sword moves moment by moment, the brain calculates the best way to carry the body.

　At the third station, they dodge each other's swords with a single piece of paper.
　In the fourth station, their swords snatch at each other and sparks fly.
　Finally, the fifth station. Raydiant-san's sword cuts through the air and my sword comes to rest at her throat.

''Wha--?

　Mr. Radiant stared at the stationary sword with an incredulous look on his face.

'Am I winning?'

　When it's over, it looks like my victory was overwhelming.
　But if you think of it in terms of simple competence alone, I'm sure I was far inferior.

　The bottom line is the difference in the amount of information acquired.
　I know Reidyant's ability in terms of detailed figures, and Reidyant doesn't understand my ability.

　There may be a difference in carelessness and preparedness, but there was too much of a gap in the amount of information we had beforehand. And most importantly, Mr. Reidianto didn't even realize that there was such a disparity.

　Ms. Raydiant-san was one move behind my top speed, which was slow and steady, before she could get her technique out.
　If it were a real battle, her head would be flying.

　Ironically, 'Display' showed its true value not against monsters, but against humans.

　The knights, who understood the outcome of the duel, all groaned in unison.
　Some even raised their hands to the swords at their waists.

　Seeing that, I slowly let go of the sword from Raydiant-san. I don't say anything and wait for my opponent to say something.

...... kukkoku. I certainly lost. Knights don't do bad footwork. You guys, never draw your swords!

　Raydiant-san also noticed the knights around her and called out to her not to pull out her sword.

''...... style. Thank you.

　I take a breath as he honestly admits defeat.
　Surrounded by this many people, the fight was unsettling, given the amount of MP left. Even if I tried to run away, there was still a chance that I could get hurt somewhat.

''Humiliation. ....... To lose to a man like this .......''
You will clear out as promised. Right away, if you can.
'Gulp, gulp. ......!　Kuh--, a dueling oath is absolute for a knight. I will do as you say.

　Mr. Raydiant was extremely knowledgeable.

　I'm not familiar with the existence of a knight, but he doesn't seem to go back on his word. I think it would be easier if the other seven knights were like this. However, I immediately think of Palinclone and remind myself that Mr. Raydiant-san is probably just an exceptionally honest character.

''Shh, but!　Promise me I'll never see your face again!　That's right!
'Ha, ha ....... Yes, but.
'If I can't come, they'll send a different Seventh Knight!　Don't get carried away because you beat me!
Yeah, .......

　Isn't that a bad footnote: .......

'Let's leave it at that for today!

　Saying that, Raydiant-san turns her back and leaves the tavern.

　The surrounding knights follow suit, and the rowdy group leaves.

　Seeing the back as if to say there is still more to come, I reaffirmed that the dueling system is not to be relied upon after all.

　Should I tell them to stay out of my business next time?
　If there's a next time, I'll think about the conditions more carefully before deciding on them. I'm not going to be able to get rid of it.

　And then I erase the magic foam bubble.
　This experiment was a great success. The last few rounds would not have been possible without it. The movement of the sword and the sword is too strong to be palpable. In the game of swords, there would be no such advantage.

　I breathed with satisfaction, wiped the sweat from my forehead, and heard a round of applause (・・・・・・).

'You're very good at that, Kanami,'

　On the roof of a tavern.
　A girl, her golden hair fluttering in the moonlit night, smiling bewitchingly.

　The girl who was the cause of this commotion.
　Rastiara was there.