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“Taste the dragon’s blade!” was what Genji from Overwatch would always shout when he used his ultimate ability.
This [Dragon Counterattack] skill made Seiji recall that game skill.
[This skill can absorb strong Mana attacks and transform the energy into dragon form to deal a counterattack.] That was the explanation from Seiji’s system.
During the battle where Seiji transformed and fought against Shutendoji, Seiji had used Light-chan’s power to use a similar techniquethe secret sword technique “Upending the Wineglass.”
That technique had absorbed the enemy’s wine gourd’s blood-red light and reflected it back at Shutendoji… the only difference was that the energy didn’t transform into a dragon’s form.
[Dragon Counterattack] seemed like a stronger and more pretentious and magical version of [Upending the Wineglass].
‘Giving such a reward, system, you’re really…’
But the part that Seiji wanted to comment on the most was the prerequisite conditions for learning it.
[Learn three mana-based attack spells or martial arts techniques – 0%.]
[Learn three mana-based defensive spells or martial arts techniques – 0%.]
[??? (Will be revealed after completing the first two prerequisite conditions.)]
Just the first two prerequisites alone required him to learn a total of six spells and/or martial arts techniques!
And the third condition wouldn’t even be revealed until he finished the first two requirements!
It was truly an ultimate skill.
Seiji admitted to himself that [Dragon Counterattack] would probably appear rather flashy, and it was both practical and pretentious at the same time. However, even the revealed prerequisites were so difficult to fulfill that he could only look at it in longing.
This wasn’t something that a newbie could learn.
‘I’ll have to wait until later to exchange for it.’
In the end, apart from the huge reward of 67 points, the [Beginner-level Soul Attack] was the most useful gain.
Seiji closed his system.
He wasn’t sleepy right now… he got out of bed since he didn’t want to rest anymore.
Just as he was wondering what he should do to alleviate his boredom, the doorbell to his hospital room rang.
“Haruta-kun, it’s me.”
“President!?”
Seiji was astonished by the unexpected visitor as he invited her in.
Natsuya smiled lightly as she entered, despite the fact that she was in a hospital gown and obviously fatigued. “I’m glad to see that you’re alright, Haruta-kun,” she greeted sincerely.
“I’m the same way as well, it’s great that you’re alright.” Seiji also smiled in return. “I was so worried… I didn’t know how you, Shuho-san, and Kirin-san were doing. I could only ask the hospital staff members to let me know as quickly as possible.”
Seiji looked searchingly at the president’s expression. Since she was still able to smile, both the other girls were probably fine.
“I know… I heard right after I woke up that you wanted to see me as quickly as possible…”
Natsuya began to blush slightly when faced with Seiji’s stare, so she averted her gaze.
Seiji was rendered speechless at this.
He felt a subtle feeling that something was abnormal.
‘Is it just a mistaken impression? Did a doctor or nurse misconstrue the meaning of my message when they told Natsuya? Forget it, it doesn’t matter.’
“Yep, I was really worried since you collapsed after the duel… How are you feeling now? You seem rather fatigued. If you aren’t supposed to get out of bed, then don’t get out of bed. Just tell me, and I’ll go visit you,” Seiji said gently.
“Yeah…” Natsuya’s face became redder than before.
She felt a warm and itchy feeling as she listened to his gentle words that showed his care for her.
This was a foreign feeling for her.
Still, it felt nice.
A period of silence fell between them.
‘Why isn’t she saying anything?’ Seiji was slightly confused.
“Er… How are Shuho-san and Kirin-san?” He began the conversation again.
“Hitaka was heavily injured, but she was fortunate enough to receive treatment in time. After special treatment, she’s no longer in any danger. It will take a long while for her to fully heal, but she’ll be able to recover fully without any negative aftereffects,” Natsuya answered in a light voice.
“That’s good, then.” Seiji finally felt the greatest load on his mind being taken from him.
The red-haired girl had suffered greatly due to Shutendoji. Seiji had almost wanted to load upon witnessing that scene, but he resolved to continue.
Even if he could get a better situation after loading, it would wipe away everyone’s hard efforts so far.
Hitaka’s fierce battling and her injuries… those weren’t to be ignored lightly.
At any rate, Hitaka Shuho had survived and would eventually make a full recovery. That was enough.
“Rana’s injuries are much lighter in comparison. She’s already fine right now after some basic treatment. They’re both resting in their hospital rooms… would you like to go visit them?”
“Can I?” Seiji blinked his eyes in surprise.
“You can, but I just went to visit them myself. I think it might be better to let them rest quietly for now,” Natsuya answered softly.
“Then I’ll go visit them later.”
“Yeah…”
Another period of silence fell between them.
“It’s the school festival today, Haruta-kun.” The president looked out the window as she spoke up again.
“Yeah, the school festival…” Seiji also looked out the window.
Both of them envisioned the school as if they could see through the dark night.
“Will the school return to its original state before the students arrive next morning?”
“It should.”
“It can still return to its original state so quickly after being destroyed to such an extent. Amazing.” Seiji rubbed his chin in contemplation.
“Yeah…” Natsuya secretly snuck a look at Seiji. “Haruta-kun, what… do you think?”
“Hmm?”
“About this duel… the Yin-Yang Master duel.”
The atmosphere suddenly became heavier.
Seiji fell silent for several moments.
“Battles, serious injuries, and even deaths… cruel fights like these will occur every day,” Natsuya stated calmly. “After personally witnessing and experiencing such things… what’s your current opinion? Do you still want to know more about the mystical realm?”
This was a direct question about his innermost feelings.
“Duels… honestly, they aren’t exactly joyous things. That’s because it’s basically a fight in the end, and there’s always going to be fighting, no matter what the method is.”
“Apart from the fighting, the scenes I witnessed…” An indescribable light flashed in Seiji’s eyes as he spoke his next words: “I feel that the mystical realm is amazing.”
Natsuya’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. She didn’t expect to hear such an answer.
“It feels amazing to become stronger like this! Casting spells and battling to my utmost capability is so fun! Not to mention it’s also nice to fight together with my comrades…” Seiji said sincerely from the bottom of his heart.
Injuries, and even death, could be received in battle. This was indeed unpleasant, even scary.
But the process of battling in and of itself was a joyful one!
Just look at all the entertainment available in the world. Products about or containing battles were by far in the majority.
Humanity sought battle and sought to gain strength!
This passion was inherent in humanity’s genes.
“I want to become stronger, as well as witness and experience even more powerful battles,” Seiji explained honestly. “That’s my subjective wish. As for important objective reasons, it’s because of Shika Kagura… my family… and so on.
“That’s why I’ll continue down this path.”
‘I definitely won’t retreat. I’ll resolutely walk the path I’ve chosen.’
Natsuya detected such a will emanating from his eyes.
At this moment, it seemed like his entire person was shining brilliantly.
Natsuya’s heartbeat quickened once again.
There was something fluttering in her chest.
Her lips felt dry.
She felt a little dazed as she stared at his face.