Kaine withstood the Four Heavenly Kings, Nedria, for 20 minutes.
Stat-wise, Kaine had the advantage, but battles in this world tend to be decided by the strength of Skills.
Nedria, who manipulated Threads made of a powerful metal and prevented Kaine from approaching with Shukuchi, was a terrible match for Kaine.
That’s why Kaine’s ability to endure against Nedria for 20 minutes, even without winning, was something to be proud of.
However, reality isn’t so kind.
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“Kukuku… it seems your stamina is bottomless, but… your concentration doesn’t seem to be the same. After moving around this much, you’re bound to make a mistake.”
Indeed, Kaine, who had been dodging until now, began to take hits.
He recovered quickly, and even if his arm was cut off, he could retrieve and reattach it, so it wasn’t a fatal wound, but Kaine’s concentration began to waver, and conversely, Nedria began to anticipate Kaine’s movements.
“There!”
Nedria attempted another attack using Magical Power.
“Tch, so close.”
He didn’t manage to cut off his head, but he split Kaine’s upper and lower body in two.
They were still connected, so it was manageable, but at this rate, it was only a matter of time before Kaine lost.
“Hmph, what ‘I will be your victor’! You talk big, but all you do is run away!”
“Ah, I might not have been able to win against you alone.”
In truth, Kaine might have been able to win alone.
However, that method was very dangerous, and Kaine’s chances of winning were only about 30%.
Kaine chose to rely on Erna and Cliff to increase his chances of winning, rather than fighting alone.
So that he wouldn’t worry them anymore… so that he could stay alive…
Therefore, this situation he was cornered in was also within Kaine’s calculations…
“You admit defeat! Then just die alrea—”
“Not being able to win alone doesn’t mean admitting defeat to you. It’s important to hone your own strength, but sometimes it’s necessary to cooperate with comrades!”
“The barking of a loser, when you can’t even break through these Threads…”
“Kuh!”
However, Kaine was still cornered. He could last another 10 minutes, but no more than that.
Had Cliff and Erna not finished yet?
At that moment, Erna returned to the front lines.
“Sorry for the delay!”
“Erna! How’s Cliff doing…”
“He says it’ll be finished soon.”
“!? I see, thank you.”
With Erna returning to the front lines, the situation improved considerably.
Kaine no longer had to support everything alone.
Erna’s stamina and Magical Power weren’t infinite, but Cliff would arrive before that happened.
There was nothing to worry about anymore.
Just believe in his comrades and wait.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, but my Threads are invincible!”
“You’re so noisy, just shut up for a bit. I’ll tear your precious Threads to shreds, just as you wish.”
“Kaine-san! It’s done! What should I do with this liquid?”
Kaine put the liquid he made into a container made of air and brought it over.
“Alright! Throw it at those Threads!”
“Yes!”
Soaring through the air with great force, the liquid splattered onto the Threads.
“What…”
“Erna! You can cut these Threads now!”
“Understood!”
As declared, the Threads were now tattered, a complete change from before. They were so easily cut that a Sword could easily slice through them…
“What’s going on!? What did you guys do!”
What I ordered Cliff to make was Aqua Regia.
A mixture of Hydrochloric Acid and nitric acid, it’s the only thing that can dissolve precious metals.
Normally, various tools would be needed, but fortunately, Cliff was here.
“You think we’d reveal our hand to the enemy so easily? We’re not idiots who would bother teaching you our abilities or the secrets of our Threads!”
I said provocatively.
Then, Nedria, who had lost his composure, sent the remaining Threads at us with monotonous movements.
“Now, Cliff! Pour Aqua Regia on all the Threads!”
“Roger!”
As a result, all the Threads became tattered.
However, he still attacked.
“Erna and Cliff, deal with the remaining Threads! I’ll strike the main body!”
Saying that, I approached with Shukuchi.
“Hmph… you’re the first to corner me this far, Kaine-chan… or should I say, you guys?”
“Ah, I came this far with the power of me, Erna, and Cliff… and also Gald.”
“Ugh, I really hate that… I hate all those guys who talk about comrades and bonds… hate, hate, hate!”
“I don’t know why you stubbornly reject comrades. But if you deny the comrades I believe in, then I will defeat (deny) you with all my strength to affirm myself!”
“Fufufu… I thought you were like me. That look in your eyes, I thought it was the look of someone who had given up on someone.”
“Don’t lump me in with you. I don’t give up on just anyone.”
“Hmph, that’s fine, I’m confident in my physical abilities too. Prove my strength to the fullest!”
Saying that, he accelerated. At a speed that was impossible to follow with the eye…
However, I couldn’t have dealt with it before summer vacation, but the current me finds that speed yawn-inducing.
“Die!”
“Too slow.”
He aimed for my neck with all his might, but such an attack couldn’t defeat me.
I completely saw through it and landed a counter.
“What!?”
“To talk about being the strongest with that level of ability…”
That man came to my mind.
An invincible existence that never loses…
“Goodbye. Reflect on your way of life in the afterlife!”
This time, I accelerated.
However, that initial velocity already exceeded Nedria’s Maximum Speed, and with far more precise movements, I surely took the opponent’s life.
“Apologize in the afterlife!”
Nedria was Dismembered.
Perhaps because of the speed of the attack, the cross-section of the flesh was as clean as those he had killed.
With this, Chapter 2, the Academy Arc, is complete.
I think it will end around Chapter 4 or 5.
I would be happy if you would stay with me until then.
To those who have read this far, please bookmark, rate, or leave a comment if you like!