There are no specific requirements for skills that can be acquired in the middle of a battle.
　Most skills are acquired by performing certain actions over and over again, but there are skills like the Hard Sword and the Sorcerer's Foot, which require one's own skill to acquire.
　What I'm acquiring this time is the latter, a skill derived from the 《Kuapo》.

　It's called "shrinkage".


　──────────────────── ...

　Skill 《shrinkage》.
　Technology that enables it to move at an unobtainable speed.

　Method of acquisition
　The magic power circulating in the sole of the foot is instantly amplified and used as propulsion to move around.

　──────────────────── ...


　It only took me about 15 minutes to get the stride.
　You'll use the shrinkage for this.
　I'll be doing that without even thinking about it.
　That sounds like a silly idea to me, but that's the only way we'll beat Lex-san.

　I have no doubt that Lex will respond, but by going faster than he is, there will be a slight delay in his reaction.

　The greater the delay, the better the effect of the Hard Sword Revise.

''What's the matter?　I don't have time to think about anything!
Kuhn: "Kuhn: ......

　As if he can see through my thoughts, Lex-san hasn't let up on his attacks.

''Your movements have slowed down a bit, is this what Revell is capable of?

　Like Lex said, I was starting to move a little slower.
　I know why.
　The pressure of dealing with a swordsman has made my body stronger.
　This happens when you realize the difference in your abilities as you fight with your sword.

　You cannot perform to your fullest when your body is strained.

　...... I remember when I was in a similar situation during the manticore, but somehow I wasn't nervous.
　I was more than capable of performing.
　I wonder why, I try to figure out why.


　...... Okay.


　I knew right away why.


　Just as I thought about that reason, I remembered Anna's smile.


　Next I thought of everyone in the guild.
　Lal, Kurt, Fear, Mr. Lloyd, and the newcomers.

　I naturally agreed, and before I knew it, I wasn't feeling the pressure anymore.


''Not yet!''


　He raised his voice and swung his sword wide, taking a pause.


　He swung his sword wide, pausing to let the magic flow through the sole of his foot and instantly amplify it.
　This technique is based on the one used in the Hard Sword Revise to amplify the magic wave.
　If you follow the steps, you'll be able to connect the shrinking of the magical wave to the Hard Sword Revise.

　First you'll need to amplify the magic in the sole of your foot to activate the Shrinkage.
　Then switch it to your body to transform into the Hard Sword Modifier.

　...... It works.
　I should be able to do it.
　I know how to do it.
　All you have to do is follow the steps...



　I just need to follow the directions.



　Revell swung his sword wide and stepped back.
　He's up to something.

　Revel has a solid foundation in swordplay, being Aden's son.
　He has been swinging the sword continuously since before the gift was given to him.
　If he's this good at his age, he'll surpass me in the future for sure.
　...... Revel's potential is so high that it could possibly even surpass Aden-san's.

　That's why I want to see what they're up to.
　Revell is not afraid to come to me and try to win.

　But I'm not going to lose either.

　I'll see what Revell can do, and then I'll cut it down.


Here I go, Mr. Lex.


　They said they would politely inform me of the attack.
　It would have been most advantageous to launch the attack without saying anything, but Revel didn't do it.
　I think Revell understands that I was waiting a bit.
　Just like Mr. Aden, he fights fair and square.

　As expected, Revell seems to have inherited Aden's strength.


"Come on!　Show me your full strength!


　As I said that, Revell came over to me at high speed.
　It's much faster than ever before.

　I didn't know you still hid this much power: ......!

　But that's not enough to defeat me.

　Using the skill 《Sightedness》, I determine that Revell's skill is 《Shrinkage》 and figure out what he's aiming for next.

　A "rigid sword"?

　You're going to use this many high-level skills in this short period of time!

　Interesting: ......!

　As the sword strikes, I attack the rear of the sword.

　Revell came towards me with his blow.
　The moment he swung it, I knew...

　It wasn't the Hard Sword...

　It's a blow even more powerful than the Hard Sword.

　It's impossible to dodge the blade and cut back.

　I was only a little late in realizing this ...... and that left me with no choice but to prevent it.
　It's great--Rivell has far exceeded my expectations.





　◇



　I've got the shrinkage skill.


　Ki, it's decided: .......

　His nose was bleeding, probably because he was forced to control his magic power.

　...... but Lex-san's HP had gone to zero.

'Revel, you win.

　Mr. Lex said and smiled with satisfaction.

　I won.
　But I found the gap between us is quite wide.
　Is that why?
　I won, but I'm disappointed.

　I'm going to get stronger.
　No, I should be getting stronger.

　Fighting with Rex has taught me a lot of things I've been missing.

I feel like I got more valuable than the information in The Nightmare.


Thank you!


　I bowed my head.