166 Issenza Match Part 1
【Swordsmanship】 Damage： STR Dependent.
《Dragon King Swordsmanship》 Powerful ranged attack forward + stun.
《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》 Powerful ranged attack in all directions.
《Rook Swordsmanship》 Very strong single-target attack.
《Bishop Swordsmanship》 Quick and powerful penetrating attack.
《Gold Swordsmanship》 Ranged attack in all directions.
《Silver Swordsmanship》 Strong, single-target attack.
《Knight Swordsmanship》 Precision attack＋added damage against vital points.
《Lance Swordsmanship》 Penetrating attack.
《Soldier Swordsmanship》 Normal attack.
(Rook＋Knight, Silver＋Knight, Lance＋Knight, Soldier＋Knight are possible for Combine)
"――Starting now, the 467th Summer Title Games will begin! "
A loud proclamation by Maine.
The thousands of people gathered in the arena responded with thunderous cheers.
Finally, it begins. The summer title games.
The contestants for the title game lined up in front of the King of Castall, all celebrating the opening of the event in their own way. Whether they applaud loudly, clap their hands silently, or stand silently, their hearts are probably the same.
At long last―― or something like that.
Good or bad, it is finally here.
It is definitely more hot, more intense, and more exciting than the winter season.
Well then……Who do you think is responsible for this?
"How confident are you feeling, Triple Crown?"
As the title holders were lined up in a row, I was in the front row as Issenza, and Jerez, directly behind me, called out to me.
"What about you?"
"Excuse me. I have some. At least, until I challenge you."
Jerez Lumberjack, a handsome blonde Swordsmanship expert. As expected from Chérie's brother, he says some pretty lively things.
"I don't have any confidence."
"Oh! That's unexpected. How so? "
"I never thought of this as a matter of confidence."
"……Haha. I guess I should concede on this one."
Jerez gave a small laugh and backed away.
Once the opening ceremony was over, the tournament to determine the challenger for the Issenza Tournament would begin immediately.
Who will be the one who will have to face me?
If Jerez does, there's not a chance in hell that he can beat me. With the brief exchange we just had, I would say that the one in ten thousand possibility that might have existed is gone. That's how important the mental state before a match is.
Now, who will we get?
Somehow, I already know what to expect……Probably.
＊ ＊ ＊
Tournament to determine the Issenza challenger.
The matchup table is as follows.
A Jerez Lumberjack (Seeded 2nd from the previous tournament)
B Gram
C Kasakari Kerala
D Rave
E Rothman (Seeded 1st from the previous tournament)
F Raspberry Bell
{(C vs D) vs A} vs {(B vs F) vs E}
The winner of this tournament will compete for the title against Second Firstest Issenza.
The first match will be―― Kasakari Kerala vs. Rave.
"I never thought I would have to play the first game of the season again. I, Kasakari, am deeply moved by this."
"…………"
A bespectacled old man in an eccentric outfit that resembled a traditional ethnic costume wiggled and danced.
On the other hand, a black-haired young man watched it with bored and cold eyes.
They were indeed two very contrasting people.
"Oh, Rave-dono. Do you not like my dance? "
"Yeah."
"Honesty. I really like it. It is no wonder that you are the son of the great Rothman-dono."
"Hurry up."
"Oops, that was rude."
Both players equipped their "dueling crowns" and moved away from each other.
The duel crown in the summer title matches is set as follows: "Only during the duel, the HP of both players is always maintained at 1, and the HP maintenance is effective no matter what damage is inflicted. In addition, if you receive a fatal wound, you will be forcibly stunned", which is the same as the previous winter title match.
The same applies to the rules. The first one to inflict a fatal wound wins. Items such as potions are not allowed, only equipment that is related to the skill in question. Disqualification will occur upon the use of any skill other than the skill in question. Disqualification occurs when the whole body moves out of the dueling range. The time limit is only one hour, only the final match has unlimited time.
Nothing has changed.
However, there will be, clearly, a change in the contestants.
"――Begin! "
As soon as the judge gave the order, Kasakari stood on one leg and readied his rapier. It was his unique fighting style that tended to put him on the receiving end, which was said to be advantageous in Swordsmanship battles.
It was an unusual form, which could be called dancing Swordsmanship, the same as the one he had shown in a previous match against Second.
And then……
"What!? "
Kasakari voiced his surprise.
Rave closed the distance in an instant upon the signal―― He then unleashed a combined attack of 《Soldier Swordsmanship》 and 《Knight Swordsmanship》 toward the front of Kasakari's right foot as if to pierce it.
"This……! "
Kasakari reacted by pulling back his foot.
Shortly after, Rave's 《Infantry Swordsmanship》 astutely aimed at Kasakari's outstretched left hand.
"As expected! "
Kasakari, off balance, avoided and moved out of range.
Those murmurs were the impressions of anyone who had even the slightest taste for 【Swordsmanship】.
――As expected. Rave traced Second's 【Swordsmanship】's "Seven System".
"…………"
Rave silently prepared his 《Rook Swordsmanship》 and rushed forward to pierce into Kasakari's bosom. His eyes were still somewhat cold and bored.
"No. Don't think I have no measures! "
Sixth move. Previously, Kasakari had responded here with 《Gold Swordsmanship》 and had lost to Second.
……Even though he didn't look very like it, as far as he was concerned, he was still frustrated and disappointed. He shamefully asked the person in question to teach him a lesson, only to be berated and chastised to the point that the taste of blood spread in his mouth. Nevertheless, he truly admired the birth of a new Issenza, never losing his courtesy, and even had a kind of admiration for his vivid Swordsmanship, and devoted the last six months of his life to Swordsmanship, hoping to find a way to break through.
Kasakari was quietly angry.
I must never lose, he thought. I will never, this Kasakari Kerala will never be defeated by this "copycat"――!
"Behold! Here is my answer! "
A six-month answer.
Taking half a year to prepare, the six-month breakthrough plan.
So he stood there―― Firm.
Kasakari had not given up on the game. He chose the move of drawing back until the very last minute.
If you showed a response with 《Gold Swordsmanship》 early, the counter with 《Bishop Swordsmanship》 would come. From there, it merged with the sequence of Second vs. Rothman, and it was clear that the latter was at a disadvantage. If so, Kasakari thought that if he responded after drawing his opponent to the limit where he would not be able to execute a 《Bishop Swordsmanship》 strike from a 《Rook Swordsmanship》 cancellation, he would be able to catch it with a 《Gold Swordsmanship》.
This was indeed a very clever choice, and as close as possible to the main sequence.
Which was, that if the first player used a Bishop from Rook cancellation, the second player would not give his opponent time to swap by beginning to close the distance at the moment of Rook cancellation. If, on the other hand, he rushed forward with Rook, he was prepared to counterattack with a response from the last-minute Gold in preparation.
It was a brilliant way to turn the tables. Kasakari's best move.
"I see."
Rave blurted out a quiet remark.
It was almost as if…… having enough leeway to consider such thoughts, he was thinking "Oh, so it's that change".
Immediately after.
"! ? "
His 《Rook Swordsmanship》 was canceled, then―― another 《Rook Swordsmanship》 was ready.
"A-Ahh! "
Kasakari, with a pitiful voice, stopped his pacing, hurriedly canceled the 《Gold Swordsmanship》 he was preparing to use to block the 《Bishop Swordsmanship》 attack, and hurriedly began preparing a 《Silver Swordsmanship》 strike.
……However, he wouldn't be able to make it in time. The distance had already been sufficiently closed.
"Over, you're naive."
Rave sneered and slammed the 《Rook Swordsmanship》 attack into Kasakari's face.
A critical hit was triggered and…… the match was decided.
"――Winner, Rave! "
＊ ＊ ＊
"Second-dono, Second-dono! "
"What's the matter? You're being so noisy, Silvia."
"Did you see that?? That young man! "
As I was quietly watching the game, Silvia shook me by the shoulder with a look of aggravation on her face.
"He stole it! "
"Wh! Right, a copycat, that's what he is! "
"Idiot! "
"That's right, an idiot! Eko is right! "
Eko was not pleased, either, with her prickly tone.
I see, you two are upset about Rave's "Seven System"-like moves.
"Well, even if you say he's a rip-off."
"What, Second-dono, are you not angry? "
"Not really."
"Second, you no hate it? "
"No, I don’t hate it."
"What the hell?"
I don't know how you two feel, but to be offended by this would be presumptuous.
"Umu...... I thought you'd be outraged."
"Why would you think that?"
"I'm disgusted that you don't fight on your own strength. What are you competing in the Issenza tournament for?! Or something like that."
"Silvia, you sound the same! "
"Fufun, right? "
That's a terrible thing to be told.
Certainly, there are times when I might say something like that. Especially for those who only imitate the upper parts of the Seven System.
Rave, however, was different. The young man, not much older than just a boy, had done his research properly.
A Game Plan is such a thing. Once unveiled, it should be studied, addressed, and adopted, as it is supposed to be.
He is well aware of this. something often brought out in Title Fights.
Kasakari also did a great job. The choice to draw the first player in the sixth move was not a bad one. The only reason it was decided after that was because he was surprised, he just didn't have the ability to continue with the play.
"He's fighting with his own strength."
"But it doesn't feel right, does it? "
"You guys are using the Game Plan, aren't you?"
"R-Right……But unlike that young man, we have Second-dono's permission."
Permission. Permission, huh? I never thought of that idea.
"……As a matter of fact, it was MOSASAURUSU-san who first laid down the Game Plan tracks of Archery that I taught you."
"Mosasa……? "
Also known as 『The Excavator,』 he was ranked fourth in the world with a maximum rating of 2672.
He was truly a genius in Game Plan creation, taking outdated, fossilized strategies that rankers were saying were "obsolete" and turning them into strategies that were as good as the newest Game Plans.
Game Plans change from time to time through the repetition of discoveries and breakthroughs made by these geniuses, including myself, and slowly grow from the moment they are thrown into the masses.
"It's not a question of permission or anything like that. A Game Plan evolves steadily over a long period of time and becomes what it is today. Common sense changes with the times. There is always something new to discover. And each time, the Game Plan changes its form. It may have taken one person to create it, but it took dozens or hundreds of others who worked on it to make it into what it is today."
"Then the Game Plan I memorized is..."
"It's the so-called "New Mosa Style Archery," further refined in my own way and adapted to your needs, Silvia."
"I-Is that so?"
"Yeah. A Game Plan is not the property of an individual, it's the property of the title game. All contestants will work together to nurture the title into something more valuable. It is the fruit of everyone's skill built on such a passionate will."
"……Umu. I wonder. I'm a little impressed."
Silvia looked refreshed as if she had finally been convinced.
"Incidentally, you can't be number one in the world unless you continue to transcend that cohesive mass of techniques all by yourself. And I'm number one in the world, no matter what anyone says."
"Ha, hahaha."
When I made note of that, she laughed at me in amazement with a drawn look on her face.
"What is it?"
"No, nothing. When I first met you, Second-dono, I was simply amazed at how great you were…… However, as soon as I stepped into your world, I sometimes feel, and it may be rude to say this, that I find Second-dono very scary."
"I know. Second, is a bit scary sometimes."
Even Eko, who was listening to the conversation on the side, joined Silvia.
Furthermore, beside her, Raspberry Bell nodded deeply, "'Mm-hmm".
"You too, Ras……"
I was a bit shocked.
"I'm still scared when I play against Senpai. My whole body shakes from my heart through my back. I know exactly why it happens every time."
"What? Is there a reason? Let me in on it."
"It's easy. I can't perform poorly in front of my senpai, can I? The nerves, it's the nerves."
"……I see. I can't be a fool in front of Second-dono……huh?"
"It's funny, isn't it? Even when I'm playing against someone who is not Senpai, my hands shake as soon as I realize that Senpai is watching me."
Ras quietly puts her right hand out in front of her. Indeed, his white-fish-like beautiful fingertips were trembling slightly.
Right, the next match――
"Well, I'd better get going."
――Raspberry Bell vs. Gram.
She is also an Issenza contestant.
The fact that she is able to compete means that she, perhaps, has already succeeded in developing a cure for Caramelia.
But there has been no direct report to me yet. In other words, it is probably in the final verification stage, undergoing clinical trials or something, and not a situation where she has to devote her time.
As one would expect from a former ranker in the 128th place, she easily achieved both of them in a very short time.
It should be noted that she must have started playing years later than I did, but she eventually moved up to 128th in the world rankings.
In addition, I heard that she was attending college at the time. The way she gets things done is truly unusual.
As I looked off the back of the extremely beautiful woman walking with her long white and red hair blowing in the wind, I was excited with anticipation.
If only she could have grown more than she did back then.
Because the day when that sword reaches me will not be far off.
======
Thank you for reading.
Cheat sheet
Stats details
＜Status Details＞
- HP Hit Points
- MP Magic Points
- SP Stamina Points
- STR Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
- DEX Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
- AGI Quickness, avoidance rate.
- INT Attack Magic skill power.
- LUK Good luck, critical rate.
- VIT Simple defense.
- MGR Magic defense.
Types of combat skills
Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.
- Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
- Lance(Kyousha)
- Knight (Keima)
- Silver General (Ginshou)
- Gold General (Kinshou)
- Bishop (Kakugyou)
- Rook (Hisha)
- Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
- Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).
List of Swordsmanship skills
Swordsmanship
- 《Soldier Swordsmanship》 Normal attack.
- 《Lance Swordsmanship》 Piercing attack.
- 《Knight Swordsmanship》 Precision attack.
- 《Silver Swordsmanship》 Strong single-target attack.
- 《Gold Swordsmanship》 Small-range attack to all directions.
- 《Bishop Swordsmanship》 Quick and powerful piercing attack
- 《Rook Swordsmanship》 Rush piercing attack
- 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》 Powerful ranged attack in all directions
- 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》 Most powerful range attack, takes time to prepare
List of Shieldmanship skills
Shieldmanship
- 《Soldier Shieldmanship》 Normal defense.
- 《Lance Shieldmanship》 Piercing deflection.
- 《Knight Shieldmanship》 Defense + knockback.
- 《Silver Shieldmanship》 Defense +chance to parry
- 《Gold Shieldmanship》 Ranged guided defense + knockback.
- 《Bishop Shieldmanship》 Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
- 《Rook Shieldmanship》 Rush attack
- 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》 ???
- 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》 Powerful shield attack, takes time to prepare
List of Archery skills
Archery
- 《Soldier Archery》 Normal range attack.
- 《Lance Archery》 Piercing range attack.
- 《Knight Archery》 Precise sniping range attack.
- 《Silver Archery》 Strong single-target range attack.
- 《Gold Archery》 Weaker range attack with added knockback.
- 《Bishop Archery》 Strong piercing range attack.
- 《Rook Archery》 Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
- 《Dragon Horse Archery》 Powerful Area of Effect piercing range attack.
- 《Dragon King Archery》 Powerful on-impact range attack, takes time to prepare
Types of Magic skills
They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.
- First Form Regular attack
- Second Form Extended range attack
- Third Form Strong single target attack
- Fourth Form Strong extended range attack
- Fifth Form Extremely powerful extended range attack
- Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.
Ranking of the skills
From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.
- 16th class
- 15th class
- 14th class
- 13th class
- 12h class
- 11th class
- 10th class
- 9th class
- 8th class
- 7th class
- 6th class
- 5th class
- 4th class
- 3rd class
- 2nd class
- 1st class
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
- Grade 9
- Title
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Sousaku - 創作 - We Create! 
It seems that Rave has never yet lost to anyone. And that’s why he’s like this. I hope the MC nudges his string of frustration.
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