I aimed my magic at his location. The distance was a bit far. If I used a large-scale spell, he would notice it midway and dodge. Here, I should aim for moderate but certain damage.

  Wind bullets.

  [Falbullet]

  Several small bullets of compressed air were generated. They floated right beside me, accurately targeting his location, waiting for my command. Go.

  The multiple bullets moved out simultaneously at remarkable speed, slipping through the gaps between buildings and closing in on him. This spell had only moderate power, but its speed was top-class. It wasn't as fast as a real pistol, so it wouldn't easily penetrate a human body, but if it hit, it would gouge flesh. Depending on where it hit, it should be able to deal serious damage.

  Soon, it seemed the magic hit its mark as intended. He shouted in rage.

  "Dammit—! Where!? Where the hell are you!?"

  Judging by his voice, unfortunately, it seemed I hadn't inflicted much injury. As expected of someone using acceleration magic, his reaction to attacks was fast.

  "Come out—!"

  He began searching for me with bloodshot eyes. Of course, there was no way I would simply come out. I wouldn't let him figure out my position. I would maintain this advantage and chip away at him with long-range attacks.

  Transform into a man, move while concealing my location, and confirm his position. Transform into a woman and attack with magic. Transform into a man again—repeating this cycle.

  However, although the initial surprise attack was effective, against an opponent who had strengthened his vigilance against attacks from blind spots, a decisive blow was hard to come by. I began to feel impatient.

  This is bad.

  Just hitting him with small-scale magic wouldn't be enough to take him down, considering his magic resistance. My Magic Power was running low. At this rate, I would eventually be unable to use magic. If that happened, this strategy would collapse.

  If only I could get close somehow and strike him with my Qi Sword. That's what I thought. If I could land that technique Inea-sensei taught me. I should be able to defeat him.

  A technique originally used by a person named Jilph Arise, who was Inea-sensei's master. I heard his original version was far more incredible. But that was a divine feat only possible for him, who possessed a unique FabL ability. So, Sensei used his original technique as a reference and completed it as a normal Qi Sword Art that even I could use.

  There were various detailed difficulties, but the principle was simple. Concentrate Qi into the Qi Sword with all your might, and slash.

  It was a simple technique of just that. But because it was simple, it had no flaws and was powerful. It was the secret technique of the Qi Sword Arts, the strongest attack I possessed, including both my male and female forms.

  While I continued attacking, looking for an opportunity, he finally lost his patience. He started shouting something outrageous.

  "Dammit! Attacking bit by bit! Come out! If you don't come out, I'll destroy this entire area until I find you! I'll kill everyone—!"

  For a moment, I felt like my insides were boiling over.

  Planning to involve unrelated people again! Just how much of a scumbag are you!

  If allowed, I wanted to go out right now. I wanted to stop his tyranny and throw words of anger at him. Still, I desperately suppressed my impulse. If I went out here, it would be exactly what he wanted. Either way, he had been continuing his destruction whether I came out or not. He was that kind of guy. The possibility of defeating him was higher if I stayed away and looked for an opening.

  Calm down. Be cool.

  Just as my reason was barely trying to persuade myself.

  BOOM! BOOM!

  Explosions. One, then two occurred. Nearby houses were blown away all too easily. Screams could be heard.

  That bastard...! He really did it!

  Blood rushed to my head, and I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists tight.

  —Don't go. You mustn't go!

  I managed to endure at the last moment and tried to move to a position where my location wouldn't be exposed even if I attacked. As if to show off to me, he caused huge explosions one after another. He destroyed the surrounding houses one by one.

  Feeling like my body was being torn apart, I burned the tragic scene into my eyes.

  Stop... stop it! There are people inside!

  Realizing they were being directly targeted, people rushed out of their houses, scrambling to escape in a panic. Laughing at the scene he created himself with a gleeful voice, he blew people up as easily as twisting a baby's hand.

  The town was burning, and the smell of death hung everywhere. Without even the time to mourn the dead, people could only run from him. My body trembled with anger. I wanted to blast him with magic right now! But I couldn't. My endurance until now would be wasted. Houses were destroyed, and the line of sight opened up. If I didn't move yet, my location would be exposed.

  Don't rush the attack. Don't rush...!

  Finally reaching a point where I could attack, I transformed into a woman and tried to get into a posture to fire magic immediately.

  But then—I saw something terrible.

  For a glimpse, the figure of a familiar child was reflected in the corner of my vision.

  That child... no way. No, there was no mistake. It was the little boy I won a Falmo for on the first day of the festival. He was the only one who completely failed to escape, and he was crying.

  Ah. If I saw something like that. Suddenly, uncontrollable emotions welled up in my chest.

  "Hahahaha!"

  Hearing his laughing voice and feeling the rise of Magic Power just before he unleashed his magic—finally, emotion overcame reason. Before I knew it, I had jumped out right in front of him. I didn't have a plan. I just couldn't sit still. I thought I was an idiot too. My body moved on its own.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  "Stop it! Stop it already!"

  Recognizing my figure, he floated a mocking sneer.

  "Kukuku. What an idiot! You actually came out! You should've just kept attacking from afar or ran away!"

  Because I showed myself, the attacks on the people, including that child, stopped for the time being. That fact cooled my head somewhat.

  "I couldn't watch anymore. Doing whatever you want!"

  "Ha! What a softie! That naivety—will be the death of you."

  I glared at him with the utmost anger.

  "I will not forgive you."

  Hearing that, he started laughing explosively as if he heard a funny joke. What's so funny.

  "Won't forgive me!? Hahahaha! That's a masterpiece, hey!"

  Then, he suddenly stopped laughing and said threateningly in a low, menacing voice.

  "Where is the need for me to be forgiven by a brat like you?"

  "Whether it's needed or not doesn't matter. I'm just saying I won't forgive you!"

  "That kind of thing is only comical unless someone with power says it. Those without power can only be trampled. That is the truth of this world."

  "Whether it's comical or the truth. I don't acknowledge you."

  I transformed into a man. So I could dodge when his explosion magic came. Seeing my transformation intently, he said in an irritated manner.

  "Changing your appearance constantly. What a weird guy. What are you!"

  "Who knows, I don't even know myself."

  I wasn't even convinced of my own fate yet.

  "Ha! Is that so! Then, die just like that!"

  He and I confronted each other, glaring. I felt the air tighten with tension. By coming out in front of him, the situation became severe at once. Still, I absolutely couldn't lose to this guy. I have to win and protect everyone.

  A short-term battle was the only way. If it dragged on, it would be advantageous for him. I was already low on Magic Power, and Qi consumption was intense. When either ran out, my fate would be sealed.

  Read the attack. Don't miss his every move.

  The surrounding air slightly heated up. Explosion coming. When I stepped to the side, a huge explosion occurred at the place where I was, as expected. While avoiding a direct hit from the blast, I instantly turned into a woman and released Wind Magic with low mana consumption.

  [Rafalus]

  "Too slow!"

  The six blades of wind were all dodged by a hair's breadth. I couldn't hit him, but I didn't fall for nothing. He had been using some kind of acceleration magic. I didn't know its identity, but I guessed it from the current attack. I confirmed firmly that the atmosphere of Magic Power was similar to Argus's Gravity Magic.

  It must be Space-Time Magic. He was probably gaining the effect of acceleration substantially by manipulating space-time directly.

  I transformed into a man again and created a Qi Sword shining white. And I went to slash boldly.

  "Oops! I won't let you!"

  A blast wind occurred centering on him as if to defend. Kuh! If I took something like that, I wouldn't stand a chance. I had no choice but to jump back in a hurry.

  Explosion Magic for attack. Space-Time Magic for movement and evasion. And Blast Wind Magic for defense. It seemed he used only these three, but all of them were powerful and extremely troublesome. He was probably an expert in explosive killing who thoroughly polished these three spells.

  Constantly targeted by explosions, avoided if I shot magic, and blasted if I approached to slash with the Qi Sword. There was no opening. I couldn't find a means to defeat him.

  Contrary to my hope for a short-term battle, the situation gradually became deadlocked.

  "Hah-ha! I see you're tired. Looks like the time to die is approaching!"

  Although I managed to avoid direct hits from explosions, I couldn't dodge completely anymore. Staggering from the blast wind was increasing. Both my mental strength and stamina were close to the limit.

  Still, without giving up, I tried to find a chance to win.

  Only immediately after he used Explosion Magic, there was a momentary gap. If only I could strike there. If I could approach before he deployed the blast wind. But how should I deal with that Explosion Magic? He manipulated it skillfully so I couldn't do something like rushing in while dodging the attack. Until now, I could only retreat backward from his front direction or escape to the side against the explosion. Because he caused explosions at exquisite positions where the magic would hit directly if I moved forward.

  While dodging his attacks, I continued to think desperately. What to do. What should I do. How can I deal with that tremendous power of Explosion Magic—

  —Tremendous, power?

  At that moment, a flash like electricity ran through me.

  That's it.

  I realized that even that magic, which was fast, capable of rapid-fire, and terrifyingly powerful, had a serious flaw.

  Explosion Magic was too powerful. If it was too close—it would involve him as well.

  As proof, didn't he use only Blast Wind Magic in his immediate vicinity until now, and never used Explosion Magic? It wasn't that he simply didn't use it. He couldn't use it!

  Then. If I could slip through even one explosion and get close to him. Then, he wouldn't be able to rapid-fire Explosion Magic repeatedly. Switching used magic took a little time. If I approached in a straight line, he wouldn't have time to use Blast Wind Magic either.

  This is the only way. I decided to bet my life.

  Immediately becoming a woman, I cast [Falspeed] and positioned myself at a range where he would likely use Explosion Magic. When he prepared the Explosion Magic and was about to fire.

  I dared not to run away, but charged straight at him.

  A huge explosion occurred right in front. Naturally, it was a direct hit course. If I were a man, I would undoubtedly lose my life here.

  But, just one shot. If it's only that, maybe I can manage if I pour all my remaining Magic Power into it. No, I will make it happen!

  Wind of protection. Wrap me!

  [Falaura]

  A veil of wind protecting from heat wrapped my whole body powerfully. Immediately after, a tremendous heat wave assaulted my body.

  My vision was wrapped in flames. My whole body was burning hot. In fact, it was burning. But normally, the intense blast itself, which would blow away the five limbs without a trace, was repelled by the wind wrapping my body, and I managed to protect myself somehow.

  Eventually, the explosion subsided, and my vision cleared.

  Although scorched, I, who managed to endure the magic, had now slipped out right in front of him. He probably didn't think I would jump into the explosion from the front and survive. His face was distorted with surprise.

  "What!?"

  "With this—"

  While transforming into a man, I stepped into his guard. I finally reached the point-blank range where the Qi Sword could hit.

  "—It's my distance!"

  I created a Qi Sword in my left hand and poured maximum Qi into it. The white blade emitted an even stronger light, wrapped in a blinding, pale blue radiance.

  [Senkraze]!

  The powerfully unmatched blow with highly concentrated Qi easily pierced his armament and bit firmly into his right shoulder. It severed the collarbone, tore through the chest, and swung down diagonally to his left hip in one breath. Having cut through to the end, I passed his body and ran through to the rear.

  "U, ugh...!"

  Turning around, I saw him groaning in pain, holding his wound. I said to him.

  "With that wound, you shouldn't be able to fight anymore. Surrender quietly before it becomes dangerous due to excessive bleeding."

  Then he suddenly fell silent. What on earth is he thinking?

  Just as I was suspicious, he suddenly took action.

  "Oruaa!"

  What! Explosion!

  It was a surprise attack. I tried to dodge instantly, but having lost most of my energy, I couldn't avoid it completely. Blown away by the blast squarely, I was slammed headfirst into the wall of a nearby house.

  "Ugh..."

  When I realized, I was lying on the ground. I tried to get up immediately, but it was no good. My body wouldn't listen. Did I get a concussion? I couldn't stand up!

  On the other hand, although he was staggering as if he would collapse at any moment, he was stepping firmly on the earth with his two feet without falling. He said while closing the distance to me, lying unsightly. It was neither a contemptuous tone nor an irritated yakuza-like tone. It was sincere words toward someone he recognized as a true enemy.

  "You are... a softie after all. Ugh... It certainly worked. I'll admit it. You seem to have power. But, this won't kill me. A wound like this, I can cauterize and close."

  What... in the world...

  He continued with a serious face, but in a triumphant tone.

  "Listen, kid. A fight doesn't end unless you deliver the finishing blow. You subconsciously held back, trying not to kill me."

  "Tch...!"

  "Because of that, look! Even though you could have won, I stand, and you are in that state! I told you, right? That naivety—will be the death of you!"

  It was exactly as he said. It was because I was naive...! Because I didn't take him down thoroughly.

  ...You're right. I probably didn't want to kill even a guy like this somewhere. So, the attack that should have surely finished him off entered a little sweetly. And, I invited such a situation...!

  "See ya! Finally, I can kill you!"

  Biting my regret, I prepared for death and closed my eyes.

  Sorry, Alice. I couldn't keep the promise to come back alive.

  However—. The blow to finish me off never came no matter how much time passed.

  Fearfully, when I opened my eyes—. His face wrapped in astonishment was there.

  "You are...! Why are you here! Clam Selenberg!"