Fate: Hero Simulator

[3rd POV]

"Are apprentice magus this powerful these days?"

Touko was deeply shocked by Kyouya.

He was able to defeat the puppet alone through physical combat which massively shocked her worldview.

Although she had encountered powerful magus before, the only one she knew who could be compared was her sister, Aoko Aozaki, the successor of the Fifth Magic.

What right did Kyouya have to be compared to Aoko who had inherited magic?

In fact, Kyouya spent a lot of energy dealing with the puppet, and he was unable to stop Touko's sneak attacks.

However, with the "floating jewel cannon," Kyouya could use the stored magical energy to unleash powerful magic beams or form barriers at critical moments.

By the way, this was a special technique he had perfected after staying up late watching Gundam SEED some time ago.

Right now, the most urgent thing is to deal with the puppet in front of him and then escape.

He used his understanding of the true meaning of flowing water to constantly prevent the formation of its flowing sword momentum.

He also tried to continuously damage the puppet's body, shattering its magical relics inside it.

He refused to believe that this puppet didn't have a fatal "core."

The "core" certainly exists.

The Volumen hydrargyrum, a masterpiece crafted by Kayneth in his twenties, was his proud creation. It achieved a level of accomplishment just below that of a true Heroic Spirit.

As mentioned before, the Grand rank granted by the Mage's Association is based solely on a magus's proficiency in magecraft and does not directly relate to their combat abilities.

Currently, magecraft is divided into twelve disciplines.

She could not possibly replicate a magic artifact exactly like the Volumen Hydrargyrum in such a short time.

This Volumen Hydrargyrum does indeed have a critical "core" that would render the puppet immobile if destroyed.

However, Touko continuously shifts this "core" by utilizing mercury's properties, making it impossible for Kyouya to destroy it.

This is troublesome.

This is probably how Touko feels right now.

If it was just Kyouya, it wouldn't be such a big deal, but the problem is that this is her duel with her own sister. 

While she couldn't be sure that Kyouya was Aoko's ally, the possibility certainly wasn't small.

Aoko had visited the local ley lines overseer, and maybe she made some kind of promise during that visit.

Now, this kid was entangled with her puppet. If Aoko comes back, doesn't that mean she loses?

Although Kyouya had caused her quite a bit of trouble, Touko's target from the very beginning had always been her sister.

She had never truly paid any attention to him.

"It seems this is the only way."

A faint bluish light appeared in Touko's eyes—it was her "Mystic Eye." The ability was quite ordinary, merely a simple form of enchantment.

Of course, calling it "enchantment" isn't quite right and perhaps "control" would be a better word to explain it.

At the same time, Kyouya's figure paused as if something was suppressing him, and a huge opening appeared in his defense.

The opportunity had finally arrived.

Touko was very confident in her Mystic Eye.

In this kind of battle, exposing such a large opening would mean Kyouya's demise.

However...

After the first simulation, Kyouya chose the "Divinity," which not only gave him exceptionally high-quality and high-quantity magical circuits but also greatly enhanced his magic resistance.

Initially, Kyouya wouldn't have been restrained by such a Mystic Eye, but he decided to play along during this time.

He couldn't find the weakness of the puppet right away, and his own magical energy and stamina were limited.

He couldn't afford to engage in a war of attrition with her, who had control of the underground ley lines, not to mention there was a magus lurking nearby.

He'd undoubtedly die if he continued dragging it out.

Kyouya's entire body became "stiff," and his magical energy seemed blocked.

The "floating jewel cannons" he had summoned fell to the ground as if they were powerless trash.

This was undoubtedly an opportunity.

Even though Kyouya had intentionally left an opening, this action put him at great risk.

If he made even a single mistake in the next move, he would step into a trap from which there was no escape.

This was Kyouya's slim chance of survival in an otherwise fatal situation, and it was also Touko's opportunity to quickly end the battle.

However...

Kyouya was smiling.

Suddenly, layers of mist began to envelop the holy sword, but at the same time, Kyouya also planned to turn himself into "water."

He relaxed his muscles, emptied his mind, and let his body flow like water, unaffected by any force.

He was preparing for the perfect moment to dodge and strike in the same instant.

This kind of move might have worked in a simulation, but in real life, it was basically asking him to die, but he had no other choice.

The sword fell.

The strike came like a clear stream of water toward him. In that instant, he opened his eyes.

Afterwards, he made sure that every movement was precise, neither too much nor too little.

He moved past the blade so closely that the sword's energy nearly tore his skin, but he didn't react at all.

With a swift motion, he locked his palm into a knife shape, focusing on the thing he had been sensing all along.

I found you.

"Bang~"

Kyouya pierced through the puppet, grabbing its core with such force that it nearly shattered in his hand.

To be continued...

...

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