Chapter 454.2: Weakness

Chapter 454.2: Weakness

“Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh!? A Level 8 Hunter was here!?” (Luke)

Luke Onii-sama’s grieving voice echoes throughout the Alchemy Laboratory on the third floor of 《First Step’s (Hajimari no Ashiato)》 Clan House. Seeing this, Sytry Onee-sama adds with a wry smile.

“I checked later, and to be precise, she seems to be a provisional Level 9. It seems like Cry-san yielded it to her.” (Sytry)

“Damn! I wanted to cut her down too…… Why, does my timing always suck like thiiis.” (Luke)

“Hmm…… Because of your daily actions?” (Liz)

“Daily actions……” (Tino)

I, Tino, who have been *kokukoku* gulping down a potion, mutter to myself as my cheeks twitch a little at Shisho’s outrageous words.

The unprecedented mock battle, which abruptly began in the underground training ground, ended in great success.

Saya Kuromizu is strong. Moreover, her strength is beyond the reach of ordinary Hunters.

Recently, I myself have been aware that my skills have improved, but I still feel that I am not experienced enough. This must be due to a difference in mindset.

Onee-sama, who has been adventuring alongside Master~ all this time, must have a different level of focus than I, who just occasionally gets hit with an Infinite Trial.

I have never met a Level 9 Hunter before, but is that what a Level 9 is like.

When I close my eyes, I remember the last thing Saya tried to release.

Even without looking into Saya’s eyes, I could sense the eerie atmosphere. If my intuition is correct, that was something that should never be in public. Of course, she must have it under control……

In the end, both Onee-sama and Sytry Onee-sama also jumped in the mock battle, and amidst the chaos, I was called in, and it ended while leaving everything up in the air.

Since Onee-sama and Sytry Onee-sama joined the battle, Saya had started to take evasive action, but if there is one thing that I learned from that mock battle, it is that even though she was facing so many opponents at the same time, Saya remained unharmed until the very end.

Well, the fact that she is dodging the attacks means she is below Master~ who can just silently accept the attacks……

“But it’s a good thing Luke didn’t come, riiight, I would have felt sorry for Saya-chan……” (Liz)

“It is because the current Luke-san’s slash can fly away…… It would be pretty tough to block it at first sight.” (Sytry)

It is true that the slashing techniques that Luke Onii-sama mastered in Yggdra don’t look like sword techniques at all. Just how high does Luke Onii-sama aim to go?

“Hey, do you think she’ll come again? Should I just ask Cry? That’s not fair, it’s only Liz and the others, to think you get to slash a Level 9――” (Luke)

“I didn’t slash her. Besides, it’s Luke-chan’s fault for not being there, no?” (Liz)

Luke Onii-sama is the same as always. By the way, it seems that the reason he was absent was because he went off to train. Even Onee-sama, who is always diligent in her training, goes shopping in her free time, but Luke Onii-sama doesn’t do that at all. He is too stoic. ṛäΝօВÈṧ

“Come to think of it, Sytry Onee-sama, you didn’t use any gas in the mock battle.” (Tino)

“It is because I have pretty much figured out Saya’s abilities now. She is certainly strong, but I am pretty sure we could handle that, right? There were plenty of Clan Members, so I thought I didn’t need to use gas.” (Sytry)

“She’s strong if it works, but she’s extremely weak to surprise attacks, Saya-chan. I’m sure she’s got some countermeasures, tho’.” (Liz)

Indeed, Saya’s combat ability doesn’t seem to be much different from mine. Her combat ability is likely to be about the same as mine, who has trained in anti-personnel combat, but considering her Certification Level, it is probably quite low. Even her defensive abilities, leaving me aside, if it is Onee-sama’s lightning-fast attack, it might be able to slip through. Even Sytry Onee-sama’s gas and Lucia Onee-sama’s magic might have a chance.

However, in reality, Saya has survived on the battlefield for a long time and reached Level 9. I shudder and say.

“She must have a hidden trick up her sleeve…… Or maybe she can summon something even stronger……” (Tino)

“It is not like we can have casualties in a mock battle, so she is probably much stronger on the battlefield.” (Sytry)

“I-I see…………” (Tino)

Indeed, Sytry Onee-sama is right. While it might be manageable in a mock battle like this one, dealing with 『Sarasara』 in the heat of battle would be impossible.

It might be best to avoid mock battles with her in the future. The last one she tried to summon was so powerful that even the government officials who couldn’t see them were barely able to breathe under the pressure.

As a countermeasure, Onee-sama came up with the method of seeing the reflection in Saya’s eyes. However, this method was easily thwarted by Saya’s own countermeasure. If she closes her eyes for a moment, the reflection in her eyes doesn’t matter, and even in that state, her ability is still activated.

“Tino, you got such a great experience…… Kuuuh……” (Luke)

“Th-Thank you, Luke Onii-sama……” (Tino)

Says Luke Onii-sama with a look of genuine regret on his face. Certainly, this mock battle may have been a valuable experience. It is rare to be able to fight a Level 9 in such a safe mock battle. This must all be Master’s~ will.

There, Sytry Onee-sama speaks to Luke Onii-sama, who still cannot hide his frustration.

“Well, an opportunity will come soon enough. If you are free, why don’t you help Lucia-chan? Saya-san might be there too.” (Sytry)

“!! Lucia!! But she said she wanted to try the request on her own for now, right? I don’t wanna get in her way.” (Luke)

Luke Onii-sama has brakes!?

As Luke Onii-sama crosses his arms and makes a difficult expression, Sytry Onee-sama speaks to him while gently shaking the potion she has just compounded.

“She might have changed her mind now. This case seems to be the type that Lucia-chan isn’t good at.” (Sytry)

“? Is there any type that Lucia Onee-sama isn’t good at?” (Tino)

Lucia Onee-sama is a Magi of exceptional beauty and intelligence, excelling in both academics and martial arts, invited to Zebrudia Magic Academy and even given the Alias of 《Avatar of Creation (Bansho Jizai)》.

Most Magi are generally versatile, but having deciphered Master’s~ grimoires and created numerous original spells, her powers are unmatched compared to other Magi. She has also made a contract with a spirit, and she is highly regarded among her peers.

As far as I know, Lucia Onee-sama doesn’t have any weakness, but――My eyes widen as I look at Onee-sama, and she says with a funny look on her face.

“Ahhhh, the type that Lucia-chan isn’t good at, huh. You see, Lucia-chan…… Fufu. Seems to not be good with ghosts.” (Liz)

“Gho………… Sts?” (Tino)

“It seems like she has never been good with ghost stories…… I absolutely love them though.” (Sytry)

I am confused for a moment by their unexpected words.

Ghosts. Apparitions. Ghost stories are still a popular form of entertainment, even in this golden age of Hunters, when real mysteries can be found everywhere. Even I have heard a few of them.

But Lucia Onee-sama is always fighting high-level Monsters and Phantoms…… Some of them are grotesque-looking, and it is a life-threatening work――And she is scared of ghosts?

In the first place, what exactly is a ghost? Just the other day, the cursed item that we fought at the church in the Imperial Capital, 『Marin’s Wail』, had a humanoid form, so she was probably a ghost-like thing. At that time, Lucia Onee-sama was supposed to have participated in the attack with everyone at the church.

And Sytry Onee-sama’s playful smile…… She must have been teasing Lucia Onee-sama to no end. She just wasn’t doing it in front of me.

“Oh, I’m not good with ghosts too. Coz’ I can’t cut them down…… I’ll still cut them tho’.” (Luke)

“She’s still okay if there’s a group of people~. Lucia-chan does hate to lose.” (Liz)

It seems like Luke Onii-sama is perfectly fine with them……

However, I never thought that Lucia Onee-sama would have such a weakness………… I think Lucia Onee-sama would still be able to use Magic even in a panic tho’. I have heard the rumors about people being spirited away, but this one certainly sounds a bit like a ghost story. I have always lived in the Imperial Capital, but this is the first time I have heard such rumors spread so widely there.

“Saya-chan seems to have been called in for the same case, so if you go with her, you might be able to meet her.” (Liz)

“Mmph. I wonder if we can have a mock battle?” (Luke)

“If you ask me, Luke-chan is more like a ghost story.” (Liz)

In some circles, I think…… Luke Onii-sama is feared more than ghost stories. In particular, since he will immediately go and slash anyone who has a sword, the feelings he receives from swordsmen and knights are quite strong.

But I think Sytry Onee-sama’s Kilkill-kun, is even scarier than ghost stories……

“But, y’know, she hasn’t asked me to help yet, sooo…” (Luke)

“I feel bad for getting in Lucia-chan’s way. But, I looked a little bit into it, and it seems like a pretty interesting case, so I think it would be a good idea to get ready for it, don’t you think?” (Sytry)

“………… I want to slash at a Level 9.” (Luke)

“I wanna fight again too. Next time I’ll definitely kill whatever Saya-chan summons.” (Liz)

Lucia Onee-sama…… I wonder if you are alright. I will gladly assist you if you want!

For the time being, I push Onee-sama and the others out of my mind and decide to pray for Lucia Onee-sama’s safety.

Thanks for reading! Let’s go 1 more week before Strange Grief Season 2 begins (6th October)! I can’t wait!

Haha Luke missed the mock battle against Saya, I wonder if it is going to be a recurring joke that he always miss on the “good” stuff

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