Chapter 184: Let’s See How Long You Can Avoid It (4)
Besides what I felt when I wore them, the magical items had other effects as well. It seems like the basic magic imbuement techniques for mass production drastically limited these effects to increase versatility.
For example, the sword Levidian received, in addition to being light and sturdy, also had the effect of teleporting the user to a desired location within a 10-meter radius about three times a day by reciting a command word.
However, it couldn’t penetrate walls, and since the location had to be designated beforehand, it had the drawback of slightly reducing concentration. The limit on the number of uses could also be considered a drawback.
Training was necessary to skillfully use these kinds of magical effects in actual combat. And when it comes to training, sparring is the best.
So, due to my misfortune in the lottery, I found myself in a chilling situation, staring at Joey’s colossal figure hurtling towards me, covering the entire sky.
Hey! I’m your Hyung-nim!
“Protection!”
I crossed my arms and shouted the command word. Immediately after, Joey’s heavy greatsword struck my arms. Joey went a step further and shouted the command word for his own item.
“Heavy!”
Simultaneously with his voice, my gauntlets clashed against Joey’s now-heavier greatsword.
Kwaang!
Kuek! You’re trying to kill me, you punk!
If it weren’t for the magic that activates a protective effect in conjunction with the armor, I would have been split in half by Joey’s greatsword.
But magic is truly amazing.
Most of the impact disappeared!
Even though my arms are still tingling, it’s because of the monstrous destructive power Joey possesses.
I could have been moved by the thought of having such an amazing little brother, but seeing his leg flying towards me like a siege ram, I felt more like creating some distance rather than being moved.
“Back!”
Like Aila’s Emergency Dodge, my body slid backward. It’s an emergency directional movement that the boots can use.
It can move about 3 meters forward, backward, left, or right, but it’s a bit unfortunate that it doesn’t move diagonally. It’s like how a rook moves in chess.
After retreating about 3 meters, I raised my sword and looked at Joey. He was staring at me with a serious expression, which made him look even more terrifying. An ordinary person would have already fainted.
“Hey! Are you trying to kill me?!”
“It’s okay. I trust you, Hyung-nim. You might get hurt, but you won’t die. And with Namias-nuna around, it’s alright to get a little hurt, right? Hahaha.”
“What if the new equipment breaks?!”
“Isn’t it under the free repair warranty?”
“……”
I was speechless at the extremely simple logic that broken things can be fixed. Hey, while it’s being repaired, I can’t train.
Still, thanks to this, I learned something good. I gained confidence in the claim that the protective ability, usable 5 times a day, could even block a falling stone from a catapult.
Since I’m a mage, I wondered if the description in the manual might be exaggerated, but it seems that exaggerating is Lucy’s specialty, not a habit of all mages.
Then, should I believe what’s written in the manual?
I stomped my right foot powerfully. My body instantly soared 10 meters into the air. Wow!
I gained tremendous jumping power, but Joey’s presence was still overwhelming. The most unfair part is that when Joey raises his sword, he can control up to 6 meters above ground.
The Shrine Knight of Lynin was prepared to strike downward as I descended, his sword lowered. Even with protection, I feel like I’ll be blown away if I get hit.
My slowly descending body entered Joey’s attack range. I could see his muscles twitching as he exerted his strength. You punk, are you trying to kill me for real?
I fell straight towards him. As soon as my accelerating body entered Joey’s attack range, I kicked the air with my left foot.
Even though there was nothing there, my left foot felt like it was stepping on something. My body propelled forward with the recoil, and at the same time, Joey’s sword swung.
Whoosh!
The heavy sound of the sword cutting through the air sent chills down my spine. The greatsword almost grazed my body. However, because I kicked the air, his attack missed, and I fell towards Joey’s broad back.
“Ha!”
A light stab. My sword slightly pierced his thick neck. It was only a scratch, like a needle prick, but it decided the outcome.
I landed safely on the ground with my right foot and exhaled deeply.
“Phew……! That was close.”
“Kicking the air…… That’s cheating, Hyung-nim.”
“Your monstrous strength is the real cheat, you punk.”
If I had wanted to, my sword could have pierced Joey’s neck deeply. Even with his steel-like muscles, the new sword is incredibly sharp.
I sheathed my sword and said to Joey,
“Still, you’re really tough to deal with. It makes me wonder how I would handle you without a magic weapon. As expected, the overwhelming difference in height and weight is unavoidable. The reason I couldn’t properly handle Levidian back then was also because of the difference in height and weight……”
“What did you say?”
Suddenly, a coldness pressed against my neck, sending an indescribable fear through me. It felt like a layer of my heart was being peeled away. I swallowed hard and spoke with a trembling voice,
“No, well, I meant that Levidian wasn’t heavy, but because of the relative physical difference…… I wanted to say that I had no clue how to win back then. Yes, yes.”
“Oh, is that so? But for some reason, it sounds to me like you’re saying you couldn’t win even though you could have, because I’m big and heavy?”
“Th-there’s no way I could win against you.”
“But why is your voice trembling? Hmm?”
“W-well, I don’t know.”
Joey, who had been staring blankly, now had a look in his eyes that said, ‘I didn’t know my Hyung-nim was this pathetic.’ It’s truly heartbreaking, but it can’t be helped.
Joey, this is a man’s fate.
“Unni, stop it. Let’s decide whether he’s light or heavy after you try carrying him yourself. You’ll be carrying him to bed anyway.”
“A-Aila!”
“Oh my, not yet? That’s surprising. Even if you, Unni, can endure it, Risel is still young, but…… Hmm. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised if I see a worried look on your face one morning.”
The coldness was removed from my neck, so I turned around and saw a blushing Levidian being teased by a mischievous Aila. Aila, I’m actually a very healthy man, you know.
I placed my hand on Levidian’s flustered head and said to Aila,
“Aila, stop it. She’ll overheat.”
“Heh. So you’re not denying your incompetence.”
“Want to spar with me?”
“Here? Oh my, how bold. Aren’t you embarrassed?”
Aila put her hands on her cheeks and pretended to be shy, and that easily pushed my patience over the edge.
“Levidian, shall we join forces?”
“A joint attack? Sounds good.”
I gripped the hilt of my sword and coordinated with Levidian. Aila chuckled. Don’t laugh!
“You two work well together. Next is me and Al. So, both of you, calm down. Woah, woah.”
Aila, with her sly demeanor, simultaneously flipped my and Levidian’s clothes. A truly remarkable ability.
Grumbling, Levidian and I stepped aside.
“Risel, I sometimes wonder.”
“About what?”
“Aila, is she perhaps jealous?”
“Huh?”
My reaction was a bit delayed due to the unexpected question. However, Levidian had a rather serious expression.
“I’ve thought it was a bit strange for a while now. Even mischief has its limits. The relationship between Aila, me, and Risel is a bit closer than with others, but even so, that kind of reaction is a bit excessive, I think.”
“Is that so?”
“Don’t you think so? Surely, she’s not jealous of me and you, right? If Aila were my rival, I’d have to be on my toes.”
I scratched my head and looked at Aila, who was running around Al like an energetic cat.
I wondered if Levidian was being a bit oversensitive, but it seemed like others would come to the same conclusion. Aila is naturally playful, but she seems to be even more mischievous towards the two of us.
“Risel, what do you think of Aila?”
“Huh? Aila is my friend.”
“And?”
“And…… what else is there? A friend is a friend. Ah, I guess adding the adjective ‘good’ would be fine.”
I spoke my honest feelings without any embellishment. No, really, Aila has been like that since we first met. She was a girl who could become a good friend, and after becoming friends, my feelings haven’t progressed beyond that.
Oh, come to think of it, we did kiss once. And that was probably because Aila drugged me to do it.
Anyway, it’s a needless worry.
“Levidian, Aila is always like that.”
“Hmm. That’s true, but is there ever a subtle atmosphere between you two when you’re alone?”
Ladies and gentlemen, you are currently witnessing a conversation between lovers that may escalate into a fight. I released a sigh of emptiness into the air, unsure who I was talking to.
A subtle atmosphere. No matter how much I think about it, my conversations with Aila have no other distinguishing feature than one side teasing the other. Friendship that blossoms amidst teasing, perhaps.
Then, a strange thought suddenly occurred to me, and I stroked my chin.
“Come to think of it, there is something strange.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve never felt anything more than friendship towards Aila from the beginning until now. Objectively speaking, Aila is quite beautiful. She was a pretty cute girl when we first met. Maybe it’s time for me to reawaken as a man.”
“I can’t help but agree that she’s beautiful. Her bright, cute, and approachable personality is something I actually envy quite a bit. She has what I lack, so if she were to become my rival, I wouldn’t be confident in victory.”
No, you’re quite cute as well. I looked at her with a flustered expression, and she, who had been staring intently at Aila, noticed my gaze.
“What do you mean by that look?”
“Just that you’re beautiful.”
“You’re quite smooth.”
“Anyway, Aila will never be your rival. No, she won’t. What are you talking about when you already have the key to my soul? I’m more worried that a rival might appear for me.”
Perhaps I’m the one who should be insecure.
Levidian’s image is known to be somewhat cold, serious, and ruthless. These are mainly rumors circulating among the soldiers.
However, she usually shows a gentle demeanor. Her subtle warmth hidden within her coolness is favored by many, regardless of gender.
Yet, the reason I’m not overly anxious is, should I say, because there’s trust between her and me? It’s probably because I know best who was there for me, encouraged me, comforted me, and caressed me during the most difficult times.
She’s being cautious now because of Aila’s relentless and straightforward personality, not because she doesn’t trust me.
She smiled faintly. It’s the smile I love.
“You’re a good person. Ah, of course, I’m saying this as a compliment. I’m not saying let’s break up.”
“Yes, I know.”
But I couldn’t help but feel a pang in my chest for a moment.
“Sometimes I wonder if I’m not older than you. If you calculate it, your inner age and my age are no different. Ah, that reminds me. Have you told Al about yourself?”
“Huh? Oh, I haven’t.”
Levidian immediately shot me a look of disapproval. Ugh, I guess I’ve been too relaxed lately because things have been going well. More than anything, I forgot I had to tell him because Al’s attitude hasn’t changed at all.
I scratched the back of my head.
“I’ll have to talk to him after dinner or something. Tsk. I’m such a fool.”
“Get your head straight. As the Sword King’s lover, you should have that much attention to detail.”
“No way. Did you choose me based on that?”
“I don’t think someone who didn’t even give me a chance to choose has the right to say that. You swooped in and stole my heart like an osprey.”
She and I exchanged pleasant smiles. This is why people fall in love, I guess. Being able to connect hearts so closely is a rather important thing.
Just then, the voice of the usual troublemaker could be heard.
“Hey! It’s too hot to concentrate!”
“Hmm.”
Al nodded with a look that said he seriously agreed, looking at Aila charging towards him.
If you’re distracted while fighting, just focus! Levidian and I watched them spar for a while.
Al calmly measured the distance between him and Aila, then suddenly dashed forward. He was originally agile, but now equipped with magical items, he was even faster.
The distance between the two closed rapidly, and as if deceleration was unnecessary, they both thrust their fists forward, colliding intensely.
It was a blow that made the heavens roar and the earth tremble.
Kwagang-!
For a moment, a shock strong enough to shake the ground was transmitted. I steadied my swaying body, and Levidian also stumbled from the unexpected impact.
She had a bewildered expression.
“What was that?”
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