𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Albero was well-acquainted with his sister Esterize’s combat style.
For most companion-type Summoned beasts, it’s common for the summoner to issue commands and control the Summoned beast. Since the companion type itself seldom exercises its abilities, summoners often don’t engage in direct combat.
However, Esterize is different.
Alongside her Summoned beast Arknight, she wields her sword.
Drawing the twin swords from her waist, Esterize attempts to slice Albero in half.
ㅤ
“『Slash』!!”
“Raaah!!”
ㅤ
With his right hand 『hardened』, Albero blocks Esterize’s blade.
“So fast,” thinks Albero. This speed is incomparable to what he had seen in his ancestral home of the Rushout family. Without the physical abilities of a Parasitic type, Albero wouldn’t have been able to react.
Then, from behind Esterize, Arknight raises his great sword.
The swing from his roughly three-meter frame is overwhelming. Trying not to involve Esterize, he aims to cut Albero in two.
ㅤ
“『Roarrrrrr!!』”
“━━Tsk.”
ㅤ
Albero clicks his tongue and dodges to the side, narrowly avoiding Arknight’s blade.
But it seems Esterize had anticipated this, as she too jumps to the side.
ㅤ
“Shii!!”
“Whaaat?!”
ㅤ
Albero narrowly dodges as it is swept aside just as it is.
Furthermore, Esterize’s consecutive strikes continue. It may not be as powerful as Ogre, but the attacks don’t cease. However, the sword possesses a 『flow』 that Ogre does not.
Furthermore, Arknight also possesses 『abilities』.
ㅤ
“Arknight!!”
『━━』
ㅤ
The moment Esterize shouted, Arknight appeared in front of Albero.
Arknight’s blade was already swiping horizontally. Albero enlarges his right arm to block.
Then, Esterize appears on his left.
ㅤ
“Ugh. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Esterize’s sword is on the vulnerable left side.
Albero put strength into both legs and leaped to evade.
Arknight, without noticing when, pulled back the round shield he had let go of and equipped it in his left hand.
ㅤ
“. . . . . .An ability, huh.”
“You’re aware of it, aren’t you?”
“Yes, 『Switching』. . . . . .The ability to swap positions with Arknight. I never imagined it could also switch positions with equipment.”
“Hmph. I don’t hold back.”
ㅤ
Arknight’s ability allows Esterize and Arknight to freely switch places. This switching also includes Arknight’s gear. Esterize’s positioning to Albero’s left was due to Arknight swapping places with the round shield he had previously released.
This ability, based on the premise that both the Summoned beast and summoner fight together, isn’t special. It’s merely a “Switch”, yet it’s a core part of the combat style of Esterize, an A-class Summoner and the pinnacle of the Asgard Summoning Academy.
ㅤ
“A dance of blades where both Summoned beast and summoner gracefully dominate. The 『Waltz of the Knight and Sword Maiden』, truly impressive.”
ㅤ
Albero genuinely admires.
However, such praise doesn’t particularly resonate with Esterize.
Besides, Esterize isn’t the only enemy.
ㅤ
“Rooooaaar!! 『Thundeeerrr!! Bommbb!!』.”
ㅤ
Clad in purple lightning, Rashild charged forward with an axe, spinning like a top.
It was just like a spinning top. Although it looked overly flashy, Rashild was laughing.
Esterize was held by Arknight and evaded.
Albero clenched his fist━━.
ㅤ
“I won’t let you.”
“Huh?!”
ㅤ
Sanbart, who was right next to him, thrust out his rapier.
Albero narrowly dodged the thrust.
He didn’t sense Sanbart’s presence at all. By the time he turned, Sanbart had disappeared.
ㅤ
“Capture! 『A Baoa Ku』!”
“What?!”
ㅤ
His right arm was ensnared by a purple 『thread』.
The thread burrowed into his skin, and something began to seep in.
He realized it was the thread spat out from Oswald’s summoned beast, a giant spider.
ㅤ
“Damn. . . . . .Disgusting! Damn it!”
“It’s useless. You can’t cut this thread. Moreover, my ability 『Poison Poison』 will corrode anything it touches! Even if it’s a demon!”
ㅤ
Oswald roared.
Then, Rashild, surrounded by lightning and spinning, approached.
Albero enlarged his right arm to its limits to cover his body from the threads.
ㅤ
“Take this!”
“Ugh, what?!”
ㅤ
『Hardening』 protects against any attack, but not against the impact.
Albero took a direct hit from Rashild’s 『Thunder Bomber』, was blown away, and rolled several times on the ground.
ㅤ
“How was that?! I’ve paid you back now!”
ㅤ
Rashild yelled.
Despite all that spinning, he didn’t look dizzy at all. Rashild appears to be well-trained.
Albero slowly stood up, brushing the sand off his uniform.
Oswald’s thread had snapped.
ㅤ
“Impressive. But still not on Hubris’ level.”
“. . . . . .What?”
“Sure, you guys are strong. But. . . . . .I’m stronger.”
ㅤ
There was a palpable change in Albero’s aura.
Esterize, Rashild, Sanbart, and even Oswald felt it.
Albero wasn’t serious yet.
ㅤ
“Honestly, I couldn’t care less about the likes of you. I’ve been ignoring all this time, then act brotherly. Noisy teacher, the elder brother of Yorha. . . . . .”
ㅤ
He cracked his neck.
Albero was almost unscathed.
ㅤ
“But there are things I can’t forgive. Like leaving the F-class to die. Not apologizing for it. Trying to dominate with small talk. Oh, there’s quite a list. Haha, maybe I do care. . . . . .”
ㅤ
Albero looked at Esterize and Oswald.
ㅤ
“For now, let’s include all that. . . . . .in an experiment.”
ㅤ
He positioned his right arm and slowly clenched it.
A grinding sound echoed from his right arm.
Then. . . . . .Albero whispered.
ㅤ
“『Total Assimilation』.”
ㅤ
His right arm further mutated, not just covering the arm but his entire body.
His body grew larger, his face resembling that of a demon beast. The mutation spread all over, transforming Albero.
The true form of the Summoned beast Jabberwock.
The mutated Albero cracked the knuckles of his right hand.
ㅤ
“So, shall we begin? Come at me with the intent to kill.”
ㅤ
This was the beginning of the real battle.
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