“What?”

“I’m asking when’s the last time you’ve felt that swordsmanship was fun? And don’t tell me that it isn’t meant to be fun.”

“It isn’t. It’s a means for survival.”

“Well, I can’t deny that. But you know, the old you wouldn’t have said that.”

“You’re talking about when I was a kid.”

Rin pointed his sword at Miko.

“People grow up.”

“Really? I prefer to remain a kid at heart. If I’m gonna dedicate my life to something, I might as well have fun doing it.”

He smirked.

“It’s because you didn’t do that why you’re not as strong as you’re meant to be.”

“What?”

“I honestly thought that you’d be stronger than this but now I know why. It’s because you no longer enjoy using the sword. So of course you’d only be this much.”

“……..”

Rin silently lowered his sword.

“…Haha…Hahaha…Hahahahaha!”

He held his face in his hands and laughed. Miko watched him with a smile. Rin stopped laughing and wiped a single tear from his eye.

“You really know how to rail people up, Miko. Fine, I’ll play along with your game.”

The space around them started to distort. Seeing this, the two slowly walked towards each other.

“Oh, you’re gonna play along? Then you’ll come at me with everything?”

The distortion grew more intense. Only the two remained unaffected.

“Everything, including the kitchen sink.”

The distortion stopped. The two were moved to a rainy world. They walked through puddles and soon stood in front of each other. Rain-soaked their bodies and flowed down their faces as they locked eyes.

“!”

The two swung their swords. Thunder rolled and lightning flashed in the sky. Their bodies and blades trembled as they stumbled through the puddles. They kicked off the ground and charged at their opponent again. The image of blades being swung reflected in the raindrops. With a deafening sound, the blades clashed. Rin flipped his blade to the side. Sparks flew as Miko’s sword was parried. Rin danced to circle his back. He swung at Miko’s head. An explosion erupted and blew Miko away. Miko spun in the air while scanning his surroundings. He noticed a boulder and aimed for it. He lowered his center gravity the moment his feet touched the boulder. He sprung off the boulder with a boom.

He instantly cut the distance. A moon appeared behind Miko.

(He’s gonna try it again.)

Rin readied himself. Miko thrust his sword. Rin swung his sword to deflect the attack. The moon changed to a crescent one.

“Crescent Moon Strike.”

Miko’s sword bent to avoid Rin’s and hit his chest.

(He can use more than one of the Slaughter Moon Techniques?!)

Rin leaped back before the sword could penetrate too far.

(The fact that I don’t know how many of those techniques he can use is a big problem.)

His feet skid through the mud. He watched as Miko rushed at him again. Rin kept his distance as his mind raced.

(The Raging Dragon Arts and the Slaughter Moon Arts…Miko can use two of the Five Supreme Sword Arts. He still hasn’t used the Raging Dragon Arts, which means that he’s waiting for the perfect chance where it can cause maximum damage…This is a pain in the ass.)

He swung his sword and an explosion erupted between them, keeping Miko away.

“If he’s gonna use those arts I need to use arts on a similar level.”

He smirked.

“Then, that settles it. I will be unable to move for a while but even so…Time to shift gears!”

Miko flew out of the flames and straight at Rin. He swung both swords and cut through Rin.

“Hm?”

That Rin faded like a mirage. He scanned the area and spotted Rin leaping back hundreds of meters away from him.

(He did it so fast and without making a sound…How light are his steps?)

“Karim, Rin is about to do that.”

Dario’s words drew everyone’s attention.

“That? What’s that?”

Al-Shura asked. Kirika’s eyes started to widen after a few seconds.

“Don’t tell me…Rin can already use that?”

Karim smirked.

“Just watch and see.”

Rin landed in a puddle but Miko noticed something odd.

(He didn’t make a sound? Not only that, the water on the ground didn’t splash?)

Rin started to slowly hop in place.

(Again, no sound or splash…It’s almost like he’s as light as feather.)

“He’s going to use it, huh?”

Christensen mumbled.

“Miko’s in trouble. He should’ve defeated Rin before he got serious.”

Kouta started smiling while the smirk on Karim’s face grew.

“Time to bring out the devil.”

Rin hopped in place with his sword down and his eyes focused on Miko. Even so, Miko couldn’t find an opening to attack.

“…Afterimages?”

With every jump, Rin took three afterimages followed him like tails. It's then that Rin stopped jumping and started walking towards Miko. With every step, he left an afterimage behind him. Miko lifted his swords to guard.

“It’s comin—.”

The world started spinning.

“…Huh?”

No, he was the one spinning in the air. It took him what felt like an eternity to realize this. He was assaulted by an immense amount of pain. That’s when he finally noticed that his body was burnt and was bleeding heavily. His eyes danced around in his head.

(…The rain stopped?)

Rain droplets were visible around him and were floating in the air. The raindrops and his eyes reflected in each other. Soon Miko realized what was really happening.

(Time came to a halt? No, I’m experiencing that sensation where your brain speeds up to process information in order to avoid imminent death.)

A huge grin appeared on his face.

“Marvelous!”

His body hit the ground and the rain followed suit. It felt like forever to Miko but he was sent flying for only a second.

“Guaah?!”

Miko’s body was assaulted with so much pain that he couldn’t help but scream.

“Miko!”

His scream caused Momo and Kirika to jump in fright. He rolled on his stomach while clenching his chest. There was a hideous burn scar on his chest.

“What just happened?!”

Momo turned to Karim.

“Demolition Arts Second Style: Speed Devil.”

Kirika was the one who answered.

“Demolition arts is a style that requires a mass amount of magic and Vita, along with the ability to use them with precise control. Rin switched his Vita and mana from releasing in an explosive nature, and instead took precise control of it and distributed it into every part of his body that contributes to his speed while maintaining the destructiveness that is Demolition Arts.”

By moving at a lightning-fast speed, Rin was able to multiple his destructive power.

“By the way, what he used against Miko is called Exploding Tempest.”

Karim added. Miko struggled to his feet. Rin was standing in front of him with a cocky smirk.

“Don’t worry. I only used the back of the sword.”

“How noble. Too bad that it was just unnecessary kindness.”

The wound on his chest emitted a sizzling sound.

“It’ll heal right up if I focus on it.”

Rin could see the burn slow repairing before his eyes.

“Pretty handy isn’t it? This demonic body that I’ve acquired.”

“Oh? Then no one will complain if I bombard you with attacks.”

Rin took a step and vanished.

*CLANG!*

Miko was blown back after a metallic sound resounded. Rin reappeared with his eyes popping out of his head.

“He reacted?! On Rin’s second use?!”

Karim was so shocked that he was leaning over the railing in front of him.

“Even from here, that was hard to follow. For him to react in such a short amount of time is very impressive.”

Alec smirked.

(Sensei, why are you leaving me behind?)

Kirika had a flashback to when she was younger. She remembered her teacher’s back turned to her as he was leaving.

“Kiri, you were blessed with talent far greater than my own. I’m sure it won’t be long before your name is known across the globe.”

“Then, why are you leaving me behind?”

Her tears flowed down her cheeks and muffled sobs came from her mouth. Her teacher stood in place for a while before answering.

“That’s because if I stay with you that talent will go to waste.”

“What do you mean?”

“Kiri, do you know what my ideal swordsman is?”

She shook her head.

“It’s someone who when you watch them, you can’t help but think…”

With her eyes locked on Miko’s smiling face as he landed, Kirika mumbled.

“He sure looks like he’s having fun.”

(Listen, Kiri. Once you’ve met all kinds of swordsmen, you’ll understand. If you’re lucky, it will be your apprentice and they’ll push you to grow stronger.)

A smile slowly crept onto her face.

“I was lucky, Sensei.”

She turned her eyes to Rin, who was frowning.

(However, if you’re unlucky, you’ll end up with an apprentice who idolizes you. While it sounds nice at first, you’ll see that idolization is nothing but a curse that can destroy both of you.)

Her smile turned into a bitter one.

“But I was also unlucky as well.”

(If you encounter the latter, be sure to steel your heart and do what’s best for the both of you.)

She sighed and closed her eyes.

“There’s no time for regrets.”

Meanwhile, Rin was shocked by the fact that Miko blocked his strike with his swords.

(Was it luck?... Nah, it’s never that simple with him. It’s probably that.)

“Instinct huh?”

Miko smirked.

“Bingo. I couldn’t follow you with my senses but my instincts told me where you would attack.”

“Oh?”

Rin pointed his sword at him.

“Then, if I keep coming at you your instincts would become useless over time since it’s different from actually reading my movements.”

“You’re absolutely right. That’s why I’ll like to even the battlefield.”

Five dragons appeared behind Miko.

“Quinta-Dragon Martial Arts.”

All disappeared leaving only the purple one as it grew 5 times bigger.

“Purple Dragon Style…”

A purple hue glow engulfed his body. He spread his arms and purple static danced around him and his swords.

“This Martial Art is at its strongest when used bare-handed, but it can work well with swords too.”

His smile turned into a savage grin.

“Rejoice. I’ll put your Speed Devil to the test.”

Rin showed a savage grin as well.

“Bring it.”