The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 9

Chapter 9: Duel

(So, it was a girl…)

Shielding the girl who seemed to be the swordsman in question, I drove the dagger into the ground. Facing the monsters responsible for the abnormal situation, I aimed my hand axe at them while pushing a healing potion into the girl’s mouth.

“Mmm!? …Mm… huph!”

“Hey, do you understand anything about that creature?”

“…Not really. For now, it’s called ‘Boss Mail,’ and it uses mud and sword-summoning magic.”

“That’s enough information. I’ll take it from here.”

Regripping my small dagger, I confronted the Boss Mail again. It raised its sword, pointing its blade towards me.

In an instant, I closed the distance, intercepting the descending sword with a cross of my hand axe and small dagger. However, a question arose in my mind regarding the Boss Mail’s behavior.

“Why would a monster use the formalities of a one-on-one duel?”

The stance the Boss Mail took, and the way it pointed its sword, were reminiscent of an ancient era’s knightly dueling customs. Even now, in countries with knights, these practices were maintained through court trials and mock battles.

Dismissing the question that arose in my mind, I focused on the sword that was approaching. I used my magic to enhance my body and weapon, then swiftly repelled the blade.

“Regardless, I’m ready to face it!”

Swinging the small dagger back into my hand and reversing the grip, I swung my hand axe. The Boss Mail deflected my sword with its blade, but I immediately swung my small dagger from below. The Boss Mail used its sword to intercept my small dagger.

(This isn’t an ordinary sword and arm.)

Without a moment’s pause, I launched into a fierce offensive, but the Boss Mail deflected my attacks with its sword, expertly parrying and countering each strike with its armor.

Although it seemed like I was on the offense, in reality, continuing like this would only lead to my exhaustion and eventual defeat.

“In that case, ‘Gale’s Protection: Followwind’!”

I chanted, enveloping myself in the wind. Despite the Boss Mail growing more cautious due to the magical aura, I extended my small dagger. The Boss Mail attempted to block with its sword as before.

However, the swirling wind altered the trajectory, causing my small dagger to impale its abdomen.

“Ugh!”

“Not yet!”

Swiftly withdrawing my small dagger, I slammed my hand axe, accelerated by the wind, into it. Utilizing rapid acceleration and deceleration through the wind, I strategically timed feints and blows to land consistent attacks.

Suddenly, I felt a sinking sensation beneath my feet. My feet were submerged in mud up to the ankles, stopping my movement. The Boss Mail swung its sword horizontally as I struggled to move.

Using “Wind Step” to propel myself off the mud and evade the sword, I kicked its helmet with wind-enhanced feet. The force of my kick caused the Boss Mail to retreat a few steps, but it quickly recovered its stance and raised its sword.

(Darn it… It’s responding! But it’s working!)

This was the combat style I had developed as an adventurer. My older brother could cast advanced magic of all attributes, while I could only manage intermediate magic at best. Moreover, my spells were much less powerful and versatile than his.

So, instead of boosting the power of my magic, I focused on increasing the speed of activation and stability. This allowed me to enhance myself and provide support, leveraging my advantages in a way that was uniquely suited to me in a world that would otherwise have constrained me.

If I had remained in that rigid world, I doubt I would have discovered this fighting style that’s so uniquely mine.

“Ha!”

I swung my hand axe, wrapped in wind, but the Boss Mail deflected it with its sword, then swung its sword toward me.

Blocking with my small dagger, I felt the impact, and leaped away to lessen the force. As I got up, the Boss Mail slowly advanced, still holding its sword in a ready stance.

(Perhaps it’s aiming to drain my magical energy by provoking an attack… Moreover, it doesn’t seem to have slowed down despite the attacks.)

Looking closely, the wounds seemed to be gradually healing, albeit slightly. If it could heal over time, a prolonged battle would be disadvantageous for me, as I would be the one to exhaust first.

(I’m down to my last potion from earlier… Maybe it’s time to go on the offensive.)

Sheathing my small dagger, I gripped my hand axe with both hands. We closed the distance, step by step.

With one more step, I’d be in the Boss Mail’s range. The difference in reach between the Boss Mail’s sword and my hand axe meant that even if I advanced, I couldn’t reach it.

The seemingly eternal standoff came to an end as the Boss Mail raised its sword into an upper stance. After a brief pause, it stepped forward and swung its sword downward.

(Now!)

Swinging my hand axe, I aligned it against the approaching sword. As the sword made contact with my hand axe’s blade, I twisted my body, spinning the hand axe and deflecting the sword. The axe was then rotated upward, striking with all the force I could muster.

“Raaarghhh!!!”

The sound was so intense that I thought my eardrums might burst. The hand axe struck the exposed torso, wind and fire energies infused, creating a tremendous impact that reverberated through the room, causing the Boss Mail to be pierced in the abdomen…