That's right. The reason Eiji's ability was nullified wasn't because Twin-Wings' power canceled his out, but because she escaped from beneath his "setting."
Though he didn't know how she did it, "dodging the setting" was the true reason his ability failed!
But he was capable of applying two settings simultaneously—something Twin-Wings wasn't aware of.
Naturally, she wouldn't take precautions against it. After evading his first setting, she'd let her guard down, allowing his second setting to take effect.
"I admit there was an element of gambling involved, but fortunately, I succeeded."
Eiji genuinely sighed in relief.
Truthfully, he didn't know whether Edelweiss could evade both settings at once when dodging his ability. But with no other options, he took the gamble.
"You did manage to slip that one past me."
Edelweiss gave a slight nod, acknowledging Eiji's cleverness, but then her tone shifted.
"But you only had one chance. And you didn't use it to defeat me?"
Now that she knew he could apply multiple settings, she wouldn't fall for it again—she'd evade all settings simultaneously from now on.
Thus, Eiji only had one opportunity left where his setting could affect her.
Yet instead of using it to defeat her, he used it to learn her swordsmanship.
"Honestly, I did consider using that chance to beat you. But my instincts wouldn't allow it. Even if I tried, I probably still couldn't win against you."
Eiji grinned. "In that case, I figured I might as well use it for electron signal transmission!"
That's right.
He used his one and only setting opportunity on "making the transmission speed of electron signals in his nerves absolutely surpass Edelweiss'."
Only then did he unleash that flash-like Twin-Wings slash!
"Does that mean Eiji has already mastered Twin-Wings' swordsmanship?"
Arisuin Nagi's face lit up with joy.
To steal the techniques of the world's strongest swordsman in less than a minute of combat?
"That's impossible."
Edelweiss closed her eyes slightly, as if sighing.
"You were able to execute that last strike because you set me as the target to surpass, forcibly accelerating electron signal transmission to an instantaneous level. But in doing so, the electron signals in your body have become completely disordered—they no longer know how to function properly."
The sudden burst of godlike speed left the electron signals bewildered.
They had been operating under their own natural order. If Eiji continued training his bodily control, his electron signals would eventually evolve to Edelweiss' level.
Under normal circumstances, this evolution would have progressed step by step.
But by abruptly reaching this new realm through his Blazer ability, Eiji essentially forced growth—imposing an unfamiliar experience upon them.
As a result, the electron signals in his body were now thrown into chaos.
"In other words, you're now even weaker than your past self, let alone capable of fighting me."
Edelweiss shook her head.
Disorganized electrical signals can cause muscle movements to go haywire. For instance, just as you're about to deliver a fatal blow to an enemy, the signals might suddenly decide the battle is over, freezing your body in place. Even more terrifying is when you need to dodge, but the signals abruptly deem the situation safe, causing you to stop mid-motion... The consequences would be unthinkable.
In short, the body becomes chaotic.
This is the consequence of forcing growth prematurely.
Now, Eiji's strength had actually weakened.
"Is that so?"
Eiji looked genuinely surprised.
He hadn't anticipated this at all.
"Hah!"
Eiji raised his sword and swung it lightly through the air.
The blade hesitated for a split second.
Eiji's brow twitched.
For that brief moment, his body had indeed refused to obey.
Edelweiss was actually right!
Because of the forced evolution, his body had become disordered.
Eiji steadied himself and swung the sword again.
This time was even worse—the blade didn't even complete its arc, freezing just before the swing.
He remained silent, spreading his awareness throughout his body.
He could clearly sense it: his body had just undergone a sudden evolution, and everywhere felt uncoordinated. His limbs seemed to have minds of their own.
Swish!
Eiji swung once more, but the blade froze at a 45-degree angle.
Edelweiss watched him silently.
She had no intention of seizing the opportunity to attack. Instead, her gaze swept over him repeatedly.
He's really trying to control it.
Admirable effort, but overcoming this chaos in such a short time through ordinary swings was impossible.
Her eyes gradually settled on his face.
Unable to master his frozen body, his expression grew increasingly grim.
How could he stagnate here, after learning the world's strongest swordsmanship?
Edelweiss understood his frustration and even felt an inexplicable urge to help him.
"Why am I thinking like this?"
She snapped back to reality, bewildered.
Had he influenced my thoughts without me realizing?
Is this kid... a little eerie?
Surely I'm not being swayed by his looks?
Impossible!
Edelweiss firmly dismissed the thought.
"Eiji-kun!"
Suddenly, Arisuin Nagi's scream pierced her ears, snapping her out of her reverie.
She looked up, her expression shifting abruptly.
Because right then, she saw Eiji raise his Device.
—But the tip of the blade was pointed at his own chest!
"You—!"
Thud!
Before Edelweiss could react.
Eiji plunged the sword into his own chest!
"Guh—!"
He vomited a mouthful of blood.
His clothes were instantly stained crimson as blood gushed from the wound.
Not an illusion.
This was the real deal.
He had genuinely tried to kill himself!
Eiji's face twisted through shades of pale and ashen.
But his hands moved without hesitation—one pulling the sword from his chest, the other retrieving a crystal vial filled with multicolored liquid from his waist pouch. He drank half and poured the rest over the wound.
Within seconds, the injury healed completely, leaving not even a scar.
Elixer.
Even a dying man could be pulled back from the brink of death with just one bottle.
Whoosh!
His complexion gradually regained its colour, and then his gaze sharpened as he swung his blade once more.
Fast as a flash!
There was no acceleration process—he reached maximum speed in an instant!
His body showed no hesitation, every muscle working in perfect unison as his limbs obeyed his mind's command once more!
"I've mastered it!"
A defiant smile curled at the corners of his lips.
This was his declaration to Edelweiss.
The world's strongest sword technique was now within his grasp.
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹