Overlapping Images
by Afuhfuihgs
A massive green flash tore through part of the island and passed by me. Despite the distance, I could gauge the tremendous power of the magic it exuded. Surpassing ordinary speed, the ultra-high-speed battle accelerated to the point where time seemed to slow down.
Kwaaaaaang―!
The flash hit the water’s surface, creating a massive waterspout that briefly made it rain seawater. Through the distorted view in the seawater, we, who had been glaring at each other, moved our hands simultaneously as if we had rehearsed it.
Hind legs digging into the island’s surface to amplify the spear’s power. Different magic spells ceaselessly surged from each of the four arms. If I hadn’t reached the realm of transcendence, fighting Chimera Nelson on equal footing would have been nearly impossible.
But paradoxically, it was Nelson’s death that allowed me to reach the realm of transcendence.
Freely drawing out intangible breath as naturally as breathing, I calculate the [gap] in the surging magic. Twisting my body and thrusting the spear, I widen the gap even further, amplifying the small opening where I can uniquely evade the attack with my power.
The wind howls. My clothes are torn by the magic that grazed past me, and part of my mask is blown away, but nothing can stop me, who has become a whirlwind.
Kakakakakakang―――!
Unable to keep up with the speed of the rapid strikes, faint afterimages belatedly follow my actions. I break through the dozens of layers stacked to enhance defense one by one, methodically advancing.
Meanwhile, I reserve a bit of focus for Cassis, who is watching the situation with interest out of the corner of my eye. An unexpected intrusion from him would be fatal. The barrage of rapid strikes suddenly ceased as if it were a lie. The overwhelming magic gathered at the ends of the four staves distorted the surrounding space into a strange shape, collapsing the dimensional pathway.
I, who had been waiting for quite some time for the massive magic filled with nothing but destructive power that couldn’t be avoided, smiled faintly.
What was it that I grew the most after reaching the realm of the Transcender? The magical knowledge gained through quantum jumps, or the talent for the spear, had already been in the realm of the Transcender from the start. I absorbed what I hadn’t been able to understand and integrate into myself, things I had only kept as shapes in my head, but that was closer to simple [digestion] rather than growth.
But only I… My unique space magic, not permitted to Ross and wizards in countless worlds, can grow according to the user’s abilities. So, what grew the most after I became a Transcender was space magic.
Becoming a Transcender means gaining your own unique domain. A unique mental world that no one can invade and no one can peek into. My unique domain is space, and it can become a world itself.
Kwaaaaaang――!
The moment the flash with the massive destructive power to split the island in half surged, I used space magic as naturally as breathing. I swallowed the magic Nelson fired and returned it to him as it was.
Kakakakakang―――!!!!!
The sound of the barrier being completely destroyed, and part of the island collapsing and sinking into the sea due to the impact of the destructive power. Switching the Shadow Spear to a short spear, I created several dimensional exits towards the smoke I had been watching and unleashed another barrage of rapid strikes.
Tung―
The sensation transmitted from the spearhead brings a strange sense of incongruity. In an instant, the smoke that had been endlessly spewing out as if to cover the island gathered in one place and charged straight towards me like a typhoon. Realizing that it was too large to swallow entirely with space magic, I used space magic to move to the spot where the typhoon had passed.
At the same time as reflecting the magic that Nelson, who had been waiting for it, fired once again, I threw the Shadow Spear I was gripping strongly. The spear that flew behind the reflected magic pierced one of Nelson’s arms.
Now there are three arms left.
A bizarre scream echoed from the mouth of Nelson, who had lost an arm, and a massive amount of magic spread throughout the island. Realizing the abnormality of the ground, I immediately leaped into the air. I avoided the rocky hand that emerged through the surface and used space domination to step on invisible stairs, moving out of range.
Conscious that he doesn’t even care that the island is collapsing due to the impact of the magic, I ceaselessly unleashed attacks without distance restrictions from the air using space magic. Nelson, who lifted the surface and erased the dimensional exit itself, floated his body into the air with magic to face me, who has no distance restrictions, and flew at a terrifying speed.
Kwang, kwang, kwang, kwang, kwang―――!!!
Magic explodes right in front of my eyes, distorting space and releasing magic power. In contrast to the two arms that started spamming magic, one arm put down the staff and created a familiar magic gauntlet.
Now, what is permitted to us is an ultra-close-quarters battle at a narrowed distance. I frantically shake my head to avoid the flash flying to pierce my head and swing the spear sharply, seeking an opening. I am momentarily taken aback by the magic gauntlet that pushes back the spearhead. At the same time as thrusting the spear once more, I released the strength in the hand holding the spear shaft.
The spear is deflected by the magic gauntlet, and Nelson fires a flash from his staff without missing the opportunity. But no matter how close we are, unless our bodies are touching, there is always ‘space’ between us. Using that space, I reflect the magic at point-blank range. The beginning and end of the flash collide, and a massive explosion erupts.
Kwaaaaaang――!
Nelson, whose body was pushed back, tried to spam magic again, but I, who had already moved on to the next action after letting go of the spear, used intangible breath and space magic to grab and tear off Nelson’s arm. Two of the chimera’s arms that were additionally attached to his shoulder disappeared, leaving two arms remaining.
“Kieeeeeeeee―――!!!!”
“Don’t make such noises with the Headmaster’s voice.”
The core of chaos embedded in the center of Chimera Nelson’s chest emits an ominous purple light, pushing out a massive amount of magic power around it. The created dimensional pathway collapses, and the spatial coordinates I had recognized disappear. But I didn’t feel disadvantaged. Even if I don’t rely on space magic, I am strong now.
As Nelson swings his staff, a black flash with immense destructive power that cannot be ignored splits the island in half and surges towards me. But I, who had already seen through the trajectory of the flash from the moment he swung the staff, was able to escape the flash’s range by eliminating the space I had occupied.
―――!
A chilling goosebumps that makes my skin tingle, I see Nelson, who came towards me as I was falling, swinging his magic gauntlet towards my head.
Kung, kung, kung――!!!
Without hesitation, the arm I swung while releasing magic power blocked Nelson’s attack, but my muscles burst and tendons tore. Satisfied that my head didn’t explode, I change the form of the spear to be short so that I can use it comfortably with my remaining hand, and unleash a barrage of rapid strikes towards Nelson, who is swinging his arm again.
Kwang, kwang, kwang―!!!
Attacks that collided in mid-air push each other in opposite directions. With the momentum from releasing an enormous amount of magic power, I respond by unleashing a barrage of rapid strikes at Nelson, who is flying towards me like he’s being shot. Not just simple rapid strikes, but fierce attacks filled with magic power and strength. Nelson knows that too, and instead of avoiding them, he chose to deflect them all using his magic gauntlet.
Kakakakakakang―――!
Forcibly lifting the arm I can’t use, I use it as a support to rotate the spear. The power of the short spear, whose directionality of attack changes depending on the grip, is concentrated on destructive power, pushing Nelson back once again. A large gap created by the intersection of the spearhead and the gauntlet.
Finally, Nelson doesn’t miss the gap and takes a stance to pull his arm back in order to maximize destructive power. The images of young Nelson and Chimera Nelson that I had seen countless times in the final trial momentarily overlapped. Gritting my teeth at that, I waved my hand.
Peoeok―――!
Due to the power of chaos, the spatial coordinates were broken, and I couldn’t use space magic all this time. But after hearing the truth about chaos from Ellie, I gained the realization that even if space is distorted and collapses, it ultimately ‘exists’.
I perceive the space that I had only recognized with my eyes until now with the intuition of a Transcender. Using the paradox that it doesn’t exist there, but it definitely exists, I was able to use invisible space magic.
“…I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Nelson’s arm covered in the magic gauntlet stopped in front of my forehead. I used dimensional leap at point-blank range to fire the Shadow Spear and completely destroy the core of chaos. Nelson, with a large hole in his chest, maintained that outstretched posture, and the flesh that had been clinging to him began to collapse. Unable to look straight at the corpse of my benefactor, I apologized once more.
“…I’m sorry.”
“It’s alright.”
“…!”
In an instant, my gaze fell towards the flesh that had collapsed to the floor. Knowing that the dead Nelson couldn’t answer, I couldn’t tell whether what I had just heard was just an auditory hallucination ringing in my head or whether Nelson had really answered.
But one thing was certain.
That voice, as always, held a gentle smile directed towards me.
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