He performed a downward diagonal slash with the single-handed sword held in his right hand, from the opponent’s right shoulder towards the left flank.
Without pause, he swung the sword in his left hand from left to right, sweeping it as if clearing his waist.
Next, he swung it upwards in the reverse direction of the diagonal slash, from the lower right abdomen to the left shoulder, and then, with the momentum of a downward chop to the neck, he swung it from left to right.
He followed up with another downward diagonal slash from the right shoulder to the left flank.
“Hoh. You’re more capable than I thought?”
“That’s right~”
These were the thoughts of Shurein and Peach as they watched Floria’s movements after Silvia gave the signal to start.
However, Alec, who overheard their impressions, wasn’t in a state to offer a reply.
Finishing his realization, Shurein and Peach were now standing on either side of Alec.
Even though he had been distracted by Mitsuki and Floria, it was the first time he hadn’t noticed someone approach him this closely.
His caution level instantly rose.
It was natural, considering he had strangers in front of him, swords pointed at him, close enough to pierce his body at any moment.
More than anything, the fact that he hadn’t noticed their approach at all only amplified his unease.
Ignoring Alec’s inner turmoil, Shurein and Peach continued their conversation.
“A typical knight type, perhaps. …Yet, she hasn’t used any magic at all.”
“Her swordplay hasn’t connected for a while now, so I thought she might soon~”
As if to coincide with Peach’s words, Floria, who had been attacking with only her sword until now, paused for a moment before unleashing magic in an instant.
“I call upon mighty flame, Flame Barrage!”
In accordance with the incantation, an explosion occurred right in front of Mitsuki.
However, at that moment, Mitsuki was no longer there.
Perhaps reading her opponent’s evasion of her previous attacks, Floria continued to unleash magic at Mitsuki without a second thought.
“Seeing that her swordplay isn’t connecting, she’s switching to magic?”
“Or rather, she’s just assessing the situation, isn’t she~?”
“Hmm. At that level, there’s no need to pause between magic and swordplay.”
“Yes, that’s right~”
“By the way…”
Shurein and Peach both turned to look at Alec.
“How long do you plan to remain on guard?”
“For now, I don’t have any intention of doing anything to you~?”
Under the “verbal assault” from Shurein and Peach, Alec’s shoulders relaxed.
He realized he had been tenser than he thought until they spoke to him.
“…Is that so. Then, who are you two?”
“I’m one of the Tower’s management members, Shurein.”
“I am too~. I’m Peach.”
“I see. I am Alec, and I will be serving as acting magistrate this time.”
While exchanging simple greetings, all three kept their gazes fixed on the ongoing battle.
Floria had been continuously attacking Mitsuki with sword and magic, but all her attacks were being dodged.
“…Is it about time?”
“It seems so~”
“…What?”
Alec frowned at Shurein and Peach’s words.
However, his doubts were quickly cleared.
Floria’s continuous attacks had stopped.
Looking at Floria, they saw her shoulders heaving.
“…Why?”
Floria was clearly a skilled practitioner, as evidenced by her previous attacks.
He hadn’t expected her to lose so much stamina in such a short time.
“Because Mitsuki dodged every single attack, whether sword or magic, perfectly.”
“Dodging so cleanly would certainly expend a lot of stamina~”
“Also, whether it’s pride or something else, continuing without rest is also a problem~”
“…Is that all it takes?”
“Mitsuki was dodging with such ease that it looked like she wasn’t putting much effort in, but each attack was imbued with considerable power, you know?”
“When you dodge all of those, the one left to do the dodging is in a difficult position, isn’t that right?”
When all her attacks, intended to end the fight in one blow, were dodged, it was more draining than it looked.
Meanwhile, Mitsuki merely smiled, showing no signs of being out of breath.
“Oh? Is it over already?”
At Mitsuki’s words, Floria gritted her teeth.
“Who… who said it was over…!!”
“Really? Then hurry up and come at me. I’ll dodge all of them for you.”
Floria glared at Mitsuki but didn’t move immediately.
Her body was fine.
She had indeed lost stamina rapidly, but she could still swing her sword, and her magic hadn’t depleted her magical power, so she could use it immediately.
However, she knew that even if she continued like this, she would just be dodged in the same way.
She couldn’t even imagine how to land an attack on Mitsuki’s body.
As Floria struggled to find an opening, Mitsuki spoke, still looking at her.
“…Aren’t you coming? If not, I’ll attack then?”
“Wh-?!”
Floria, who hadn’t expected an attack, immediately assumed a defensive stance.
However, in the next instant, her body was sent flying through the air and then slammed into the ground.
“…Guh…!”
She couldn’t even properly take a defensive stance.
“…Floria!!”
Seeing this, Alec tried to rush towards Floria, but a barrier prevented him from getting any closer.
“Oh dear, oh dear, that won’t do~. We’re still in the middle of a match.”
“I see. So that girl’s attitude is a result of your education.”
“…What did you say!?”
Alec tried to turn back to Shurein and Peach, but he couldn’t move his body.
To be precise, he couldn’t move his body.
“…What did you do?”
“I’m going to bind your body until this sparring session is over.”
“By the way, you can’t hear our voices~”
“Untie me immediately!”
Alec was enraged, but Shurein, who had been addressed, remained unfazed.
“Why?”
“Why? Floria, what happened to her…!”
Alec, still angry, tried to continue speaking but couldn’t utter a word.
Seeing this, Peach nodded with a sigh of relief.
“That’s good~. It seems the adjustment worked well.”
“Do you think your charm magic might be effective now?”
“How would I know~? I’m not very interested.”
“Well, considering you now, you’d probably say that.”
“Of course~”
Confused by their conversation, unable to move, and even silenced, Alec glared at Peach.
“Oh dear, oh dear~? Glaring at me won’t solve anything, you know?”
“That’s right. Besides, that girl is in that state partly due to your own fault, you know.”
Alec looked at both of them, his expression conveying a sense of “what do you mean?”
“Well, for now, let’s see how things unfold over there, shall we?”
“Yes, let’s~. I’ll explain things to you a little later.”
Shurein and Peach said so, expertly ignoring Alec’s gaze.
Mitsuki called out to Floria, who still hadn’t gotten up.
“How long are you going to stay like that? I didn’t inflict much damage, you know?”
At Mitsuki’s words, Floria, who had now gotten up, looked at her resentfully.
“Oh my. It’s no use making that face, is it? Or are you lonely because your father, who always helps you, hasn’t come to help?”
“…Don’t mock me!!!”
Floria, once again falling for Mitsuki’s provocation, charged towards her without realizing it.
