“It’s an instantaneous movement over a very short distance, a truly short distance.”
Whether it was his personal skill or an item, or perhaps the skill of the beastwoman fanning him… though that wasn’t it, I had a feeling he was moving by sheer will.
(Kaito’s face suddenly looks like he’s about to cry.)
“Why, truly, no one but Uncle could see through it.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Anju here is a specialist in teleportation magic.”
“Kuekuekuekue! I’ve fought alongside her in mock battles and parties, so I’m used to that kind of movement.”
Beek-san held his head.
“So, the swift movements I saw were teleportation.”
“For example, instantaneous movement like shifting the body halfway would appear as agile movement.”
“Husband, like our Silver Succubus and Nastasia, if they’re too fast, their movements are no different from teleportation.”
However, around that area, it was probably his talent or sense as a Hero. While I’m not discriminating, for beastmen, even with their swift movements, they can’t hide the preparatory actions.
(It’s a minuscule difference, a sensory thing that ordinary people wouldn’t notice.)
“As a Porter, why, why are you a Hero with such strength and now a Porter?”
“Do I have to say it? Well, I do have this, though.”
He then showed off a ridiculously embarrassing Level 100 mantle.
“What, you retired after exceeding Level 100?”
“Well, various things happened, and it might be too early to tell you about that.”
It was after I became a Hero Porter that I reached Hero Level 100.
“…Is your youthful appearance due to a skill or something?”
“No, I’m just 19 years old.”
“A lie!”
“No, really.”
“Deles-kun, Deles-kun!”
“What is it, Anju-chan?”
“When I appraised him, he felt… fuzzy!”
It seemed Anju’s appraisal wasn’t working.
“Kaito-kun, how did you use your skills… Ah, concealment?!”
“Yes, I’m wearing a necklace that absolutely prevents anyone from seeing or appraising my skills.”
“So that’s why. Yes, I think it’s a good idea. You should keep this hidden for future reference.”
Though Beek-san (and the receptionist beside him) found out.
“…Let’s spar again.”
“Ah, before that, Anju-chan, you should see how he uses teleportation in actual combat.”
“Kukukukuku…”
“Then I’ll fight with Masked Anju, so watch carefully.”
It’s the examiner’s job to show an example. Anju-chan took a stance in the center of the practice area, holding the “Scythe of Death.” I, too, held my Pride Sword, my embarrassing “100” mantle fluttering on my back…
(Beek-san stood between us.)
“Ah, Anju-chan, say a word to Kaito-kun.”
“Don’t miss Phantom Thief Anju!”
“That said, over to you, Beek-san.”
“Very well… Begin!”
The moment he called it, Anju-chan teleported to me!
“Fuh! Funnu!”
“Kekekekeke!”
Anju-chan swung her scythe from all directions! She was indeed releasing “Dark Blades,” but I deflected them with my Pride Sword. Actually, she was launching incredibly close-range attacks from outside my field of vision, so this was purely a battle of senses.
“Aaaai!”
“Guhah!”
I was lightly poked on the top of my head with the blunt side of the scythe!
“That’s enough. Anju, one point!”
She then retreated.
(Let me catch my breath…)
“Fuu, I’m going for more!”
“On the Battle!”
“Begin!”
This time, there was a bit more space, a pause before the attack. This wasn’t giving me a handicap; it was to make it easier for Kaito-kun to see. He was surprisingly kind.
(But his attacks on me aren’t kind!)
He teleported all around me, and “Dark Blades” flew in, surrounding me. Defending against this with just a sword was quite difficult, so this time…
“Hahh!!”
I threw my sword in a desperate move towards Anju-chan’s face!
Gakinn!!
The black mask split in half!!
“That’s enough! Winner, Deles!!”
“Eh, I dodged it by teleporting!”
“Yes, I predicted your teleport destination and threw it. I read your movement patterns.”
If she could teleport completely randomly, it would be different, but that still involved “human will.” I could guess where she’d teleport next based on Anju-chan’s teleport patterns and the way her “Dark Blades” flew.
(If I missed, it would be over!)
Well, just between us, the “Dark Blades” Anju-chan was firing, while having the same speed, were much weaker. If I was hit, it would only cause a minor burn, the kind Helen-san or Gotchan (Goddess Succubus) could instantly heal.
“Third round, begin!”
After that, Anju-chan won one, and I won one, making it two wins each.
“Then for the fifth round…”
“No, it’s fine, Kaito-kun.”
“Yes!!”
…He suddenly became so obedient.
“Ah, Anju-chan, I’m sorry for breaking your black mask.”
“I have spares!”
“Ah, you do. I’ll have Mariu-san fix the broken one later.”
“Bring it on!”
“Then, Beek-san.”
“Alright. Now, it’s a mock battle between Anju and Kaito.”
Anju-chan floated in the air, ready. Kaito-kun haphazardly held his Crystal Sword. Beek-san, acting as the referee, watched both of them…!!
“Now, begin!!”
The result was Anju-chan winning 20 matches to 0.
