171: The Second Summer Vacation (Estarm) ②

"Weiss-sama, do your best! You can do it!"

Naturally, Lilith was right there with us.

It was a nostalgic sight, though things had changed considerably since the last time we were here.

If I were to look at myself objectively, I suppose I was fairly strong.

After all, I’d never lost a single match at Noblesse.

But I’d learned the hard way that there was always a bigger fish in the pond. Zebis, Milk, and Eva were living proof of that, and they were standing right in front of me. Even with Darius or Chloe, I couldn't be sure of the outcome until we actually traded blows. Even my win against Duke might have gone the other way depending on where we met or what sparked the fight.

It was vital not to get cocky. I had to keep moving forward.

"You’re tough, Zebis. I didn't think you were quite that fast."

"I am honored, Weiss-sama. Your Magic Eye is certainly a powerful tool; to be honest, it’s an ability anyone would give their right arm for. However, with the way you're currently using it, it isn’t effective against an opponent who simply outclasses you in physical ability or reflex speed. You shouldn't just use it at key moments—you need to start getting creative with it."

He had a point. When I’d faced off against Duke, there were moments where my Magic Eye had been completely useless.

So, I shouldn’t just be using it to read my opponent’s movements? There’s more to it than that?

—I see.

I lunged forward again.

I committed to an attack, and the moment I entered the motion, I activated my Magic Eye. I already knew Zebis would block everything I threw at him.

But that was the point.

"Unnatural — Bound!"

I manifested a transparent wall directly beneath Zebis’s feet, using it to launch him upward. I immediately moved to follow up with a strike while he was mid-air and unable to maneuver.

In the end, he still managed to guard against it.

However, up until that moment, he had been effortlessly evading me. This time, Zebis had judged that he had no choice but to block.

"Exactly. It isn’t just strength against strength, speed against speed, or magic against magic. You need flexible thinking. That is what you lack."

This is getting interesting. I could feel it—I was going to get even stronger.

"Ha! It’s only a matter of time before you lose, then!" Milk taunted from the sidelines.

"—Weiss-sama, if you'll excuse me for a moment."

"A-Ah... sure..."

Zebis turned and marched straight toward Teacher Milk.

"You! Hey, Milk! If you've got that much to say, why don't we settle this right now!?"

"Fine by me," she shot back. "Shall we use real swords? Or are you too scared?"

As they devolved into their usual bickering, I stood there watching them blankly until Lilith approached me with a towel.

"They certainly get along well, don't they?" she said sincerely.

"I guess you could call it that... Anyway, I'm ready for a bath. I'll go boil the water—"

"I have already prepared it, Weiss-sama."

"As expected of you, Lilith."

"I'll even wash your back for you!"

Wait, what?

"Oh, that reminds me," she added, "a message arrived from Belk-sama's house via Messenger Bird a short while ago."

"From him? I wonder what he wants."

Well, this was my second Summer Vacation (Estarm). There were bound to be side stories happening that I wasn't even aware of yet.

I wondered what this year had in store for me.

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【Important Notice】

The Boy and Cat Who Lived Unrewarded Lives Reincarnated in Another World as a Magic Mark-Bearing Strongest and an Out-of-Standard Dragon https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330667751334852

Former Otherworld Hero's Strong Slow Life: Customizing the Island to My Liking with the New Ability 'Pioneer' https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330667750471450

Reincarnated as the Weakest Villainous Noble, I Discovered Extraordinary Magic Power While Raising an Evolving Magic Sword, so I'll Break All the Flags https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330667749374858

I’ve just posted these new works for Kakuyomu Contest 9. I’ll be updating daily until I run through my backlog! Please, even just a follow or a ☆☆☆ rating would mean the world to me! ( ;∀;)