277 Encounter

Personally, I didn’t mind the way she looked at me with those cold, judging eyes, but whatever—let the chips fall where they may.

I decided to just stick to my usual routine.

“You sure are fired up tonight,” I said.

Luna didn’t respond to my question.

Well, that’s fine, I thought. As long as my point gets across.

“Your match with Allen was magnificent.”

That wasn't just some polite flattery; I meant it. Since I’d arrived in this world, I had actually started putting in some real effort for once. Because of that, I could see the proof of Luna’s grueling practice reflected in her movements, her spells, and even the minute fluctuations of her Mana.

Luna suddenly looked down for a moment, then she raised her head to meet my eyes again.

“...Right here, right now, would you mind having a match with me?” she asked.

Her voice was quiet. She didn’t exactly sound brimming with confidence, but there wasn't a hint of weakness in her tone either.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I want to know,” she said, “whether or not I can even land a single blow on you.”

We were both wearing our training uniforms, but honestly, those were about as useful as pajamas right now. Still, Luna wasn’t the type to crack jokes.

I suppose there was only one answer to give.

“Fine. Come at me whenever you’re ready. —Debi, you’re in on this too!”

“Debibi!”

Luna manifested her magic staff and deployed four black clumps that began to float aimlessly around her.

I started things off by lightly firing a Mana Cannon. However, Luna’s black clumps simply swallowed the blast whole.

An interesting defense, I noted. But that alone isn't going to be enough to beat me.

“Debi, let’s go!”

We charged from the front before splitting off to the left and right. I tried to land a strike then and there, but Luna immediately covered herself in a Black Curtain.

This looks a lot like that move the guy named Riley used during the tournament, I realized.

I swung my sword regardless, but the blade just sank into a squishy, jelly-like substance that absorbed the impact. It had enough durability to completely soak up one of my strikes. I could just use Time Lapse to dispel it, but this is some fascinating magic.

The downside was that I couldn't see her through the veil.

Suddenly, a section of her defense shifted, transforming into Black Thorns that lunged out at me. The attack came with terrifying speed.

It’s almost like my Absolute Defense, but—

“Sorry, Luna, but that won’t work on me.”

I sliced the thorns to ribbons while activating my Time Lapse.

―――――――――――――――

Afterword.

Monster Ball!

Weiss, get the Monster Ball, hurry!

【I Picked Up a Tattered Elf Slave and She Became a Total Yandere, Should We Do Alchemy Together for Now?】

I’ve posted this new work in the Otherworld Fantasy category!

https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093073667137214

It’s a slow-life story about a slightly naughty yandere elf and an alchemist. It’s a very relaxed, easy read with a low word count per chapter.

Please give it a follow and some ☆☆☆! (^^)/

“I Reincarnated as a Lazy and Evil Noble, and After I Destroyed the Scenario, I Became the Strongest with Extraordinary Magic Power”

Release Date: March 29, 2024 (Tuesday) (Planned for both physical and digital)

Label: Kadokawa Sneaker Bunko Illustrator: Reine Kuwashima

【Amazon link & with illustrations】 https://twitter.com/Kikuchikaisei/status/1755186344601804896

【Recent Status Notes & with illustrations】 https://kakuyomu.jp/users/Sanadakaisei/news/16818023213152743067

Thank you! ☺