328: My Mentor, Part 2 (Allen’s POV)

It had taken me a ridiculous amount of time just to reach the point where I could handle the Invisible Hand. Even now, I was nowhere near mastering it, but at least the number of moves at my disposal had increased exponentially.

I didn't have a single signature magic to call my own. My martial arts and swordsmanship? They were pretty much middle-of-the-road at best.

The only reason I was even able to stand here was because I had spent my time copying the powers of so many different people. If I got taken down now, it wouldn’t just be my loss—it would mean losing despite having borrowed everyone else's strength. I couldn't let that happen.

Besides, Darius... I wanted you to acknowledge me, too. I wanted to show you exactly how much stronger I’d become—exactly how much power I’d managed to scrape together.

—Weiss, I bet you’re feeling the same way right now. You’re probably having a grand old time laughing with Teacher Milk while you trade blows.

Fine. In that case, I’d show my teeth and enjoy this to the absolute fullest, too.

But this was still an exam. Naturally, I wasn't about to play fair.

"Shari, I want you to focus on dismantling the shrine’s magic formula," I said. "Duke and I will keep Darius neutralized."

"Ha! To think I'd hear those words from you, Allen. Fine then—bring it on whenever you're ready!"

"I’ve finally realized that fighting can actually be fun, sir."

"That's what I'm talking about, Allen! Time for some coordination! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?"

Based on Darius’s personality, I doubted he’d go after Shari first. Still, I had to stay on my toes. One look at the shrine had told me everything I needed to know: this wasn't going to be a simple brawl. Breaking this thing would require raw power, analytical skill, and a healthy dose of imagination.

Shari was a genius, sure, but Teacher Coco was on an entirely different level. If we couldn't break the shrine, our only choice was to defeat Darius himself.

I had to make the impossible possible. And if it was me... I knew I could do it.

"Let's go, Duke!"

"You got it!"