Chapter 450: 12. The Final Battle Before Parting
Training together every day, there had been awkward moments, sweat, quarrels, but mostly joy.
Time passed unknowingly, and a month had already gone by. It was now time for Sora, Kaoru, and Yuri to leave.
At this moment, on a flat grassy field, Sora and Ena stood facing each other, each holding their longsword, full of fighting spirit, staring at each other from a few steps apart.
"Geez, Sora and Ena, you two only know how to fight all day. You're about to leave and still want to duel? What if one of you gets hurt?"
At the edge of the field, Yuri clasped his hands together, complaining anxiously and worriedly while watching the two on the field.
"Hehehe, it's precisely because they're about to leave that they want to duel and settle who's better!"
"By the way, Yuri, you seem so concerned about Sora. Have you developed feelings for him after being taken care of by him all this time?"
Brushing her hair, Kaoru smiled slyly at Yuri.
"Kaoru, what are you saying! I… I don't care about Sora like that…"
"N-no, I'm just worried about them, don't say nonsense!"
Blushing and stammering, the miko hurriedly tried to explain.
"Alright, alright, I was just joking with Yuri. Look at how nervous you are."
Although Kaoru liked to tease Yuri sometimes, she knew her limits well. She didn't want to push the shy Yuri too far. Having gotten a little fun, she stopped and spared the innocent Yuri.
After that, the two fell silent, watching Sora and Ena not far away. Their expressions showed a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"Sora, you're the first opponent Ena has acknowledged. It's really hard to see you go. As our last fight, let's truly settle this once and for all!"
Although she was reluctant to see Sora, Yuri, and Kaoru leave, Ena was a cheerful and optimistic girl who never dwelled too much on things.
Compared to the sadness of parting, she was more excited about the upcoming battle!
"Well, well, I've had a great time this past month. Since Ena says so, I'll give it my all and beat you!"
With a smiling face, Sora's eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce light, and a powerful aura burst from his body.
"Hehehe, that's right! Ena won't hold back either. Let's settle this!"
Also extremely excited, the girl's hands trembled with anticipation.
Without any more words, with perfect tacit understanding, the two's eyes flashed sharply as they charged at each other!
Clang!!!
Swords clashed, sparking brilliant fiery sparks. The sharp sound made people frown, but neither Sora nor Ena showed any sign of backing down. Instead, the flames burning in their eyes grew even stronger.
Clang clang clang clang clang!!!
Only a step apart, they swung their longswords fiercely in the narrow space, without hesitation or reservation, unleashing their ultimate skills against each other.
Fragments flew, the low hum of sword clashes never ceased. Yuri and Kaoru watched dumbfounded as the air roared violently, countless leaves swirling around the two fighters.
Clang!!!
Another clash, and both leapt back to create distance. But it wasn't to stop—they each slashed out an energy blade toward the other.
Boom!!!
Deafening explosions echoed in the air, waves of white energy swept around. Even from afar, Yuri and Kaoru felt their skin sting painfully from the fierce energy waves, hastily shielding their heads and retreating.
"Hahaha… As expected of Ena's acknowledged opponent, again!"
"Bring it on, I'm not scared of you!"
Both Sora and Ena were completely immersed in the joy of battle, their faces showing wild, beast-like, excited smiles. At this moment, no one could stop them from enjoying the fight!
With a strong push of their feet, the ground caved in, and they charged at each other again…
…
"Awesome! Both of them are amazing!"
With slightly parted cherry lips, Yuri, who had been worried at first, now watched the two who had been fighting fiercely and destroying the battlefield for half a day without stopping, filled with excitement and anticipation, muttering repeatedly.
"Ah… I really didn't expect these two to have reached this level!"
Even Kaoru, usually calm and composed as the head of the Tokyo branch of the Official History Compilation Committee, showed a look of amazement.
What prodigies hadn't she seen? But compared to these two, those others weren't even worthy to tie their shoelaces!
"But this battle is almost over."
With a hint of regret, Kaoru murmured to herself.
"Ah, they always ended in a draw before. This time should be the same, right? They've been fighting for so long."
…
On one side, the miko Yuri also nodded in deep agreement.
"No, Yuri, you didn't understand what I meant. Take a closer look at Sora and Ena again. This time, it won't end in a draw."
Yuri was a complete novice when it came to fighting and shook her head. Kaoru said.
"Hmm…"
Prompted by Kaoru, Yuri felt a wave of confusion and followed her gaze to carefully observe the two fighters again.
"Ena… she…"
It seemed she finally noticed something, as Yuri's face showed surprise.
"Finally realized? In this battle, Ena is almost losing."
Although Kaoru herself found it somewhat unbelievable—Ena, the contemporary top "Hime-Miko of the Sword," losing! But seeing Ena nearby panting heavily, flustered and retreating under Sora's relentless attacks, Kaoru already knew it was true…
"Ena specializes in 'Divine Possession techniques,' but that gentleman hasn't yet bestowed her the sacred tool, so she can't use it. It seems that in normal mode, relying solely on her own strength, Ena can't beat that freak Sora."
Sure enough, just as Kaoru finished speaking, the battle situation on the field began to change!
"Ena, it's over!!!"
Since it was agreed to be an all-out duel, Sora naturally had no intention of holding back. Seeing Ena, who was already cornered and struggling to even raise her sword, Sora leapt up and fiercely swung his long sword down at the girl.
With a jolt of spirit, although her body was exhausted and sore, Ena summoned a last breath of strength to raise her sword horizontally, preparing to block Sora's attack.
Crack…
A sound like glass shattering rang out. Under Ena's shocked expression and the stunned looks of Yuri and Kaoru, Sora's lips curled into a slight smile as he directly cut the girl's long sword in two!
Seeing the girl still dazed, a gleam flashed in Sora's eyes. Sensing a good opportunity, he delivered a horizontal kick to the girl's stomach.
"Ah…"
A miserable cry escaped Ena as her body was blasted backward like a cannonball, rolling several times on the ground before coming to a stop.
Though not seriously injured, she was no longer able to continue fighting…