I Reincarnated as a Shinai

The cloaked lady was just calmly watching the fight at the side.

It means that the young Arcanists in the arena weren't in danger yet. They can only trust her judgment for the time being since she's a 4-Star Hunter.

Aside from that, it wouldn't be good for them if they interfered with her work. There are rumors that this lady does have a violent temper.

"Nika… Can you still fight?" Lexi asked as she breathes heavily. 

The last combination attack of Terrence and Calliope made her use her secret technique. It is her battle-axe's Damage Reflect that can only be used twice a day.

Her Unique-Rank Arcana only has four Arcane Magic in it and she already used all of them. This time, if she wanted to surprise her opponent, she would probably have to use her purchased Epic-Rank Arcana…

"Yes… I didn't know you have a trump card like that… You saved me…" Nika replied as she stretched her hand to take the Revolver that was dropped on the ground.

She did her best to refill the cylinder with bullets but she only managed to manifest three bullets…

"Tsk… I can't concentrate on reloading with this throbbing shoulder… I don't have healing skills as well. Do you have anything that can lessen my pain?"

"No… But I heard from Rufus that he can heal someone if it's truly an emergency case." Lexi answered as they glanced at Rufus who is currently fighting Diether…

They seemed to be even and none of the two can take advantage whether it is sword swings, parrying, and dodging… They were like dancing with their swords and it is such a beautiful sight…

Thud!

They heard a sound from Calliope's direction so they quickly glanced in her direction…

One of her two swords had suddenly changed in colors… Its blade was now being covered by an icy aura like it was completely frozen.

The temperature had also dropped within the arena.

'I thought that Sun Fire Knights are only adept at using fire-related abilities, why does she have this kind of skill?'

Nika and Lexi thought at the same time. It was indeed an unusual sight… However, if they consider that sword as her Arcana, then it must be possible. 

However, her other sword suddenly burst with heat as the blade appears like it was dipped in lava…

Ice and Fire Swords!

This is such a surprising skill. If they looked at the swords closely, they actually have an identical design as if they were meant to be wielded by a dual swordsman.

'No—Is this her Arcana? Dual Swords? Is that even possible?'

Lexi gritted her teeth as she realized how unlucky they are.

'Tsk… Rufus should've fought with this girl instead… She's more troublesome than we initially thought.'

***

Diether had perhaps exceeded his limits while fighting against his master… His swift flow of sword swings, his minimal but accurate Ashisabaki, and his usage of two types of Waza were all executed magnificently… 

All of these fundamental techniques were perfectly integrated into his body as they allowed him to fight against his master in a higher level of sword combat.

However, Diether still knows one thing.

'Master… He's still teaching me at this time…' 

Diether smiled as he realized this after seeing how his Reiji was responding to his attacks… 

When he attempted a Kaeshi-Waza, or a technique normally being used to deflect an opponent's sword and then counters, Reiji decided to along with him but still managed to accurately avoid his strike by using another Kendo Technique called Maki Waza…

It is a technique where the shinai would be used to hook and spin the opponent's sword to disarm him if perfectly executed… 

Diether did not know that it can be used as well to change the direction of his attack and perfectly avoid his Waza. By changing the amount of force and moving his body, Reiji managed to avoid being in a tough spot… 

Reiji can actually do a follow-up attack on Diether and end the fight but decided to just continue their sword exchange by hitting Diether's black sword instead.

Pah! Pah!

Their sword battle continued and the young man is starting to get the hang of it.

'Very well… I know that Take Over wouldn't normally last long… But it seems that Master has also gotten stronger and can maintain it for a long time now… I shouldn't waste this opportunity…'

Although Calliope and the other Knights are good practice partners to hone his Kendo Techniques, they would use their own battle styles and arcane magic to fight him… 

It made him resilient and knowledgeable on how to respond to different attacks but it felt like his Kendo Skills had reached an impasse… He felt like he could make it stronger but he didn't know how to do it…

However, seeing his Master now executing various patterns of Shikake Waza and Oji Waza, he finally realized what he was lacking, it is his creativity in combining all the Waza and perhaps executing them together with Arcane Magic.

After all, he can feel that his master is using Sword Intent and Sword's Will to boost his attack… Perhaps, if he can also combine his wind and haste skills with his Ashisabaki, he would get even stronger… 

Diether smiled after having this thought… Nevertheless, he didn't plan to end it just like this… He can sense that Calliope has already used her Dual Elemental Swords to defeat Nika… He must also finish this fight now…

'Then, let's end this, Master!'

Diether shouted in his mind as he used his Hazi Flash Steps…

Reiji noticed that Diether disappeared like a cloud of smoke and felt someone behind him… His Spiritual Energy is still emanating in the surroundings so he didn't miss it… But even if he turns now, he might still be caught by Diether's sword…

'Good!'

Reiji praised the young man as he decided to end this battle as well.

He didn't know what form of sword strike was about to hit him but he assumed that it was to stab him on his back.

With his Kinetic Vision, he didn't miss that Diether used a stabbing form before he vanished in front of him.

Bam!

Reiji rotated and was stabbed on his left shoulder. His guess is right.

Although it resulted in an injury, it doesn't matter… He still held the shinai firmly ignoring the pain, that he doesn't feel at all, as he strikes down on Diether with his full force.

Boom!

Diether struggled to raise his sword with a perfect form as their swords clashed… The impact of their strikes created an echo within the Arena.

They are using all of their Spiritual Energy reserves!

Crack!

A sound of a breaking sword was heard as Diether noticed that the durability of his sword plummeted.

The crowd was alarmed after noticing that Diether's sword was broken.

'Tsk! How about this?!' Diether didn't mind his broken sword as he stepped forward.

However, the shinai passed through the broken sword and hit Diether on his shoulder.

'Aahh!' 

It was painful but his Shell Protection did its best to lessen the damage on his body.

Thud!

'I did it!'

Diether celebrated a little as he still managed to land a kick on Rufus's abdomen.

'Keke! It's just a Sun Fire Knight's thing master… I learned it from them…' 

However, the Take Over was already over and the one that was hit by that kick is the true Rufus…

'Ugh!'

When Rufus regained control of his body, he was hit by a solid kick from Diether while also enduring the pain in his shoulder.

"M-Master…"

This was his last word before he lost consciousness due to the pain…

***

Terrence struggled to stand up as he did his best to recover and help Calliope… Although she's powerful with her Dual Elemental Sword, it doesn't change the fact that Nika's bullet is still faster than their movements.

He glanced at Diether and Rufus as he saw them fight equally. It is his first time to see Diether fight like this as he gives his all to match Rufus's sword abilities.

'I didn't know that there are Arcanists within this Tower with amazing skill in swordsmanship… They shouldn't be stuck here and try to roam the world instead… What a waste of talent.'

Terrence commented as he knows how good Diether is when it comes to the sword. If Rufus can fight that monster equally, then this young Arcanist hiding within this tower must truly be a genius.

Boom!

He only leaves his sight on them for a moment but the battle turned around quickly… Diether's sword was broken as he was hit on his body while also managing to land a kick on Rufus.

They both dropped to the ground unconscious.

Terrence smiled wryly at this since their original plan was for Diether to help them after dealing with Rufus.

'I guess it's not bad to have a draw as a result…' Terrence thought as he planned his next action.