DanMachi: The Epic of the Heroic Spirits of Emiya Shirou

Alicia turned around and looked at her younger relatives.

However, she didn't look at the "Fierce Wolf" huddled in a corner eating steak, nor did she pay attention to the "Angry Snake" clinging to the leader, or the "Great Severer" in the crowd.

Alicia looked at Ais, who was wearing an adorable fox mask and devouring one small cake after another.

"[Gale] and [Sword Girl] were once equally renowned geniuses... Have you ever fought against each other?"

"Alysia asked."

Ryu: "Yeah, there was one time, but it didn't end in a draw..."

At that time, Ryu was 14 years old and Ais was 9 years old, and both of them were level 3.

Now, Ryu is 18 years old and Ais is 13 years old. Both of them have just reached Lv.5. They are standing on an equal footing, and it seems like the perfect opportunity to determine the winner.

Ais, her mouth stuffed full like a little hamster, looked over, her gaze meeting Ryu's.

93

Chapter 93 [Swift Wind] VS [Sword Maiden]

In Orario today, the identities and statuses of [Sword Girl] Ais Wallenstein and [Swift Wind] Ryuen are worlds apart.

The former is a well-known powerhouse, the princess of the Loki Familia, a top-tier first-class adventurer, and a strong contender for the strongest position in the future city.

The latter is just an "ordinary" waiter in an "unremarkable" tavern in Orario, and a wanted criminal known only to a few.

But just a few years ago, they were indeed equally renowned adventurers, the two brightest rising stars of that era.

Ryubies officially began her adventure less than a year earlier, and she leveled up to Lv.2 in one year and two months, becoming one of the fastest-leveling advanced adventurers.

Soon after, Ais also leveled up to Lv.2, taking only one year. This record was not broken until recently by the Sword King, Emiya Shirou.

After becoming advanced adventurers, Ryu and Ais continued to compete with each other, both taking about a year to reach Lv.3 and then quickly reaching Lv.4.

After the Astrea Familia was destroyed, Ais continued to be active in the dungeon labyrinth, while Ryu moved into the city's underground world and began assassinating and exterminating the Dark Faction.

Ais recently leveled up to Lv.5, while Ryu, encouraged by Emiya, actively sought out the goddess Astrea to level up as well.

The two players, who were progressing at a similar pace, only had one encounter that ended in a draw, which was a regret in a way.

After the banquet, Ais stopped in a quiet alley.

“Rivia…”

Ais grabbed Riveria's sleeve.

"...I understand, Finn. You guys go back first. Ais and I will go back later."

Riveria said.

Finn exchanged a glance with her and nodded: "Okay, be careful."

Finn, the leader of the Loki Familia, along with Grace and others, carried the drunken goddess Loki and the rest of the group away.

Ais turned around, and after a moment's wait, a slender figure in emerald green landed.

"[Swift Wind]...You've also leveled up to Lv.5."

Ryu did not suppress her power; her sharp sword intent and surging magic burst forth, and even Ais, who was not so good at sensing magic, could sense the change in her.

"Ah."

Ryu nodded slightly: "Miss Ais, Princess Riveria, my apologies, I wish to fight the [Sword Maiden] to perfect my power—"

As soon as Liu finished speaking, Ais rushed out like a golden flash.

The Sword Maiden never leaves her weapon; even when attending banquets, the Sword of Despair still hangs beside her.

At this moment, Ais, who was suddenly challenged, showed no shame or anger at being provoked, only fighting spirit in her eyes.

"[Swift Wind] will be an excellent opponent."

Once Ais realized this, she didn't hesitate to take action herself.

The [Elf's Radiance] and the [Sword of Despair] collided, producing a sharp sound.

Ryu gripped his sword with both hands, standing firmly in place like a steadfast pine tree, unwavering, while Ais took a step back.

In their first clash, Ais was at a disadvantage.

Ais's stats are heavily weighted towards magic, with an average potential of A-level. Her dexterity and agility are also strong, averaging AB-level. Her strength and endurance are slightly weaker, at D-level.

Ryu and Ais have similar stats, leaning towards dexterity, agility, and magic, while being weaker in strength and endurance. However, Ryu has higher potential.

Because of the accumulation of high-quality experience points, her dexterity, agility, and magic power all reached S-rank at Lv.4.

In terms of ability stats, Ryu has the advantage, and Ais is at a disadvantage in more ways than just that.

Ryu frankly admitted, "Your weapon seems a little lacking in power."

Ais gripped the Sword of Despair tightly, remaining silent.

Ryu's judgment was correct. The Sword of Despair was a genuine top-tier weapon in terms of both value and overall performance. However, because Ais required the weapon to have the characteristic of being indestructible, the blacksmiths of the Gubo Niu Familia sacrificed some other properties when forging the sword in order to ensure its toughness.

As a result, the Sword of Despair is less powerful than other first-tier weapons, and it is far inferior to the Elven Radiance, which specifically emphasizes "magic resonance".

Ais was not discouraged by her temporary setback and weapon problems. Without hesitation, she stepped forward and launched another attack.

Liu gripped the sword hilt, and the powerful magic unique to the elves flowed into [Elf Flowing Light], causing the holy sword, made from the branches of the sacred tree in the forest, to shimmer with a faint light.

She sidestepped Ais's sharp thrust, then unleashed a swift upward slash, only to be blocked by Ais's immediately withdrawn blade.

"The Fiora's thrust wasn't at full power; she was just trying to lure me into attacking—"

Ryu's attack was too wide, and he didn't have time to adjust, so Ais's thrust immediately caught up.

[Elf Flowing Light] barely managed to parry, but a sword still grazed Ryu's shoulder, piercing her sleeve and skin.

"Your strength and speed surpass Ais's, but your movements are not coordinated enough. [Gale]'s swordsmanship should be more than this... I see, you haven't adapted to your upgraded power yet."

Riveria spoke softly, explaining that she had stayed behind as Ais's "guardian," and that she would not interfere in the battle between these two "arch-enemies" unless Ais or Ryu were in mortal danger.

"Are you using me as a 'sharpening stone,' [Swift Wind]?"

Ais thought to herself, and then launched a fierce attack on Ryu.

Aside from Emiya, whose swordsmanship reaches the level of Heroic Spirits, and some War Gods who possess the power of the sword, Ais's swordsmanship is the ceiling of this world. However, this does not mean that swordsmanship in the "mortal" realm has no reference value.

Ryu's sword is very special. Her swordsmanship foundation was taught to her by Gojou Kaguya. The Gojou family has been studying swordsmanship for thousands of years. On this basis, they have incorporated the magical sword techniques of the Elf race. Through long-term life-and-death combat, they have refined and perfected it, forming the ultimate practical swordsmanship.

Furthermore, during her sparring sessions with Emiya, she subtly absorbed his movements, causing traces of the Heroic Spirit realm to appear in her swordplay.

The swordswoman's attacks were like a storm. At first, Liu was struggling to defend herself and even had a bloody scratch on her cheek. However, she was quickly adapting to the rhythm of the battle and her movements became more and more skillful.

"The Fiora is deliberately helping me adapt to my Lv.5 abilities."

Ryu realized this.

94

Chapter Ninety-Four: Blades Encircle Her, Sword Maiden's Defeat.

As time went on, the balance of power gradually shifted.

Immersed in the Lv.5 offensive and defensive rhythm initiated by [Sword Princess], Ryu's absolute combat talent has taken effect. Unconsciously, her skills have become more and more agile, and her control over her body has become more and more perfect.

As Ryu gradually gained the ability to unleash her full power, she began to overpower Ais.

"【Sword Maiden】, you are a swordsman of the same type as me."

Liu said.

This means that there is no counterplay between the two's fighting styles; it's purely a contest of ability and skill.

Ryu's potential is higher than Ais's, and her weapon is more suitable for combat between adventurers. While Ryu's swordsmanship is not as skillful as Ais's, her technique has reached a level that can threaten the [Sword Princess].

More importantly, there are the skills inscribed with "God's Grace".

Ryu's [Fairy Sing], [Mental Reload], and [Swift Wind] can all be triggered in this battle. Especially now that it's late at night, the effect of [Fairy Sing] can even be further enhanced.

As for Ais's "Princess of Vengeance," as the goddess Loki said, it is "the strongest offensive skill that can be proud of in the history of the lower realm." In terms of attack power enhancement alone, Emiya's "Oath of Protection" is inferior to "Princess of Vengeance."

The problem is that the effect of [Revenge Princess] is: high-level enhancement of attack power against all monster-type enemies, and super-level enhancement of attack power against dragon-type monsters. The enhancement effect varies according to the degree of hatred; the stronger the hatred, the greater the effect.

But Ryu is not a monster, much less a dragon, and Ais doesn't hate her.

As a result, the "Revenge Princess" skill couldn't be activated at all—"I think you look like a dragon," "If you are a dragon, that's fine too," Little Ais didn't have such an unreasonable divine skill.

Ryu unleashed a fierce, heavy slash, which Ais parried with both hands, but was forcibly pushed back.

Ryu said, "[Sword Princess], if you had used your full strength from the start, I wouldn't be your match."

Ais shook her head: "That kind of victory is meaningless. My goal is to hone my abilities."

"In any case, thank you, [Fiora]. In return, from now on, I will use my full strength."

Ryu looked at Ais intently: "Use your wind-attribute [Enchanted Magic] and attack me with all your might, [Sword Princess]! Because from now on, I will begin chanting, and when my chanting is complete, the battle will be over!"

As Ryu spoke, she softly recited the first line of the chant:

"When the mission is fulfilled, the scales will reach balance."

The rapidly interwoven chanting, coupled with the astonishing magic it emitted, caused Ais to tense up.

"Awaken (Tempest)!!!"

Ais suddenly shouted.

The magic was activated using a very short incantation as the trigger.

The wind has formed.

The atmospheric currents visible to the naked eye danced around Ais.

Her golden hair, radiating a dazzling brilliance like sand gold, billowed and rippled in the wind.

【Wind Spirit Sprint】

The only magic Ais can use.

By letting the wind wrap around the body and protect the weapon, one can assist in attacks and increase speed.

"The incantation uttered by [Gale] was not the [Wind of Light] I had ever seen; she had awakened a new magic—"

Ais didn't know the effects of Ryu's new magic, and "unknown" meant risk. Before the effects of the enemy's magic were determined, people would generally be wary of such a killer move that could kill in one strike.

To be on the safe side, the correct approach is to adopt a hit-and-run tactic.

"I won't run away!"

On the contrary, Ais lunged at Liu with unprecedented speed, launching an even more ferocious attack.

“[Gale] would never speak carelessly; she must have absolute confidence in that spell. What she is chanting must be an extremely powerful spell that can decide the outcome of the battle.”

Aischeng's golden eyes widened to their maximum, with a fiery sword light swirling within them.

"Ending the battle before her chanting ends is my only chance."

Courage, experience, talent... all of these accumulated in the young body of the Sword Maiden allowed her to make the right judgment in an instant.

From this moment on, the nature of the battle changed.

The two fastest swordsmen in the city began their battle of offense and defense.

Ryu: "A fortress of order..."

[Gale] By the time the second line of the chant was recited, a truly fierce storm was already approaching.

She raised her sword to parry Ais's thrust.

This time, Liu took several steps back, her heavy footsteps even breaking the floor and leaving deep marks on the stone bricks.

After Ais used her magic first, the power imbalance between the two instantly reversed.

【Wind Spirit Swiftness】is a powerful technique that seems beyond human capabilities. Ais only possesses this one spell, but this single spell simultaneously has multiple combined effects, such as enhancing attack power, increasing speed, and providing protection for the user, and its strength is extremely astonishing.

Attack, defense, and speed are all combined, like a blessing from the "Wind Fairy." Without needing to trigger the "Revenge Princess" skill, Ais, who rides the raging wind, has almost reached the limit of Lv.5.

Finn and Riveria consider Ais in the dungeon to be a Level 6 fighter, which is not an exaggeration at all.

However, the Wind in front of Fiora at this moment is no ordinary person either.

"A crown of integrity, a lamp that dispels evil."