Published at 26th of December 2025 7:41 am

Chapter 492: Knowing the Enemy and Knowing Oneself Doesnt Necessarily Apply Only to Oneself.

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

The next morning, after reuniting with Lorenz and his group, we had breakfast together thanks to the village chiefs hospitality before leaving the village. As we walked along the road, Lorenz called out to me.

Well then, were going to have you and Tia show us their abilities How do you want to do that?

Im fine with whatever form you prefer, hero. We could hunt some demonic beasts, or perhaps have a light sparring match, I suggested.

Hmm, thats true

If it was about confirming our abilities, showing through live combat would be the quickest way. As Lorenz pondered my proposal, Luca began jumping up and down, raising his hand high.

Me, me! If thats the case, Ill fight senpai! Thats okay, right, Yuusha-sama? A hero must observe and judge objectively!

Youre being arbitrary again But well, I do know Lucas abilities well, so its not a bad benchmark. How about it, Ed? Are you okay with that?

Yes, thats fine with me. What about you, Tia?

Me? Luca can use magic too, right? Then Ill

Tia-san, you dont really need to do it now, do you? You were using spirit magic normally yesterday. Right, Yuusha-sama?

Luca interrupted Tias words. Lorenz thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

Thats right. If she can handle spirit magic that precisely, theres no need to question her abilities as a mage now.

Eh, so Im okay? Ugh, it feels like Im being left out

Come on, being told youve passed without a test isnt being left out, I said, trying to cheer up Tia, who was drooping her ears dejectedly. But Tia retorted with a dissatisfied expression.

But yesterday, you were having such a fun conversation with Luca! I want to you know, play a more active role too!

Eh!? Tia, you were awake?

Of course I woke up with all that talking! But I thought it would be bad to interrupt a conversation between men, so I kept quiet Uuu!

S-Sorry. My bad! But then, what should we

Ill fight Ed!

Huh!?

I couldnt help but let out a stupid sound at Tias bold declaration. But Tia, ignoring this, continued speaking to Lorenz.

That way, you can see both my and Eds abilities at once, right? What do you think, Yuusha-sama? Isnt it a good idea?

I dont mind, but Luca?

I Ah, yes. Its totally fine. I think its a good idea.

Perhaps overwhelmed by Tias silent, thin smile, Luca easily expressed his withdrawal. So now it was up to me

Are you really going to do this?

Of course! For once, Im going to take Ed down!

For once? Ive never taken you down, though Well, whatever. Then for the starting distance I guess 20 meters should be enough?

Whats that? Are you looking down on me?

Tia pouted at my muttering. But I flicked her forehead with my finger.

Dont get cocky. Sure, you can use a sword too, but for a normal rear guard, starting at a distance where youve already allowed such a close approach would be game over. What are you thinking?

Muu, well, thats certainly true. Fine, lets do that then.

Tia agreed while rubbing her forehead. We then passed through the forest, left the main road, and arrived at an open grassland. After taking appropriate distances and preparing, Lorenz, who was standing on Tias side, raised his hand high.

Are you both ready? Then begin!

With his shout, his hand came down, and I simultaneously started running towards Tia. At this stage, there was nothing to hinder me or so I thought.

Slice, [Wind Edge]!

Huh?

A shortened incantation for spirit magic, something Tia rarely does. The blade of wind that flew at me gave my body a strong impact.

But that was all. Perhaps due to insufficient wind compression, it didnt display the sharpness I knew, merely pushing my body strongly. While the constant barrage was annoying, it lacked the power to break my stance.

Come on, thats quite a luxurious way to slow me down, isnt it?

And that was fine. Casting magic repeatedly after just one shortened incantation would consume a lot of mana, even for Tia. Slowing my feet down to this extent must be to buy time for the incantation reaching my ears.

And that plan was brilliantly achieved. When the distance between us had halved to about 10 meters, Tias magic was finally complete.

Gather water and solidify into the blue, shimmering thorns of the crescent moon, wrapped in dull light to pierce, spirit claws of five fingers and five inches! Pierce through, icicle thrust! In the name of Lunari Tia, manifest [Icicle Arrow]!

Five ice arrows condensed around Tia and flew towards me. But the wind impacts still hitting my body were annoying, making it difficult to simply dodge.

Haa!

So what to do? Ill intercept them. I swung [Dawnbreaker] and knocked down the first ice arrow. Four left!

Not yet!

Yeah, not yet!

Two, three, I kept knocking down the incoming arrows. I was still running towards Tia, so the time for the fired arrows to reach me was getting shorter and shorter, but it wasnt enough to stop my feet.

Then, how about this!?

Five meters left to Tia. The fourth and fifth arrows came flying simultaneously. I only have one sword, so I can only intercept one of them.

Heh.

So, I cut down the one aiming for my stomach and lowered my upper body, leaning forward. This would dodge the arrow aiming for my head, and if I thrust my sword towards Tias stomach at the same time, the match would be over, but

Whoa!?

The sense of foreboding was not above my head, but beneath my feet. Although there seemed to be no change at first glance, the ground I stepped on sank just a little deeper and softer than before. When running with momentum, this difference was fatal.

Now!

What!?

As I panicked, about to stumble forward, Tia approached me instead. With me in a position as if offering my neck, Tia raised the Silver Spirit Sword she had drawn from her waist.

This is the end!

A sharp silver flash aimed for the back of my head. An ordinary swordsman would have their head struck here, kissing the ground ungracefully in defeat, but unfortunately, Im not an ordinary swordsman.

Too naive!

Even from this broken stance, my sword scraped the ground with its tip, rising to the sky to deflect Tias sword. Once thats done, Id rotate my body with that momentum, using centrifugal force to mow down Tias torso for my victory.

No, I cant actually cut her. The momentum is too strong, I need to consciously slow down the sword speed

Youre the naive one!

Gah!?

In that instant, a strong, completely unexpected impact ran through my jaw. My brain shook, the world spun, and a terrible nausea mixed with a pleasant intoxication began to dye my consciousness white. What, what was!?

This time, its my win, Ed.

Guheh!

Before my consciousness could recover from the confusion, a painful strike to the back of my head. Letting out a voice like a crushed frog, I was made to kiss the ground in the most ungraceful manner possible.

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