Black Iron Magician

Chapter 103 Berserk

After finishing the mock battle with Haruna, Oda and the others move to the opposite side of the wall from where Deris is staying. There, Touko was waiting for them.

「Yo, good work. How was it?」

「… I think it’s exactly as you saw it, Touko-san. Being a magician is just the job title. She was stronger than the vanguard Oda, more tricky than me, and her magic kept Mani-kun at bay. With her personality, I don’t think she was holding back, but it seems that she still has an ace up her sleeve. To be honest, she’s too much for us to handle.」

While shaking his head that it would be foolish to think about how to win, Fuchi told Touko everything he felt during the battle. In the part of being too much to handle, he also thinks that Touko is the same. As rivals (one-sidedly), the current strongest girl in the class and the former strongest girl in the class. It will be a lie if he says that he’s not curious about the outcome of the match between them.

「Katsuragi becomes like that when it comes to a match, huh? I didn’t know that…」

「Eh, after all this time? I thought that you knew about it. Normally, Haruna is a good girl like that, but when the atmosphere of the match hits her, the atmosphere around her will change. When Haruna like that is really impressive. You see, even I, who had been undefeated up to that point, felt scared. Still, she always goes beyond my expectations every time. I see, Haruna hasn’t changed since then…!」

「「「………」」」

Toukou’s talk gradually heats up, and the force applied to her fist is getting stronger. The three gave up and listened to her talk, thinking that she’s sick in her own way.

「Oda, if you really want to be a hero in this world, you have to resolve yourself to defeat Katsuragi-san and Toukou-san. I feel that they are willing to become demon kings if it’s for strength.」

「E-Even so, I’m still aiming for the top. It’s for making my dream come true!」

「Oda-kun, your face is pale… You shouldn’t force yourself…」

It’s a very lowly dream for a hero to have. Fuchi murmured so in his heart and glanced at Haruna who returned to the camp of Deris who laid a sheet on the other side. Haruna received a towel and a water bottle from Chinatsu and was talking about something with a friendly smile. Is she talking about the match? Deris, who was sitting a little further away, also seemed to give words to her.

「――Ah, that’s right. I saw Haruna’s moves in advance so she’ll be at a disadvantage the next time we fight. Alright!」

Toukou’s legs started to move forward.

「T-Touko-san? Where are you going?」

「I’m going to Haruna and Deris-danna’s place. I’m going to show them my power.」

「…Haa!?」

Touko suddenly said such a thing, and on one who could stop her.

「Excuse meee!」

「Ah, Touko-chan.」

Touko came to the place of Deris and the others with the mood of visiting another dojo for a challenge. Noticing her, their reaction was various. Haruna looked happy, Chinatsu looked complicated, and Deris looked puzzled.

「What’s up? Are you going to urge us to start the mock battle?」

「No, I won’t be satisfied if we did it before Haruna could get rid of her tiredness. I’ll be troubled if she’s not in her perfect condition. So Haruna, take a rest now!」

「Okay!」

It seems that the two of them are on the same wavelength. Haruna circulates the ki through all over the body and uses her breathing technique to smooth her blood flow―― well, it’s unknown whether she can do it or no, but she sits in seiza and closes her eyes. It seems to be the best way for Haruna to rest.

「So, what’s up? Did you come all the way just to advise her to rest?」

「There is that too. Well, it’s not fair for me to hide my skill after seeing Haruna’s fighting style, right? That’s why I came here to tell you my unique skill.」

「……Ha?」

Chinatsu has the same response as Fuchi. Touko laughs, thinking it’s funny. Then, Deris also laughs.

「Kukuku! Haru, your friends are all interesting, huh. I can’t get tired of them.」

「Hey, even Deris-san…」

「Chinatsu, isn’t it fine? Haru is going to fight again after all. If the opponent says so, then let’s just let her show it. I’m also interested in the hero’s unique skill.」

The unique skill 『Red Tail』 of Satou, whom Haruna fought before, was very powerful. However, it became useless because the user was like that. If the user of such a unique skill has the appropriate ability, they will be a good opponent.

According to the information he confirmed so far, the status of Toukou is the best among the heroes. She has the capacity to run at the top, does daily efforts, and has aspirations. In addition, she has an intense rivalry with Haruna. That’s why Deris has high hopes for her. Just like back in Japan, she is a worthy opponent who can keep up with Haruna’s growth.

「Do you need something to explain your power? If you want, I can be your opponent.」

「Hmm… No, I think I’d prefer a big tree or a big rock or something that looks really hard.」

「Hard, huh? If that’s the case, I have the perfect rock I just got. Wait a minute.」

Deris took out his bag and searched inside to find something.

「Oh, this size looks good.」

He throws it at a place where there are no people. Immediately after, there’s a rumbling sound.

「Ohh, it’s so big!」

It was one part of the body of the stone giant, the boss of this dungeon. Fortunately, it was undamaged and was the largest of the disassembled parts. Touko does not know the existence of the stone giant in the first place, so it may only look like a large rock with a diameter of about 3 meters.

「This is more durable than it looks. Even Haru can’t destroy it with a single blow. Will you be okay?」

「Yeah, no problem. Let’s get started.」

Without minding Deris words that were somewhat mean, Touko went straight to the large rock. Far from being troubled, she’s delighted like a kid who got an interesting toy.

「Then, I’ll explain it. My unique skill 『Berserk』 allows me to attack by ignoring the enemy’s endurance. Just like this!」

At the same time as looking back, Touko sends a roundhouse kick to the large rock. The speed is comparable to Haruna’s kick, and the upper half of the large rock was crushed with that one kick. Furthermore, Touko rides on the remaining lower part and hits it with her fist in the same way as breaking a tile.

「――Fuu, how is it!」

The rock was split in two. As Touko said, her attack seems to give damage by penetrating the endurance status of the opponent it touches. It’s a natural enemy for a complete defense person like Therese. On the contrary, since it is the type of specializing in firepower, it seems that she will get along with Nell.

「………」

「Haru, if you are curious, you can open your eyes, you know?」

「Eh, is that okay!? Touko-chan, do it again!」

Because Haruna was fidgeting in her rest, Touko decided to destroy the rock once again.