Receiving damage in an ego clash is negative in two senses—the first being the fact that physical injuries generally limit someone's abilities. However, due to the nature of ego, it will push itself to the injuries to try to help recovery, but without sufficient control, the ego trying to help the injuries will end up leaking out of them. The ability to confine this energy, known as ego confinement, isn't inherently hard to learn after the criteria has been met, but to meet the criteria, the Egoist must have received injuries that put a risk to life, paired with an immense amount of ego suddenly filling the body.
Due to Infinity's fights with both Tsurugi and Jester, he has been injured enough to meet the first part of the criteria, and intercepting Tsurugi's beam has filled the second.
Infinity stands up with renewed vigor and crawls out of the rubble, a heavy aura surrounding him. Tsurugi stands in shock; this is the first time he's ever had a physical reaction to someone's ego.
As Infinity strides towards Tsurugi, he looks around him and sees an iron pipe protruding from the rubble.
Infinity states, "I wasn't expecting a duel, so I left my actual sword at home, but this will do for now."
What was peculiar about Infinity was that it seemed his Ego continued to increase. This wasn't a result of learning confinement but seemed to be a result of something else.
Tsurugi, recognizing the gravity of the situation, begins to reform a fresh set of weapons. With the same crackle, a katana appears in either hand. With that, Infinity digs his foot into the ground and speeds towards Tsurugi.
Tsurugi, barely able to react, is able to put up a solid guard just in time. However, he still absorbs the majority of the impact, sending him flying backwards.
Infinity exclaims, "These injuries really are a drag. On a good day, I would've taken your head off."
As Infinity's ego continues accumulating, Tsurugi recuperate from Infinity's strike, his arms shaking from the impact. With that, he shortens the blades even further and transfers the energy to reinforce his body.
Infinity mutters, "It seems depending on the strength of the weapon, the more of his ego is taken up by it. Which means when he's using that rifle, he must not be reinforcing himself at all. But when he uses something such as daggers, his reinforcement is almost on the same level as normal."
Infinity and Tsurugi both dash towards each other in a clash of astonishing ego. This time Tsurugi is able to match Infinity's strength and speed.
Hundreds of slashes meet each other, Tsurugi piercing Infinity's shoulder, dragging the dagger to his pectoral muscle; however, slowly and surely, Infinity starts to gain the advantage. His ego continues to increase. Tsurugi aims dagger strikes at vital points, all deflected by Infinity using this singular pipe. Tsurugi's daggers chipping away at this sturdy pipe.
Infinity, realising the uselessness of the situation jumps back and initiates a new strategy to tackle this foe.
Infinity, charging back in with such intimidation, enough to make Tsurugi's confidence waver.
Tsurugi, now desperate in the act begins concentrating energy into the other hand, generating a pistol to attempting to puncture Infinity's lung, but Infinity checks it. Tsurugi, once again reforming his dagger, gets ready to confront Infinity a second time.
Tsurugi screams, "How do you keep getting stronger? The amount of ego you had after fighting Jester was even less than mine, but now you're around my level, maybe even above."
Infinity, bewildered at Tsurugi's statement, looks down and assesses his own body. His Ego is much higher than what it was normally. Confused by this phenomenon, Infinity wonders what's happened to him. It seems that something has awakened within him—something latent.