Auralia had the flag. Isamu was defending against Ayaka and Mami held the flag. Flag carriers couldn't attack. So, in the end, it was Ayato versus Sakura and Yoru. It would be a bad matchup for Hortensia if Ayato could use his abilities. However, in reality, Ayato was at a disadvantage.
Yoru's use of his Foresight was something that Ayato couldn't top. He could play around with it for a little while but that's it.
"You really think you can win two-on-one with a sword?! You're cocky on another level."
Sakura clenched her fists. Cherry blossom petals floated around her. They formed seven daggers that floated behind her back like a halo.
"If I lost to you guys, my master would get mad at me."
Mami began running into the forest.
"Oh no, you don't!"
Sakura fired two of the daggers. Ayato sliced both of them with Star Cross. He followed Mami into the forest. Hortensia followed after them.
'He sheaths his sword after each use. Also, he doesn't seem to be using his sword other than the techniques.'
She noticed.
It was bait. Since Ayato wasn't pouring mana in Asteria, he could use it all he liked. Although it was bait, it was also out of habit.
Sakura fired the remaining five daggers at Mami, who was focused on running away.
'Crap! I don't have any five-hit techniques!'
Ayato slashed four of the daggers and one scraped his waist. It was just a normal attack but Ayato couldn't move faster than any of his techniques could.
'That hit him?'
Ayato was used to using his techniques. The sword technique, Crescent Moon Blade is a style that was made to utilise Asteria. It was like a machine. The style used pre-determined moves. It was impossible to move against the technique used. That was the disadvantage of the Crescent Moon Blade.
However, due to its diverse techniques, it made up for it in variety rather than its utility.
Yoru appeared in front of Mami.
"Ayato!"
"Crescent Moon, Twelfth Blade: Thrust."
He soared toward Yoru with a thrust attack. The boy dodged it and kicked Ayato's liver.
"...!"
He felt that attack. Nevertheless, he raised his blade and cut across him. Yoru barely dodged it.
"Sakura Lance!"
A lance of cherry blossoms was made, floating above Sakura's hand. She launched it at Ayato. At the same time, Yoru went to attack Mami.
'No rest, huh?'
He sighed, sheathing his blade.
Ayato's hand flickered as he dashed forward.
"Absolute Sword."
He slashed across his body with intense strength. The lance broke apart. Mami avoided a hit from Yoru.
"Huh?!"
Ayato was in Yoru's face. His sword was held above his head. He cut down at Yoru. Suddenly, the boy was swayed.
"Gah!"
Ayato hit the ground instead of Yoru.
"Don't forget that I can see the future!"
Yoru had tripped him before he had advanced. It was impressive. There were around 2 minutes left and only a little until they reached the base.
"You're done!"
Sakura swung a huge hammer of cherry blossoms at Ayato. He turned around, slicing it in half.
"Starless Night!"
"What's up with that sword?! Why can it cut through my magic like butter?!"
Ayato winced.
'Shit! That was close! My waist is slowing me down!'
Finally, they reached the base. All that was left was for Mami to stick the flag into the spot.
She grabbed the flag and held it in the air.
"Ayato! Mami!"
Isamu shouted.
Before they knew it, Mami was hit by a barrage of water bullets.
[What's this?! At the goal, Mami Yumi was assaulted by a water spell! What incredible range! Ayaka Satsuki has created an opportunity for her team! Go!]
'5 seconds! We have it! Ayato can't defend against us like this!'
They both charged in. Yoru was slightly behind Sakura. He couldn't slash them both at the same time due to the delay in their actions. A multi-hit technique would leave him with an opening too.
There was only one option.
4 seconds remaining.
Ayato's hand tightens around Asteria's handle.
3 seconds remaining.
Sakura enters his range. Yoru and her go for the flag.
2 seconds remaining.
Ayato's sword left its sheath.
1.5 seconds remaining.
He cut Sakura across the chest.
1 second remaining.
Ayato turned to Yoru, who was out of range. He sliced.
0.5 seconds remaining.
The sword that appeared to be an inch short suddenly got longer. It attacked Yoru, slicing him as well.
0 seconds remaining. The flag's timeout had ended. Ayato sheathed his blade, watching the two Hortensia students fall backwards.
"Mami!"
He shouted.
"I know!"
The girl recovered and grabbed the flag. This time, stabbing it into the ground, finalising the game.
[The game has now finished with Auralia's victory! What an unexpected but brilliant turnout! Did you guys see that move at the end?!]
In the arena, there was an instant replay of Ayato's freakish attack.
[No mana was used and yet he somehow hit both of them so fast! He even hit Yoru who was supposed to be outside of his sword's range!]
The commentator sounded excited.
Yoru coughed. The sword's damage was covered into blunt damage. He felt slightly winded. Even so, he got up, wiping his head of sweat.
"How did you do that? There's no way you couldn't reach me. I thought we had that flag."
He said to Ayato.
Ayato scratched his head with a smile on his head.
"Oh, it was nothing special."
"Ah, that's why you annoy me!"
Sakura sat up, shouting at him.
"Nothing special! We still got our asses handed to us even with you handicapped!"
"No, actually, if you had attacked me with multiple weapons at the same time, we probably wouldn't have won."
The pink-haired girl froze in shock. She didn't think about attacking him with multiple weapons at once. She noticed that her five dagger attack hit him but she never repeated it.
Sakura sighed, resigning.
"So, how did you do that? Don't be modest or I'll get pissed."
"But, seriously... It's not special."
[What?! Do you guys see that?!]
The four of them looked at the now-visible holographic screen.
[Ayato Kyouya... He... He let his sword slip out from his hand as he was turning toward Yoru! That's so crazy!]
"Hah?!"
All three of them screamed in shock. Ayato decided to explain to them.
"Delaying your movements was a good move. I couldn't do anything against that. And so, I decided to use my Seventh Blade: Iai Slash."
Iai Slash was a faster version of Starless Night.
"But after I used that technique on Chibana, who approached me first. I then used the momentum from slashing her and I turned to Yoru. Since he was out of range, I had no choice but to let go of my sword. I didn't know how it was going to turn out."
He nervously laughed.
"Wait, so..."
"You mean you..."
"You gambled our victory and loss with a move like that?!"
Mami growled, grabbing his uniform and shaking him back and forth.
"Hey, it worked, didn't it?"
He smiled. She let go of him and turned away.
"I suppose."
"Good job, guys. Sorry, I let that one through."
Isamu walked up to them.
"No worries."
"Hm?"
Ayato raised his hand. He was waiting for a high-five.
"You too, Mami."
"Why are you calling me by my first name?!"
She shouted.
All three of them clapped hands as a symbol of victory.