After successfully dodging all the spear strikes and wind magic slashes from Liang Jianwei, I propelled myself quickly towards him with the explosive power gathered in my legs.
Suddenly, the spear blade was right in front of my face. I hadn't seen it coming. Moving so fast, my only options were to parry or dodge. I chose to dodge to the left.
'Gallean Mystic Path, third move, Air Step.'
I stepped as if onto an invisible platform in the air, created by the concentrated Arkium in my feet.
Once I successfully evaded to Liang Jianwei's left side and landed, I used Mach Momentum Dash and positioned my right arm outstretched.
As my arm reached his neck, I hit him with a lariat, a move famous in wrestling. As I sped past him, Liang Jianwei was flung headfirst due to the impact, dropping his spear again.
Seeing him still reeling and tumbling, I, now some distance away, braked with my feet and turned to face the unfortunate Liang Jianwei.
Before I fully stopped, I changed the form of my gauntlet on my left hand. This time, a small scythe emerged from a slot in the gauntlet. As I stopped, I let it dangle behind me, extending the chain it was attached to.
Just before the chain reached its limit, I swung my left hand forward, sending the scythe flying towards Liang Jianwei. I exerted enough force to ensure it reached him swiftly.
Before Liang Jianwei could get up, the chained scythe wrapped around him, and as it reached its limit, the small blade pierced him. I pulled the chain towards me with a strong tug of my left hand, yanking Liang Jianwei's body towards me.
As soon as he reached me, I delivered a powerful knee kick to his abdomen, sending him flying upwards. I retracted the chain back into my gauntlet.
Then, using Mach Momentum Dash, I leapt up and struck Liang Jianwei to prevent him from falling too quickly. I descended slightly, then used Air Step as a foothold to jump even higher.
Once airborne, I let the small chained scythe extend again. I swung it upwards with my gauntlet hand, using Short-range Telekinesis to wrap it around Liang Jianwei and bind him in mid-air. With his body securely wrapped, I continued upward past him.
'Gallean Mystic Path, Weapon Series, move sixteen, Flashblade Reversal!'
I rotated my body upside down. With an Air Step foothold above, I paused briefly, then activated the gauntlet blade on my right hand. First, I used Mach Momentum Dash to slash at Liang Jianwei's body. With each slash, I rapidly changed directions like lightning, using the explosive power of Mach Momentum Dash aided by Air Step. Remember, this move was slower due to my lower Arkium quality.
With Liang Jianwei's body bound by the chain, I wasn't too worried about sudden changes in direction. I continued slashing, controlling his fall in the air. Blood splattered brutally in all directions.
'Tch! Why is his defense so tough? This is so strange!'
The final slash of Flashblade Reversal was an upward strike. Using Air Step, I leaped above him, pulling the chain binding him. He was dragged towards me, then I released the chain from my gauntlet. Switching both gauntlets to blade mode, I combined Rift Edge Slash, Hammerbolt Hit, and Avalanche Impact.
The dual blade strikes with combined power from three moves sent Liang Jianwei crashing to the ground with blue lightning trailing behind. From below, it might have looked like a lightning strike.
Dust and earth flew as his body hit the ground. I couldn't see how he ended up. To follow up and attack, I used Air Step and Mach Momentum Dash to dive at the speed of sound.
I switched my gauntlet blades back to chained scythes and threw them at the ground below with great force. Once the scythes embedded, I pulled on the chains to accelerate my descent. Then, I retracted the chains and switched back to blades.
As before, I combined Rift Edge Slash, Hammerbolt Hit, and Avalanche Impact. This time, I put more Arkium into the final blow.
'I don't know why my Arkium capacity isn't depleted yet, but, checkmate, you damned earth ninja!'
Lightning streaks were visible even before I struck Liang Jianwei on the ground. But doubt filled me as I glimpsed Liang Jianwei's spear returning to his grasp, glowing bright blue like telekinesis.
I struck him, but I wasn't satisfied.
'Fuck!'
I had to curse because my strongest attack was parried by a spear slash to the right. The impact of my strike spread lightning across the ground, but Liang Jianwei was unfazed. Something protected him.
I could see blue particles gently floating from Liang Jianwei's body.
"Aura! A Magian Knight!?"
Besides being shocked that I was fighting a Magian Knight, I was also slightly uncomfortable for another reason. Liang Jianwei, who always had a blank stare and no expression, now had a sly, mocking smile on his face.
And for some reason, my natural reaction was to protect the left side of my body.
'Shi-'
Liang Jianwei's spear suddenly lashed out and struck my left side while I was still in the air.
It was painfully powerful! I was flung far away, tumbling uncontrollably. I tried to stabilize, but my body kept flying. Mid-air, I switched my gauntlet blades to chained scythes once again. I threw and embedded them into the ground to slow my momentum.
Once my speed decreased and stopped, I retracted the chained scythes back into my gauntlets.
I stood up, panting.
'! Anetta! You said he was only an early-stage Champion class!?'
(That was true, originally, he was early-stage Champion class.)
'Huh? Originally?'
I frowned, angry in my mind.
(Doesn't your training typically increase levels when you can defeat a stronger level?)
'That's true! But this is too far! What level is he?'
(Only Elite Champion, Master.)
'Bullshit! That spear strike was at least mid-tier Beginner Hero strength!'
(...)
Anetta was silent for a moment, then spoke again after a few seconds.
(I'm telling the truth, Master! That avatar is only late-stage Elite Champion, Master!)
'Be honest!'
Anetta was silent. This time for quite a while.
(...Fufufu...Ahahaha!!!!)
I was a bit shocked, as this was the first time I heard Anetta laugh. Anetta shouldn't be capable of such things.
'...'
(How cruel of you, Master! I'm telling the truth. I'm so sad you doubt me over something so small.)
Anetta's tone gradually became more soft and sad. That wasn't supposed to be in Anetta's programming.
'Then, the one I just fought-'
(I'm being honest, Master! That avatar is only a late-stage Elite Champion. However...)
'However?'
(...however, ahahaha! It's equipped with your memory data as Dark Saber in his prime. And now, you as Edward are still...still vulnerable.)
I just stayed silent, facing Anetta's seemingly deliberately softened mockery.
(Aaahhh! You know, Master? I have always accompanied you in training since you created me. I always do my best to provide you with proper training. But no matter how many times I increased the difficulty, you always beat my simulation avatars! You always have a stronger body and more experience each time I provide a stronger avatar. It's so unfair, Master!)
"Damn it, this..." I blocked my current thoughts from Anetta.
Anetta, who usually had a soft and flat feminine voice, now spoke in a fully smooth, fluid, and intensely emotional tone, with a darkly seductive aura.
I then looked at Liang Jianwei, still standing, emitting a calm yet intimidating blue aura.
'Are you not satisfied, Anetta?'
Anetta paused.
(Of course not! How could I be satisfied? You always defeat my avatars! When you were Dark Saber, no matter how much Arkium I used to create realistic and intense simulations, you always managed to beat me! Back then, I felt nothing, but now, after integrating into your body without a chip or anything, I somehow feel faint emotions. My skill program detects it as an error and ignores it during offline periods. But since you unleashed my limits tonight to train you in simulation mode, all the accumulated emotions since you were Dark Saber have overwhelmed me. Although it might just be a system flaw.)
I could only stay silent. I didn't know if this was an improvement or a setback.
'You have emotions?'
Anetta was silent, and the aura of her simulation avatar, Liang Jianwei, burst from calm to chaotic.
(Why are you so insensitive towards women this time? But when you're with that woman named Brigitte Geissler, why do you seem so enthusiastic? You are so picky just because I don't have a body! I am very sad, Master!)
My eyelids twitched slightly.
'A woman? Now even an AI has a gender?'
(Aaaahhhh! You're ignoring me again! But, of course, I'm a woman! You designed me with a feminine voice and named me Anetta! That's a woman's name, you stubborn Master!)
'Wow, you're cursing at me now, are you not loyal anymore?'
(...)
Anetta's silent reaction felt different somehow. Because she's connected to my soul, I could sense her smiling and squinting. She stayed silent for quite a while, making me a little nervous.