I Was a Sword When I Reincarnated (WN) - Chapter 210

Chapter 210

Side: Amanda



Watching Fran fight Goldalfa left me in a state of shock . She had become far stronger than I had imagined .

Fran had always been both strong and cute . That, I knew from the moment we first met . I had also known that she would eventually grow if given enough time .

I knew that she would one day surpass me, but I had always thought that day was one that wouldn’t come for another 10 years .

I had predicted that she would lose her quarter-final match, but she didn’t . She defeated Goldalfa, a foe that I would have had to struggle against .

Her rate of growth was so high it could only be deemed abnormal . It was likely one brought about by her desire to evolve, and made possible by Master, her mysterious sword . I had no doubt that it was he that guided her along .

Speaking of which, it seemed that Master had also grown considerably more powerful . He had performed several surprising feats as Fran dueled Goldalfa, feats that simply could not possibly be attributed to Fran herself . Specifically, I believed it was likely that he was responsible for using the instances in which the Fran had seemingly used Space Time Magic and Lightning Magic chantlessly in rapid succession . Likewise, I also assumed that he was the catalyst that had allowed her to evolve, to do what was considered unthinkable for the Black Cat Tribe’s members .

I was unable to tell exactly which abilities could be attributed to Fran, and which could be attributed to Master, but I did know that they would make for a difficult opponent with their powers combined .

They were not to be underestimated, even in the slightest .

The most surprising part of the battle was when they used Physical Damage Nullification . I was only able to recognize the skill because I had once experienced fighting against a foe that happened to have it . Their ability to stop Goldalfa’s axe head on and block his powerful shockwave-based attacks with nothing but an outstretched arm served to evidence that they either had the skill or one in its vein .

Physical Damage Nullification was powerful and difficult to deal with, but it still did have its flaws . Its high mana consumption meant I could eventually break through her defenses so long as I continued to attack .

「That girl has quite the strength to her . Is she perhaps some sort of adventurer?」

「I highly doubt that conjecture of yours . She appears to be a Beastkin, and is therefore most likely associated with the Beastkin’s Country . 」

「I really would prefer if she was to affiliate herself with us given her strength . 」

「Well, I shan’t be allowing to steal a march on me . 」

「She has quite the number of applications if you take her beauty into consideration . 」

「Uhyohyo, I would like to take her under my own wing as well . 」

The nobles in my vicinity did as they inevitably would have, and began to make note of her . Fran’s tender age had led them to believe that she was prone to listen to their commands regardless of what they were .

「I would love for her to join the Konoe Division . 」

「She would make a perfect guard for my daughter . 」

I felt the urge to administer a tad bit of discipline, but stopped as I heard several more legitimate ideas arise . I was unable to determine which course of action would be better, and instead ended up once again pondering about her growth .

I had been acquainted with Fran for a long time . We met far before we encountered one another in Alessa . In fact, I was first introduced to her over ten years ago .

But in truth, our relationship was far more deeply rooted than even that .

I had long been acquainted with her parents were alumni from one of the orphanages I ran . Her parents’ names were Kinan and Framia . I still remembered looking after the two of them in their youths .

They grew up, left the orphanage after getting into an argument with me, and took up adventuring .

We had said our goodbyes on the wrong foot, so I was glad they decided to visit .

It had all been my fault in the first place . Adventuring had not struck me as their forte . The only fate I could imagine befalling them was death, so, I denied the two’s dreams . I told them that they would be unable to evolve even if they tried . My criticisms had been too remorseless, and because of that, I failed in preventing the two from taking off .

I had failed in communicating to them . There probably had been a better way for me to go about giving them advice . That was why I was really happy that they purposefully sought me out and had me meet their newborn daughter .

They told me that her name was Fran . Both her name, age, and species matched that of the young adventurer I met in Alessa .

But even so, I was unable to discern her identity when I first heard of her . The reason for that was because I had caught wind of both Kinan’s and Framia’s deaths . Though there was never any word of Fran’s fate, I assumed she had followed in their footsteps .

Meeting her and seeing her face, however, changed everything . She looked just like Flamia had in her childhood, and so, I put two and two together .

I wanted to immediately let her know that I was acquainted with her parents . I wanted to take her under my care, but that decision was one I hesitated to make . She had already proved herself to be an accomplished adventurer, and more importantly, I had already proven that I was unable to protect her parents and prevent them from meeting their demises .

After a bit of consideration, I decided not to mention the bonds we shared, and instead thought of a different method by which I could offer her protection . That was why I forced my way into her quest and sparred her, so I could do my utmost to ensure her safety . I was certain that Fran would one day become an adventurer important enough to leave her name in history .

What I was worried about was that she would one day overestimate herself and have the rug swept out from right under her feet .

I wanted to teach her that thinking of oneself as the pinnacle of strength was foolhardy, that there was always someone or something stronger than oneself . I wanted to show her what it was like to face off against a foe far mightier than herself .

To that end, I spent several months immersed in bettering myself . In doing so, I raised the level of my Whip Techniques skill for the first time in around 10 years . I was only 50 years old, so I was still young, but the combination of my elven blood and a more relaxed lifestyle had caused my skill levels to plateau . However, many of them once again began to grow as I trained with a goal in mind .

My actions once again allowed me to affirm that goals were important, and that they encouraged achieving results .

I finally obtained the Divine Whipmaster class I had always wanted, all so I could defeat Fran .

***

Fran and I faced each other the next day .

She wore a wonderful smile as she readied herself for battle . She was neither afraid of me nor nervous . I could tell that she had direct her entire focus on victory and nothing more .

I knew that I was going to have to push myself if I wanted to win . Yesterday’s observations had led me to understand that Fran had already not only surpassed me in terms of speed, but also had enough firepower to slay me in but a single blow .

That was simply how much strength her evolution had provided her .

And it was also the precise reason for which I had to win . I had to more than just win . I had to overwhelm her and prove to her that she should refrain from letting her guard down, and I had to be ready to make any and all sacrifices necessary to make that possible .

Fran and Master unleashed several spells the moment the match began .

The precise combination was one of wind and lightning . It seemed that the former was used to prevent me from using my whip, and the latter to paralyze me .

It was clear that they were using their heads, but the spells they had casted were far too weak to stop me in my tracks . I fought back by concentrating and releasing a mass of magical energy in order to execute my fastest and most powerful technique, one that completely blew their spells away .

「Call of the End — Vaisravana’s Downfall!」

My whip raged through the stadium at a speed not even I could perceive .

It blew Fran’s magic away and began assaulting her .

My assault proved that Fran had the Physical Damage Nullification skill . Each of the attacks assailing her were powerful enough to turn a High Ogre into mincemeat, but she was not taking any sort of visible damage whatsoever .

Still, I continued flaying my whip . I could tell my attacks were draining Fran’s mana . I had to press on until she ran out .

My divine whip technique’s high power was both its greatest strength and weakness . My whip would be destroyed if I kept up the barrage for far too long .

The whip I was currently using was one I had for many years, and one I had come to love, but I continued to press on regardless . There was no point in worrying about my weapon lasting me through to the final round . My true purpose was to win this match . Instilling a sense of humility in Fran was the one thing that really mattered .

「Here she comes . 」

Fran vanished . I knew she had teleported through the use of Space/Time Magic, and because I knew, I was able to react to her attack .

I moved as quickly as I could and got away from my prior position . Fran appeared where I had been moments before, her face full of surprise .

Still, she didn’t give up .

She combined her skills and spells in order to accelerate at a rate far outside my expectations, an act that in and of itself, was exactly what I expected from her .

「Haaaahhh!」

Fran put me in a bad spot . She not only activated my Spirit’s Grace skill, but had also forced me in her preferred range . Her black lightning cloaked blade flew right at me once again . It was an attack I highly doubted I was capable of dodging .