WeTried Translations

Translator: Nemui

Editor: Nemui

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◈ Scum of the Brave

Chapter 12

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I noticed then that rain had begun to fall.

It was a hazy rain, almost like mist.

Beyond it, Levi was crouched. After being blown away by Jogamine, she took the fall with infuriating skill. She was getting up, even as she staggered. Carefully. Slowly.

I told myself that the troublesome situation was not over.

Gripping the mock sword again in one hand, I glanced sideways back at Jogamine.

"I told you to run."

"Yes!"

I knew this already, but Jogamine's replies always had good energy and nothing else. I was starting to get irritated.

"Are you messing with me?"

"I am serious."

Jogamine's breathing as she answered was rough, and sweat had surfaced on her white forehead. She had used 《E3》 and moved that much. The bill for the burden on her body would come due later.

"It is true that I fled once. However, I was not told not to return."

"Enough sophistry. What happened to Indo?"

I asked the question in search of at least some hope.

"It is all right. Yukine must have safely escaped."

"Wrong."

Why would I have to worry about Indo Yukine's safety?

"I meant you should at least bring Indo with you. She would be useful, at minimum. Actually, read that much from my thoughts!"

"No. I thought this would be a good opportunity to raise Master's affection rating."

With a confident face, Jogamine raised the training buckler she apparently had not thrown away. In her right hand was a training one-handed sword. It did not look very useful.

"I rushed here secretly, alone. Master must be truly happy to have such a lovable and intelligent disciple."

I maintained silence.

Jogamine should have fully understood that I was so irritated I felt like breaking out in hives. And yet, the fact that she wore a confident smile anyway meant the skin on her face was terrifyingly thick.

Also, we did not have much time to play around.

In the misty rain, Levi had fully stood. She carried the curved sword on her back, taking a stance that hid the blade from us. The distance was about ten and a half steps. From her state, I could more or less predict the technique she would unleash.

In other words, a full-power downward strike.

Or she might use that as a feint and reverse the blade into a cut.

Either way, she would attack to seize the initiative. Of course she would. The question was when she would step in. If I failed to catch that timing, I would have no choice but to defend, and that was seriously bad.

If it turned into a frontal exchange, I was clearly at a disadvantage.

My weapon was this mock sword, and our arm strength was different. I had learned that in the earlier clash. The power Levi drew out through Ether was definitely above mine. On the other hand, if this dragged on, the Academy guards might come this far. If only I had my bastard sword.

I had to think again.

What to do?

Most of a Brave's strength is supported by careful preparation. To kill a Dark Lord, you make a plan, prepare tools, and manage risk. You create a situation where it is certain you can do it, then kill. That is a Brave.

This kind of encounter battle was not a Brave's true specialty. It was the work of soldiers or brawlers, people like that. I cursed inwardly.

All of this was because I had gotten stuck dealing with useless students, starting with Jogamine.

"It is smell, Master."

Suddenly, Jogamine murmured.

"Apparently that woman follows 'scent.' No, she decisively identifies 'scent,' or rather... yes. For example, like a well-polished mirror. No, when paint is dropped onto damp sand... wait. Watercolor paint. Yes, like when watercolor paint is dropped..."

"Jogamine."

I cut off Jogamine's barren explanation.

I could see Levi narrow her blue eyes. Killing intent is real. Levi's reminded me of an animal, specifically a bird of prey. She was clearly wary of Jogamine.

"Good work."

Because praise was the only option, I turned back and praised her. She had created an opportunity.

"But your analogies are banned for all eternity."

Because they were long, boring, and roundabout. From now on, I would mock this by calling it a Jogamine Presentation.

In that instant, Levi moved. She kicked off the asphalt hard enough to spark and leapt in.

Straight toward Jogamine. Was she planning to silence her with the first blow? Same as I had done earlier. When the secret of one's Ether Perception is approached, most Braves are at least somewhat shaken. Ether Perception, including its secrets, is an important tool of the trade for a Brave.

"As a special favor."

I'll show you a sure-kill technique. I told only Jogamine that in my mind.

I gripped the mock sword with both hands and stepped in to block the line between Levi and Jogamine.

The instant I did, Levi's curved sword changed targets to me. Its sharp line shifted trajectory so smoothly it seemed to cut even the misty rain.

Or perhaps, from the beginning, she had intended to draw me out and deal with me first.

Against the descending curved blade, my mock sword received it from the side, redirecting the force. It was a dangerous exchange, but I could do it.

The instant was sliced into hundredths of a second.

At a speed slower than frame-by-frame, the curved sword approached.

Whether it was a feint or not, in that instant, just before the curved blade came down, I struck it with my mock sword. I stopped it. The impact numbed my hands.

My master had called a state like this, where the blades of two swords collide and stop, a "bind." A situation where the swords mutually restrain each other. This was exactly my domain.

"Jogamine!"

I shouted briefly.

I saw Levi's blue eyes narrow sharply. Even so, her gaze did not move. Impressive. Without caring, she tried to cut me down together with the mock sword.

Since she had me overwhelmed in strength and weapon quality, that was an option too. Not bad. At least she was not foolish enough to be distracted by me calling Jogamine's name.

That was precisely why there was a technique that would work.

At the same time, I pushed the opponent's curved sword, which was in the bind, just a tiny bit. A minute push, about the width of one finger. Levi reflexively tried to push back. It was a splendid application of force and turn of the wrist, the kind that could transition straight into a slash.

In that instant, I quickly pulled the mock sword back while twisting my body.

Levi's curved sword cut empty air. It had too much momentum. Of course it did, since she had tried to push back with the intent of cutting straight through me. Levi lost her balance forward, but even then, she somehow spun and tried to cut me.

But of course, I had used the technique while predicting that, so I was faster.

One strike of the mock sword to her right forearm. Break the bone, make her drop the curved sword.

Then one strike to the jaw with the pommel. Shake the brain.

Finally, at the same time as I swept her leg, I smashed her nasal bone with a palm heel. I saw Levi's eyes roll white with that blow. If smell was the clue for her tracking, this was the end. By the time the bones in her nose healed, the rain would have washed away the traces.

I exhaled deeply, white breath leaving my mouth.

I desperately suppressed the urge to kick Levi's head into paste as she collapsed there, driven by the attack impulse. It was because 《E3》 had my mind excited. Focus on good things. It was all right. I could return to that world from here.

"My master."

I knew Jogamine was looking at me with some kind of expectation, but I absolutely did not turn around.

"Called this the 'Closing' technique. One of the basics from a bind state. As for the trick, it's to use your opponent's reflexes."

I began walking quickly. Either way, guards would probably come patrolling soon. Behind me, Jogamine followed at a small run.

"Once you set a bind, push just a little. If the opponent reflexively pushes back, pull your sword and break their posture. Conversely, if the opponent pulls back, the bind comes off. Land one strike as-is."

It was easy to explain in words, but probably difficult to actually do. Sometimes the opponent sees through the Closing and does not move at all. But that kind of thing has to be overcome through practice and real combat. This was as far as I could teach.

I kept walking quickly and stepped into a nearby alley. I chose the dimmest, dirtiest alley.

"Master."

Jogamine's voice chased after me.

"Was that lecture a special lesson in response to the devoted actions of your brave little disciple?"

"Out of the three of you, you're the one I understand least."

I stated my impression exactly.

"What influenced you and formed such idiotic brain cells? Too much 《E3》?"

"The same thing as you, Master."

"Don't joke around. Are you mocking me?"

"No, I am serious. I have been Master's fan for some time."

I could not understand her meaning. When I stopped and turned around, Jogamine had an absurdly serious face.

"Because my father often told me about you, Master. When I first met you, I was somewhat surprised by the gap, and confused, thinking, 'Surely not this delinquent-like useless person?' But as I read your memories and thoughts more deeply..."

"Wait."

I cut off Jogamine's words. Troubling situations often accelerate. When you think, Surely not, the situation is without question beginning to tumble in a worse direction.

When I first ran into Jogamine, I had thought her face looked familiar somehow.

"Your father's name?"

"Takamiya Kiyoto."

At this moment, Jogamine may have read the anger and hatred in my heart, as well as my sulky mood.

I felt like taking it out on something close by, and I actually did. When I kicked a trash can lying nearby, rotten-looking leftovers spilled out, and a terrible smell rose.

Takamiya Kiyoto was my master.

"When my parents divorced."

Whether she noticed my foul mood or not, Jogamine continued on her own.

"My mother took custody of me. However, I was able to meet my father once a month, and each time, he told me about the splendor of the Brave's work. And about his talented disciple."

"That master did? The splendor of the job?"

"Yes. That is why I..."

"Go home."

I laughed despite myself.

"I'm going to drink beer, play games, and sleep."

The 《E3》 was working a little too well. I felt violent. If I made one wrong move, I might beat this Jogamine to death.

I focused my mind on the good things of this world. Let's return to Ed Cyrus's 《Goonies》. At this hour, somebody should be there getting drunk, and I could play games with them, and yes, I had to buy the tickets from Maruta too. Then I could go watch King Rob's match.

The world is full of joy.

If I did not think that, I could not keep going.

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