As Maris rested, towels and water were quickly brought to him by other students. His eyes sparkled as he said, "I've figured out some of the magic puppet's attack routines. I'll continue to challenge it later, just to verify my ideas."
The others were in awe.
"As expected of Maris!" one student commented.
"No one in the association has that kind of relentless energy."
"Maris is definitely aiming to be the top student in the fourth grade!"
The crowd was full of admiration as they watched him.
Meanwhile, Luciel seized the opportunity when no one was paying close attention to him. He approached the freckled boy in charge of the challenge and said he wanted to take part.
The freckled boy looked at him with surprise. "Don't say I didn't warn you," he muttered. "From the moment you step in, the magic puppet will attack you. If you feel you can't continue, just drop your weapon, and it'll stop attacking. But don't think about hanging around inside once you've lost your weapon."
The freckled boy held up a white spar, showing it to Luciel. "When the magic puppet attacks, this stone will glow. When it stops attacking, the light will go out. There's no way to cheat."
Luciel smiled, thanking the freckled boy for the reminder, before opening the door to the magic puppet challenge and walking in.
His entrance drew some attention from the onlookers.
"Someone's going in to challenge."
"Who is that? I don't think I've seen him before."
"I don't think he's a fourth grader... maybe a third-year student?"
The chatter died down quickly as the crowd lost interest, focusing instead on Maris, who was preparing for his next challenge.
Inside the room, Luciel immediately felt an intense sense of danger, like a needle piercing his forehead. It was an early warning from the chip.
Without thinking, Luciel instinctively rolled to the left.
"Boom!"
A massive black sword swung down, smashing the floor where Luciel had just been standing.
Luciel quickly scrambled to his feet, his heart racing. He finally saw the source of the attack: a magic puppet.
It was a towering figure, dressed in iron-gray armor with a mask that obscured its face. Red light glowed from its eyes, and glowing lines ran across its body.
"Analyze target data."
The chip's analysis came through instantly:
[Magic Puppet Stats:
Strength: 5.1
Speed: 5.1
Physique: 5.1
Will: 1.0]
The magic puppet's stats were all above 5, making it a true knight-level construct.
Luciel's expression remained calm as he swiftly moved around the arena, trying to keep his distance. However, the magic puppet, despite its awkward movements, was incredibly fast. With a loud clank, it quickly caught up.
The massive sword was raised again, aiming to split Luciel in half.
The chip's voice sounded urgently in his mind:
[If an abnormal attack is found, the best response is: Left, roll.]
Luciel followed the chip's guidance, rolling to the left just in time to avoid the strike. The sword missed by mere inches, but the wind from its swing stung Luciel's cheek.
The gap in strength was enormous.
The chip immediately gave another warning:
[Back, two steps.]
Luciel obeyed, retreating just in time to avoid another attack, this time narrowly escaping a slash to his waist.
The warnings kept coming, one after the other:
["Back right, four steps!"
"Left, three steps"!]
Luciel continued to dodge and weave, guided by the chip. Though his footwork was perfect, his speed was not on par with the magic puppet's, and he was beginning to tire.
Despite his efforts, the magic puppet's relentless attacks began to corner him. The sword slashes became a continuous web of horizontal and vertical cuts, forming a sword net that narrowed the space Luciel had to maneuver.
He could feel the pressure mounting with each passing moment. If he didn't act soon, his options would be exhausted.
No. I can't just give up!
Luciel clenched his teeth, his resolve hardening. He hadn't drawn his sword yet—he couldn't back down without trying at least one offensive strike.
"Analyze the plan to defeat the target," Luciel mentally ordered the chip.
The chip's voice sounded after a brief pause:
"Analyzing data..."
[The way to defeat the target: Fully attack three inches below the right chest of the magic puppet.]
Luciel's eyes widened. There was a chance after all.
I'll do it! he thought, his grip tightening on his sword.
Focusing on the faint glimmer of light below the puppet's right chest, Luciel took a deep breath. His sword surged forward like a striking snake, cutting through the air in a powerful thrust aimed precisely at the target.
The chip's calculations had been right—his strike landed directly beneath the puppet's right chest, three inches where the light had gleamed.
A strange tremor passed through his body, and Luciel felt a sharp, unsettling sensation run up his arm as his sword made contact. The magic puppet's sword came crashing down on Luciel's shoulder in retaliation, but just as the sword was about to land, it stopped.
"Ka-ka…" A mechanical noise emanated from the puppet, and its red eyes flickered before going dark.
The magic puppet froze completely, its sword lowering as it fell silent.
Luciel stood there, drenched in sweat, his body trembling with exhaustion. He had done it.
A moment of stillness passed before the chip's voice broke the silence:
[Data storage complete. Analysis and integration: Cross swordsmanship, completeness 89%.]
Luciel let out a sigh of relief, a faint smile crossing his face. It was over. He had survived this trail .
---
End of Chapter 7
(Stay tuned for the next chapter, where Luciel's journey continues and new challenges await!)