Chapter 357: Outwitted

Chapter 357 - Outwitted

The two, who would have been following along beside me and behind me, now had longer limbs and were running in front of me.

Still, they would occasionally look back to check how I was doing.

That made me somewhat happy and motivated me to catch up.

"Magical Radar! Finding the shortest route from the very beginning to the very end!"

I followed after them, using my eyes and radar to detect their movements along with the surrounding conditions.

Then, my mind began to focus and I could see the path of light.

Magical Shining Road.

"As expected of you, Brother!"

"Un, he's predicting our movements and following us by the shortest route possible."

"Will he catch up with the breakthrough acceleration once the distance closes?"

"Yes ♪."

The movements of Espie and Slayer have matured and become more refined as they've grown up.

But that's not all. This is where the real challenge begins.

If these two are truly on par with the Six Supremacy, it won't be easy to catch up to them―――

"Alright, [Fluffy Course Change]!"

"Huh!?"

In the next moment, the two of them simultaneously dispersed in a direction that was completely unexpected based on their muscle movements and body positions.

"Wh, what?"

They ran in an unexpected direction, so I had to stop abruptly.

It wasn't a feint. That was......

『Tis Espie's power.』

"Nu......"

『By using her ability to forcibly alter the flow and orientation of her and Slayer's bodies, she outwitted the child's predictions.』

I see. She got me with that one.

If their actions change suddenly at the last minute, my predictions become invalid.

"Kuhaha... already going all out, huh, Espie!"

"Nihihihi! Not yet! [Fluffy Obstacles]!"

"Wha!?"

Just when I thought they had outsmarted me, I found out there was more.

The next moment, Espie started blocking my path with trees and stones from around the forest.

"It's not just about running away~"

That stopped me in my tracks and took away my vision.

It wasn't much of an attack, but she seemed to be trying to get in my way.

"Take this! [Great Demon Flicker]!!"

"Wow!"

But I knocked them all away with high-speed jabs.

Just taking away my vision won't stop me.

This time, the radar also read the flow of Espie's power......

"Ironmake, [Light Demon Emperor's Great Iron Trail]!"

"Eh......?"

This time, Slayer activated his magic, not Espie.

Suddenly, a lump of iron appeared from under his feet and stretched out, forming a kind of iron walkway through the forest.

"Hehehe, if all the routes have been seen through by Brother, then I'll just create a new path with my own hands!"

Even though I followed after finding the shortest route after grasping all the surroundings, he made a new path using his own unique magic.

Now they've done it.

To think they'd outwit me again like this......

"Kuhahaha, you're really giving it your all!"

Just like with Espie earlier, I'll have to make new predictions again.

Again, they got me, so I headed up the iron walkway to follow Espie and Slayer......

"Ah, Brother. That will collapse in no time."

"Huh? W, whoa!?"

Halfway up the walkway, I started to climb, it suddenly cracked and shattered into pieces.

The walkway looked solid, but suddenly it was as thin and brittle as glass... can they really even make adjustments like that?

"But then, you and Espie won't......."

But if that is the case, wouldn't Espie and Slayer, who were running on the walkway, fall off it? I thought, but then I realized Espie's psychic powers would allow them to float... or so I thought......

"Whoosh!"

"Huh?"

Espie didn't bother to help the falling Slayer, but instead flew off in a different direction.

But at this rate, Slayer will......

"Ironmake, [Heavenly Primordial Magic Staff]!"

"Huh!?"

Before falling, Slayer materialized a long iron rod and thrust it diagonally into the ground, and the pierced rod stretched further through Slayer's magic, sending Slayer far forward through the forest.

"Th, those guys!"

『By disrupting the child's expectations, deceiving him, dispersing his attention by showcasing their respective abilities, and then setting traps to hold him back and distance themselves from him...... you are at their mercy~, child ♪.』

"Tch, they got me...... Those guys, they really made a fool of me ~"

Right.

Looks like I played right into their hands.

Does that mean they've gotten that much stronger?

Even more than me――

『No, tis not so, child.』

"Huh!?"

At that moment, Tre'ainar denied the impression I had.

『They have indeed become stronger...... however, I would not go so far as to say that they have become much stronger than you, child. That is the extent of your current level, child.』

"Tre'ainar......"

『Had you fought with the intent to defeat them, this would not have occurred...... however, if you are at the level determined to merely 'run away', tis a different matter.』

They've gotten stronger, but by Tre'ainar's assessment, they are not overwhelmingly stronger than me.

But the reality is that I'm at their mercy.

If so, what does that mean?

『Oi, this is no time to dawdle. You need to run, or you will lose sight of them.』

"Oh, that's right! So far away...... Damn, I better hurry and catch up."

While I was stuck there confused, the other two seemed to have gone quite far.

If I let them get any further away, I'll lose sight of them, just like Tre'ainar said.

Then, I need to close the distance even a little......

『Tis so... in that case... your next move is...』

"Breakthrough!!"

A Breakthrough to close the distance at once――――

『Tis so, the Breakthrough is the only option. But at this distance...... they are far from your reach...... hence they would―――』

At that moment, Tre'ainar whispered to me.

"Here he comes, Slayer! Wow, I watched the Graduation Match through a magic crystal, but seeing him live is still fun... uuh, it brings back memories! I'm tearing up!"

"Yes...... The light of Brother's soul...... and this is where it all begins, Espie!"

"I know!"

"In the Imperial Tournament, it lasted for about 90 seconds...... but in the past that we know of, it lasted about three minutes."

"If we can get through those 3 to 4 minutes, we can catch our breath, so focus!"

"Of course!"

And the moment I activated the Breakthrough, Slayer and Espie, who were far away, looked delighted with a twinkle in their eyes, but then quickly broke out into belligerent smiles.

『Child, do not underestimate you in any way, nor do they take you lightly. Tis because they are serious that they have taken measures against you. Your eyesight, radar, foresight, speed, and the Breakthrough. All of this is so that when they meet you again, you can acknowledge them, so that they can give you a taste of your own medicine and receive praise from you......』

So they expected me to use the Breakthrough here?

Those guys, they thought that far......

And......

『And you have been virtually unknown up until now...... as such, aside from your spars with me... you have never faced an opponent who knows you well enough to prepare countermeasures for you.』

"Huh!?"

『They had it burned into their eyes, their minds, and their hearts more than a decade ago. Your running, your games of tag, your battle with Norja, your battle with Aonii, your battle with Gouda...... ever since their childhood...... And they have thought about it countless times, until this day came.』

Come to think of it, he's right.

Those two had their eyes on me from the moment we met until the day we parted ways, and they've been thinking about me all this time...... until today.