How did I turn my victim into a phoenix-like hero?

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"Oh—I have no objection."

Brid forgot her earlier doubts about why Sirocco was saying such things now and couldn't help but laugh.

Sirocco led the way to the back of the house.

Behind him, Brid smelled the scent of shampoo wafting from his long, dark hair, with a few strands of pure white hair mixed in that were hard to miss.

Is the pressure so great? You've even got gray hair.

While observing Sirocco's gait, although his figure was still slender and his muscle definition could be more pronounced, his steps were more powerful and firm than before. But to say he might injure himself...

That's difficult, isn't it?

"The problem is, Sirocco, are you really alright? You caught a cold before, so please don't push yourself too hard."

"Alright, that was two weeks ago. Let me show you the results of your guidance these past few days."

The Brid family home, which occupies a very large area, also has a small but well-equipped dojo on the west side.

It's usually used by her father, Thorna, to teach his students. It's not yet time for the students to start class, but Brid occasionally comes here to practice her swordsmanship.

Both Brid and Sirocco entered barefoot. The dojo was well-maintained, but even with the front and back doors and windows open, there was still a unique stuffy feeling and the scent of bamboo and grass.

Spring is almost over, and summer is just around the corner.

The two bowed slightly and then began their preparations.

The dojo provided protective gear, and soon the two of them tied the ropes to their masks and faced each other in the center of the dojo.

Brid quickly stood up from her crouching position and assumed a mid-stance stance with her bamboo sword. Meanwhile, Sirocco was—

"What kind of move is this?"

Seeing the pose Sirocco struck, Brid tilted her head in confusion.

The movement could only be described as peculiar. He placed his right foot forward and faced Brid at an angle, then lowered his waist, letting the tips of the bamboo swords he held in his hands droop down to almost touch the floor.

"Although I only taught you some basic combat theory and physical training methods, this is..."

"Never mind that, this is my own unique sword technique, so take it seriously."

"Oh."

Brid believed it, but she was quite skeptical, though she still assumed the stance again.

Sirocco widened the distance between his feet and lowered his center of gravity.

Just as Brid was preparing to charge forward to attack the half of Sirocco's body that had exposed a large opening, she felt something was amiss.

How did Sirocco's chaotic state suddenly become so coherent? Although he was full of openings, it was impossible to launch an attack against him easily.

Brid smiled, she could definitely feel it.

The aura forged through tempering within the Sirocco sword intent.

He is making progress even when there is no supervision from him.

Just as Brid was inwardly sighing—

Sirocco suddenly launched an attack as if he had seen through Brid's hesitation.

He crouched down and moved as if gliding, while his bamboo sword was raised from the lower right.

The speed was astonishing, completely unexpected by Brid, which caused her to move reflexively.

Brid stepped forward with her right foot and drew her knife—

The bamboo sword whistled through the air as it swung down toward Sirocco's forearm. This should have been the perfect opportunity—but Bridgman missed completely.

Her opponent dodged the attack with an unbelievable movement, and Sirocco's left hand left the hilt of his sword before he slightly turned to the side. Brid was astonished that her opponent could actually do such a move, and at that moment, the bamboo sword that Sirocco held in his right hand flew towards her.

Brid twisted her neck, barely managing to avoid the attack.

After the two switched positions and faced each other again at a distance, Brid's consciousness had completely switched back.

Her whole body felt like it was boiling, with a comfortable tension.

Next, it was Bridgman's turn to launch the attack, using her signature move of attacking the arm first and then the face. This move was originally intended to be used in conjunction with her talent to sever the monster's neck.

But this time, Sirocco skillfully dodged her attack. He tucked his arm inward, twisted his body, and at the last second, dodged Brid's bamboo sword. Brid was so surprised she couldn't utter a sound.

Brid launched a fierce offensive with all her might. She began to swing her sword at a breathtaking speed, but Sirocco dodged all her attacks.

Just by looking into his eyes beneath the mask, one could tell that he had already seen through Brid's bamboo sword movements completely.

I admit, Sirocco, you are a completely different person now than before.

It's beyond my expectations.

very good.

Brid adopted the second plan, forcefully clashing the two bamboo swords together. Faced with Brid's well-trained leg and waist strength, Sirocco couldn't help but stumble.

Bridal didn't let this mistake go unpunished. She took a step back and then brought her bamboo sword down on Sirocco's face with the force of a fatal blow.

“Hahaha!”

By the time she came to her senses, it was already too late. The all-out attack had completely shattered Sirocco's mask.

"Splat—!" A sharp sound echoed throughout the entire dojo.

Sirocco took several steps back before finally regaining his footing.

"Um, are you alright, Sirocco?"

Brid looked at the bamboo sword in her hand and asked guiltily.

I had a lot of fun playing, but I took it a little too seriously.

Sirocco raised his left hand slightly, as if to indicate that he was alright:

"...I lost. Brid, it's difficult for you to beat Cliff with your skills, but I promise I will survive."

This awkward explanation made Brid chuckle.

"You too, Sirocco. Your reaction time and stamina are different from before, but your muscle strength is still a bit lacking... But you haven't used your full strength yet, have you?"

"N-no, no, hahaha..."

goo goo-

Brid's rumbling stomach reminded Sirocco that it was time to cook.

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If Brid can defeat me, a level 17, my chances of winning tomorrow will be even higher.

A few days ago, I asked Cass about Corsi. She is already Lv11 and has learned new skills such as "Rapid Healing". She can treat minor injuries very quickly, keeping the team in the best condition at all times.

As for Cass, I fought him yesterday, and he actually reached Lv16, which greatly shocked Sirocco.

After repeated questioning, Cass finally stammered that he had secretly gone to the second floor to grind monsters. At the same time, he blushed and kept glancing at Sirocco, looking for praise. This made Sirocco feel uncomfortable and resentful.

Is this the best we can do right now...?

If I had a Time Chamber, I'd really like to level them up to Lv20 before we start fighting.

On her way to school, Sirocco was troubled by a duel that wasn't his to do.

Walking along the tree-lined path 30 meters from the school gate, you can already see members of the student council checking students' appearance and manners, and many students brushing past you while chatting and laughing.

Sirocco stopped in his tracks.

I wonder if it's because I've been spending too much time in dungeons.

He also began to perceive abstract concepts like "killing intent."

A chilling shiver ran across his skin, assaulting him from the right side.

At the same time, he discovered...

It wasn't just murderous intent, but also magic.

Sirocco was very familiar with the fluctuations of magic; he had a deep impression of them.

Skill - Intimidation.

Both of them share the same goal—Sirocco.

He turned his head, and what came towards him was a fist almost as big as his face. No exaggeration, it was almost the size of Sirocco's entire face.

The owner of the thick, muscular arm with the fist was a red-haired youth who suddenly emerged from the shadows, his bloodshot eyes gleaming with a fierce light, as if he wanted to devour Sirocco alive.

Ah, of course I remember you.

You look more energetic than I expected, Cliff.

I've been waiting for you for so long.

100. Test

Sirocco deftly tilted his head slightly to dodge the attack, then circled behind Cliff. He initially intended to kick Cliff, but decided against it and chose to distance himself from him.

The two maintained a distance of five meters, but for two people with a level of over 10, this distance was practically negligible.

The effect of "Intimidation" on me is almost zero, yet slightly higher than zero, suggesting that Cliff's level is probably not much different from mine.