-1278- Both one-sided outcomes

Even though Ikki had praised Kirihara Shizuya's abilities to the skies, even rating his "Hunter's Forest" as the strongest anti-personnel Noble Art, to Rozen, this ability wasn't impressive at all.

Hiding one's presence? Disappearing completely? Even masking one's scent?

Such capabilities could be easily achieved with a simple Invisibility Spell. There were countless similar spells and jujutsu, many of which were far superior to "Hunter's Forest."

Rozen never considered these kinds of techniques as trump cards for high-level combat; they were merely auxiliary at best. It was clear that the so-called invisibility was nothing special.

Frankly speaking, if Kirihara Shizuya faced not a group of student knights but any real Servant, he would undoubtedly meet a grim end, thinking he could safely shoot from a distance.

For a Servant, mere invisibility might deceive their five senses, but not their instincts. As heroes who had faced more challenging situations and formidable foes in various legends, they could see through Kirihara Shizuya's abilities just by relying on experience.

Moreover, Servants possessed a myriad of skills and Noble Phantasms as their trump cards. Kirihara Shizuya was insignificant in comparison.

Even if the opponent wasn't a Servant, Kirihara Shizuya wouldn't be able to handle an enemy with wide-range attacks.

Thus, to Rozen, this opponent was insignificant.

If it were Rozen, he wouldn't even need to use a single ability, let alone wide-range attacks. Abilities like Spirit Vision, Heaven's Eye, or Mind's Eye would render Kirihara Shizuya utterly exposed.

Spirit Vision could see through the flow of magical power and even perceive spiritual energy. Kirihara Shizuya might be able to mask his presence, scent, and figure, but could he also erase the traces of magical power and his human spiritual energy?

Heaven's Eye could control the surrounding environment through magical fluctuations, like sonar. Once an object is touched, it immediately feeds back to the user, fully revealing the enemy's position. Kirihara Shizuya might be invisible, but he wasn't non-existent. Once touched by Heaven's Eye's magical waves, his position would be exposed.

Mind's Eye was even more advanced. It could perceive neural signals, heartbeats, blood flow, and even cellular activity. Rozen didn't believe Kirihara Shizuya could conceal these. Not to mention, his movements and actions would cause vibrations in the air and ground, which were clear indicators to someone with Mind's Eye.

Given this, the so-called strongest anti-personnel Noble Art was a joke. Not only Rozen, but even regular active knights or strong Blazers wouldn't be fooled by such minor tricks. Kirihara Shizuya might bully students with these abilities, but against true experts, his only option would be to use his skills to escape. In that case, it would be difficult for ordinary people to catch him.

Therefore, even without wide-range attack abilities, Rozen could still find over a hundred ways to instantly defeat Kirihara Shizuya, just as Ikki could.

"He's someone who, with just his sword, comprehended Mind's Eye. Mere invisibility is useless against Ikki," Rozen said.

"But Ikki hasn't mastered the use of Mind's Eye perfectly yet. He only uses it to understand the essence of swordsmanship. Plus, due to his limited means and undeveloped potential, if Ikki doesn't gain proper insight, he might really be toyed with by Kirihara Shizuya," Rozen thought.

In short...

"As Altera said, if Ikki continues fighting and accumulates enough experience to fully bloom his abilities and talents, Kirihara Shizuya won't be able to defeat him just by their contrasting abilities. Ikki will grow stronger because of it."

Just as Rozen had enhanced his Mind's Eye through accumulated life experiences, Ikki had yet to realize what his terrifying insight, capable of perceiving the essence of swordsmanship, truly represented. By continuing to fight and gain experience, his Mind's Eye would be fully developed, elevating him to a true mastery level.

At that point, mere invisibility couldn't hide from his insight, nor from the power of Mind's Eye that only Rozen knew.

Thus, the outcome between Ikki and Kirihara Shizuya had only two possibilities.

"Either Ikki gets led by the nose and suffers a crushing defeat."

"Or he gains complete insight, making Kirihara Shizuya fully exposed and defeated in disgrace."

"These are the only two outcomes, both one-sided. The question is which side it will lean towards."

The duel between Ikki and Kirihara Shizuya was that dramatic.

"Is that so?" Stella nodded heavily as if she understood.

It seemed Stella had gotten the answer she wanted and felt reassured.

However...

"What is this 'Mind's Eye' you mentioned?" Stella asked, puzzled.

"Uh..."

Rozen then realized he had inadvertently revealed the matter of Mind's Eye.

But thinking about it, it wasn't something that needed to be hidden.

So, Rozen just shrugged and explained.

"It's an unknown state of mind. Some people refer to achieving it as 'enlightenment.' It's a state anyone can reach if they have a thorough understanding of something, allowing them to perceive the phenomena and essence of things and even the principles of the world's operation. The difference lies in what way they comprehend and what they perceive."

Rozen's explanation made Stella's spirit soar.

"Mind's Eye... huh?"

Stella had never heard of such a state.

But as an excellent Blazer, Stella could keenly sense how astonishing and terrifying it would be to reach such a state.

Not to mention, according to Rozen, Ikki seemed to have reached this state.

Perhaps this state was the reason Ikki could become so strong with just F-rank abilities.

So, if she could also reach this state, could she become stronger?

Thinking this, Stella couldn't help but lean forward and ask Rozen eagerly.

"Can I learn it? That thing called Mind's Eye...!?"

Stella asked expectantly.

"It's not that you can't learn it…"

Rozen scratched his head.

"Then…"

Stella was just about to say something but was interrupted by a sudden commotion.

"Sorry to interrupt."

A familiar voice came from outside the door, making Rozen and Stella both pause.

"Kurogane?"

The visitor was none other than Ikki.