[66] I Will Fully Support My Junior Brother

Eiji's injuries this time were indeed minor.

Under the guidance of his senior sister, Nene, Eiji grasped the concept of "deformation speed" and learned a new application of his 〈Absolute GodSpeed〉 ability.

Deformation speed refers to the rate at which an object changes its shape, serving as a benchmark for determining its hardness.

The slower the deformation speed, the harder the object.

Conversely, if the deformation speed is extremely fast, the object is softer.

Thus, Eiji set his body's deformation speed to be slightly faster than that of his inherent device.

His Absolute GodSpeed ability grants him a speed that absolutely surpasses his opponent's.

This raises a question.

What if the opponent's speed is inherently slower than his?

After using Absolute GodSpeed to set his speed to be just slightly faster than his opponent's, what would the result be?

Through experimentation, Eiji has proven that in such a scenario—his speed would decrease.

It's incredible.

But it makes logical sense.

Because the essence of the Absolute GodSpeed ability is simply to elevate his speed above his opponent's, without specifying whether it increases or decreases his own speed.

If he sets an object slower than himself as the target, he can also slow himself down.

The setting of deformation speed is based on this principle.

In other words, by setting his inherent device as the target and making his deformation speed just slightly faster than the device, he can temporarily make his body's hardness comparable to that of the inherent device, becoming incredibly tough and impervious to blades.

No, he doesn't need to set his entire body; just his skin is enough. Because Kanata's blades are extremely fine, if they can't penetrate his skin, they can't cut his flesh.

Inherent devices are ultra-high-density mana crystals, so their hardness far exceeds that of ordinary steel.

Since Eiji set his body's deformation speed to match that of his inherent device, his hardness was on par with Kanata's blade fragments, allowing him to break into her blade domain.

For those brief two to three seconds, the hardness of his skin was comparable to the blade fragments, so the fragments couldn't harm him.

But don't forget, the duration Eiji can maintain his Absolute GodSpeed is tied to his mana.

Whether he slows down or speeds up, as long as he uses his inherent device ability, he must expend mana.

In the case of setting deformation speed, the amount of mana affects the hardness of his body and how long this invincible state can last.

Through experimentation, Eiji found that increasing his body's hardness to match his inherent device's level could only be sustained for three seconds with his F-rank mana.

If he only increased it to the level of ordinary steel, Eiji tested that it could last about seven to eight seconds.

For those few seconds, he would become as impervious as if he had a golden body.

However, pain is unavoidable.

Because Kanata's blade fragments would cut his skin countless times, akin to being subjected to the torture of a thousand cuts. The fact that he didn't pass out on the spot is a testament to his strong will.

The pain he has endured so far is a thousand times greater than this—how could he not withstand it?

But it really hurts!

In the infirmary.

Touka sat by the bed, peeling an apple.

She divided the apple into four pieces, removed the core, and carved the flesh into little rabbit shapes before offering it to Eiji.

"Ah—"

Eiji obediently bit into it, chewed, and swallowed.

Seeing this, Touka's smile softened further.

"...Junior brother, I've been thinking."

Then, after a moment of hesitation, she looked at him with determination.

"Up until now, I've really underestimated you."

"?"

Eiji looked up, slowly forming a question mark in his mind.

His cheeks were stuffed with apple pieces, making him look like a hamster, which amused Touka.

"Until now, I've always seen you as someone who needs to be taken care of. So when you got injured, I really wanted to scold you, to tell you to take better care of yourself and not to act recklessly."

Touka sighed, slowly expressing her thoughts.

"But after watching your match today, I realized that you've already become a true knight."

Kurono Shinguuji's ability is largely countered by Eiji.

Back then, Eiji could defeat Kurono not only because she went easy on him but also because his ability countered hers, and he caught her off guard. At the time, Touka didn't fully grasp this.

It wasn't until today, when Eiji faced Kanata Totokubara, who had an overwhelming advantage over him in terms of ability and was theoretically almost impossible to defeat, yet still managed to win beyond everyone's expectations, that Touka truly understood.

Her junior brother had already grown up, becoming an excellent mage knight who could turn the tables even in dire situations.

All excellent knights can rise against the odds.

From this perspective, her junior brother is already outstanding enough to stand on his own, without her needing to worry excessively.

"So, from now on, I will fully support you!"

Touka spoke to Eiji with utmost seriousness.

Until now, she had seen her junior brother as a weakling who needed to be taken care of.

Unbeknownst to her, he had already become a strong individual. What he needed from her wasn't constant worry about his health or abilities, but her wholehearted support.

What he needed more was her understanding, not her scolding.

"Senior sister..."

Eiji was slightly stunned, feeling somewhat moved.

"Since senior sister has said so, of course I'll fully accept it!"

Eiji immediately nodded.

He didn't quite understand what his senior sister was saying.

But that didn't stop him from nodding.

In fact, he quite enjoyed her scolding; it was proof of her concern for him, something he, who had lacked love in both lifetimes, found very comforting.

The two locked eyes, gazing directly at each other, and the atmosphere in the room gradually became more intimate.

Eiji felt that the current atmosphere was nice. His relationship with his senior sister had long been ready to take the next step.

"Ahem!"

But at that moment, a light cough came from outside the door.

"!"

Touka instantly snapped out of it, quickly retreating, her face flushed, looking utterly flustered.

"Touka, may I have a few words with your junior brother?"

The person who entered was none other than Kanata.

She wasn't wearing her usual wide-brimmed hat and parasol but appeared with her natural, exquisite beauty, entering Eiji's view.

"Oh... um, of course!"

Touka stammered in response, then hurriedly slipped past Kanata and out of the infirmary, fleeing as if escaping.

Eiji: "...."

***

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