"Have you finally realized?"
Looking at Ikki, who had entered his Ittou Shura state, his entire body enveloped in magical power, Shirou stood on a tree branch, a faint smile on his lips. Shirou had actually figured out the method to counter Hunter's Forest long ago: discerning positions by sound. Although Oborozuki had been developed to the point where even its arrows were invisible, it still existed in this world. As long as it existed, it had to abide by the rules here, which included wind resistance.
Therefore, wherever an arrow flew, there would inevitably be airflow diffusing outwards. By observing the flow of air and changes in the sound of the wind, one could determine the arrow's trajectory.
However, replicating this method required acute five senses, and as a martial artist, Ikki, who had thoroughly researched and developed his body due to Ittou Shura, was capable of it. But neither in the original story nor just now could he quickly realize this.
Aside from other factors, the most important one was that Ikki relied too heavily on his eyes. As the foundation of Ikki's swordsmanship, the existence of Blade Steal was an indispensable part of Shirou's journey to the peak. Seeing through others, learning techniques all of this was built upon his eyes, that is, his insight. Therefore, Ikki's reliance on his eyes was far greater than that of other martial artists of similar martial arts realms. This was also why he couldn't immediately grasp it.
Of course, this technique wasn't something that could be used immediately after realizing it; it required continuous adaptation. After all, when eyes are present, few people would entrust the collection and processing of information to their ears. Perhaps this was also why, in the original story, even at the very end, Ikki did not choose to discern by sound. But now, as Shirou's arrows grew faster and the sound of the wind breaking became clearer, Ikki finally understood. And he resolved to meet this arrow with Ittou Shura.
"In that case, I'll give you the final blow too!"
Pulling the bowstring fully, an arrow made of magical power automatically nocked itself and aimed at Ikki's head. "Whether this hit or not, today's training ends here!
So, in this final moment, can you block it? I'll be watching!"
Without using any superfluous means, relying purely on archery, Shirou suddenly released his drawing fingers, firing this fierce shot.
"Calm down, listen carefully!" Tightly closing his eyes, Ikki relied solely on his ears, listening to every sound around him. In his daily training, Ikki, who had inadvertently and continuously honed his five senses, now truly felt the other layer of perception hidden beneath sight. It was a world without colors, but its composition was even more magnificent; sounds, all sounds.
The sound of flowers and grass breathing, the sound of human panting, the sound of a bowstring being drawn, and the sound of an arrow breaking through the wind. Ah, everything was within Ikki's observation.
"I 'saw' it!"
Before the arrow could hit Ikki's head, Intetsu had already blocked its trajectory. With a 'clang,' the invisible arrow was blocked by the black divine sword.
"I blocked it!" After nearly a hundred failures, Ikki, who finally blocked the invisible arrow, shouted excitedly.
But before he could finish celebrating, an arrow struck his forehead, and he immediately fell backward.
"If I let you block it just like that, wouldn't that make me seem weak? So I went for a double shot. No choice, you were just asking for it with your showing off!" It turned out that behind the arrow Ikki had perceived, there was another arrow, hiding its position behind the wind-breaking arrow until it delivered a fatal blow to Ikki.
Looking at the unconscious Ikki, Shirou stretched, then dispelled Hunter's Forest and jumped to Ikki's side.
Carrying the unconscious Ikki on his shoulder, Shirou walked towards the dormitory. However, on the way, Shirou's was left hanging in the air.
"I have an archery target now. It seems life won't be so boring lately!"
________________________________________
In the early morning, waking from his sleep, feeling utterly exhausted, Ikki's mind was a blur. "What happened to me?" Getting out of bed and rubbing his forehead, Ikki fell into contemplation. A moment later, he suddenly shouted, "Shirou, you scoundrel, you ambushed me!"
"Don't talk nonsense. It was clearly your own lack of skill. How can you blame me?"
"But you've never used a double shot before!" After recalling, Ikki now understood the situation he had faced.
"A double shot, isn't that basic archery? Does such a technique need to be held back?" Hearing Shirou's infuriatingly casual words, Ikki was extremely frustrated. An arrow hiding behind another arrow to avoid wind resistance how could such a technique be a basic move?! If that were a basic move, then probably few people in this world could claim to know archery! Although Ikki had many complaints he wanted to voice, he ultimately kept them to himself. After all, the fact was that he was simply outmatched.
Hearing no further movement from behind, Shirou smiled knowingly. He had a thorough understanding of Ikki's personality. He knew that if he just said that, Ikki would definitely fall silent and reflect on his own mistakes. But this time, Shirou had indeed cheated; after all, it was just training. Ikki naturally wouldn't have thought of the possibility of a double shot. But he could only blame his opponent for being too arrogant. Don't show off; showing off invites disaster!
"How was it? Was yesterday's training fruitful?" Hearing Shirou's reminder, Ikki quickly snapped out of his self-reflection and thanked Shirou with a smile. "Thank you so much, Shirou! I have a plan now!"
"As long as you have a plan, I have high hopes for you!"
"Then thank you for your high hopes, but about this
training..."
"Don't worry, we'll continue tonight!"
"Thank you so much, Shirou!"
Looking at Ikki, who was deeply moved and bowing to him, Shirou's eyes were filled with satisfaction. Not being ashamed to ask questions this excellent virtue was abandoned by many strong individuals. In their eyes, their own pride was more important. But for Ikki, being a weaker individual, he would try every possible means to improve his strength. When facing strong opponents, he would also try his best to gather information. He would treat it as a war, giving his all, just to win the final victory.
But that was all. He wouldn't use any underhanded tactics to deal with enemies. Later, when he faced Ayase's dirty tricks and used Ittou Shura to save her, his first reaction after learning the truth was not concern for his own situation, but anger that the other party had defiled the honor of all students who worked hard for the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. He was truly a knight with various excellent virtues.
"Because you fainted last night, I prepared today's breakfast. Get ready to eat!"
"Oh, Shirou's cooking? Then I'll have to eat a lot!"
"Eat, eat! See if you can eat until you burst!"
"Hahaha, I won't burst! I can eat a lot!"
And so, amidst laughter and joy, a new day began!
________________________________________
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter