Getting more into it with the acknowledgement of his superior, Humbert
hung his hands loose, pointed his sword tip straight at Eugeo who was
standing upright and shouted.
"Now, here I come! This is the essence of the High Norkia-style... learn it
through your body!"
Spreading his feet out front and back, he held his sword up as though he
was resting it atop his shoulder. This stance was the secret move of the
Norkia-style, «Lightning Flash Slash». Contradictory to his words earlier, he
did not try to use the powerful High Norkia-style «Heavenly Mountain
Rending Wave» out of concern for Eugeo's body—no, he probably just
didn't want to use it.
That said, Lightning Flash Slash wasn't a technique that could be looked
down upon. Even with the edgeless wooden sword, it would reduce a
person's Life by half if struck directly on the head and cause that person to
lose consciousness for a while. Of course, «reducing someone else's Life»
was a major violation of the Taboo Index, but in a bout agreed on by both
parties, the maximum of a single hit could be forgiven. And there was no
Sword Art Online Volume 11 – Alicization Turning
Chapter 5 – Seal of the Right Eye
doubt that Humbert was aiming not to stop before contact, but to deal a full
hit.
The craftwork that was the wooden sword brandished by the second-rank
swordsman-in-training let out a blue glow. The speed he activated the
secret move with, after entering the stance was as expected of him.
However, Eugeo could distinctively predict the path the sword would draw.
After all, Lightning Flash Slash was utterly identical to one of the many
secret moves of the Aincrad-style swordsmanship, «Vertical».
"...Shrya!!"
With a high-pitched bellow, Humbert's sword charged in.