mtl008 Chapter 656 - 656
Chapter 656 - 656
The human body operates on logic.All actions can be divided into conditioned reflexes and unconditioned reflexes.
Simply put, conditioned reflexes are active responses, while unconditioned reflexes are instinctive reactions.
Conditioned reflexes are "wanting to do," while unconditioned reflexes are "doing subconsciously."
Previously, Eiji's Flash Step could only surpass the speed of biological conditioned reflexes, not unconditioned reflexes. In other words, it could halt an opponent's active responses but couldn't stop instinctive reactions.
During the Akatsuki Academy invasion incident, while fighting Kurogane Ouma, Eiji discovered this flaw in his Flash Step.
He then proceeded to modify this flaw.
He set the target of surpassing both conditioned reflex speed and unconditioned reflex speed.
"Wait, wait—humans, no, all sentient beings, their actions can all be divided into conditioned reflex speed and unconditioned reflex speed, right?"
Upon hearing this, Merlin was utterly shocked, feeling an overwhelming urge to voice countless complaints.
"In other words, you can surpass all actions of sentient beings?"
"Exactly!"
Eiji nodded decisively.
Surpassing both speeds simultaneously meant that all actions would be halted by him. He could behead his opponent before they could make any move!
In other words, this was the absolute first move in the truest sense!
"This is basically an unrestricted Fragarach!"
Merlin loudly exclaimed.
Even Fragarach has the limitation of only being usable against an opponent's trump card. If you can seize the absolute first move even against basic attacks, isn't that even more overpowered than Fragarach?
All of the opponent's actions would be sealed!
Aside from passive abilities like immortality, no other ability would be effective!
Isn't that too strong?
No wonder Roa was instantly defeated!
When he gets serious, he really can finish him off in one go!
"...Isn't that too cheaty?"
Roa looked dazed.
Powers that interfere with causality have always been of the highest tier, each one being utterly broken.
But someone like him, who doesn't even give others a chance to act, is even more broken among the broken!
It's practically no different from being invincible.
It's useless.
I can't win.
If all actions are stillborn, he can't make any effective attacks against Eiji!
No matter how strong he is, as long as he can't escape Eiji's causal interference, he can't possibly defeat him!
Why does this Singularity have such a monster, and why did he have to run into him of all people?
"I've lost."
Roa's face was filled with emptiness.
This was supposed to be his strongest incarnation. He had even consumed Dracula, easily defeated Arcueid, and was on the verge of obtaining the eternity he had coveted for nearly a thousand years.
Yet he ended up defeated by such a monster.
This was the closest he had ever been to eternity, but also the farthest.
"You've won this time."
Roa was deeply unwilling.
"But I won't give up. Sooner or later, I'll make a comeback. I hope you'll still be by her side when that time comes!"
Though unwilling, he hadn't completely lost his chance.
With his soul reincarnation secret technique, even if he dies this time, Roa's soul won't perish. Instead, it will move to his next host, quietly awaiting the opportunity to revive.
In as little as a decade or as long as a century, he would inevitably make a comeback one day!
"Oh my? When did you get the illusion that you could escape from me?"
But just then, the white-haired magician walked up with a smile.
"I'll leave it to you, Merlin."
Eiji swung his blade once more.
In the span of a single second, countless slashes crisscrossed through the air, seizing the absolute initiative to shred Roa's already regenerating body into pieces.
A rough estimate would put it at thousands of fragments, blood pooling across the ground. It would take days and nights for him to recover.
"Merlin?"
A trembling voice emerged in the air.
Even though his throat had been utterly destroyed, Roa's voice still rang out.
It was piercingly shrill.
"You are... Merlin?!"
"That's right, it's none other than everyone's favorite big brother, Merlin!"
Merlin approached with a beaming smile.
Yet, there was not a trace of warmth in his eyes.
"My, infinite reincarnation, how impressive! Let me take a closer look!"
"Stay away from me!"
The shredded remains trembled violently.
The sheer terror was palpable even to Eiji, who stood nearby.
"Stay away! Stay away! Stay away!"
Fear dominated Roa's heart.
Merlin?
Why was it Merlin?
Why were there so many monsters in this Singularity?
Why did I have to stumble into this Singularity?
If only I hadn't entered this place, I wouldn't have encountered these monsters, and I wouldn't have suffered such a humiliating defeat here!
"I'm coming closer!"
Merlin raised his staff and step by step closed in on the shredded remains on the ground.
"Escape!"
Roa made an immediate decision.
He instantly abandoned his body, his soul leaping out and fleeing toward the exit of the Computer Space!
But in the blink of an eye, a pink magical circle spread out from the staff, enveloping Roa's soul.
"I prepared a spell to deal with you long before I even entered. How could I possibly let you escape right under my nose? That would make me look utterly useless."
Merlin watched as Roa struggled frantically within the magical circle, a benevolent smile on his face.
Roa's soul was trapped in the magical circle, his transparent face filled with despair.
Hidden within his soul was the secret art of infinite reincarnation, but in Merlin's presence, it was like a mouse facing a cat—completely ineffective.
"Wait, I—"
He opened his mouth, his expression frantic.
"Not waiting."
Merlin interrupted him with a smile.
Then, he gently tapped his staff.
The massive pink magical circle abruptly condensed, then shattered into countless pink particles of light, drifting down like cherry blossoms in spring.
"Sto—!"
Before Roa could finish his sentence, the magical circle crushed him to dust.
That soul vanished into nothingness before Eiji's eyes.
The Serpent of Akasha had died just like that, with shocking ease.
"The worst mistake that guy made was probably laying a hand on Black Saber."
Eiji glanced at Merlin beside him.
Scáthach had made it clear: during the early stages of the screening, the top-tier figures wouldn't personally intervene.
Merlin, as the current Grand Caster, wasn't supposed to appear.
But Roa had violated a taboo, foolishly capturing Black Saber and dragging her into this Computer Space.
This had undoubtedly provoked Merlin's true wrath, compelling him to step in and deal with Roa personally.
That was the real cause of Roa's death.
Otherwise, even if Eiji could defeat Roa, without the ability to destroy souls, he would be unable to truly kill Roa.
A single misjudgment led to Roa's demise.
"I hope I won't be crushed to the point of soul annihilation like this in the future."
Eiji made this prayer in his heart.
"Alright, the enemy has been dealt with. Next, let's help Artoria and the others awaken."
Merlin remained smiling cheerfully and proactively walked toward the passage on the other side.
Eiji then turned his gaze to the thousands of dismembered corpse fragments on the ground, revealing a contemplative expression.
"Merlin, from your professional perspective, do you think these eyes can still be used?"
He retrieved Roa's pair of Mystic Eyes from the pile of corpse fragments.