There were four Secret Techniques that Simon had forgotten that rivalled Sleuth Sleight's uniqueness.
The first was shown through her ability to 'steal' the raging power that had filled her to the brim.
Usually, it was the worst situation for a foreign energy to enter the body. Especially if it's owned.
The lingering consciousness left behind within Mana or Qi that left the body 'programmed' it.
This was why a fireball shot by a Wizard would explode upon impact; why magic was flexible.
That's until the 'Conduit Physicality' was learned!
It turned the body into a black hole…
By overpowering the remnant consciousness of pain and hostility left in the raging power, she was able to turn it into her own energy. The change in her hair being an unforeseen side-effect of this.
It was a wonder why he'd ever taught this to the youngest in age among his four female disciples…
Regardless, that didn't alter Simon's reaction.
Using their power and weight difference, he pried his arms out of her hand and attacked her again.
His body bending backwards entirely like a brawler before letting loose a chop straight for her skull.
This was the faster yet less deadly move:
'Theorem Sunder Hammer Drop'!
An unavoidable attack that did greater physical damage in return for losing the internal effect.
His move was a perfect counter to her.
Even if she managed to steal a cup of water, that didn't change it was outmatched against an ocean.
Regardless of how fast Velma thought she was, his shadow energy covered arm… wouldn't ever miss.
She could tell even before the move was executed that this move perpetually honed in on her position.
It wasn't a perfectly executed strike, but an attack that 'corrected itself' mid-execution of the skill.
This was right until the very last moment…
There was only one problem with this: Although Simon was limited to Sleuth Sleight, Velma wasn't.
In response to this high stress moment (after being temporarily affected by his hysterical rage), the world around the man's body darkened. His speed slowed down marginally compared to before.
This wasn't a 'magical ability'.
Rather, it was a pretty common occurrence.
Especially to those who were constantly going face-to-face with death and fighting many battles.
But just because it was a common occurrence, did not meant all Martial Artists used its full potential.
After all, 'slow' did not mean 'stagnant'.
The difference between 2 seconds and 2.5 seconds was negligible to normal people.
That's where the second Secret Technique came into the picture. Also known as 'Flawless Extremity'.
Rather than being a Martial Art to curve magic like the first one Simon, it focused more on mentality.
After all, maintaining focus was one of the most crucial factors of Martial Arts. It was too essential.
Take Velma's situation as a clear example.
While it was true that she was experiencing what was known as the Tachypsychia Effect thanks to a surge of emotions, the 'dump' of adrenaline would then end up causing her harm after she'd dodged.
The information overload she'd get from dodging would not last nearly long enough for an escape.
That's where 'Flawless Extremity' factored into this.
The technique might seem mundane compared to the immediate effect of Conduit Physicality, but it was perhaps the skill that allowed her to survive his onslaught without having to lose any of her limbs.
Velma controlled all the receptors in her brain that were taking in information from various sources.
'Lose background.' She thought while discarding any and all information about the environment.
It wasn't like there was anything to make use of.
'Loss taste, smell, touch, and hearing.' Since she was reacting within the time of a second, these bits of sensory information would be useless anyway. It was only natural she'd discard what was useless.
'Screw it… Colour too.' The last thing she did was discard some information from her only sense left.
She called this subsidiary technique of Flawless Extremity the rare 'Tachy Psyche —Grey Flow!'.
Though perhaps the name of it was irrelevant…
The import part was that it put less stress on her brain to work at this abnormal mental capacity.
Giving her time to rotate the bulk of raging power that filled her up like a whirlpool swallowing a ship.
She broke it all down into a pellet-size lump within.
Thus, erasing the effect it had on her body.
Her scarlet hair turned brunette. Which was the exact moment she initiated her true 'counter'.
After checking his position and predicting the path of his attack, she finally shut off her last sensory organ. A bold and dangerous move that was just asking for him to kill her without her knowing.
The sensory information taken from the world around her had stopped, all that was left was the information she'd retained in that exact moment. It was time for her to choose her actions wisely.
Think twice of what she'd do next.
It was possible for her to retaliate by throwing back the energy, but she knew this wouldn't be enough.
The most important aspect of this was 'time'.
Regardless of how much she sped up her body and slowed down the perception of the 'hammer', it was all useless. Moreover, it wasn't like Simon was taking her lightly. He would adapt to any tricks.
Thus, she had two options left to use.
Hidden cards she'd yet to actively preform.
Within her mental space, she thought up the pros and cons to using these last two secret techniques.
The first was 'Dust Shroud'…
Although the skill was ironically named similar to the D.U.S.T. the people of the Earthland Domain, it wasn't at all the same thing. The 'dust' in its name referring to sand or powders rather than magic.
The skill was used by the brawler amongst Simon's female disciples to disperse any magic 'touched'.
It used the same principles of Conduit Physicality in that any magic touching the body could be influenced by the body. It was why that disciple of his usually used it to expel her own power outward.
Thus, the name of the original technique.
Regardless, there was a reason his disciples didn't learn his skills at one time. It was way too difficult!
'Conduit Physicality' was like a whirlpool that used centripetal force to move things to her centre.
'Dust Shroud' was the exact opposite of that.
Using them at the same time had the danger of creating an explosion that would destroy her body.
She didn't dare detonate the pellet of Moonslice Energy within her, but maybe another method was possible. She could perhaps move the tiny ball of raging power into her fist before hitting his attack.
This would likely redirect his attack and save her.
However, what would happen after that?
Even if she managed to block, he'd throw another attack. If she died from it, then next was Nyaura…
'I have to face this head-on.' She thought while immediately discarding the idea in her head.
Thousands of different techniques she'd copied over the years flashed through her mind rapidly.
However, no suitable solutions could be seen.
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She'd already decided she'd use the last Secret Technique called 'Motion Control' to implement her next move. It allowed her to use more mental power to have greater control over her movements.
Perhaps it seemed as useless as Flawless Extremity in terms is usefulness, but this skill was needed to not make any slip ups and alter her plans mid execution. Like cheating in a gamble.
Changing her answer even after showing it.
She felt it was a little unfortunate that her plans were being foiled by her lack of combat creativity.
She'd gone in close in hopes of winning by reminding him of his past, but that was useless.
If he couldn't even remember anything before, it was a wonder how he'd think of his students later.
Thus, she came to use her last resort.
There would have been a twinkle in her eyes if she had them open. Two strategies had been made.
The initial one came from her Semblance.
Her Photographic Eyes of Style Imitation started to evolve thanks to Velma believing she had 'enough'.
That she'd learnt all that she needed to learn.
When looked at from Simon's perspective, he saw that things changed after he'd decided to attack.
The moment his arm dropped down on her like a hammer, her scarlet hair altered and eyes closed,
With the speed she was proud of, her hand lifted up to disperse the Moonslice Energy of his strike.
Then continued to expertly use her dexterity…
The weight of his attack changed trajectory, as if it was a falling kite that'd been caught by the wind.
Her pupils glowed when she managed to, for a brief moment, use her own type of 'Sleuth Sleight'.
As she was redirecting the force of his attack, her elbow tapped Superstar Secret to activate the tool.
Hard-Light DUST popped out and followed her turning figure. Her rotation like that of a wheel.
A chokutō within a rifle sheath appearing once again. An act that bored the great Demon King.
He had already seen through its design flaws.
Regardless, she continued her rotation.
Only to be stopped by him leveraging her blade.
"Is that everything you have?" He taunted.
The counter attack was interrupted. She watched as he held the blade with a smirk across his face.
The twisting winds were halted, and dispersed without her truly making use of his momentum.
Had she failed to retaliate?
If so, why was she still confident?
The 'Photographic Eyes of Style Imitation' were lost when she gave up her ideal of imitating others.
A new pair of eyes formed in their place…
Her born iris darkened when she replaced that ideal of combat with a new creativity for battle.
Thus forming 'Photographic Eyes of Self Evolution'!
Which in turn changed the nature of Superstar Secret, as it initially fit her copycat battle nature.
Becoming any weapon she'd ever laid eyes on…
…rather than using knowledge beyond plagiarism.
It was when Velma broke free from the shackles of being a 'copycat', did she truly grow into her shoes.
Simon hadn't noticed that near the hilt of the chokutō… was a dial that could be turned by her.
Nor the subtle motion of her thumb cranking it low.
The blade that he was holding tight vanished, and he realised her chokutō shortened into a 'kodachi'.
A more portable one-sided cyan blade…
He reacted just a fraction of a second too late. She continued displaying perfect control battle fluidity.
Using all four of the Secret Techniques she'd stolen at once, she cut away at any externalised energy.
When he tried to tackle her into a bear hug, the blade length changed again with a twisting dial.
The short blade turned into an 'odachi'.
A one-sided blade rivalling a broadsword…
No, it surpassed even that!
The heaviness of the blade only had minor influences on her speed when she cut him up.
Blade lines embedded into his body caused tremors that opened up physique's sieve-like holes. This in turn caused the hostile magical energy to leak through his skin; weakening him.
Simon managed to barely maintain his form as the dreadful 'Demon King' until he heard her sheath.
The unnaturally long blade had returned to its regular size as a chokutō before being put back.
But rather than putting it to her waist, she turned it around and pulled down on the hilt from the side.
The entire blade cover switched from being a rifle sheath… to a tough flintlock with a small magazine!
The tip of the chokutō mechanically ejected out the back end of the rifle sheath to become a bayonet.
A barrel extending above it.
*Boom!*
The sound of a heavy gunshot resounded. A hole was torn through the vessel holding his powers.
His 'Demon King' form dissipated…
Simon returned to being an old drunkard, albeit one that was still influenced by the 'Black Cigars'.
It was at that moment the three that had been hiding their time finally made their final gambit.
A chain whip coiled around his neck and imbued Ice DUST into him. It stagnated his movements.
The MagiQi Morpher was attached to his body as the duo of Sebas and Hyuk held down each arm.
Mana and Qi flowed into the back of his shoulders.
Simon didn't resist his fate…
Although the current Velma seemed nothing like his disciples, her purity and wit was just like them.
His cute and adorable girls…
Those disciples he'd considered his own family…
The drunkard's eyes turned hollow when he started thinking of his students… and why he'd left them.
Leashed by a Mystic Tool, pinned down, and threatened by the blade of a perfect sword user…
…what hope did he have of winning?
It was as the red fluid-like energy seeped out of his stomach that he remembered a particular memory.
When his eyes opened again, they shivered…
They didn't know what he'd remembered, but it looked like the 'Red Bull' unearthed a painful past.
One that was transformed into hysterical rage!