Chapter 19: Ikki Kurogane 2
Whenever Tsukasa asked something, he felt that he had landed on the landmine, but this was something natural since the setting of Kurogane Ikki was the weakest Blazer that would become the strongest.
"...While I want to say "wow," it is amazing since you're the descendant of the Great Hero, Kurogane Ryouma, but hearing the first words of your sentence, I'm not sure what to say again," Tsukasa said with a sigh.
"No, no, you don't need to feel so awkward with me," Ikki quickly said, but he also felt embarrassed since there was nothing that he could be proud of besides his heredity as the descendant of the Great Hero, Kurogane Ryouma.
While Ikki might be the descendant of Kurogane Ryouma, his Device ability was just to double physical ability, and his magic was just a tenth of the normal Blazer's.
If someone asked, who was the weakest Blazer in this academy, then one would say that it was Kurogane Ikki. He even received the epithet of the "Worse One" from everyone, considering how bad his status was.
Even Tsukasa must admit that the ability and the amount of magic of Ikki was the worst kind that one could get.
While Ikki's ability might seem powerful since it could double one's physical ability, with magic, one could strengthen one's physical ability by five or six times.
Even Tsukasa could strengthen his physical ability by ten times with his magic as long as he wanted to. However, his magic was just F-rank, but unlike Ikki's F-rank magic that only a tenth of normal people. His magic might be F-rank, but his magic was half that of a normal person, so his situation was much better, right?
This was also the reason why Ikki wasn't being acknowledged by his family.
The amount of magic had determined one's fate.
If one had a massive amount of magic, they would have a bright future.
On the other hand, if one had a small amount of magic, they wouldn't have a future as a Blazer.
Unlike Tsukasa, who didn't have a family, Ikki came from a famous family, and when everyone was born with talent, he was born without talent.
This was the reason why Ikki wasn't being acknowledged by his family. Even though his family had told him to give up, he didn't give up and continued to become a mage-knight. This was why his life was miserable since no one in his family wanted to see him become a mage-knight.
After all, the thought that Ikki, who was F-rank Blazer, would become a mage-knight would bring shame to the Kurogane family.
Once again, Tsukasa thought that if Ikki could give up, Ikki could live a leisure life of a second rich generation since the Kurogane family didn't lack money.
This family could easily pay Ikki's spending for a lifetime, even if he had a family in the future.
However, everyone had their own choices, and they also had their right to dream, so Tsukasa had nothing to say since neither of them was close enough to support each other dream.
"Thank you, Kurogane." Tsukasa nodded, then said, "By the way, you seem to have something to ask me?"
"Ah, may I ask, what is that?" Ikki asked as he pointed at Tsukasa's breathing mask since he had been curious for a while.
"Oh, this?" Tsukasa picked up his breathing mask and said, "This is a breathing mask. It is used to train lung capacity. It'll make it harder for you to breathe."
"...."
Ikki blinked his eyes then stared at Tsukasa speechlessly, but at the same time, his expression became serious. It was rare to see someone who could match his physical ability, but Tsukasa could match his physical ability while wearing this breathing mask, which meant, during their running before, Tsukasa had been wearing a handicap!
Somehow, Ikki felt slightly at a loss after knowing that fact, but at the same time, he asked, "Where did you buy it?" He felt that this breathing mask might be helpful in his training, too, since he also knew how vital lungs were for the body.
Lungs absorb oxygen from the air you breathe. Oxygen is a gas that your body needs to work properly. Your cells need oxygen to make energy.
If one's lungs can work harder, it can increase one's physical ability.
This was why there were many breathing methods in martial arts since the proper breathing method could give more power and energy.
"I made it by myself." Tsukasa looked at Ikki and said, "If you want, I can make it for you."
"Really?" Ikki was surprised and felt happy.
"Yeah, you only need this much," Tsukasa said and showed how much the breathing mask was. While Ikki might be the protagonist in this world, it had nothing to do with him. They also only met each other in just a short time. They weren't close friends either, so why should he give Ikki for free? It would be too weird.
Also, the price of the breathing mask wasn't high, and Tsukasa also gave a discount to Ikki.
While Tsukasa might not lack money, the experience that he had encountered in his 15 years made him realize how important money was, so he didn't have a hobby to waste his money.
"........"
Ikki was speechless, but he also felt that it was normal, and the price wasn't that high either.
However, there was one big problem!
Ikki didn't have money!
While Ikki might be someone from a Kurogane family, he didn't receive any money from his family because of his disobedience to his family. It was also the reason why he chose the Hagun Academy since it was free and he didn't need to pay for money. Even the foods were prepared by the academy, so he didn't need to worry about anything and wholeheartedly practiced himself to become stronger.
"Well, when we meet tomorrow, I'll give you one since it is rare to see someone who practices a physical ability like you. You don't need to pay right now. You can pay it when you have the money in the future," Tsukasa said since he felt that Ikki was worthy of his investment since, as a protagonist, Ikki's strength was without a doubt, and the investment was cheap since he only needed to give a breathing mask to him.
"Is that okay? I'm not sure when I can get money, though." Even though Ikki was happy, he still felt slightly lost since he didn't have money.
"It's okay." Tsukasa shook his head and said, "For you, that amount of money might be too much, but not for me. Also, I want to have a match with you, so if you can become stronger, it'll be even better."
"Thank you. I'll accept it then."
Ikki was grateful to Tsukasa, and his eyes were burning with fighting spirit since he also knew that Tsukasa was a powerful swordsman from the moment their eyes met each other, and as a swordsman, he wanted to test his skill on him.
Tsukasa could feel Ikki's fighting spirit, but suddenly his nose twitched lightly and noticed someone was standing behind the tree, observing him without looking away. His expression turned slightly awkward when he saw this person, but he quickly calmed down and stood up from the bench.
"Kurogane, I'll go back now. See you tomorrow." Tsukasa waved his hand and left, walking toward the direction of the person who peeked at him.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Ikki nodded with a gentle smile and thought that it was good that he had found a good friend in this academy.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
akikan40
akikan40 Not sure what to say here.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone