Bab 1292: -1276- The worst situation
"He actually ran away..."
"What a disgrace..."
Seeing Kirihara Shizuya flee with his girlfriends, Stella and Shizuku felt both bored and vindicated.
This former top freshman was so detestable that it was baffling how someone like him could become a representative for the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival and even push aside those capable of competing for the title of Seven Stars Sword King.
Of course, while others might not understand, Ikki knew very well.
"You three were too impulsive," Ikki said, his expression complicated. "Although I appreciate you standing up for me, regardless of Kirihara's character, his strength is genuine. If he really intends to cause trouble, it could be unexpectedly problematic."
Hearing this, Rozen didn't react, but Stella and Shizuku looked doubtful.
"Is that guy really that strong?"
"I don't think he's that powerful. He's nowhere near as strong as my dear brother."
Stella and Shizuku candidly expressed their thoughts.
Unfortunately...
"I already mentioned that while Shizuku or Stella might be able to fight Kirihara, for me, he's a very troublesome opponent."
Ikki spoke with a somewhat heavy expression.
The reason was simple.
"Kirihara's ability is invisibility. His Noble Art, Hunter's Forest, not only hides his presence and scent but also makes his body invisible to the naked eye. It completely erases his existence, making it impossible to track him in any way. This is why it's regarded as the strongest Noble Art for combat against humans."
Ikki spoke seriously.
"Typically, Kirihara's battles involve using Hunter's Forest to summon a large forest, then completely hiding himself within it. From a safe place, he mercilessly shoots down his prey, earning him the title of 'Hunter.'"
Using this fighting style, Kirihara Shizuya remained unscathed and undefeated in all his battles last year.
That said, this record was partly because Kirihara avoided fighting anyone who could defeat him.
"His Hunter's Forest is indeed strong, but there is a straightforward and reliable way to counter it: indiscriminately attack the entire surrounding area."
Ikki looked at Stella and Shizuku.
"As long as you can attack the entire battlefield, you can break his Hunter's Forest. No matter how well Kirihara hides, he will eventually be hit by a wide-area attack and be defeated."
Hearing this, Stella and Shizuku understood immediately.
"I see."
"So that's why Onii-sama said we could defeat that scoundrel?"
Stella and Shizuku comprehended Ikki's explanation.
In other words, Stella and Shizuku's abilities just happened to counter Hunter's Forest.
Stella could turn the entire area into a sea of fire, making Kirihara's invisibility useless.
Shizuku could likewise turn the area into a frozen wasteland, leaving Kirihara no choice but to become an ice sculpture.
As long as they could attack the entire battlefield, Kirihara would lose, invisible or not.
This was the weakness of Hunter's Forest. Despite being the strongest Noble Art for combat against humans, it was powerless against opponents with wide-area attacks.
"In last year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, a third-year student from Bunkyoku, who was considered a candidate for the title of Seven Stars Sword King, lost to Kirihara because he didn't have wide-area attacks. However, Kirihara forfeited his second match because his opponent had wide-area attacks. Kirihara never accepts battles he cannot win, which is why he's known for only engaging in sure-win fights."
Ikki spoke with utmost seriousness.
"If Shizuku or Stella were his opponents, Kirihara would certainly forfeit. But since it's me, he's the worst possible opponent for me."
Because Ikki's ability was the most basic physical enhancement, and his magical power was very low, relying only on his swordsmanship.
Even with his excellent sword skills and a body honed to perfection, Ikki's fighting style required close combat.
In contrast, Kirihara Shizuya...
"His Device, Oborotsuki, is a bow, a long-range weapon. If he uses his Noble Art, Hunter's Forest, to become completely invisible and attacks me from a safe distance, I'll be in serious trouble."
For Ikki, Kirihara Shizuya was a problematic opponent.
"If he becomes invisible and I can't close the distance, I'll just be a sitting duck, unable to predict from which direction or angle the next arrow will come. For me, such a situation is truly hopeless."
Moreover, Ikki's ultimate move, Ittou Shura, could only be used once a day for one minute. Against an opponent he couldn't defeat quickly, it wasn't something he could use lightly.
For Ikki, Kirihara Shizuya was that difficult an opponent.
"I see."
Rozen finally seemed to understand, muttering softly.
"That's why that scoundrel said what he did earlier."
Rozen's words made everyone pause.
"Didn't you hear what he said?" Rozen sighed, glancing at them. "He said, 'Your despair is just beginning. Pray now or beg me, and maybe I'll show mercy.'"
Why would Kirihara Shizuya say that?
"It's simple."
"He has already confirmed that he will be facing you, Kurogane."
Rozen patted Ikki's shoulder as Ikki's face changed dramatically.
"Don't forget, the academy will soon be holding selection battles to choose the representatives for the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival."
"And the Kurogane family doesn't want to see you participating in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. But the current director is no longer colluding with them, so it's impossible for them to cancel your participation unilaterally. Given that, they'll naturally select an opponent you absolutely cannot defeat in the selection battle to thoroughly crush you and prevent you from becoming a representative."
"The most troublesome part is that the selection battle's matchups aren't decided by the director but by the academy's selection committee. Can you be sure there are no people in the committee who have been bribed by the Kurogane family?"
Hearing Rozen's words, Stella and Shizuku both gasped.
As for Ikki, he immediately took out his student handbook.
There was a message on it.
...
Sender: Hagun Academy Administration
Recipient: Kurogane Ikki
Title: Regarding the Selection Battle for the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival
Content: Kurogane Ikki, your opponent for the first round of the selection battle has been decided as Kirihara Shizuya of Class 2-3. For more details, please refer to the following link.
...
"————"
Seeing this message, Ikki fell into complete silence.
"No way..."
"How could this be..."
Even Stella and Shizuku were left speechless.
Rozen turned his head, looking in another direction.
The group fell into silence one after another, making the atmosphere extremely heavy.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone