"..."
As the match time approached, Ikki still had not appeared. Everyone fell silent, and the tension in the air grew palpable.
There was no choice.
If Ikki didn't arrive on time, it would be a significant problem.
This match was extremely important for Ikki. If he couldn't make it on time, he would be disqualified, lose his chance to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, and miss the opportunity to become the Seven Stars Sword King. This would mean he couldn't graduate from Hagun Academy with a formal Mage-Knight license.
If that happened, Ikki's dream of becoming an excellent Mage-Knight would be shattered.
Although missing this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival wasn't the end of the world, as he could try again next year, no one knew what the situation would be then.
Perhaps next year, Shinguji Kurono wouldn't be there, and the academy would start discriminating against Ikki again.
Perhaps the representatives wouldn't be selected through matches but by their ability values again.
If that happened, Ikki would have a hard time graduating.
Therefore, this year was a golden opportunity for Ikki. Missing it could lead to lifelong regret.
Ikki would definitely not miss the match and would surely arrive in time.
But now, Ikki had yet to show up.
Was he merely running late, or was it that he couldn't arrive at all?
As this thought crossed their minds, the tension only intensified.
"Shizuku," Stella couldn't help but ask, "Is Kurogane-san really alright?"
"Of course," Shizuku replied without hesitation. "Onii-sama will definitely make it in time. Definitely."
Though she said this, the tension in the air proved that Shizuku was also worried.
Could it be...
"In these last days, it's not impossible that Kurogane might not have held out and was slain by Attila."
Rozen nonchalantly dropped this bomb.
"I can't be!"
Stella hesitated, unsure.
"Of course not!"
Shizuku glared at Rozen, firmly denying it, though it was unclear if she was genuinely confident or just reassuring herself.
Rozen shrugged and said no more.
Stella and Shizuku also fell silent.
Time ticked by.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting! The most anticipated match of the day between first-year Kurogane Ikki and second-year Shizuya Kirihara will begin in ten minutes! The arena is packed with spectators! Let's look forward to the upcoming excitement!"
The announcer's voice echoed in the Fourth Training Field, informing Rozen and the others of the remaining time.
"Only ten minutes left...!?"
Stella couldn't hide her anxiety.
"Onii-sama..."
Shizuku finally showed her worry.
During the selection battles, participants were required to arrive five minutes early. If they hadn't arrived five minutes before the match, the committee would discuss whether to disqualify the late participant or reschedule the match.
Considering the committee members had been bribed by the Kurogane family, if Ikki was late, the match would not be postponed. He would be disqualified and miss this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
Hence, Ikki couldn't afford to be late.
Only five minutes left.
Five minutes remaining.
If Ikki didn't show up in five minutes, it was over.
"Could he really be..."
"Onii-sama..."
Stella and Shizuku grew more anxious.
Until...
"Hm?"
Rozen suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing, a smile forming on his lips.
Because Rozen sensed it.
He sensed Altera, in her spirit form, returning to his side.
Then...
"So you're all here?"
A voice startled Stella and Shizuku, making them turn abruptly toward it.
They saw a figure that had appeared out of nowhere.
Wearing a tattered school uniform.
Covered in dust and dirt.
With a faint scar on his face.
Eyes gleaming sharply.
It was...
"Onii-sama!"
Shizuku cried out joyfully.
It was Ikki.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Ikki, looking somewhat battered and dirty, smiled warmly at them.
But...
"You..."
Stella held her breath.
"Oh?"
Rozen raised an eyebrow.
Both sensed a completely different aura from Ikki.
It wasn't the usual gentle, hardworking, and courageous Ikki. This aura resembled a seasoned warrior's, exuding a subtle pressure.
Moreover, Ikki emitted a faint, stinging sword aura.
This aura was both sharp and dangerous, reminiscent of Edelweiss.
Only Shizuku, who seemed accustomed to this change, smiled.
"Onii-sama! You're finally back...!"
Shizuku cried tears of joy.
Only when facing Ikki did Shizuku's emotions become so intense.
In contrast, Ikki wasn't the least bit anxious. He even casually patted Shizuku's head.
"Sorry for making you worry."
Although he felt different, Ikki's personality still seemed as gentle and kind as ever.
There was only one difference.
In Ikki's eyes, there was a newfound confidence and sharpness that hadn't been there before.
"Well, I'd better get going. We can talk after the match."
Ikki said.
"Are you confident?"
Stella immediately asked.
In response...
"Don't worry."
Ikki smiled suddenly.
"I've endured everything until now just for today and obtained it."
With that, a magical glow formed in Ikki's hand, forging a black katana.
At that moment, Ikki summoned his Device—Intetsu.
But...
"This is...!?"
Stella gasped.
Even Rozen's eyes narrowed.
Because upon closer inspection, Ikki's Intetsu, though still black as a crow, was now thinner, longer, and more elegant.
What did this mean?
"The shape of the Device... has changed...?"
Yes.
Ikki's Device had changed shape.
This surprised Rozen, and Stella was stunned.
Only Shizuku, having seen this before, smiled.
This was the significant change Shizuku had mentioned.
"Well, I'm off."
Ikki, neither nervous nor dejected, walked with firm steps towards the arena.
Stella and Shizuku exchanged glances and hurried to follow.
Rozen followed as well, his mind lingering on Ikki's new Device form.
"Things are getting interesting."
Rozen smiled with interest, following the others into the training field.
"Ohhhhhh...!"
When Rozen, Stella, and Shizuku arrived at the audience seats through the entrance, the entire Fourth Training Field erupted in a magnificent cheer.
"Great! He made it in time!"
"Just in the nick of time."
Stella and Shizuku both breathed sighs of relief.
Rozen also took his place in the audience, looking down at the battle arena, just in time to hear the commentator's voice.
"According to the staff, both contestants are now in the waiting area, and the match will proceed as scheduled!"
"Next, let's continue with the live broadcast by me, Tsukuyomi from the broadcasting club, and our commentator, Saikyo Nene!"
"Let's welcome Saikyo Nene!"
With the commentator's enthusiastic introduction, Saikyo Nene finally appeared in the commentary booth, looking very tired.
"Hello, everyone..."
Saikyo Nene waved to the crowd, looking like she had stayed up all night and just woke up, drawing quite a bit of attention.
However, the commentator, seemingly already aware of Saikyo Nene's unreliable nature, introduced her with the same enthusiasm.
"I believe everyone here knows Saikyo Nene, currently ranked third in the KOK A-rank league, known as the Yaksha Princess, and a renowned Blazer. She's currently a temporary instructor at our Hagun Academy, thanks to our chairman, the World Clock, who has a deep connection with her. So, everyone can look forward to her professional commentary. Isn't that right, Saikyo-sensei?"
As he said this, the commentator handed the microphone to Saikyo Nene.
Yawning, Saikyo Nene lazily spoke up.
"Well, I am interested in this match, since one of the participants is someone I've been watching closely. Despite being exhausted from staying up last night, I made the effort to get up for this, so I hope it won't disappoint me."
If not for this reason, given Saikyo Nene's personality, she would likely have skipped the commentary to continue sleeping.
Of course, no one else knew who this "someone" Saikyo Nene was referring to, but they assumed it was Kirihara Shizuya, believing she was interested in his talent. In reality, she was talking about someone else entirely.
"Now, let's start the match and introduce the contestants!"
The commentator bowed slightly to Saikyo Nene in thanks before speaking again.
"First, on the left side, last year's first-year student who won the right to compete in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival and decisively defeated a third-year student from Bunkyoku Academy in the first round, a top contender for the title of Seven Stars Sword King. Known for never taking unnecessary risks and always seizing the opportunity to win, he has won every official and exchange match without a scratch, earning the title of Hunter. A second-year C-rank knight—Kirihara Shizuya!"
As the commentator's introduction echoed, the left corridor opened, and Kirihara Shizuya walked out, leisurely raising his hand toward the audience, eliciting loud cheers due to his numerous accolades.
Because of these titles, Kirihara Shizuya seemed quite popular, often seen with several glamorous girls, indicating a large support base.
Of course, not everyone appreciated Kirihara Shizuya's showy demeanor.
"He's still such an irritating guy to watch."
"For once, I agree with you."
Stella and Shizuku both expressed their disapproval.
Rozen also watched Kirihara Shizuya, who noticed the gaze and, meeting Rozen's eyes, quickly turned away in a flustered manner, his usual cowardice making Rozen chuckle.
At this moment, the commentator continued with the second introduction.
"Next, from the right side, is an F-rank knight, the lowest-ranked Blazer. Despite having the weakest stats and being easily outmatched by ordinary Blazers, don't underestimate this F-rank knight. Reliable sources say this contestant defeated the proctor in last year's entrance exam and is considered a dark horse in the Hagun Academy selection battles. Currently a first-year repeating student—Kurogane Ikki!"
With the commentator's dramatic introduction, the right corridor opened.
From the dark corridor, the ragged Kurogane Ikki slowly walked out.
Seeing Ikki in this state, the audience burst into laughter.
"What's with that ragged appearance?"
"What happened to him?"
"Doesn't he have any new clothes to wear?"
"Poor guy! Should I lend him something?"
"Hahaha!"
The students in the audience laughed mockingly.
Meanwhile, in a corner of the audience, Stella hugged Shizuku.
"Let go of me!"
"No way!"
"Let me freeze those despicable creatures mocking my dear brother into ice sculptures!"
"I said no!"
Stella and Shizuku wrestled with each other.
Rozen, however, remained calm, observing Ikki as he slowly walked into the arena, his gaze fixed on the new Device in Ikki's hand.
Rozen was not the only one to notice this detail.
"Oh, oh...!"
In the commentary booth, Saikyo Nene, who had been dozing off, immediately straightened up with excitement upon seeing Ikki's entrance and the sword in his hand.
"That's..."
In the shadows of the back row of the audience, Shinguji Kurono was also secretly watching the match. Her eyes lit up upon seeing Ikki's Device, and she felt a sense of admiration.
But such reactions did not affect Ikki at all.
Ikki only stared at Kirihara Shizuya.
The gentle light in his eyes had long disappeared, leaving only coldness.
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