Last December Double Drop!
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Just like in Academy City, where abilities are strictly regulated despite the many Espers residing there, unrestricted use would wreak havoc on society.
For now, Okita Souji was merely a student knight. Even within school grounds, she'd be penalized for unsanctioned use of her Device. Outside of school, getting expelled wasn't out of the question.
However, there were exceptions.
"If it's within a dojo, and with the permission of the dojo's owner, then a student knight can legally use their Device in combat."
The Ayatsuji Ittou-ryuu Dojo's rightful owner was originally Ayase's father, Ayatsuji Kaitou.
Yet two years ago, Kurashiki Kuraudo had come to challenge Kaitou. Though the match was intended to test their swordsmanship, Kuraudo not only defeated Kaitou but left him grievously injured, unconscious in the hospital to this day.
Since Kaitou had lost, the Ayatsuji Ittou-ryuu Dojo was turned over to Kuraudo. Now, he was the official owner.
Within the dojo, their battle would be completely legal.
Surprisingly, Kuraudo agreed to Okita's suggestion without hesitation.
"As long as the next course is worth savoring, I can wait a little longer," he'd said with a smirk.
"Besides… I've waited two long years already. What's a few more minutes?"
Currently, Okita, Ayase, and Kuraudo were walking along a mountain path.
The dojo had become Kuraudo's headquarters, but as the daughter of its former owner, Ayase knew the way.
In the end, Okita was the only one unfamiliar with the route.
Ayase insisted on coming along.
Though she knew she couldn't dissuade Okita from the fight, she wanted to bear witness to it.
Walking side-by-side, Okita noticed Ayase's subdued mood.
"Is something wrong, Senpai?"
"Huh? Oh, it's nothing, I just…"
Hearing Okita's gentle concern, Ayase shook her head, brushing it off.
"It's just… it brings back memories to walk this road again, that's all."
It made sense; after all, this was once her way home.
And back then, when she was forced out of her family's dojo, left homeless and alone… Ayase had likely walked this very path.
Okita didn't consider herself a meddler or anyone's "hero of justice."
She only reached for what she could grasp in the here and now.
So, she wasn't the type to say things like "I wish I'd come sooner" or "If only I'd tried harder."
The past was gone, but the future hadn't arrived yet.
The past couldn't be changed, but they could shape a future worth looking forward to.
The mountain trail was rough, but for Blazers like them, it was nothing.
Before long, the scenery opened up.
Okita could see sunlight streaming through the trees, hear birds chirping all around.
Before her stood a wall and a gate.
What had likely once been a solemn sight was now marred by graffiti covering the walls and wooden gate.
Ayase's body began to tremble, her gaze filled with the anger of seeing something she'd once cherished so deeply defiled.
"Those people… they have no honor or pride as swordsmen. Their swords hold neither dignity nor virtue, only brute, beastly violence."
"It's because of them… because of him… that my father's legacy—the Ayatsuji swordsmanship—was trampled on."
Okita listened quietly to Ayase's words before returning her gaze to Kuraudo's back.
I'm sorry, Senpai, but I can't fully understand your feelings.
Your father's sword, something you take pride in… it must be a noble sword.
But to me, a sword is simply a tool—for taking lives, achieving victory, winning respect, and accomplishing my goals.
My sword is neither noble nor grand.
But sometimes… I'd like to see.
If a sword meant only to take can somehow be used to protect.
A vision suddenly appeared before Okita's eyes.
It was hazy but profound.
In that memory, her eyes blazed with an unquenchable fire—rage, war, demonic fury, forever aflame.
Behind her lay destruction, war, and the red-stained sky of demon gods.
She laughed freely, scoffing at weakness, mocking fate.
"So well-versed in killing, yet so poor at protecting."
Walking up the stone path through the courtyard, they entered the dojo.
The dojo was dim, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering in through the windows. It was not only abandoned and dusty but also riddled with cracks and broken statues, including one at the back whose hand had been snapped off.
"Now that we're here, I assume you're ready to stop stalling?"
"Yes, we can begin whenever."
Okita and Kuraudo stood in the center of the dojo, while the others moved back to the entrance.
Okita simply stood there, seemingly vulnerable from all sides, yet Kuraudo's beastly intuition warned him that no matter how he attacked, he wouldn't find an opening.
Realizing this didn't discourage Kuraudo—instead, it only heightened his fighting spirit.
"Devour and tear, Orochi Maru!"
With an exhilarated shout, a massive bone serpent erupted from the ground beneath him, snapping its jaws at his head. Kuraudo tilted his head to dodge, then grabbed the serpent's tail, slamming it down with force.
The bone snake coiled and retracted, finally transforming into Kuraudo's formidable bone sword.
They say a Blazer's Device is a manifestation of their soul. Okita had never seen a Device that attacked its own master, confirming that Kuraudo was a truly dangerous and violent soul.
Raindrop-like glimmers of light gathered in Okita's palm, and Kiku-ichimonji Norimune materialized once more in her hand.
This time, she drew the blade from its scabbard, and a gentle, flowing light ran along the edge.
Kuraudo was seeing the true form of Kiku-ichimonji Norimune for the first time, and he couldn't take his eyes off it.
"I see… that's a fine sword you have there."
His voice dropped to a low rumble. "I bet you've been holding back for a while now, haven't you?"
"Oh my, you figured it out?"
With her back to Ayase and the others, only Kuraudo could see the gleeful excitement on Okita's face.
"That's why I say…" Kuraudo grinned savagely, hefting his massive bone sword. "Swordsmen like you never disappoint me!"
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