Chapter 223: Katharterio Salamandra!
Students who won the Seven Star Sword Art Festival were awarded the title of 'Seven Star Sword King', and most past Sword Kings were B or C-rank knights.
For A-rank Stella, the pinnacle of student knights represented by the Seven Star Sword King seemed somewhat insignificant.
Any knight who could advance to A-rank during their student days was destined to become a legendary figure.
However, potential was just potential, not representing available strength.
Before Luke, who had already begun converting his potential into actual power, Stella was still too immature.
"So, Kurogane, facing that level of monster, can you still say the word 'victory'?"
Principal Kurono asked the black-haired boy beside her.
Honestly, she hadn't expected Luke to be this strong.
She could also suppress Stella herself, perhaps even more easily than how Luke just did.
But it would be impossible for her to do it without using magic.
"At that level... I might barely manage to withstand it."
"But definitely not as casually as he did."
"If that was Luke-san's full power, I wouldn't say victory is impossible..."
Ikki didn't finish his sentence, but he didn't need to.
Not just him, but anyone paying attention among the spectators could see that Luke hadn't used magic.
The screen clearly showed Luke's magic quantity as C-rank - though nothing compared to Stella's terrifyingly extreme magic reserve, it would still be enough to raise his physical abilities by more than one level.
"Really now, Kuro-chan."
At this moment, a seemingly young voice came from behind Shinguuji Kurono.
"How could you not tell me about such a good show?"
"Nene, huh… You would've found out about this yourself afterwards anyway."
Kurono knew who it was without turning around.
Saikyo Nene, the acquaintance Kurono had mentioned to Luke earlier in the office.
Loose-fitting kimono draped over her small frame, shoulders completely exposed.
Combined with her childish face and young voice, she gave the impression of a 'delinquent' little girl.
But she had actually graduated in the same class as Kurono, and the two were very close friends and rivals.
Speaking of the War God's direct disciple, the current world rank #3 in KOK, the name of the 'Yaksha Princess' was well-known in this world.
"Well, I'm quite surprised though."
"Who'd have thought the old man's reward could get us such a little monster."
"Directly suppressing that genius knight Stella Vermillion without using magic."
"My, my, this year's representative selection will be interesting."
As she spoke, Saikyo Nene glanced at Kurogane Ikki sitting beside her.
She showed a sly smile and lightly waved her fan at him.
...
"My... own swordsmanship?"
While spectators were discussing the situation on the field, Stella gradually recovered from her daze.
It wasn't that she was actually careless enough to space out during battle, but her opponent's strength had taken her completely by surprise.
Since Stella had first mastered her power, this was the first time someone had directly shattered her offensive, and without using any magic at that.
At this point in the battle, Stella herself knew she had lost.
Though Luke hadn't delivered a fatal blow, most people knew what losing one's weapon meant in combat.
Call it momentary carelessness or not using full power.
There could be countless excuses, but they couldn't change the fact of the girl's current defeat.
However, she wasn't content!
Just as Luke said, she hadn't yet shown her true power.
Silently picking up the fallen Lævateinn.
Stella bit her lip.
Continuing to challenge after already losing was really hard for her to accept, but simply surrendering was equally unbearable.
Fortunately, Luke had no intention of making things difficult for Stella.
When the girl picked up her weapon and restored her fighting spirit, Luke also gripped Starfall again in response.
Gratitude beyond words - Luke's action relieved Stella's inner conflict.
The girl leaped backward sharply, creating distance between herself and Luke.
The next second, a huge pillar of flame... no, it was no longer just a pillar of flame.
A massive crimson pillar of light rose up, directly melting through the training ground's ceiling!
"I lost this mock battle. Regardless of what happens after, I had already met defeat at that moment."
"But none of that matters. As you said, I'm now going to challenge you with my own power!"
A massive blade of light formed in Stella's hands.
Its radiance was like the descent of the blazing sun, leaving nothing alive in its wake.
This ultimate light of destruction was the strongest Blazer technique that the A-rank knight 'Crimson Princess' took pride in.
"Katharterio Salamandra!"
The blade of light fell with Stella's shout.
BOOM——!
Starting from the girl's position, all of Training Ground Three, including the spectator seats, was instantly split in two.
"Waaaaaah!"
"Run! We're going to get caught in the fire!"
"Is she really human like us?!"
The students in the spectator seats immediately cried out in panic, while Kurono watched the training ground's huge gash with a troubled expression.
"This power... even I would have trouble taking it head-on."
Luke, who had dodged this strike, commented somewhat admiringly while looking at the blade of light in Stella's hands.
Her magical power couldn't be described as just terrifying anymore.
With magic reserve exceeding the average Mage Knight by over thirty times, she was undisputedly the world's strongest among all known Mage Knights in terms of magic reserve.
'Katharterio Salamandra' was a scorching sword of light without physical form, thus avoiding any issues with attack speed.
Moreover, due to the huge attack area of its giant blade, completely avoiding it was extremely difficult.
Of course, this wasn't that difficult for Luke.
But he decided not to dodge anymore.
Seeing Stella's second strike coming and Principal Kurono's increasingly troubled expression, Luke thought it best to end this mock battle quickly.
"Perfect chance to try out the new ability."
Luke gripped Starfall at his waist.
He lowered his stance and faced the approaching blade of light.
Then in the next instant, he vanished from his spot!
Not even a flash of the blade could be seen as he seemed to teleport in front of the girl.
Magic gathered in his hand, and under the effect of the 'Severance/Cutting' ability, the magical defense surrounding the girl was broken instantly.
Swish——!
An strike invisible to the naked eye hit the girl's body.
"What...?!"
Without even realizing what had happened, Stella collapsed to the ground.
Secret Technique: Amakakeru-Ryū-no-Hirameki!
At the same time, Principal Kurono's voice rang out.
"The winner of this mock battle is Luke Ashburn!"
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