'Just do what you can to the absolute limit of your ability.'
Kurogane Ikki suddenly realized the truth.
'That's right.'
His mindset had been fluctuating wildly because he was obsessed with defeating Ryoji.
The immense pressure he carried had become a burden, making him feel he had to achieve something specific.
But this was a duel between swordsmen.
This sacred battle should have been decided solely by himself and his blade. Constantly dwelling on external factors only tarnished the purity of his sword.
Stella's words had awakened him, or perhaps she simply couldn't bear to watch him constantly push himself beyond his limits. Whatever the reason, Kurogane Ikki abandoned his obsession with victory and defeat.
Instead, he poured all his focus into reaching the absolute limit of his potential!
And so, he unleashed the Ittou Rasetsu, a supreme technique that poured every last ounce of his life force into a single strike!
After this strike, he would inevitably lose all his strength, becoming utterly defenseless, a child could kill him.
But at that moment, he wasn't considering any of those consequences.
He didn't need to think about the aftermath; he only needed to reach his peak for a single instant.
He had never used this technique before. Only in this final showdown with Ryoji, driven by an overwhelming desire to do something, anything, had he achieved this breakthrough.
This was indeed the perfect counter to Ryoji.
By pushing his speed beyond Ryoji's limits within a single strike, he could secure victory instantly.
Yet this method was incredibly unstable, with zero margin for error.
No one knew the true extent of Ryoji's limits. If Ryoji managed to surpass him instead, only those who would be utterly defenseless after his single strike would be doomed.
This was the ultimate gamble.
Within that single blade strike, it was victory or defeat!
In that fleeting instant, the silver-white and pitch-black blades transformed into brilliant shooting stars, leaving trails of light as they collided in the deathly silent space where all phenomena, light, sound, everything, had vanished.
No one could have witnessed that instantaneous clash.
After that single instant, either he would fall to the ground, unconscious, or be shattered into pieces, dying instantly. Either outcome was equally possible.
Even Kurogane Ikki and Ryoji themselves could no longer control the blades in their hands, which moved far beyond human limits. All that remained was the indomitable spirit blazing in their eyes.
'No holding back, give it everything!'
The two fighters brushed past each other.
A deathly silence fell over the arena. Every spectator stared wide-eyed at the pair, not daring to even breathe.
A massive shockwave surged forth like a tsunami, blotting out the sky and engulfing the earth. It transformed into a violent gale that whipped up countless robes and clouds of dust. The instantaneous impact seemed powerful enough to scatter even the distant clouds.
"Junior Brother..."
Toudou Touka gripped the railing so tightly that deep indentations were left by her fingers, but she paid no heed, her anxious gaze locked solely on Ryoji's body on the battlefield.
Totokubara Kanata involuntarily loosened her grip on her parasol, her eyes also drawn to the young man's body.
Across the arena, Stella and Kurogane Shizuku, along with Saikyou Nene watching from the highest tier, and even the viewers watching on television, all held their breath.
"H-how is he?"
"I don't know..."
Murmurs gradually rose from the audience.
On the arena floor:
Huff...
Ryoji exhaled deeply, releasing a stream of stale air.
He turned to face the direction behind him.
To the entire audience, his body appeared completely unscathed from every angle!
"...N-Nangou is moving! He doesn't seem injured at all!"
"Great!" Toudou Touka cheered instantly.
Totokubara Kanata, Saikyou Nene, and the others couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Though they had full confidence in Ryoji, they never expected Kurogane Ikki to unleash such a powerful final burst. It had truly startled them all.
Even Nangou Torajirou couldn't help but wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead, then discreetly retract his hand.
In stark contrast, Stella, Kurogane Shizuku, and their group's faces darkened with concern.
"Contestant Nangou is unharmed. But what about the other side, ?"
All eyes followed the announcer's voice to the other contestant.
Cough... hah...!
Kurogane Ikki's face was deathly pale.
He clutched his chest with one hand, using his sword to prop himself up with the other, while violently coughing.
He glanced down at his chest.
There were no visible wounds.
Yet the searing pain remained, lodged deep within.
Coupled with the fact that his Ittou Rasetsu had completely drained his stamina, Magic Power, and spirit, he couldn't even stand. He collapsed to his knees like a fish out of water, utterly drained and helpless.
"...I've lost."
The words were bitter, laced with regret.
Kurogane Ikki chose to concede.
He had reached his limit, forging a brand-new technique.
But tragically, he still couldn't surpass his opponent's limit.
He had been defeated.
Yet he harbored no resentment.
He had truly given it his all, and Ryoji's strength simply surpassed his absolute best.
Only.
Yes, though he felt no resentment, he was deeply unwilling.
I thought that with the new Director taking the stage, I'd finally have a chance to participate in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival and graduate successfully. But this year, I didn't even make it past the preliminary rounds.
My promise to Stella was broken, and I failed to clear her name.
Looking back, it's clear I've been a complete failure.
"Contestant Kurogane... concedes!"
The announcer stood up on his chair, his face flushed with excitement.
"To all viewers watching this match! After an incredibly thrilling exchange of blade and sword, marked by intense clashes, and following Contestant Kurogane's concession, I hereby declare Contestant Nangou Ryoji the victor! He has won the Hagun Academy's preliminary rounds and secured his place as one of the six representatives for the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival!"
"Ooooh!"
"You two are incredible!"
"Angel-sama is invincible! Invincible!"
"What a feast for the eyes! Even though I didn't understand it, I could tell it was an amazing battle!"
A torrent of cheers erupted from the crowd.
The spectators in the stands showered them with thunderous applause.
This was undoubtedly a clash worthy of the Seven Stars Sword King level. It wouldn't have been surprising if either of these fighters had claimed the throne. Witnessing such a spectacle in the qualifiers alone made the trip worthwhile.
"A bit of a letdown," Ryoji said as he approached Kurogane Ikki, extending his hand.
"...Is my level not enough to satisfy you?" Kurogane Ikki asked, a wry smile forming on his lips.
'He's right.'
His sword technique had been completely surpassed by Ryoji, so it was only natural that he would feel unsatisfied.
"That's not true," Ryoji said, shaking his head. "I thoroughly enjoyed our battle, and I genuinely gave it my all."
He hadn't held back at all, taking the fight with the utmost seriousness.
In terms of sword technique, he had truly given it his all, leaving no room for hesitation. That's why he had managed to overwhelm Kurogane Ikki, and he had also gained significant insights from the encounter.
From the perspective of his special ability, although a substantial amount of Magic Power remained within his body, unleashing the Lightning Flint technique had already pushed him to his absolute limit.
To put it bluntly, this was his current peak.
(End Of This Chapter)
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