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"If that's the case...?"
Kurogane Ikki gripped Ryoji's hand, struggling to straighten his legs, his expression filled with doubt.
"What I mean is... You probably didn't get to fight to your heart's content, did you?"
Ryoji looked up and surveyed the surroundings.
The audience seats had erupted into a celebratory frenzy.
Yet even after such a battle, some still cast disdainful and malicious glances at Kurogane Ikki, their faces radiating righteous satisfaction at his "deserved" defeat.
"This battle was tainted by too many adult machinations," Ryoji said, his face betraying no emotion. "A swordsman's duel should be purer. Your heart was burdened by those external factors, preventing you from truly letting go."
Kurogane Ikki gave a bitter smile.
'Well, Ryoji faced me head-on; of course, he could sense my mental imbalance.'
From the very beginning, Ikki had been fixated on clearing his name, becoming overly eager and short-sighted. He approached the battle not with enjoyment but with torment, feeling increasingly agitated throughout.
Of course, he hadn't fought to his heart's content.
"But... It's not like we won't have another chance to battle again."
Ryoji smiled shortly after, as if struck by a sudden thought.
"Let's settle this at the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival!"
"But I already lost... I can't participate in this year's festival." Kurogane Ikki looked puzzled.
'Was he talking about next year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival?'
'That's right.'
The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival was an annual event. By next year, they'd only be second-year high school students, still eligible to participate.
With another year of dedicated training, his strength would undoubtedly improve significantly. Securing a spot as a representative wouldn't be difficult then, at least, probably. After all, next year Toudou Touka-senpai and the others would graduate, leaving plenty of openings.
'No, wait a moment.'
He might not even be able to participate in next year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.
"No, there's no need to wait until next year."
Hearing this, Ryoji chuckled.
"It's about time I told you, actually, I've known all along, "
"Hahahaha! Kurogane Ikki, you've lost this duel!"
Just as he was about to reveal his plans, a sharp, maniacal laugh pierced the air and approached them.
Mamoru Akaza leaped down from the stands, swaggering into the battle ring with smug satisfaction.
"As per our agreement, the duel's outcome determines everything. You lost, which means your relationship with Princess Stella is now officially settled! You're finished! This will be reported to League Headquarters, and you can expect to be stripped of your Blazer Qualification!"
The duel's outcome was everything.
Kurogane Ikki's face darkened completely.
That's right, his body was bearing such immense pressure.
Having lost this duel, he was already destined to be stripped of his Blazer Qualification.
He would soon be expelled from Hagun Academy, forced to return to society as an ordinary person, attending an ordinary school, with no chance of participating in next year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.
He had betrayed Stella's expectations, and his own future was utterly ruined.
His ideals had completely dissolved into nothing.
"Shut up, you piece of trash!"
But just then...
Ryoji hurled the most vicious insult he had ever directed at Mamoru Akaza.
The suddenness of the insult startled both Kurogane Ikki and Mamoru Akaza into stunned silence.
Ryoji ignored them both.
Instead, he turned his gaze toward the audience stands, as if searching for something.
"Ryoji-san, catch!"
As if receiving a signal, a girl with short peach-gold hair leaped from a corner of the stands and tossed him a microphone.
Perfect teamwork!
Thumbs up for you!
I'll get your autograph later!
"Everyone, be quiet!"
Ryoji's voice boomed across the arena through the microphone.
A sudden, unexpected turn of events had occurred.
Every spectator in the arena stared at Ryoji in bewilderment.
"What does he want?"
"Angel-sama has something to say. Just listen quietly!"
Within seconds, the entire grandstand fell into complete silence.
Ryoji's unparalleled charisma was on full display.
"When did he connect to the mic?"
On the commentary platform, Oreki Yuri looked at announcer Tsukuyomi with astonishment.
"Before the match started!" Tsukuyomi flashed a V-sign, her smile radiant. "Angel-sama asked me for help, and of course, I couldn't refuse!"
At the highest tier of the grandstand:
"What is Little Junior Brother up to?" Saikyou Nene asked, her expression puzzled.
"Just watch," Shinguuji Kurono replied calmly, crossing his arms with an air of smug anticipation.
In the arena:
"Let me ask you this: don't you feel... unwilling?"
Ryoji's voice echoed from the loudspeakers surrounding the arena.
'Unwilling?'
'What was he referring to?'
The crowd buzzed with confusion, whispering among themselves. Kurogane Ikki and Mamoru Akaza watched his performance with stunned expressions.
"I believe the very mechanism of this selection tournament is deeply flawed!"
As soon as these words left his mouth, the sharper minds in the crowd grasped his point.
'Could it be that...?'
Hagure Kikyō stared at Ryoji in the distance, speechless with disbelief.
"Matching participants based entirely on luck, instead of a point system or elimination rounds, is profoundly unfair to many. Those who possess the skill to rank among the top six, who could legitimately become representatives for the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival and stand on that glorious stage, are denied their chance simply due to poor luck. Tell me, wouldn't you feel unwilling?"
Momotani Takeshi, Kirihara Shizuya, and Kurogane Shizuku, standing nearby, all focused their gazes simultaneously.
The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.
It was the highest honor for Student Knights nationwide!
Even if one didn't become the Seven Stars Sword King, simply standing on that stage would be a cherished memory to be treasured for a lifetime!
Every year, thousands of Student Knights set their sights on reaching that stage, considering participation in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival their ultimate goal, for which they would strive relentlessly for years.
No one would give up easily.
Especially contestants like Kurogane Shizuku, who had only suffered one or two defeats, had been entirely undone by bad luck. With better fortune, they could have easily secured a place among the top six!
"I believe the current selection mechanism is fundamentally flawed! Therefore, I propose, "
Ryoji took a deep breath and shouted his plan at the top of his lungs:
"Hold a Loser's Revival Match!"
"Implement a strict elimination system, eliminating luck and prioritizing skill. From all the Student Knights, select the six strongest individuals! These six will represent our school at this year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. This is the only fair and convincing method, and it will truly showcase the honor of our academy! Don't tell me it isn't!"
Indeed.
Leaving aside those who had already given up, Kurogane Shizuku was undeniably reluctant. From the start, she had wanted to stand on the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival stage alongside her Elder Brother.
Others like Hagure Kikyō and Momotani Takeshi felt the same way, simply being one of the six selected was a tremendous honor!
"I think this makes sense!"
"I've felt this system was flawed all along!"
"Everything Angel-sama says is right! Even when she's wrong, she's right!"
The entire audience erupted into a clamorous uproar.
(End of Chapter)