Looking at the unconscious boy on the ground, the scene from just now gradually surfaced in Jingliu's mind...
Ittō Shura is an explosive Blaze Sword Secret Technique; it is strongest the moment it is activated and gradually weakens over time.
So, Ikki had been exploiting Jingliu's 'guidance' mindset to make her lower her guard. It wasn't until the very last second of Ittō Shura, when Jingliu used her Transcendent Flash, that he unleashed his true trump card.
Third Secret Sword: Madoka.
When facing an opponent far stronger than oneself, one uses the blade to meet the opponent's slash and perfectly reflects the force received back at them.
In other words, it is a technique that uses the opponent's strength against them.
That said, Jingliu's 'Xianzhou' physique was actually still a high wall that people of this world could hardly reach; an ordinary Blazer wouldn't be able to cause any effective damage to Jingliu at all.
But Ikki Kurogane had done it...
Even if it was through a technique that redirected force, making Jingliu hit herself, you can't deny he succeeded, right?
Regardless, Ikki Kurogane had achieved the feat of 'making Jingliu bleed'; he might do even more impressive things in the future.
"A hard-working protagonist? I wonder whose talent is superior compared to Yanqing's..."
"I'll take the opportunity during the coming period to observe him properly."
Tap, tap, tap!
Jingliu looked up as her other half, Skirk, emerged from a rift in space nearby.
"Let 'Jingliu' handle Ikki's guidance. As the sword champion of the Xianzhou, her method of teaching swordsmanship should be better."
"In contrast, 'Skirk', who simulates elemental power, is better suited to guide students who use elements to fight, though her methods will be much rougher... In this world, probably only that little girl who uses fire can endure it."
"After all, there is a dragon hidden inside her body!"
However, as the words fell, both of them looked at Ikki Kurogane, who was unconscious on the ground, and fell into a long silence.
"What about him?"
"Let's just leave him here. Given his constitution, this level of cold isn't enough to be fatal..."
"Starting the day after tomorrow, we must fulfill our duties as teachers."
At some point, Ikki Kurogane, who was lying on the ground, opened his eyes, but he quickly couldn't hold it in...
"Achoo!"
"Wait, did I catch a cold?"
Even though school was about to start, Ikki had ended up with a cold because the chill from the ground had invaded his body.
Blazers usually have strong constitutions and rarely get sick due to the presence of magic power, but for some special reason, Ikki caught a cold just as school was about to start...
The reason was unknown; perhaps it was because Ikki had just completely drained his magic power?
"Right, the person I was fighting... is gone!"
The previous battle instantly flashed through his mind. Ikki seemed to recall seeing blood on that woman's fingertip, and after that, he knew nothing.
He originally wanted to look for traces of that person, but Ikki couldn't see a single soul; there was no response when he knocked on the door of the small hut either.
Helpless, Ikki could only leave first.
But before leaving, he still observed the nearby bamboo forest, seemingly wanting to remember this place, or perhaps wanting to remember a certain someone...
"Who exactly was that person who sparred with me just now?"
"With such powerful strength, why have I never heard of her?"
In this information age, photos of many famous people can be found online. Except for those who are inconvenient to disclose, Ikki had seen what those strong experts looked like and some of their Blaze Sword Secret Techniques.
However, regarding that woman who used ice, Ikki couldn't associate her with anyone at all. Perhaps she was some hidden expert?
Ikki was also a teenage boy with the same fantasies as any youth; maybe that person was a figure similar to the 'old master' in novels?
Did she come to Hagun Academy suddenly to recruit a disciple?
"While that's a plot from a novel, how could it possibly become reality? Hahaha!"
Despite the beautiful fantasy, it was ultimately just a fantasy, and Ikki was capable of distinguishing reality.
One must live grounded in reality. There's no problem with occasional fantasies, but if one gets lost in them, there is no future.
Thus, Ikki followed the route he usually used for training and returned to his dormitory.
However, when a certain princess's scream echoed from the dormitory building, Ikki might have just caught a glimpse of his future...
The trouble he was about to face was far from over!
—
A few days later, the opening ceremony of Hagun Academy was held as usual, and the high school students were assigned to their respective classrooms.
"Hello everyone, congratulations on your successful enrollment!"
"I am your homeroom teacher, Oregi Yūri!"
A teacher with a pale face and heavy dark circles under her eyes stood on the podium, greeting the students in as 'energetic' a tone as possible.
However, this teacher's condition looked like she could collapse at any moment...
Is she really okay?
Blood was even starting to seep from the corner of her mouth... No, she was already coughing up blood!
"It's fine. Since I was little, I've had a constitution where I vomit a liter of blood every day. You don't need to worry about me at all!"
"In comparison, there's something more important I need to tell you!"
Oregi Yūri wiped the blood from her mouth and began to introduce the event called the 'Seven Star Sword Dance Festival'.
"This year is different from usual. Because of Director Shinguji's strong request, the academy has adopted a new selection method. We no longer judge whether students are qualified to participate based on their 'ability stats', but rather through actual combat."
"In other words, all students are eligible for the Sword Dance Festival! The final 6 winning students will represent the academy in the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival!"
"Students who do not wish to participate can also choose to withdraw; there won't be any punishment. But if you successfully qualify, there will be rewards."
"I hope you all participate. Gaining experience in academy battles will surely help your path as a Magic Knight in the future!"
Oregi Yūri paused and walked to the classroom door, gently pulling it open.
"However, regardless of whether you want to participate or not, Hagun Academy will spend its greatest resources to train you!"
"Especially this year, our academy has welcomed two very, very powerful combat teachers!"
As Oregi Yūri's voice rang out, crisp footsteps could be heard from outside the door.
Tap, tap, tap—!
Hearing that they were combat teachers, all the students couldn't help but swallow hard. After all, for a Blazer, the most important thing besides ability stats is actual combat.
While there are Blazers who don't fight, over 99.9% of them need to!
Therefore, combat teachers are particularly important compared to theory teachers. Their strength must be greater than the students', otherwise, it would be impossible to keep these students in line.
Most combat teachers are already famous Magic Knights, usually over thirty years old. Only then can they ensure they handle the intensity of combat well and not injure students.
So, who would their combat teachers be?
Many students expressed their curiosity.
But when those two incredibly young figures walked into the classroom, everyone's eyes widened. Ikki even stood up in shock, his face written with disbelief.
Soon, the classroom was filled with the voices of the students...
"Are you kidding me? Are these our combat teachers? They're so young!"
"Not a beautiful girl transfer student, but a beautiful girl teacher... I'm sold!"
"Teacher! Please give us strict guidance from now on!"
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