With things said so plainly, Stella and Ikki Kurogane understood what Jingliu and Skirk meant.
Wasn't this just a formal apprenticeship?
In the past, neither Ikki nor Stella would have agreed.
But the events of yesterday slowly surfaced in their minds, making them hesitate... Even though this teacher seemed to have done nothing, Ikki and Stella had somehow broken through their limits and reached a new realm.
And most importantly, there seemed to be something about these two teachers that was attracting them!
"I am willing to become your disciple!"
The first person to respond was Ikki Kurogane.
By age, Ikki should technically have been a second-year high school student, but because of the former Director, he had been forced to repeat a grade.
The new students in the academy were unwilling to associate with an F-Rank Knight like him, and even ordinary teachers rarely had the chance to help him.
Ikki Kurogane had grown up in such an environment, with no one to rely on, only himself!
Now that he finally had friends he could spar with and a teacher who thought highly of him, how could Ikki not be moved?
Of course, Ikki's decision was also carefully considered. Ever since Teacher Jingliu appeared, Ikki had never been able to see the upper limit of her strength.
From this, he could conclude that Jingliu was definitely an unparalleled powerhouse! Even in the Far East, she was among the very best!
Taking such a powerhouse as a master was a good thing for Ikki; he couldn't think of a reason to refuse.
"Huh? Since Ikki is doing it, then I will too!"
"Teacher Jingliu, please take me as your disciple!"
Stella could also sense the changes in her own strength, but she clearly hadn't expected Ikki to agree so quickly.
But even so, her mind wouldn't change. Since Ikki agreed, then I'll agree too!
However, things seemed a bit different from what Stella had imagined...
"Your teacher is not me, Stella."
"It is I."
The white-haired girl who had been quiet since entering the room spoke up. She looked very similar to Jingliu, as if they were sisters, but upon closer inspection, there were many differences.
"Uh, why is it Teacher Skirk?"
There were two combat instructors for the class, and Jingliu was one of them. Ikki and Stella had seen her strength and acknowledged her from the bottom of their hearts, but Skirk...
They weren't familiar with her!
Most importantly, they hadn't seen Teacher Skirk in action, so they had doubts about whether she was as strong as Jingliu.
"Ikki Kurogane is someone who uses swordsmanship as his primary means of attack, but you are different, Stella Vermillion."
"The reason you were on the back mountain last night was that you found your own path forward, right? Compared to exquisite swordsmanship, you are better suited to using absolute magic power and flames to crush your opponents."
"In other words, you are more suited to manipulating elements for attack. Like Ikki Kurogane's sister, you are an elemental-type Blazer."
"Therefore, you and her will be guided by me."
Skirk's meaning was clear: for the coming time, she would be the teacher for Stella and Shizuku, guiding them in combat techniques for elemental manipulation.
Even though Stella's element was fire, it didn't hinder Skirk from teaching elemental techniques.
Skirk, having studied under the Supreme Evil Knight Surtalogi of the Genshin Impact World, mastered the technique known as the Seven Variations of the Serpent, which could simulate and manipulate elemental forces.
For Shizuku Kurogane, who manipulated water, and Stella, who manipulated fire, they could definitely gain great inspiration from it, and even taking a step further was not impossible.
On the other hand, while Jingliu could also use the power of ice, she focused more on swordsmanship and technique. This was a great match for Ikki Kurogane and the boy behind him who was like a violet, Arisuin Nagi...
"Is this really okay?"
"After all, Ikki and I are roommates; wouldn't it be better to study together?"
Hearing that she would be separated from Ikki, Stella immediately became bashful, even glancing at Ikki from time to time.
Clearly, compared to Shizuku Kurogane, Stella would much rather stay with Ikki.
"Teaching according to aptitude. You and Ikki are not the same type. If you insist on training together, your strength will be left far behind by him."
"I understand. Please train me hard, Teacher Skirk!"
During yesterday's training, Stella had already realized there was a gap between her and Ikki Kurogane's strength.
That so-called 'Ittou Rasetsu'—even now, Stella hadn't found any way to counter it. If she faced it head-on, she would only be insta-killed.
In other words, Stella had already fallen behind!
If the gap continued to widen, she might eventually not even be able to see Ikki Kurogane's back.
"Only in strength, I absolutely cannot be left behind!"
"Even if I have to train separately from Ikki, I absolutely refuse to be left behind!"
This was Stella's will, and even Director Kokonoe behind her couldn't help but show an appreciative expression.
As expected, this Princess of Vermillion knew exactly what she needed to do and when.
"In that case, follow me!"
—
"Do you know why I wanted to take you as disciples?"
In the bamboo grove where Jingliu and Skirk were temporarily staying, the two teachers sat in the main seats, gently brewing a few cups of tea and handing them to their respective two students in turn.
"That... I don't know."
"Because we have potential?"
Ikki, Shizuku, and Stella looked at each other, while only the last boy, Arisuin Nagi, remained silent.
"After all, Stella is an A-Rank Knight and excellent in all aspects. Shizuku also graduated at the top of her class before coming to Hagun Academy... They are both very outstanding."
"As for Ikki and Arisuin..."
"Although Ikki is evaluated as an F-Rank Knight, it was clear from yesterday's battle that his talent is amazing. At least the vast majority of the class are not his match, and even I lost."
"I haven't seen Arisuin's strength yet, but he seems to be evaluated as an E-Rank Knight? To be chosen by Teacher Jingliu, perhaps he also possesses talent similar to Ikki's?"
Before Jingliu and Skirk had even said anything, the young men and women had already analyzed part of the truth.
And because Ikki, Shizuku, and Stella were on good terms, they all cast suspicious glances toward the last boy, Arisuin Nagi.
Although they weren't familiar with Arisuin yet, since he could be chosen by a teacher like Jingliu, he must have something special about him, right?
"That's right, because you have potential."
At that moment, Skirk spoke up.
"And it's not just ordinary potential; it's the potential to become a 'Desperado'!"
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