vstars Chapter 745 - 745
Chapter 745 - 745
Something she hadn't accomplished in ten years was actually solved by one piece of information?Damn it, she refused to accept this!
...
Afternoon.
The sweltering wind enveloped the bay city, the humid moisture making the air even more stifling.
"If there's anything you need us for, you must tell us!"
Stella and Yuudai Moroboshi shouted these words while reluctantly leaving the stadium.
"Everyone is worrying too much."
Kurogane Ikki couldn't help but smile wryly, though he felt warmth in his heart.
"But it's understandable, after all, tomorrow's opponent is him!"
He had finally reached this point!
The finals of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!
Just one more step, and by becoming champion, he could fulfill his promise with Shinguuji Kurono, graduate from Hagun Academy, and step onto the international stage as a professional knight!
However, achieving this would undoubtedly be extremely difficult!
There was only one reason - tomorrow's opponent was terrifyingly powerful!
As Eiji's longtime rival, no one understood Eiji's fearsomeness better than him.
Unlike himself, who had struggled desperately to climb up here, Eiji had reached this point with effortless ease.
Mastering the world's strongest swordsmanship, possessing the Absolute GodSpeed ability, awakening an extraordinary light sword capability, making significant improvements in physical prowess... Each of these presented him with overwhelming pressure.
And most crucially.
"I've received far too many favors from him!"
Kurogane Ikki couldn't help but smile wryly again.
Eiji had helped him numerous times - specifically organizing a losers' revival tournament so he could become a representative candidate, teaching him the Twin Wings Style specifically so he could defeat Stella... Without him, he could never have climbed from the very bottom to this position.
He was actually quite happy about this, as it meant Eiji considered him a close friend.
Yet precisely because of this, he felt he couldn't easily raise his sword against Eiji.
That's right.
He could wield his sword against Stella, but he couldn't raise it against Eiji.
Because his relationship with Stella was based on a promise, while with Eiji it was entirely about debt.
That sense of obligation weighed on his sword, making him feel as if he were carrying a massive mountain on his back.
"Even if I can't do it this time, there's always next time."
Kurogane Ikki sat cross-legged in the very center of the stadium.
This was the training area assigned to representative candidates by the committee. Now that it was the finals, only he was using it, so he didn't need to worry about others coming by, allowing him to relax completely.
"The Seven Star Sword Art Festival happens every year. Even if I can't make it this year, I can participate in next year's or the year after, and still win the championship... Maybe I should just forfeit this year and give the championship to Eiji?"
By next year, Eiji probably wouldn't participate in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
He knew Eiji's personality well - he couldn't be bothered to participate in uninteresting competitions. Instead, he would undoubtedly prefer to graduate early and join the league's KOK League, where he could dominate completely.
And the league headquarters, in their fight against increasingly rampant terrorist activities worldwide, was always willing to let powerful student knights graduate early. For a sword god-level powerhouse like Eiji, the league would be thrilled to have him start immediately and intimidate the entire world!
In other words, for next year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival, he would only have Stella as his opponent at most, perhaps with Kurogane Shizuku included.
As for Touka, Yuudai Moroboshi, and Kurogane Ouma, they were all third-year students who would graduate by the end of this year, leaving them no chance to participate in the next Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
Under these circumstances, he felt quite confident about his chances of winning the championship.
"If you really do that, that little brat will hate you for the rest of his life!"
A leisurely voice suddenly echoed through the spacious gymnasium.
Kurogane Ikki was instantly startled.
He hadn't detected anyone approaching at all—not even the slightest presence!
"God of War, sir?"
He quickly stood up, astonished to find that the newcomer was none other than the legendary Blazer who had served as their coach during the joint training camp.
Dressed in a black kimono, leaning on a cane, with sparse white hair and a face full of wrinkles, he appeared aged yet spirited.
It was indeed the God of War, Nangou Torajirou!
Only then did Kurogane Ikki realize that he had unconsciously spoken his thoughts aloud.
"Please enlighten me, sir!"
"There's nothing to enlighten you about."
Nangou Torajirou waved his hand dismissively.
"What that little brat desires has never been victory in one or two matches. For him, sparring with strong opponents is far more important than any championship title in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!"
"If you truly wish to repay him, then give it your all in tomorrow's match. That alone is more than enough!"
Kurogane Ikki suddenly understood.
He slapped his head hard.
He should have realized it sooner—he had been overthinking things!
For someone like Eiji, losing a match was never a big deal. At most, it was just a matter of frustration. He could always train harder and win it back later. What would truly anger him was an opponent he strongly anticipated avoiding the fight.
"Thank you for your guidance, sir! I understand now!"
Kurogane Ikki quickly regained his fighting spirit.
Tomorrow, all he needed to do was give it his all. Nothing else mattered!
"By the way, before I came here, Kurono asked me to pass on a message to you."
Nangou Torajirou nodded in satisfaction before speaking again.
"She said that regardless of whether you win or lose tomorrow's match, she will allow you to graduate from Hagun Academy as a professional knight."
"Really?"
Kurogane Ikki was instantly overjoyed.
Hadn't he been striving for this ideal his entire life?
"Of course, it's true."
Nangou Torajirou nodded nonchalantly.
"Today's match has already exposed your strength to the Alliance headquarters. If Kurono doesn't let you graduate, the Alliance will surely give her trouble. You could say your path as a knight is now wide open!"
"Wide open?"
Kurogane Ikki took a deep breath.
This statement undoubtedly excited him, but it also left him puzzled.
"Is it because I've learned the first step of the Twin-Wings sword technique?"
"That's part of it, but it's only a minor factor."
Nangou Torajirou chuckled, his expression far from aged.
"The most fundamental reason lies in the taboo you broke during today's match!"
His tone was full of admiration.
"I'd like to hear the details!"
Kurogane Ikki's expression shifted intently.
That taboo?
Today on the competition field, he felt he had broken through something extraordinary, so much so that even Eiji came over specifically to ask about it. However, neither of them knew exactly what it was.
"Stepping into that forbidden realm, you can no longer be called merely human. To find a more fitting term, that would be—〈Demon〉!"
Nangou Torajirou declared with shocking words.