Chapter 296: [296] Let's Go Ahead!
"Since the preliminaries began, he's cut his way through as a very ordinary E-rank knight, toppling many of the campus's top-tier fighters. His victories weren't luck—only pure strength!"
The large floating screen showed clips of Eiji defeating his opponents in the past nineteen matches.
Though in reality, only seven fights were shown.
To the arena's east, the student council members gathered.
Kanata glanced up at the screen, seeing herself as the first to fall. Her brows furrowed.
It was true, but still—how humiliating.
After all, she had been the school's second-ranked last year, yet her first battle was a crushing defeat, turning into a stepping stone for Eiji's fame.
But from that match, her relationship with Eiji deepened into a secret romance even Touka didn't know about.
Not only her—Takeshi Momotani, Kikyo Hagure, Shizuya Kirihara, and others sat scattered in the stands, recalling memories ranging from disbelief, bittersweetness, to utter humiliation.
Each of them had once been easily defeated by him, completely cut off from the Seven-Star Sword Art Festival.
"Junior…"
Touka watched the boy stepping into the ring with swirling emotions.
No one understood Eiji better than she did.
But even she couldn't guess what Eiji planned to do in this match.
"Do your best!"
"Angel-sama is so cool!"
"Crush that loser!"
Honestly, that last cheer should have been shouted at Ikki instead.
"From Class 1-1, the legendary Nangou Eiji, disciple of the God of War, now entering the arena! Let's hear a roaring applause! Clap clap clap!"
The announcer, clearly a fan, led the audience in wild applause.
"And on the other side, if Eiji is a legend, then his opponent is a miracle! An F-rank failing knight who defeated the Crimson Princess, the Hunter, and many other strong opponents—talentless yet unbeaten! And he's the descendant of the great hero Kurogane Ryouma! How can this not be a fated showdown!"
"Despite the rumors, his strength and effort are no lie. Please welcome Class 1-1's Kurogane Ikki!"
The announcer slipped in his personal opinion.
As one of the few commentators for the preliminaries, Tsukuyomi had watched Ikki's fights many times and believed in him despite all the rumors.
"What rumors? They're all true!"
Akaza muttered under his breath.
With so much pressure from the three above, all big names in their fields, he didn't dare say it louder.
But inside the arena…
There was no sign of Ikki.
"Hmm? What's going on? No report of Kurogane Ikki entering the prep room—has he not arrived at the arena yet?!"
"Hey, hey, hey, maybe he ran away out of cowardice?"
"Maybe he's afraid of Angel-sama's strength!"
Laughter echoed from all sides in the stands.
Ordinary students couldn't tell better, and even adults struggled to resist the overwhelming public opinion. Most couldn't.
Coupled with jealousy towards the F-rank knight, most gave in to mocking laughter.
"Hey, didn't you guys bring the fighter here?"
Shinguuji Kurono glared sharply down at Akaza.
"Ah, we were supposed to, but maybe the people below forgot?"
Akaza covered his mouth and chuckled.
They were supposed to bring Ikki as agreed, but Akaza naturally broke the promise, only opening the door to Ikki's locked room before leaving.
Judging by Ikki's chronic lack of sleep and the mental blows from Eiji, he was probably still sound asleep!
Hmph, looks like a promotion is guaranteed for me this time!
"Only three minutes left before the match starts. If he doesn't arrive by then, it'll be a forfeit…"
Inside the arena.
Eiji stood silently, not uttering a word nor hearing anything around him.
But his whole body was gathering fierce energy.
He believed Ikki would come.
All he needed to do was wait.
Outside.
People still heatedly discussed Ikki's rumored escape.
Suddenly—
A loud commotion erupted from the school's entrance.
Not long after—
A figure appeared from the arena's blue gate, stepping firmly into the battle circle, coming fully into the spectators' view.
"Class 1-1, Kurogane Ikki has arrived."
The boy stood in the center of the arena.
Though his clothes were creased and wrinkled, and he looked as if dust clung to him, giving off an overwhelming sense of dishevelment,
His eyes shone brighter than ever before.
"He's here—!!"
"That's great…"
The announcer's excited shout mixed with the commentator's relieved voice.
"That guy actually dared to show up?"
"I have to admit, that takes guts!"
"More like shamelessness!"
A wave of reactions erupted from the stands.
There were scornful voices and insults,
But also cheers of admiration.
However, the two standing in the arena ignored all those voices completely.
"Looks like your spirit isn't broken."
Eiji looked into those bright eyes and nodded with satisfaction.
"No, my spirit was broken once, by my own father."
Ikki shook his head, a trace of sadness flickering in his gaze.
But not a trace of defeat showed on his face.
"However, someone gave me a new reason, a new mental support—and I can't let her down!"
With his entrance,
The stands stirred again. People led by Stella and Shizuku appeared, and Eiji even caught a grateful look from Shizuku.
Ikki wasn't without supporters. There were those who believed in him.
Now, he had a brand-new reason to fight.
"Thanks for the potion."
Ikki sincerely thanked Eiji.
"No problem. Five hundred thousand. Pay me back later."
Eiji smiled calmly.
Looking at his bedraggled appearance, it was clear he'd been through a lot of hardship. If he'd come out in such a weak state to face him, Eiji would actually be disappointed.
Ikki gave a wry smile.
He really was broke.
"A little over half a month ago, I said something, didn't I?"
Eiji raised his hand. With a surge of mana, a dazzling silver katana appeared, shimmering like water ripples.
"When we face off, I won't hold back. That's what I want to tell you now."
"I remember."
Ikki reached out. Within a faint blue glow, he gripped a seemingly plain black katana.
"Then it's just as I hoped!"
"Fighters, take your positions!"
The referee stepped between them, glancing at the countdown on the huge screen above.
"—Let's go ahead!"
The buzzer blared loudly.
***
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