Chivalry of a Hollow Cryo Dragon Devil Knight

by Gaevontracey24

Ayato Kurozakuro Sparda will enter the world of Devils and learn more about himself as Rias Gremory's Pawn & Stella Vermillion Gremory Phenex's Queen , along with his mysterious family past which allows him to wield a legendary demonic sword... and he's the next Red Dragon Emperor. Harem with Stella,Rias and Mio being the main girls.

28. Chapter 28

'' - Talking

"" - Thought

Chapter 29

….

If she closed her eyes, she could still remember it clearly. In her childhood. The memory of the days she spent with her most beloved older brother. She was always following around behind him.

She wasn't good at getting spoiled, just following behind him, unable to call out to him, but...every time her older brother saw her figure, he would smile at her, call her name, and wave at her. She was happy about that. And when she came closer in response to his wave, he would gently stroke her hair. That sensation was bliss. Her uneventful every day was truly filled with happiness. ──Truly...how foolish she was.

That's right, to her past self, Shizuku Kurogane...cursed the her that innocently took her older brother's love for granted. If she recalled back in her current self, 「shadow」 existed in every corner of their daily lives. Amongst the gatherings of many relatives. Within the pupils that were looking from afar at the sword and magic training they were receiving as if it was natural.

Or the side face of her older brother that she finally found in a wide room── Whenever her older brother noticed her gaze, he would immediately hide it in his smile...getting spoiled by that smile, she didn't think deeply about it...certainly, 「shadow」 existed. Her older probably had probably been fighting it by himself since that time. Against all the unreasonabilities surrounding him. She couldn't notice it at all at that time.

Just getting spoiled by her beloved older brother, she couldn't become his strength. However...it would be diferent for the current her. What was important to him? What was he hoping for? The current her knew it clearly. And then...what was it that she should do, as well.

(For that sake, I ──── am fine with losing everything.)

"Right before today's match begins, I will assault Amane Shinomiya in the waiting room."

"Eh..."

It was after they went to the department stores with the usual members in addition to Sara Bloodlily. Taking their leave first, on the way back to the venue...Shizuku Kurogane declared that to Nagi Arisuin who was walking next to her.

"What...are you saying, Shizuku..."

The declaration was so shocking that Arisuin had stopped in his tracks and asked back. In response to that, Shizuku answered with a determined expression.

"Just like I said, Alice. This is based on my deductions about Bad Luck, Amane Shinomiya's ability...Nameless Glory's countermeasure. Nameless Glory is a causality interference ability that has a strong enforcement as can be seen. In the case when that ability holder wishes for my defeat, or his victory...it will be difficult for me, who only possesses nature interference ability, to overcome.

First, without a doubt, the causality will revolve around his wish. Like the time with the White-Robed Knight, and the second round today, some sort of coincidence will definitely happen, leading to my defeat. It can be considered as inevitable.

At this rate, I won't even be able to stand on the ring in the third round. My blade...will not reach him. In that case...I will purposely make use of that inevitability."

"Make use?"

"That's right. My defeat...with the pretext of violation of rules, I will defeat that guy. With me taking action that may violate the rules myself, it will not trigger the causal interference ability, allowing me to close in on Amane. If it's this method, I can bypass Nameless Glory. My blade can reach that guy."

That answer was guided by Shizuku's deductions. Hearing that, Arisuin was also convinced. Indeed, using that method, it could probably aim at the loophole in Amane's extraordinary ability. It would be possible to create a surprise attack using Amane's weakness, who held absolute confidence in his ability. It was an excellent move from both the offensive and defensive perspectives.

However── "But in that case, Shizuku will lose due to violation of rules in the end, right!?" Right, that was the issue. That countermeasure could only work if she gave up her victory of the match. If not, it would not work. Then it would be meaningless. However, in regards to that, Shizuku's words── "It doesn't matter." Like that, she spoke resolutely. "What did you say...!"

"A nature interference type Blazer like me cannot do anything about causality interference. If it were to happen during the match, then it's one thing, but I don't stand a chance if the causality has already been involved even before the match...However, giving up because it can't be helped, I don't intend to behave in such a mature manner. At this rate, if I have to forfeit without doing anything, I want to drag him down with me as well. Alice has also heard it, right? What that guy had said to Onii-sama after Stella-san's match."

"...Yeah."

「And so...that's why? Get hurt more. Bleed more. Wear out more. I will cheer for that Ayato-kun until my voice grows hoarse. Because I want to see Ayato-kun keep, keep, keep on defying fate and break down from now on!」

Those words, along with that warped scary smile, had been burned into her memory.

"I cannot let such a dangerous guy get any closer to Oniisama...It's fine if I lose. However, in exchange, I won't let that guy go to the semi-finals. With this surprise attack, I will deal enough damage that it cannot be recovered in a day, knocking him out of the event."

That was the level of determination of Shizuku, who loved her brother more than anyone else. However ── It was not something that Arisuin could agree with.

"Shizuku...certainly, I also think that he is a dangerous guy. I can also understand Shizuku's concern. However, you see. What you are about to do is a really malignant violation of rules."

"The same could be said about the other party. In the first place, if he didn't do such a rule-breaking thing like eliminating his opponent before the match, I would not have chosen such a method."

"Yeah. I agree with that. However...it's frustrating, but we don't have any evidence of Amane breaking the rules. The result of coincidence piling upon coincidence...he can make such an excuse. But Shizuku, you can't do that. Even if you handled it well, there will definitely be a severe punishment. Getting disqualified would still be fine...but expulsion is also quite possible."

That's right. The method Shizuku suggested could certainly avoid Nameless Glory, and possibly pierce Amane with her blade. However, that was greatly diferent from an assassination. Shizuku would not come out unscathed. The risk she carried was too great.

"Even if you cleared the obstacle after carrying such a big risk by yourself, Ayato would not be happy. No. It's not just Ayato. Stella-chan as well. Both of them will definitely grieve over it." Of course, himself included. It was not something tolerable. However, Shizuku, towards Arisuin's words...showed a vague smile…

"...I know that. I know that very well. Onii-sama, and Stella-san...are kind. That's why, Alice. I had fun today. My beloved Onii-sama was there, and Stella-san, who loves my Onii-sama, was there, Alice was there, some extra person was there, but I really had fun.

No. It was not just today. It has been like that ever since I enrolled into this school. This is...different from the past.

Diferent from the time at that house, without a doubt, I really think that everyday is wonderful. That's why I can say this...I'm really glad to have come to Hagun Academy." She murmured so as to reminisce.

"Shizuku...you..."

"...Sorry, Alice. I can't just accept my defeat without doing anything, despite knowing that calamity is about to befall onto Onii-sama." Even if she were to be expulsed. Even if she could not spend the days like they did currently ever again──

"This time, I will protect Onii-sama."

She had vowed as such ever since the day her brother was gone. Shizuku's expression after concluding her speech no longer showed that vague smile. What replaced it was a strong will like steel. What supported her great love for her brother that could not fit in her little body was that unshakable determination. Then, Shizuku looked up at Arisuin with those pupils filled with that determination...

"But...to make this surprise attack a complete success, my power alone is not enough." She appealed to him.

"Alice...Can you lend me your power?" She hoped that he would lend her his power after knowing the risk involved with the violation of the rules. She hoped that he would accompany her on her path. ──It was not something that could be said without complete trust. In response to that trust... "...I understand. I will lend you a hand."

Arisuin was not a person that would refuse it. (Sorry, Ayato. It seems that I'm not such a good friend.) As he listened to Shizuku's

"Thank you", Arisuin smiled bitterly. If he had been a good friend, he would have probably stop her at all cost. That surprise attack would make Shizuku sufer a huge penalty, whether it succeeded or not. For example, if it was Stella...she probably would not forgive such an act.

However...Arisuin understood her well. Just how deeply and strongly that girl loved her brother. It was already to the extent that even his words would not stop her. No, it was not just his. Most probably, even Ayato himself could not stop her.

It was obvious. There was an existence closing in on the person she loved, intending to harm him.

She could not pretend not to have seen it. She could also not just let it pass. If he refused there, Shizuku would probably carry out the surprise attack by herself. He painfully understood that feeling. In that case...

(──I won't let her be alone.)

(The Next Day)

The sixty-second Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, day three. The summer sun was shining onto the ground even more mercilessly than the previous day. However, it paled in comparison to the heat enveloping the event venue.

「Temperature 35°C, humidity 70%!

Thank you all for coming here despite the burning hot sun! We have reached the semi-finals of the sixty-second Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival! The national best four participants that have climbed up all the way to this point will be clashing against one another! Amongst these strong people, that are a cut or two above the rest, who will obtain the ticket to the final battle!?

Today Semi Finals Matches will be two Battles Between Four A-Rank Monsters.

Everyone, have you prepared well against dehydration!? Well-prepared, right!?

──Then, let's welcome the contenders for the first match of the semi-finals!」

in line with the announcer Iida's words, cheers raised from the venue. Under the rain of applause, with flowing crimson hair, Stella appeared on the semi-final stage.

「First, from the red gate, Contender Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion has shown up! As the second Imperial Princess of the Vermillion Empire, even amongst the mage-knights belonging to the member nations of the League, she is a genius boasting the Second highest magic power Behind Ayato Kurogane!

She had almost lost her qualification in the first round due to an incident on the railway, but she faced all of the contenders in B-Block at the same time, overwhelmed them, and brilliantly cleared the late penalty! She has advanced to the semi-finals in one fell swoop! The power which can even destroy this venue itself can be described as top-notch! That strength, living up to the previous evaluation, is without a doubt the top on the list of winning candidates! She is a genius knight like the second shining star of the current era Behind Ayato! Will she be able to reach the summit of the Seven Stars with this momentum!?」

「Princess Stella――――! Do your best――――!」

「Kyaa―! Stella-sama～! Please look over here～～!」

「There are two matches today, so please don't break the venue too much――――!」

Voices of support, regardless of gender, directed towards Stella on the ring. Stella was very popular amongst both genders.

The strength of a knight that possessed the world's second highest magic power.

The social position as the second Imperial Princess of Vermillion Empire. In addition, since she was a peerless beauty, it was only natural. And Ayato, who was more fascinated by Stella than anyone else, sent her claps of encouragement while his eyes were robbed by the dignified side profile of the dauntless girl. At that moment. A voice suddenly called out from behind Ayato.

"Stella-san has a nice expression."

"Eh?" It was a voice he was so used to hearing that he could not forget it. Surprised, he turned back, and there was...

"T-Toudou-san! And Toutokubara-san as well!" Chestnut-colored hair tied in a three-strand-braid, a girl with gentle demeanour, Raikiri, Touka Toudou, and a tall girl holding a parasol, a friend of Touka, Scharlach Frau, Kanata Toutokubara were standing there.

"Fufu, long time no see, Kurogane-san."

"Y-Yeah, really. The two of you have come to Osaka?"

"Yes. We took the Shinkansen with Saikyou-sensei this morning. We want to watch it from the side even if it's only for the semi-finals."

"Is your body alright already?" He asked Touka who was still unconscious just the other day. Touka responded with an energetic nod.

"Yeah. I have already recovered completely. I slept so much that I am too energetic now. Uta-kun said that he still felt languid so he stayed back at the Academy to laze around."

"The Vice President has not recovered yet?"

"You don't have to worry about him. In Uta-kun's case, he doesn't have much physical strength because he only plays games every day. He reaps what he sowed."

"Fufu, Vice President is frail after all." The two girls giggled facing each other. Judging from that appearance, he certainly did not need to worry anymore. "Kurozakuro-kun, is it alright if we watch the battle together?"

"Yeah, of course." There was no reason to refuse. Ayato slightly tilted his body to give way to the two. And then, as that was happening, Stella's opponent showed himself

「Up next, from the blue gate, A-Block's champion, Contender Sword Emperor of Wind, Ouma Kurogane enters! Contender Ouma has one-sidedly overwhelmed his opponents from the first round to third round! His strength and mercilessness are already tested and guaranteed! We have received information that he had defeated Contender Stella unofcially before! If Contender Stella is the favorite of this event, then the one who could rival her is none other than him! He is an A-Rank knight from Japan who is boasted in the world! How will he fare against an international celebrity!? This first confrontation between A-Ranks is totally unpredictable!」

Ouma was wrapped in pressure like a drawn blade. With his arrival, the audience held their breaths.

「He's still the same...his fighting spirit seems to split you open just from looking...」

「I'm scared...」

「Though that's the case, since the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival is still Japan's event, I wish that he will do his best.」

The cheers for Ouma's entrance was much lesser compared to Stella. It was probably the expected lingering effect from the shocking ending of the match against Panzer Grizzly, Renji Kaga from the day before.

The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival was a competition with lives on the line. The participants risked their pride and lives to challenge it after acknowledging that they could die from losing. However, that was the principle of the Mage-Knight. For the audience, who did not have such resolve, drawing back was understandable.

「And, we have invited the mage-knight currently ranked third in the world, Yaksha Princess, Nene Saikyou-sensei to be the commentator for the semi-finals! Saikyou-sensei, please take care of us today.」

「Hmm～ Nice to meet you～」

「How is it? The two contenders' condition seen from Saikyou sensei's, Japan's highest ranked mage-knight, point of view is...」

「Both are in high spirits. Feels like they are really motivated. Even so, they are not too tensed up. Both of them are in the best condition―」

「I see. This match has become a confrontation between the first two A-Ranks, but at this moment, which one of them does Saikyou-sensei think has the greater power?」

「Kuku...Don't be in such a rush, Onii-chan. Nobody likes impatient people, you know?」 Saikyou snapped close to the folding fan in her hand...

「...Those two will immediately give you that answer.」

After replying, she opened her fan again and gave a meaningful smile.

(Now, Stella-chan. That guy is different from those brats in the first round. He is someone you can fight with at your full strength...Give him the shock of his life, with the new power you obtained from the training with me.)

Before long, Ouma also stood on top of the ring, at the start line. At the same time, the audience shut their mouths, and silence fell over the venue. In that silence, the announcer Iida ── pulled the trigger of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival Semi-Final.

「Both contenders are at the starting line! And now, the first match of the semi-finals begins! LET'S GO AHEAD────!」

After receiving the starting signal, the first to move was...Ouma

. "We aren't close enough to chit chat before meeting death. Let's begin immediately."

Murmuring with a tone as if he was talking to himself, he slanted his body and stretched his right arm backwards. And then his magic power compressed into his right hand…

"Snarl. ──Ryuuzume." He manifested the essence of his soul. It possessed a blade a little longer than that of a Japanese katana, belonging to the Nodachi type of sword. That was Ouma's Device, Ryuuzume.

"First is to see how much you have grown from back then. I will confirm it with my own sword."

"...If you can, that is." Ouma returned Stella's provocation with action. He sank his slanted stance and dashed out. 「

Ooh! Contender Ouma, who had been nonchalant in every match so far, makes the first move! The hem of his kimono futters up as he closes in on Contender Stella in one straight line! How will Contender Stella intercept him!?」

The proactive Ouma who was clearly diferent from the matches up till then raised a commotion in the venue. However, Stella was unshaken from that unexpected start...

"Serve me. Lævateinn." She manifested her own Device in response to the fastapproaching Ouma. However, what she made out of her magic power ── was not just the sword.

「Th-This is! Contender Stella! Spheres with burning heat appeared behind her! A-And what an incredible number!」

And then, Stella swung her Lævateinn like a conductor's baton.

"Burn to dust. ──Broken Arrow."

She ordered the super hot spheres exceeding a hundred behind her back. Answering that command, the fame spheres waiting in air behind Stella shot out with vigor, becoming arrows of light to assault the Sword Emperor of Wind.

The carpet bombing of intense heat that would bury everything within the width of the ring approached. Stella's overwhelming magic power that nobody could catch up to, did not leave any gaps for Ouma to evade...

「D-Direct hiit! The fame sweeped the ring and raised black smoke!」

Furthermore, it did not stop with one hit.

More arrows of fame rained down onto the location where the flames had swallowed Ouma.

Explosive noise and configuration. Not a single person in the venue could see Ouma's figure anymore. It was not unreasonable. What Stella used was excessive violence to defeat a single person. However──

「However, it doesn't seem to be effective.」

──Even so, the opponent was the Sword Emperor of Wind.

Right after Saikyou murmured so. Breaking through the fame and dust from Stella's simultaneous firing, Ouma's figure showed up.

There was not a speck of soot on his clothes. He did not mind the incoming bombing, and broke through from the center by using his power to control the wind to take it on. He did not decelerate at all, rather, he was approaching Stella while accelerating.

──I won't be stopped by such fireworks. The gaze behind his bangs swaying in the storm was telling her that. Towards that gaze of Ouma…

"Empress Dress."

Stella also responded with another move. Holding Lævateinn upright tightly in her hand, her whole body wrapped in fame, she stepped forward herself.

「Contender Stella has wrapped herself in a dress of fame! The heat is burning the atmosphere to the extent of twisting her surrounding scenery!」

Stella's fame, Dragon Breath, had a temperature of three thousand degrees Celsius. Not to mention a direct hit, just entering its range would cause the skin to be burned to crisp. However──

「However, Contender Ouma isn't stopping! He dashed into the zone of burning air!」

「That's because Ouma-chan's ability is 「Wind」 after all.

Since it's conductive heat, he just needs to make a vacuum heat insulating wall to prevent the heat from transmitting through.

Rather than that ── the audience-chan sitting at the front most row should brace themselves.」 「Brace themselves?」

At the instant the announcer felt confused about what that meant, it happened. Stella and Ouma, the Devices those two swung clashed...

──The noise produced from the clash, which exceeded the realm of sound and could only be described as shockwave, slammed the whole dome with a physical impact.

「「「UWAaAAAAAAAAAA～～～～～!」」」

The audience leaning next to the fence were blown back by the 「sound」 of the clash between the swords of those two and landed on their bottoms. Furthermore, it did not end with just one strike. Second time, third time──

Every time the flaming red sword and jade wind blade crossed each other, the fence would squeak, and the glass windows would vibrate.

「I-It stings! T-This is what you call the sound of swords clashing!? It's just like the explosive noise and shockwave from a collision between high speed jet planes!」

However, despite releasing so much energy, the two people at the epicenter did not retreat a single step, and continued to clash their swords.

And after crossing for about ten times── A loud explosive sound, as if ten streaks of lightning struck down, echoed, blowing both of them towards the edges of the ring at the same time.

Neither of them had landed a hit.

They were on even ground. At a frighteningly high level.

And that ── proved that Stella had filled the gap in the diference between herself and Ouma in a short period of time.

"As expected of Stella-chan." Having witnessed the first contact of those two, Kanata leaked out her admiration.

"With this, it doesn't seem that she will lose in strength like before."Ayato nodded.

"Yeah. Not to mention that Stella has not shown her seriousness yet. She is still going to increase her pace."

That's right. She should still be able to increase her pace. It was possible to imagine from the potential Stella had shown in the first round.

However, she still had something. ──First round, and yesterday night, he saw the phantom of a dragon in that split second. Stella had not shown the root, the source of that yet.

She was still holding back her power like He was still Doing.

However── "But Ouma-san also has not shown his seriousness yet."

Touka interrupted Ayato's words. Just like she said, Ouma was not serious as well. In that first contact, both of them were only ascertaining each other.

The enemy before their eyes, taking on their full power...an opponent that would not break from it. And that was something that Ayato, as the little brother, knew the best in that place.

(Certainly, Nii-san is not someone who will get serious regardless of his opponent.)

He would choose an opponent that was worthy for his seriousness. And right then...that greeting and confirmation had been completed. ──It will start from there.

(From now on is the real...battle.)

"I see. As expected of your power. To be able to match my sword straight on." Ouma praised

Stella's ability as numbness remained in his own arm. Because he had not experienced a clashing of swords for a long time. However──

"However, it's only at the level of numbing my arm. This much won't be enough to take my life." Ouma's expression clearly showed that he had room to spare as he told her.

Stella pouted in displeasure.

"...You're still quite carefree, huh."

Well, she was once defeated by him. At the moment, Ouma was still above her. That probably couldn't be helped. That's why, Stella held up Lævateinn right before her... "I will draw out the bloodthirst from that composed face first." She injected more magic power into the Dragon Breath fame enveloping her blade.

"HAAaAAAAAAAaAAaaa!" With Stella's magic power, the fame enveloping the sword swelled. The crimson fame rampaged about without limit as its temperature and brightness increased. That appearance caused Touka Toudou to recall.

"That's...during the training camp...!" That's right. It was the long-distance shot Stella had shown Touka during their mock battle. It was the preparation for Dragon Fang. Though the motion was the same, the intense heat from the sword could not be compared. However, that was only natural. That's because it was a big technique that was going to fire seven shots of the Noble Art, Dragon Fang, which held destructive power that Touka Toudou's Raikiri could barely intercept, simultaneously!

"Devour and scatter! Satan Fang────!"

Immediately, seven shots, no, seven fame dragons with heads few out from Lævateinn. And their jaws, lined with fame teeth, assaulted Ouma from various angles to devour him. However, even as the scene of destruction was right before him, Ouma's expression did not change...

"Just this technique alone requires who knows how many normal Blazer's magic power to do it. Quite impressive...But, how will just the level of a few snakes scare me?" As he said so, he stabbed Ryuuzume into the ring...

"Fuujin Kekkai."

He activated the Noble Art that protected the audience stand from Stella's Bahamut Howl during the first round battle.

Tornado stirred up in his surroundings, and that blade of wind tore up the incoming fame dragons into specks of dust.

The flame dragons that were sliced up until they became tiny incandescent drew a spiral as they were rolled into the wind that rose up to the sky, and disappeared.

And Ouma, who had easily overwhelmed Stella's full-powered long distance shots, did not change his expression as expected...

"Is that all you got? Crimson Princess." As he spoke to Stella before his eyes...──he noticed.

The instant Satan Fang covered his sight, Stella's figure disappeared from the ring. And, the moment he realized it, it was too late──

"It's something like this...! Sword Emperor of Wind!"

A red-haired girl appeared from the heat haze-like rippled space behind Ouma, and swung her sword at his neck.

Flame Veil.

It was Stella's Noble Art which bent the light rays with heat to make her opponent unable to see her own body. That's right. Ouma had misjudged the knight known as Stella. She was not a knight that could only rely on her magic power capacity and attack with quantity. Stealing his sight with that destructive power, making him think that Stella was attack specialized, but her style was an extremely competent all-rounder.

Her usage of magic was so varied that even Shizuku could not be a match except By Ayato.

Then Stella devised a tactic from that variety and brilliantly got behind Ouma…

"HAaAaa!" Slashed diagonally down at the defenseless Ouma. Right after that...

"N-Not good!" At the same time Touka's shout echoed, red drops sprayed onto the ring like a blooming red flower

「Contender Stella is injured! Sword Emperor of Wind has finally captured Crimson Princess with his sword! Blood is spraying out from the two arms of Contender Stella! The opening hit belongs to Contender Sword Emperor of Wind, Ouma Kuroganeee!」

A turning point occurred between the evenly matched ofense and defense between the two. Voices of grief came from the venue due to the obvious difference in power in that effective attack. However, the injured person herself did not press down on her wounds. Did she not care?

No. The shock, to the point of making her unconscious of her wounds, caused her to freeze up.

(What...is this...!?)

Stella's expression was of incomprehensiveness. It wasn't unreasonable. Ouma read the surprise attack from the back, and returned with a slash..

.──she would be convinced if that was the case. However...it was not so. Stella's diagonal slash definitely settled it. Lævateinn had certainly hit Ouma's shoulder.

Even so...──her blade could not advance any more than that. Touka bit her teeth as someone who had experienced the same phenomenon before. It turned out like that after all. As she thought. "

The danger of Sword Emperor of Wind is not just his offense...Even though there isn't much difference in magic power, he was able to receive my slash attack without any wound like just now. What exactly is that unexplainable defensive power..."

Touka questioned what exactly that was. In response to that...──Ayato, who was next to her, spoke.

"That itself is not so unexplainable. It is out of the norm, though." Touka's eyes opened her eyes wide at those words.

"K-Kurozakuro-kun knows something? The mystery behind that defensive power." Ayato nodded at that question.

"Previously, I had a chance to cross swords with him. I noticed it back then because I have the Same 「Abnormality」."

He was assaulted on the way back from Yuudai Moroboshi's invitation to his family shop.

Ayato came into contact with Ouma's 「Abnormality」 in that instance. And he saw through its true form. "Stella will probably notice it after one more strike. But──" Ayato's words stopped there. The reason was because there was nothing he could do even if he noticed it.

It was just what Ouma had said.

His power was...──not a 「Technique」 against which a strategy could be formed. And, just at that moment...──his prediction came true. The two people in the ring crossed swords again. After clashing a number of times, Ouma thrusted out like a released arrow. Stella turned her body as if dancing and evaded that... She hit a counter horizontally at his body with not just her own power, but also using her opponent's power for the second time. That horizontal line cleaning dug into Ouma's body...──and stopped at that.

"You're...kidding...!"

"Fuun."

"────!" Ouma dished out a kick at Stella's frank when she stopped her movement in shock.

Stella's body danced in the air as she was blown more than ten meters away.

"Cough...cough! Ugh...!" Stella winced as she kneeled in pain as if her internal organs were blended.

What spilled out from her mouth was blood.

Ouma's kick broke through Stella's sturdy magic defense that defended against the slash attack from The Unturning, Yui Tatara's Device in one hit, damaging her internal organs. The shockwave was like getting hit by a battering ram.

However── That was how it was, it was natural in that case, Stella was convinced.

The feeling of hitting a rock mountain after the two strikes, and the damage to her fank.

From all that information...Stella noticed Ouma's 「Abnormality」.

"I can't believe it...What's with your body it's just like Ayato's...!"

The shaking in her voice was probably not just from her wounded side. In response to that, Ouma──

"Fuu...As expected, you noticed after two strikes." Ouma let out a sparse smile and answered Stella's doubt.

"You want to ask what this is, right? This is...──my resolve just Ayato's."

"It's a story from five years ago. In my last year as an elementary student, I, who had dominated the U-12 World Tournament organized by the League of Mage-Knight Nations, was on the contrary feeling gloomy about the result." He noticed after dominating the world. By striking with just the back of his sword, the path would not open for him. Even when he went to the world tournament, there was something that still could not exceed the realm of 「Training」. "This kind of childish tournament could not let me test my limit. I was unable to overcome it. ──I was in agony. To stay in an environment like a lukewarm bath during my growth period...it was unacceptable to stay there for at least three more years when it was the period during which I could grow as much as I wanted."

To be even stronger, to reach even higher. To Ouma, who continued to seek it more than anyone, that stagnation was unbearable. He had always been challenging his body's limits and wishing for power to unleash.

"That's why I...few out of Japan, the League, to seek it."

The real battles that he seeked existed in the world. Sometimes in the streets of slums. Sometimes in an underground colosseum. Sometimes on the battlefield with bullets flying everywhere.

Ouma Kurogane had obtained the places he wished for, and was engrossed in studying. He remembered how fulfilling that period of time was.

Amongst the battles with his life on the stake, he dreamily remembered how his body was being forged day by day. If he stayed like that, if he continued on that path, he could become the world's strongest knight.

He did not hold a speck of doubt. However...

"That thought did not continue for long. I had an encounter. On my path of warrior's training, at the end of this world, with a real demon living there."

"Demon...?"

"Tyrant...That name, the princess of a country should probably know about it."

"────!"

The nickname spoken by Ouma. The venue showed incomprehension, but Stella's crimson pupils widened in shock. Just like what Ouma said, as the royalty of a member nation in the League, Stella knew that name. Of course she would know. That was...the arch nemesis of the International Society, Rebellion. It was the name that people living in the underworld called their Leader by, just like a Blazer's nickname.

"Don't tell me, you fought...!?" Ouma nodded.

"I was pulverized...Even though I exerted every ounce of my strength, I could not even resist a single moment."

It was only natural. That opponent was an incarnation of violence that continued to reign at the summit of the underworld since more than half a century ago. There was a gap between them so huge that he could not understand just how large that diference was. Ouma, who knew his powerless self, could only beg for his life shamelessly. However, Tyrant was not a man who would listen to such words. His strength could not reach, his pleas could not reach, only violence continued to rain down on him.

"Just remembering it...causes my entire body to tremble in fear. I have never felt the despair known as death so near to me...No, if Twin-Wings had not come to my rescue, I probably would've been killed for real. And then, after coming into contact with the territory at the summit of the world where the demonic being lived, and my own powerless self, I was able to understand...Even if I just train as how I had been training, even if I advanced down the path I had been advancing on, my pace would not let me reach the summit."

His lifespan would be too short for him to reach there with his current pace. As such.

"In that case...there was no meaning in training anymore. Normal training was useless. What I needed was...an evolution to obtain wings that let me fly towards the summit instead of walking on the path!"

In an instant, Ouma grasped the upper part of his kimono...

"Tenryu Armor ── Release." And took it off.

Immediately after that, an invisible shockwave hit Stella and then the venue itself.

It had blown Stella off to the edge of the ring, bent the fence surrounding the venue, and shattered all the windows facing the ring.

A choir of screams resounded. Stella drew her breath at that scene.

Just then, Ouma had definitely said 'release'.

In other words, that amount of air was not generated right in that moment──

"Don't tell me, you, with that absurdly large amount of air...have you been suppressing yourself with that until now!?" Ouma wordlessly affirmed her.

That's right. The explosion of air that knocked Stella just then, everything was a high-pressure shackle that had been binding Ouma until a moment ago.

He used his Noble Art, Tenryu Armor, which repelled enemy attacks by wearing it, against himself, and burdened his body constantly with an out-of-norm load. "For what reason, are you doing that..."

"Of course, for the sake of 「Evolution」."

Evolution was a fundamental ability that living things possessed in order to adapt to the environment.

For example, something similar to webbing might appear from a human who had been constantly swimming since he was young.

Ouma administered himself to a harsh environment that pushed his body to the limit, forcefully triggering his body's ability.

It was for the sake of obtaining a physical body that could withstand any attack, and a power that could beat any enemy down.

However, even if living things were equipped with the ability to evolve, it was normal for it to take a long time. Naturally, he couldn't do it easily. A human body under that level of pressure would not remain unscathed. The pressure suppressed him from all directions, he couldn't even lift a finger.

His flesh was squashed, his bones were smashed. His organs could not function properly due to external pressure.

Of course, he could not fight in that condition, and continued to lose. He was beaten, slashed, pierced, burned by enemies that he could effortlessly win against in the past──...

However...even so, he did not cease his recklessness. Because he knew that he had to do it in order to reach the territory of that demonic being. He continued to force his battered body without mercy. If he was pressed to death by his own power, he could only go that far. "And then...when countless wounds were carved onto my entire body, this recklessness paid of."

His body gradually, in order to adapt to the environment he set on himself, began to evolve. His bone structure increased its hardness to be like an iron core in order not to lose against the pressure suppressing him, his organs pulsated strongly in order to let blood circulate his entire body.

Each and every muscle fibre of his body became stronger and more tenacious in order to let him move smoothly under high pressure...eventually, when his body could not feel the 「Pressure」 anymore ── Ouma's body literally transformed into 「Steel」.

"You may not see it from the compacted external appearance, but just like the feedback from your hand, my weight, with muscle and bone density tens of times higher than a normal person, is way heavier than Panzer Grizzly. A lukewarm slash will never injure me." And then──

"And so right now, I have released those shackles. Do you know what this means?"

"～～～～～～～...!" Stella hurriedly held up her sword from those words, but...

"Too slow."

"Kuh──" The stone plate ring crumbled under Ouma's kick of, and he shortened the distance between the two in just one step. Next, he swung his wind-wrapped sword three times before any interference.

Three phases of slash, accompanied by the groan of atmosphere, assaulted towards her. Any one of those could turn Stella into a speck of dust in the same instant. Fast. Compared to the speed of Twin-Wings's sword technique that Ayato imitated, that was more──

"HAaA!" It was hard to handle even for Stella, who possessed excellent athletic ability and battle sense, but she understood that it would be dangerous to stay within sword range like that.

Hence, at the same time Stella received Ouma's slash attacks, she leaped back.

Using the force from receiving the opponent's sword, she escaped from coming into contact with him. It was a method that Ayato used to take distance during the mock battle they had in the past.

However... "ZeAAAAa!" Ouma immediately reacted to it. He sent a furry of vacuum blades towards Stella who escaped the contact range.

Slashes of vacuum flew with a speed that surpassed rifle bullets.

It was impossible to visually catch sight of those. However, it was a battle between two Blazers. Stella read the presence of magic power like that of a blazing sun wrapped around the vacuum blades, and struck them down one by one. However...

"──Ka...fu!?" Immediately after striking down the last vacuum blade. Stella's abdomen tore open horizontally, blood sprayed out. Why? Stella was confused as there wasn't any presence of magic power. However, it was only natural. Just then was ── an effect without using magic power.

"I can't believe it. To be able to send a slash wave with just arm strength...!"

Touka murmured with a trembled voice while watching the match in the audience stand. That's right. What slashed open Stella's abdomen was not a Noble Art. It was a physical wind pressure raised by Ouma swinging his Ryuuzume. Of course, it was much less powerful compared to a vacuum blade.

Due to the magic power wrapped around Blazers which added strong resistance towards physical impact, the damage on Stella's abdomen was only skin-deep without reaching the internal organs, but ── it was sufficient to stop her from escaping.

"Fu────!" Ouma immediately closed in on Stella, who stopped her movement for a moment, and slashed diagonally down with his right arm. Evade ── it was already too late for such an action. As the impact from those flying slashes was greater than what she had predicted, her body's axis was misaligned and not in a condition for evasion. Hence, Stella guarded Ouma's diagonal slash in her unstable posture. However…

"Not good! The technique coming from this pose is...!"

Ouma, who had slashed diagonally down with just his right arm, still had his left arm. Ayato turned pale from that fact. He knew because he had peeked at Kurogane House's training when he was young.

What would be executed from that pose was known as the sword of national defense. It was a sword technique that the Kurogane household had passed down since the samurai era,

「Kyokujitsu Isshin Ryuu」 extreme steel...!

"──Hono Ikazuchi."

Aiming at Stella's eye level as she defended against his sword, no, accurately speaking, at the eye level of Ryuuzume that she defended against, Ouma's clenched left fist struck. That steel fist struck Ryuuzume like a thunderclap, further adding power to the sword. Stella, who had received the sword in an unstable posture, could not defend against that...

Stella's body was blown away with an intensity like a missle.

And she crashed into the wall below the audience stand just like that.

She did not stop even after crushing── Despite the reinforced concrete blasting open, she was thrown until outside of the venue.

「W-Whaaat!?」

「Lies. From the hall, blown all the way there!? It's not manga, you know!?」

「C-Can't believe it. Would it be alright, this...」

The people who could not fit inside the dome that were listening to the broadcast made an uproar at Stella's figure blasting through the dome wall to the outside.

It was the same inside the dome. The overly impactful scene raised an earth-shattering cheer.

「Extreeeeme! Not just a ring out, but a dome out! I have over ten years of experience as an announcer for the A-League, but I had only seen such a fashy out of field once! To think that I would be seeing it a second time in a match between students! This is a battle between A-Rank Knights! There's no other description than out-of-norm! ── The count is beginning now! Contender Stella, will she be able to return within the count!?」

The announcer's voice could be heard intermittently. The cheers from the audience reached the peak. Stella heard it from afar while lying down face-up, looking at the sky.

(He got me...)

The stimulation in that impact which exceeded the limit a human body could handle had paralyzed the sense of feeling in her entire body. Since she was born, she had never received an impact as strong as that.

(What a monstrous bastard...that guy.)

Certainly, living things possess the ability to adapt to environments. The history of life was the history of evolution.

Like how a creature that originally lived in the sea grew four limbs because it hoped to live on land. Like how the process of coping with the change in living environment by walking on two feet caused the bone structure to change.

By making his own environment severe, he obtained power that could not be obtained in a normal environment.

Since life possessed the mechanism called evolution, it was not that much of a bizarre consideration

. ──However, that was originally supposed to be achieved after decades or centuries of time. Ouma had completed that in just one generation, just a few years.

Even though he could probably stop his recklessness if he wanted to, since the method of adding burden was his own ability, he cut off that common sense and temptation, ignored any half-hearted strength, only wishing for the top, the strongest.

With just his will alone, he changed the design of anatomy that was drawn by god.

The word stoic already could not describe that aberrant willpower towards his goal.

(Strong...truly.)

She could only admit. She could feel respect for that way of living which rejected any compromises. There was no falsehood in that. Not even a tiny bit.

(──Aah, nevertheless...)

「Eh?」

「N-No way...Stella-chan, is smiling?」

That's right, nevertheless, it was a strange story, but...

(As if, I don't feel like losing...!)

「──Five! Six!」

Ouma, who was in the ring, did not even listen to the counting that echoed in the venue. Anyone could understand that it was meaningless. The opponent was an A-Rank Knight like himself and Ayato.

The same chosen one who was born to carry a large fate in this world. Just that much ── would not be the end for that woman.

"You said it yesterday. You will beat me up at my full strength. I have responded to that request of yours now. This is my full strength. If you want to crush it then show me. ──Crimson Princess."

As he said that, Ouma lifted his gaze upwards. To the sky he could see as he looked up. Over there, she was standing.

「T-There――――! Contender Stella! She is looking down at the ring from the top of the night light before we knew it! EEven though she was hot outside so grandly, apart from some tatters on her clothes, there are no severe injuries!」

「Well, even if she smashed through the dome, she wouldn't suffer much damage from a physical impact without magic power as long as she didn't get hit by Ryuuzume. Especially for Stella-chan who boasts the second greatest magic power capacity in the world.」

「And right now, she has returned to the ring at the count of eight!」

The audience leaked voices of exclamation in amazement towards Stella as she returned from outside like it was natural. After the main referee made the call to resume the match, Ouma readied his Ryuuzume again. However, Stella did not take a stance…

"Ouma. Before we resume the match, I want to ask one thing." Towards the enemy before her eyes...she talked in the most friendly voice she had made so far.

"What?" Ouma asked back without releasing his stance. What she wanted to hear from him was just one thing.

"You...for what reason are you aiming for the summit?"

That extremely tenacious willpower towards his goal. What was the foundation that supported it? She wanted to know. After Ouma looked down for just an instant, stayed quiet for a moment, then he answered

. "...It's not much of a story. When I was a child, I was happy to have won the match held by my household for the first time. And then I thought. I wanted to become stronger than anyone in this world. That is...something I would probably feel good about. If I have to put it in words, it's just that." Ouma said that such a trivial matter was not worth to talk about purposely. However...

"...That's incredible. You." Stella thought so in her heart. She had her duties as a royalty. What supported the core of the girl known as Stella was the obligation towards her citizens. However, Ouma was not like that. To the end, it was for his own sake. Just for that reason alone, he had obtained that much power. He traveled around the world, encountered despair, and yet even so, he did not compromise a single time. That fortitude was similar to her most beloved man...

"You are the second person that I 「respect」 from the bottom of my heart as an enemy, Ouma. That's why I will show you.

Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion's true power...!"

There was already no hatred anymore. Even the anger about what Ouma had done before had also disappeared.

As a knight, as a warrior, she only wanted to fulfill the subjugation of that proud enemy. Making up her mind, Stella raised her Lævateinn...

"Dragon Spirit...!"

──And stabbed it into her own chest.

In that instant, dazzling light, accompanied with heat waves, blew out from Stella's body, enveloping the whole venue.

Everyone in the venue drew their breaths. The positions of Stella and Ouma did not change from before the light enveloped the ring. However, Stella's appearance was like that of a different person. Stella stood in the center of the heat wave-like twisted scenery.

The Lævateinn that pierced her chest disappeared somehow, leaving a scar shining like a heated metal.

That scar slowly flickers between bright and dim as if carving out the heartbeat. And as if synchronizing with that, the radiance from the core shone on Stella's skin and bright red hair. That was like an entirely different thing from the brilliance of magic power Stella released until then.

It was not the brilliance of magic power gushing out, but the glow coming from within her body.

What exactly happened to her body──

In the instant everyone was having that question. Stella slowly raised her chin up towards the sky and…

"■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■──────!"

Roared into the sky. What was released from the lovely lips of a girl was a roar of something obviously non-human. Like the rumbling of the earth. Like the rumbling of the sea. Or like a deafening thunder. It was a roar that shook the atmosphere── "Crimson Princess...You, that voice, is..."

"Defend yourself. You may die." Right after saying so, Stella crushed the distance of fifty meters between them with a speed similar to a bullet, arriving before Ouma's bosom. And then she clenched her fist that was shining and then threw it at Ouma as if using her whole body behind it.

"────!" She broke through. He could not dodge that fist. However, to Ouma it was an attack not even on the level of a slash by a Device. He did not need to dodge in the first place.

However ── the words of warning from Stella to the defending Ouma held some certainty in it. That certainty triggered Ouma's sense of danger.

Ouma crossed his trained arms before him and prepared for Stella's punch. Then, Stella's swung fist hit Ouma's guard ── instantly...

"Gu...ha...aa...AA...!" The impact that was harder and heavier than Ouma's prediction broke his guard and knocked into his ribs. Its momentum was not killed after breaking two layers of guard, piercing through the back of Ouma through his ribs, pushing his feet along the ground.

「Contender Stella has blown Contender Ouma away despite his guard! A groan leaked out from Contender Ouma who did not change his expression regardless of any attacks or strikes from Devices! His knees are bent! It was that much of a heavy impact!」

「It's not just heavy. Look at Ouma-chan's arms.」

「Eh?」

Guided by Saikyou, the broadcasting camera zoomed in on Ouma's arms. There was a shocking image displayed.

「T-This is...! On Contender Ouma's arm, there is a burn mark in the shape of Contender Stella's fist as if it was branded on it...!」

「The punch just now should have burned into his bone, literally. In other words──」

"GuuuaAA...!" Knees bent, Ouma pressed on the arm that received the punch as he howled in pain. He could not be blamed. Stella's punch did not only shatter Ouma's reinforced bones, but also burned them in one strike. To Ouma, his bone became something like a burning red metal rod. That intense heat was charring his fesh from the inside, burning his nerves.

「He can be accustomed to external pain, but getting burned from inside is not something you get to experience often. This will be hard on him.」

「That's true...! B-But I don't understand! The current Contender Stella is clearly diferent from the Contender Stella from before! What exactly is this sudden power up about!?」

The audience also got noisy, as if resonating with the announcer's confusion. It would be natural if considering whether it was natural or not. There was the raw power which made Ouma, who could not be injured even once by swords until then, bend his knees.

There was the change in her appearance, there was the roar that could not be called human, there were many things they did not understand.

However── "I see...That is how it is...!" Ayato, who had been closer to Stella than anyone else for the past few months, had arrived at the answer of that mystery one step faster.

"Kurogane-kun, what is the reason for Stella-chan suddenly becoming stronger?"

Ayato nodded and replied to Touka's question. "...I believe that most likely, her method of using her power was wrong from the beginning. Surely...in the first place, Stella is not a fire user."

"E-Eeh!? What...does that..." Touka's voice contained more question to Ikki's answer. She could not understand the meaning behind Ayato's words. That was explained by Saikyou, who was at the scene when she awakened.

「Blazers are not able to use magic the moment they are born. They usually awaken abruptly on some day. Things like having the power to let out fire, or the power to control gravity. And then they learn how to use it from their own comprehension, hence there are times where misunderstandings occur. I was like that. The very first time I was aware of my special power was the time when I made toys float in the air. I actually believed that my ability was to make things float, but in reality, it was different. It was possible to achieve that from its usage, but it was a completely different ability. Stella-chan is the same. Of course, spewing out fire from an empty space suddenly would make anyone think that they were a fire user. Well, most of them would clear their misunderstandings like me while playing or fighting when they were small...In Stella-chan's case, she was too strong even with the misunderstanding. Due to that, she had come all the way here with that misunderstanding.」

「I-In other words, are you saying that, Contender Stella is not a fire user?」

「That's how it is. Stella-chan's original ability is not nature interference, but concept interference. And everyone should also know. The mythical monster with boiling blood circulating its body, and breathing out burning fame. The concept of the story that is passed down as a symbol of fear and violence which could not be resisted anywhere in this world...!」

"Don't...tell me...!"

According to Saikyou's words, Ouma, who was forced onto one knee by Stella, thought of the worst possibility as he looked up at her.

And that premonition was spot on.

"Concept interference type ── Dragon. The ability to manifest in one's body the power of a predator that lives at the peak of the food chain in the mythological world. That is mine, Crimson Princess's, Stella Vermillion's true power."

Something like fame was just a portion of her power. It was exactly just a Breath. Sweltering heat dwelled in her body similar to the mythical monster, allowing her to obtain the raw power of a Dragon. Manifesting any and all kinds of violence revolved around the concept of Dragon. That was what the real power was, and the rightful way of utilizing it.

Stella realized it in her battle against Saikyou.

In other words, the dragon that was bound to only using its 「Breath」 so far had torn away its bindings, and started to wield its full power──

"And I am not used to this power yet, so I cannot control it well. Without a doubt...I will break you. I don't think that I will fight against you another time. That's why I will say this before the end. Thank you, Ouma. Thanks to you, I have remembered myself."

"...!" ──Ouma already understood that he did not have any bit of leeway.

"Tenryuu Armor────!"

Against Stella coming for another attack, Ouma wrapped himself in an armor of wind, intercepting the attack with his full power.

Stella was currently barehanded.

If she closed in, she would have an upper hand in maneuverability.

That's why he had to keep her at sword range.

Ouma showered Stella with countless slashes after deciding so.

However──

"Slow!"

"...!?" The slash attacks coming from Ouma like falling rain, that were definitely not lukewarm, were affected by Stella's two fists.

She caught the fank of Ryuuzume accurately, not leaving a single scratch on her fist. And everytime she defected Ryuuzume, Ouma's hand felt a terrible impact.

\It was an impact so forceful that if he slackened his strength a little bit, Ryuuzume would be blown far away from him.

Ouma held the handle with all his strength, while preventing Ryuuzume from being defected away, his forehead was drenched in sweat.

(This is...a dragon's raw power huh...!)

The overwhelming raw power possessed by the monster living in the mythological world.

It was originally supporting the function of arm strength in Stella's body, but that was at best unconsciously.

It was like water droplets dripping out from a closed faucet.

However, Stella had realized her own power, and obtained the technique to fully open said faucet.

As such, it was natural that the power output would be different.

Currently, Stella's physical ability is several tens of times greater than before.

And then, with the destructive speed and attack power it gave her, she repelled all of Ouma's slashes, while digging closer towards him.

After defecting about three more strikes, she would probably close in within fist range. However...

"Fuu────!" Ouma also did not easily allow her to accomplish that.

There, he displayed the technique of the Sword Emperor of Wind.

He abandoned the number of strikes, and swung Ryuuzume widely.

He wrung his muscles to the limit, squeezed, adding a force to the point of twisting the joints on his spine, to the point of twisting his body to face away from his opponent.

Of course, Stella would further close in during that gap, he understood it.

She would probably defect away any amount of those slashes with no weight behind anyway.

In that case, he would bet everything on the fastest single strike he had.

Preparing his sword from the limit of his swing was for that sake.

What he was about to release was the godspeed sword passed down in Kyokujitsu Isshin Ryu.

Naturally, every muscle in his entire body was used, it even used the rebound of the joints and bones in his body by returning his posture from its twisted position to the original one to accelerate, it was exactly a sword released with his entire body and spirit.

There was no preparation or counter after releasing that one strike. It was just speed alone.

Cutting alone was justice. That was truly── "Kyokujitsu Isshin Ryuu・Jin no Kyoku. ──Amaterasu!"

"...!"

The white blade swung from the position after his body twisted to the limit and fell onto Stella without a sound. Despite just one strike, different from Ikki's Blade Steal, Ouma's Amaterasu, which had truly reached Twin-Wings's territory, exceeded the limit of reaction even for Stella with dragon's power dwelling inside her, Ryuuzume cut Stella's body diagonally.

Blood sprayed into the air. He felt the feedback of Ryuuzume cutting flesh and bones squarely. It did not reach the organs, but it was probably a sufficient strike to dull her movements. It was supposed to be so──

"There!"

"Gu...u!" Let alone retreating, Stella stepped forward despite receiving Amaterasu, her long leg lashed out like a whip and kicked Ouma's right shin. Stella's low kick made a sound like something popped, broke through Tenryuu Gusoku and crushed Ouma's shin bone with just one strike. Ouma wobbled in pain while being confused at what happened.

Certainly, although Amaterasu did not cause a fatal wound, it should have dealt sufficient damage to rob Stella of her mobility.

Ouma immediately noticed the answer.

(This is...!) That large cut wound on Stella.

There was not a single drop of blood from there. No, on the contrary, the wound was being stitched up at an unbelievable speed in front of his eyes.

That was the strength of vitality possessed by the creature known as dragon.

──Since ancient times, it was common sense to decapitate a dragon to subjugate it.

To a creature such as a dragon, a wound that was not fatal could not be considered a wound. Stella had just recreated the vitality of a dragon that could be said to be immortal with a human body through inheritance. ──An indecisive wound could not be considered a wound anymore.

"Tch!" The versatility of that ability was even wider than his imagination. Ouma judged that he had to observe the situation and let go of his left hand from Ryuuzume and gather the air on his palm. What he created was an explosive bullet of wind made from air. He threw it and intended to take distance by blowing Stella's body away. That was the most appropriate action Ouma judged in that instant. ──However... "Out of the way!" Even that most appropriate action was useless against the ferocious dragon. The released explosive bullet of wind was scattered by Stella's back hand punch. Ouma's expression froze at that outcome.

(Like steel crushing rock, the hardness of her magic power crushed my magic...!)

And with that move, Stella had caught Ouma within fist range. Ouma immediately pulled back his empty-handed left arm to guard...

"Ugh────!"

That punch crushed the bone of the guarding arm like a matter of course, and the impact pierced into his organs. Ouma's body wobbled back greatly and his knees bent. He could not stop it. He could not stop Stella's fierce attack.

Not his trained muscles, not his sharpened speed, not technique, not magic── Everything that he had accumulated was meaningless. He would be trampled on. By pure violence that could knock down everything.

And that helplessness caused Ouma to get a flashback on the memory of his first loss and frustration. He, who was covered in blood miserably, and that pair of pupils glaring at him while sitting on a chair like it was a throne. Nothing went through no matter what he did.

Despite being challenged again and again, he could not even touch the seated Tyrant, he could not even protect his own body, and was just single-sidedly beaten up. His body suffered burning pain. His heart felt helpless. As he linked everything to the fear that shook him at that time in the past, his whole body started to tremble.

"Ku...O...OoOoOoo──!"

Even so, Ouma struggled to raise his trauma-carved body and counterattacked. He aimed to stab at Stella's heart as she chased after him for further attacks after he collapsed backward. However, with his crushed right leg and battered body he could not aim accurately as he wanted...

The stab was ── blocked. Stella purposely pushed out her left hand at the incoming Ryuuzume, letting it pierce through her palm as she advanced, and grabbed hold of the sword guard of Ryuuzume after it pierced through to the base.

"I caught you, Ouma."

(Shi────) It was too late by the time he thought so. Stella punched her superheated right fist into Ouma's upper body that was full of openings. "HAAaAaa────────!"

She also did not end it with one strike. She had the intention of determining the outcome and rained down consecutive punches. With Ryuuzume caught, Ouma could not even escape backwards with the impact from the hits. If he were to let go of Ryuuzume once, Stella would probably not even give him the time to reconstruct his Device.

He must not let go. If he were to let go, he would lose. Hence, he could not escape. He could not escape, he could not even defend, he could only let the consecutive punches that were like cannon shots shower on him. And that storm-like punches that fell onto him burnt his skin, grilled his flesh, crushed his bones──

"～～～～～～～～～Ka...ha!" The instant Ouma's chin finally lowered. An uppercut that came from the ground level thrusted upwards at his chin, hitting the four hundred kilo body of Ouma into the air. His body flew through the air in a big parabola, and fell onto the stone disk with his back without any protection. In that match, no, in that Festival, the Sword Emperor of Wind sank onto the ground for the first time.

「Contender Ouma...down! He is lying down in a '大' position and looking at the sky without moving! No he can't move!」 「

H-How intense...」

「This...already determined the match, right?」

「This is...the Blazer possessing the world's second strongest magic power huh...!」

A big reversal from the event out of the ring.

The strength of Stella, who had displayed her true power, caused a big commotion in the venue. However, even that commotion did not reach Ouma who had fallen on the ring.

It was no wonder. His right leg fractured from the shin, left wrist dislocated, his rib cage did not have a single bone uninjured.

The jawbone that received an uppercut was smashed from the root of his teeth, that crack reached even his skull. And the heat from those shattered bones were burning his flesh from inside. The injuries were so severe that it wouldn't be strange if he had lost consciousness. There was no way he could hear the surrounding voices.

Ouma simply looked at the sky with his clouded pupils, and once again recalled within his spaced-out consciousness. Similar to the day of frustration five years ago. How vast the world was. How tiny he was. ──Certainly, Ouma had an out-of-norm talent like that of gold.

However...his talent was like golden sand.

There were people who possessed similar golden talent but that of a gold ingot. There was a world where only such kind of chosen existences could stand in.

The summit was that kind of place.

...Shouldn't it be about the time for him to recognize his lack of ability? If he recognized his lack of ability, he would probably receive the honor worthy of him. Reality had always been persuading him.

(But...even so...)

"──...U...oo."

「C-Contender Ouma fipped his body around and is trying to raise his body with his arms! He is trying to stand up! Contender Stella is also showing a shocked expression!」

(...I have an ambition to continue even if my chest is burned.)

No matter how many times he realized the vastness of the world... No matter how many times his accumulated confidence and pride were shattered...

His unwithering desire to continue remained unchanged.

──He would wish for any and everything. It was fine if he did not have a comfortable life. It was fine to just have one thing.

──He wanted to be number one. To stand at the summit of the world he loved. It was a wish he held since the day he obtained his first victory.

Compared to Stella's wish of protecting her country, it would only be called a selfish and childish wish.

By being able to throw a ball a little faster than others, one would want to become a baseball player.

By being able to draw a little better than others, one would want to become a manga artist. It could only be seen as a typical future wish of a child.

However, even after losing his confidence and pride, Ouma still moved with the desire to push forward. It was just his desire. In that case, no matter how childish it was, how selfish it was──

(That is...for a person such as me...a wish that is worth betting a lifetime on!) That's why ── just that alone, he would not concede!

"OOOooOooOoooaAaAAAAA──────!"

「H-He stood up! Contender Ouma, while letting out a roar as if spitting out his blood, he raised his battered body and stood up! U-Unbelievable! Even though his arms and legs were smashed...!」

「He used atmospheric pressure as a cast to maintain his bone structure forcefully...Ouma-chan has not given up yet!」

Before he knew it, the trembling of his body had stopped. What was boiling in his marrows was not fear, but boundless competitiveness. His face was, blood was, bone was, soul was── Everything that made up the shape of a man known as Ouma Kurogane stirred up for one thing. He would surpass her, that was.

Facing the despair that rose up in the past, he did not feel a tiny bit of resignation. Ever since he was defeated by the Tyrant, he had gone through that one thousand five hundred days as he thought of challenging that territory once again, it was reckless but definitely not useless.

It was because of those days that he could stand up again. It was because of those days that he could fight again. Then he just had to move on. Just as his heart desired so.

"It's showdown. ──Crimson Princess."

Ouma injected all his remaining magic power into Ryuuzume, wrapping it in a tornado. The tornado increased in density as it swallowed the surrounding air, becoming a sword of storm from thousands of wind blades in due time. The claw of the heavenly dragon that would tear everything upon contact. It was the trump card of the Sword Emperor of Wind, Ouma Kurogane, who had defeated Stella before. Ouma raised it towards the sky, and pleaded at

Stella with his eyes.

──Draw your blade.

It was the figure that would take on the full power of his enemy despite knowing the difference in strength. To the world that he loved, he would not compromise, not deceive himself, such was his spirit. Seeing that, Stella comprehended as she remembered the side profile of Ayato as he talked about Ouma.

「Well, just that from my impression as far as I know, he is a seriously stoic person.」

──When she was talking with Ayato about Ouma, he praised him as such. She could understand a bit of that feeling recently. He definitely...respected his brother.

Only moving for his own sake. He was a knight who held onto his dream from when he was young, and continued to face it more sincerely than anyone. In that case──

"I will take you on. ──Sword Emperor of Wind." Stella also responded with the magic boasting the greatest attack power amongst her Noble Arts.

What took shape in her palm that was raised towards the sky was a sword of light made from binding the heat that could only be seen as an unwavering frame.

Magic power was the power to open up destiny.

In other words ── willpower. Binding her willpower, holding her willpower, Stella faced off against the enemy before her eyes.

There was no more conversation between their intersecting gazes. No, there was no need to. As things had come to that far, they understood that they only had to cross swords. And then, the fame and wind knights released their killing techniques...

"Kusanagiiii!"

"Katharterio・Salamandraaaa!"

Both of them swung down with all of their strength. The sword of storm and sword of heat crossed. That was similar to the fight before, a storm of heat bursted out in the moment of contact... However ── it was not evenly matched currently. Because the Sword Emperor of Wind was swallowed into it just like that.

The Katharterio・Salamandra that Stella had released did not stop at subjugating Sword Emperor of Wind, it had also slashed apart the Bay Dome, as well as the Osaka Bay beyond. The audience stand and the huge screen in the dome were burned. A deep trench was carved on the seabed. Along with the extraordinary destruction and dramatic closure, the announcer raised an excited voice.

「A-Amazing! Contender Stella, she has cut Sword Emperor along with the sea!」

「S-SSS-SCARYyyYYY!」

「If World Clock had not stopped the time for evacuation, I would've been cut along with that...What an outrageous princess.」

The audience raised a commotion at the carved out scar of destruction.

And Ouma, who was completely bathed in that destructive power, would definitely not be unharmed. The main referee judged that Ouma was unable to continue the fight, and announced the end of the match. At the same time, he announced Stella's victory.

「Just now, the main referee has announced Contender Stella's victory! A battle worthy of attention. The one who conquered this first duel between both A-Rank monsters is Contender Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion!

Well, we speculated that both of them would be more evenly matched in this first match of the semi-final, but seeing the result, it is still the record holder of the world's second greatest magic power capacity after all!

She suppressed the Sword Emperor of Wind with overwhelming power from a different dimension! As expected, the wall of magic power capacity at birth is still tall!」

However, to those words of the announcer...

「That is wrong.」

Saikyou objected next to him.

「Wrong...meaning...there are other reasons for the victory?」

「Of course. Certainly, the strength of magic power is an important talent proportional to the greatness of destiny the Blazer carries in this world. But using that great power wrongly will also cause great backlash to the user. To use it well, it is necessary to put in an effort more than usual and have the strength of heart to continue that...If not, in unfortunate cases it is possible to be devoured by that talent. In fact, Stella-chan had almost died many times due to her power when she was a child.」

「I-Is that so!?」

「This is a famous rumor in the Mage-Knight world. But Stella-chan never gave up no matter how many times she came close to death. It is because she had continued training without any compromise, she managed to let her own blood boil to imitate the dragon. Just a single mistake could cause her magic power control to be cut off from the power that can burn herself. Basically, I believe that the reason Stella-chan won this fight is because of her strong willpower.」

Certainly, Stella had used her power wrongly. However, that was not a path of no return, but a necessary process. She had properly practised to control her real power correctly. And because Stella did not stop during that process, without compromise, overcoming it, she was able to use the power of a Dragon. That's why saying that the talent she had possessed since birth was the reason for her victory was rude to her.

「Well, in any case, those are trifling matters, the most important reason was thanks to me, the one who made Stella-chan awaken to her hidden potential! Ah, sorry for being too great of a coach! Ahaha!」

While ignoring Saikyou's giggles, on the ring, Stella released the power of the dragon dwelling in her body. The boiling blood lost its heat, the glowing heat on her whole body disappeared.

And after returning completely back to a neutral state, Stella breathed out a sigh as if she was relieved, and murmured in a small voice that nobody could hear.

(I won...)

She had broken Ouma's Kusanagi that had defeated her before. That was the result of growth she could see. She definitely became stronger. Compared to herself from a few weeks ago, far stronger. If it was her, she could definitely reach him.

A few months ago, the opponent whom she could not even touch. Ayato Kurozakuro's back that she had been chasing after ever since that day. ──However, as Stella reminiscenced her own growth, her expression was not that of a smile. The reason was──

(To think that he has managed to come this far, I never expected it.)

Despite receiving a merciless sure-kill strike that even blew all the way to the sea, Ouma Kurogane stood upright without falling on the ring. The slash wound of heat carved from his shoulder to his fank, his consciousness already gone, but without bending his knees, his gaze, overflowing with fighting spirit, turned towards Stella.

In those eyes, a trace of 「I will definitely get there」 such a strong will remained.

His sword was broken, but his soul was not.

Before such an enemy that could catch up to her any moment, there was no way she could smile. Eventually, the medical team rushed up the ring with stretchers. They were probably carrying Ouma to the Medical Room.

That's why Stella cut off from Ouma's gaze in that instant, and turned away from the ring. Not bending his knees until the last moment before her was Ouma's obstinacy. She could not break that obstinacy. In that case, she did not have the right to watch his figure lying on the stretcher. There was only one thing she should keep in her memory.

The figure of a man that continued to challenge her by exhausting all his power, for that childish...but a dream purer than anyone else's. She thought so. ──Like that, defeating the fateful opponent, the Sword Emperor of Wind... Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion moved forward to the finals first.

As Kanata Toutokubara watched from the audience stand, she let out a sigh that had been held in and exclaimed.

"That was an incredible fight..." At her side, Touka Toudou nodded and replied.

"Yes. I definitely knew that she had an abnormal level of talent, but I never thought that the Sword Emperor of Wind would not be a match for her after such a short amount of time." Touka pondered. She herself probably could not be compared to her at all. In just one short week...It was an unbelievable rate of growth.

"Ouma-san has touched the dragon's inverted scale and awakened it." Had Ouma not done that, the winner of that match would probably be him.

Ayato's words interrupted Kanata's muttering from the side. "He did it on purpose though."

"Is that so?"Ayato nodded.

"Be it himself or his opponent, he is a man that does not compromise. Nii-san has toured the world and knows the height of the summit, so it would probably be meaningless to him if Stella did not exert her full strength. I think that's why he provoked her...He did not look at the glory of a certain victory in the match before his eyes, but he did it for the sake of continuing his goal of becoming the strongest."

"Certainly...seems like what Ouma-san would do."

"That's right. Blatantly assaulting the school, ambushing me so that I would drop out from the Festival, well, not choosing his methods of achieving his dream. As the brother, I also want to complain to him. ──That stoic attitude of his is what I've respected since the past."

He could still remember it if he closed his eyes. In the dojo basked in the dusk sunlight, despite the instructor and the children of the branch families all gone, the back of Ouma & Haruka who continued to swing their swords at each other.

He learned many things from those back profiles.

He stole many techniques from those back profiles.

In that sense, Ouma Kurogane and Haruka Kurozakuro could be said to be Ayato Kurozakuro's teachers.

And then ── Ouma was subdued by Stella with an overwhelming difference in strength without any difficulty.

"...Honestly speaking, I never imagined that she would become this strong. The naivety that was in Stella during our mock battle before has disappeared. The difference in power is already almost the range that I can catch up to, my advantage in speed is also almost gone...How should I face her, my head hurts."

"Your words and expression are mismatched. You look really happy."

"...Yeah. Stella is not the only one that became stronger since than that time." Stella certainly had a shocking growth, but he also did not just laze around until now.

Even as he was watching Ouma's match, he was thinking about the way to fight against Stella. And he had come up with a few tactics.

──Chance of victory was there. It was definitely there.

If he clashed head on with his all like Ouma, there would be no chance of victory of course.

However, that was just the usual.

He did not consider a tiny bit about competing in strength against Stella.

Strength was not the only way to win a fight. A complete victory without any room for argument was not the only form of victory.

(That's what Ouma Nii-san would probably call trickery.)

That was only the thought of Ouma from his way of life. A person with uncontrolled talent like Ayato lived in the way of a person with uncontrolled talent...there was a motive to go through with it. Even if his brother could not comprehend him, he would walk on his own path that he believed in.

"Work hard and win. I'm cheering for you!"

"Toudou-san will be cheering for me, huh?"

"Since you are someone I lost to. If you don't properly take responsibility for it..." So that's it, Ayato was definitely convinced. However...

"Thank you very much. But...well, that's something for tomorrow." At that moment...

「For the sake of cleaning the ring and repairing the venue, we will commence a thirty-minute break from now. The contenders for the second match of the semi-finals , please move to the waiting room during the break.」

Such an announcement came from the venue. That's right. Before fighting against Stella, there was a wall he had to climb. There was a guy he had to defeat.

"...I have to clean up this first." Saying so, Ayato left the fence and climbed up the stairs along the audience stand. Towards the waiting room. Watching the back of that Ayato…

"────"

Touka, who was left behind, felt a small doubt. "He seems to be full of motivation. It's natural since his sister was humiliated like that."

"Is it just...that?"

"Kana-chan?"

"He doesn't seem to be thinking of simply avenging Shizuku-san. It's somehow great..."

If it was to be expressed in words...it felt like 「determination」.

And it was unusually heavy──

That's right. Just like the last day of the selection battle.

Like how he dragged his body that was on the verge of death to appear before her.

That great determination as if betting his whole existence.

On his way to the waiting room, Ayato decided to take a detour.

The place the authorized personnel pathway led to was the Medical Room.

He went to see Shizuku and Arisuin who were still resting.

He had a really good timing.

At the same time as Ayato arrived at the corridor of the Medical Room, Shizuku and Arisuin walked out of the Medical Room's door.

"Shizuku...!"

"O-Onii-sama!?"

They probably never thought that they would run into each other.

The two of them were also surprised when they saw Ayato who was running towards them.

"My oh my, what a timing. I wonder if you have come to see us before the match."

"Yes. I see that you two also woke up."

"Yeah, just now."

"Are you already well enough to move around? You two were done in quite terribly though."

"Thank you for worrying. But my body is fine thanks to being treated early. Hey, Shizuku ── eh, what are you doing?"

"Sh-Shizuku...?" Shizuku had hidden her head with her clothes. Then peeked out from the collar with her eyes in apology...

"...I am too ashamed to face Onii-sama..."

She murmured as she avoided Ayato's gaze.

"Not only had I failed to stop that guy, I could not do anything as I was humiliated...I am so weak, it's embarrassing." Shizuku's voice shook in frustration as she apologized for her powerlessness.

However, towards her, Ayato...

"You don't have to apologize for that." Saying so, he gently hugged Shizuku.

"Eh, o...onii...sama?"

"Thank you. Not just for me, you fought for the pride of all the knights that participated in this Festival...Shizuku is my prized little sister."

"Onii...sama...*sob*." Her regrets probably resurfaced as Shizuku looked up in Ayato's arms.

Ayato wiped away Shizuku's warm tears caringly, and spoke.

"Let me carry out Shizuku's will. I won't let him do as he pleases anymore in this Festival."

"Do you have a plan? Amane's ability is beyond strong, you know?" However, Ayato shook his head to Arisuin's question.

"...No. There's no plan. But, yesterday, I finally understood. Amane-kun's true identity." Currently, he could understand. The meaning of that disgusting feeling Amane always possessed since their first meeting.

That pair of pupils which harboured negative chaos, annoyingly staring at him from the bottom of the well of his memories.

As well as who that belonged to. And then, because Ayato understood that, he declared to the two of them.

"Don't worry. I will not lose to him. Just against him alone ── I will never lose." It was the thirty minute break time arranged between the first and the second match. In that short amount of time, the sky greatly changed. 「

It suddenly became cloudy. Looks like it's going to rain.」

The clear blue sky a moment ago was hidden by the low layer of clouds and seemed like it was about to collapse at any moment, a cloudy sky.

And black crows few down from the cloudy sky, staring at the empty ring without making a sound.

Everyone in that place felt some sort of ominous premonition. What exactly would happen?

While feeling the sinister atmosphere deep in their hearts, people waited for the time to begin.

「The next match is between The Sword Emperor of the Cryo Wind and Bad Luck huh...」

「Who do you think will win?」

「I hope that Ayato-kun will win...I don't really like that Shinomiya guy.」

「More like that's definitely against the rules. "The ability to grant anything I wish for" was it? It's a hot topic the students from Kyomon leaked on the net, winning without fighting all the way until now, it's not possible.」

「But there's no evidence...Of Contender Shinomiya using that ability.」

「Will Ayato-kun arrive safely...」 Before long, the announcement suppressed the discussions amongst the audience.

「Informing everyone present. It is time, we are about to commence the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival semi-finals second match.」

And after that announcement, the broadcast changed to the announcer Iida.

「It's been thirty minutes, everyone! Continuing to the semifinals second match, the announcer will be Iida, and the commentator will be Saikyou-sensei. It was fine sunny weather until just now, and it became such a humid sky as if the sunny weather was a lie, but please do not worry as the bay dome has a retractable glass roof! No matter what kind of weather it is, as long as the contenders are doing their best, let us cheer for them with spirit!」

With Iida's lead, the audience raised their cheers and applauded. The heavy atmosphere in the dome was blown away by the passion. ──Such empty cheers would still be considered cheering.

Clapping to the point of feeling pain in their hands, the anxiety and humidity were dispersed, and the venue started to become hyper. Aiming for that moment...

「Now then! Let's welcome the contenders of this match who are vying for the remaining spot to reach the finals! Contenders ── enter!」

「Entering from the blue gate, despite possessing Strongest magic power of A-Rank value, he has made up for it with his body techniques to reach all the way here, this Festival's attention grabber! Contender Ayato Kurozakuro!

In the first round, he faced off against Contender Seven Star Sword King, Yudai Moroboshi, and defeated him... In the second round, against the runner-up of the previous Festival, Contender Byakuya Jougasaki, it was literally an instant kill! In the third round that became a consecutive battle, he cut apart Twin-Wings, despite it being a counterfeit, and finally entered the country's best four! He has made his way into the stage of the semi-finals! If he wins this battle, he will be in the finals! Will he be able to grab the ticket to the battle in the finals with his superb swordsmanship & Incredible Magic Power!?」

「Ah! He showed up! Ayato-kun properly showed up! He seems to be well!」

「Fuu. I'm really glad. I was thinking of complaining to the Organizing Committee if even The Sword Emperor of the Cryo Wind lost without a fight.」

「Cold One! Don't lose to that cheating guy!」

The audience that regained their enthusiasm from Iida's motivation welcomed Ayato with a round of loud applause. Amidst that──

"Shizuku! Alice!" Stella, who had just finished her match, met up with Shizuku and Arisuin in the audience stand.

"Oh my, Stella-chan. You worked hard. It was an incredible match."

"You watched it?"

"Shizuku and I watched from halfway."

"I see. Thank you." As Stella replied to Arisuin, she turned her gaze to Shizuku. And...

"Shizuku...erm, are you feeling better?" Asked in a caring tone. Stella understood what kind of humiliation she had sufered the most. That's why she noticed it.

Towards Stella's worry ── Shizuku replied with a mischievous smile.

"Yeah. Onii-sama just hugged me gently a moment ago so Shizuku is fully charged."

"Nah! What were you doing while someone else was fighting!?"

"Are you jealous? Then I don't mind if you just sniff at the lingering scent, you know?"

"N-No thanks!" Pushing away Shizuku's hand that was holding her freshly untied tie, Stella sighed in resignation.

"Seriously...if you can say such nasty things, then you are already fine." Shizuku also tied back her tie and showed her usual cold expression…

"That's how it is...Compared to me, I think that the person behind you is closer to dying." Saying so, she directed her gaze to Kurono who had come together with Stella. A thick layer of fatigue could be seen from Kurono's face at one glance.

"Why does Director-sensei look so exhausted?" Kurono answered Arisuin's question in a tired voice.

"There's no why or how. Because this idiot over here was inconsiderate of my hardships with her firepower and anyhow destroyed the venue..."

"Ahh...Director-sensei is also doing that repair work."

"Because it's done by my student..."

"It can't be helped. I still haven't gotten used to controlling my strength in my trance state. It's the fault of the venue for being too small in the first place."

"There's no venue that can encompass a slash that went more than one kilometer into the sea. Hold back a little next time."

"I will work hard on concentrating but I don't want to hold back. I will regret it if I lose because of that. Also, Nene-sensei also said that there's no batter who is scared of swinging the bat with full strength just because the homerun ball may hit the audience. Protecting the venue and audience is the job of Mage-Knights, so students should not care and just go for it."

"She's saying unnecessary things..."

"But I also heard that Director-sensei was quite mischievous during her student period. Such as the holes caused by sensei destroying the space, there are also prohibited areas people can't enter, as those holes have yet to close. And various other stories."

"Ugu..." Arisuin stabbed Kurono on the side, and she let out a groan. Certainly, compared to the wounds she gave to the world that could not be recovered from, Stella's damage was still cute since it could be repaired over time, making her unable to retort back. In the end, Kurono could only step down while repeating "I understand, I understand".

"Rampage as much as you like. I will take care of the loose ends. It's true that this is my job."

"Thank you, Director " At the same time Stella was thanking Kurono, the petite blonde boy entered from the gate opposite to Ayato's.

「And entering from the red gate is Akatsuki Academy First Year. Contender Bad Luck, Amane Shinomiya! In the first round, his opponent was Contender White-Robed Knight, Kiriko pharmacist, but she forfeited due to her patients' condition suddenly worsening. In the second round, his opponent was hospitalized due to poor health and he won without fighting. Continuing to the third round, Contender Lorelei, Shizuku Kurogane believed that the previous two matches' results were suspicious and assaulted Contender Amane, who was standing by in the waiting room, causing her to be disqualified for violating the rules, allowing him to win without a single fight all the way to the semi-finals! In addition, those quick on the news should also know about the existing topic in the net regarding Contender Amane winning continuously without fighting since he was in Kyomon Academy! However, please don't be mistaken. There is no evidence to show that Contender Amane used his causality interference ability illegally. All of these are just the results of overlapping coincidences. Wow, there are times when so many coincidences can overlap. As expected of the owner of such fortune to be given the nickname Bad Luck.」

「Ah it's true. Just a coincidence, a coincidence (monotone)」

"Hey, Saikyou-sensei...!" Saikyou's words caused Iida to stop the mic in a hurry and warned her.

"At least, we don't have any evidence, so please don't use (monotone)!"

"Eh? Then is it fine to say my real thoughts?"

"It isn't fine! Please just keep quiet as much as possible then!"

「Eh...eh, ahem. Contender Amane, who has continuously won without fighting, is standing on the ring in this Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival for the first time now! It's the first match on the official field. What kind of power will he show us? It seems to be an interesting match!」

Glossing over the unnatural pause with coughs, Iida resumed the broadcast.

However, the audience did not care about the unnatural pause, and instead watched the spoken knight who was showing himself on the field for the first time with interest.

「After this and that, it's the first time he showed up properly. He looks somewhat like a girl.」

「He looks quite cute...」

「Does he? Behaving so flippantly, I don't know what he's thinking, he somehow feels eerie.」

"Amane that guy, he doesn't seem popular."

"Well, he came here without a single fight, it's to be expected. There's no way that kind of weird fight record can be popular."

"Shinomiya is also a person the Committee side is vigilant against and is under strong surveillance, but...as long as he has the ability of

「Changing the causality to his own advantage」

, it's better to think that it would be impossible to grab hold of any evidence which could be disadvantageous to him...although it's frustrating."

Suspicion does not justify punishment. As long as that remained as the country's main principle, there was no method to seize Amane in the current situation. Any and all causality was bent in favor of Amane. Shizuku, who had experienced the strength of that power first hand, watched her brother standing on the ring, and thought. What exactly would he do? He did seem to be quite confident, but...how exactly would he overcome Amane's Nameless Glory?

However──...Shizuku would soon realize how foolish it was to think about the way to overcome it. As for the reason why...

「Now then, as both contenders are at the starting line, the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival semi-finals second match will now begin──」

"Ahh, please hold on a moment!" Amane suddenly spoke loudly on the ring... "I ── am thinking of forfeiting this match." To the referee with such words.

「「「Ha...HAAaa!?」」」

It was so sudden that the venue was in commotion due to the unexpected declaration from Amane. Shizuku reacted the same way. "W-What is that guy saying...!?"

"...What..is he playing at..."

Be it Stella, Shizuku, or anyone else, none of them could understand what Amane was thinking. Especially Arisuin and Shizuku, who knew about the strong hatred Amane had towards Ayato, they were even more confused. Even though they were certain that he would do something to Ayato in that match, what exactly was happening? 「

C-Contender Amane! Er..rm, are you forfeiting? Does this mean that you are giving up this semi-final!?」

The announcer was also confused after the sudden request, and asked again to make sure he didn't hear wrongly

. "Yes. That's how it is."

「Why exactly...!?」

"I have to say it, huh?" For an instant, Amane gave a small bitter smile, and pointed out. "You see. Everyone is thinking the same thing as Shizuku-san, that I am cheating."

「Th-That's...」 Amane's words made everyone present silent. Just like he said, everyone held strong distrust towards Amane. Amane took that silence as confirmation…

"Controlling causality is my ability, so being suspected cannot be helped. Of course, I never did such a thing, but I know it's impossible not to be suspected. And if that guy won, nobody will be convinced. That's why I want to withdraw from this Festival. Well, basically, I know how to read the mood." That was the reason he told for withdrawing from the semifinals. And after that, he faced Ayato, who was looking at him quietly from the starting line, and apologized with a sorry looking face──

"...That's how it is. Sorry, Ayato-kun. I believe that the serious Ayato-kun does not wish to enter the finals in this way, but please forgive me...

Honestly speaking, I'm at the limit due to everyone's painful gazes. This atmosphere feels like a bed of needles.

Ah, but, although I have given up as a contender, I will cheer you on until the end! Because I am a big fan of Ayato-kun! I intend to cheer for you with my all so that Ayato-kun will be victorious! Tomorrow's final battle as well!" At that moment...

"""～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"""

Shizuku understood the real intention of Amane, and was astonished. ──Oh no.

「Eh...then.」 「If that guy with such a cheat ability cheers for him, wouldn't Cryo Wind Emperor just win?」 Such, was what the audience considered. That was the real intention of Amane. Amane did not intend to do anything to Ayato in the semi-finals. He was...intending to interfere the promised battle between Ayato and Stella in the finals the next day. That was...an impurity that was not allowed.

He intended to trample on Ayato's most important promise, something he had betted everything on, and bring it to an end. It would hurt him more than just defeat.

"T-That bastard...! How far is he going to fool around...!"

Amane's action that was full of malice made Stella grind her molar teeth and she clenched her fist so tightly to the point that the blood vessels cong

ested. The unusual glitters at the end of her hair indicated her temper that could burst at any time. On the other hand, Amane in the ring did not seem to notice Stella... "

No no! Everyone misunderstood! It's only in the range without using my ability!"

He waved his hands and explained it to the audience. However...there was not a trace of apology in that expression. What was there was...joy.

That's only natural. The reason being...Half of Amane's conspiracy had been achieved at that moment. Forfeit was an individual right of the contender.

There was nobody who could prevent it. Ayato's blade would never reach Amane again, and he lost the method to stop Amane's conspiracy.

Hence Amane turned to Ayato with an ecstasy-filled joyful face...

"Don't worry, Ayato-kun! I know how important the battle between Ayato-kun and Stella-san is, so I will not interfere! Of course, I also never once did anything like pushing Ayato-kun's back for the matches until now!"

He spoke proudly as if his conspiracy was achieved. When he heard those words…

"...I thought so." Ayato, who had not spoken a word towards Amane until then, opened his mouth.

"You wishing for my victory is impossible. That isn't something you can even joke about. Your hatred towards me is not so lukewarm after all. If there is anything you wish for me, then it would be my agony and suffering. Just that. Isn't that right?"

Blandly. He was unshaken about Amane's sudden forfeit. With his pupils that saw through everything. Seeing the unusually calm Ayato, Amane was shaken instead. As if to hide his wavering, Amane pasted his usual nonchalant smile...

"Y-You jest. There's no such thing! I really like the hardworking Ayato-kun──``

''It's about time you stop your worthless act. Amane Kun...No, Shion Amamiya-kun."

"────────" In an instant, the nonchalant smile disappeared from Amane Shinomiya's expression as if the fake mask fell off.

"...Why does Ayato-kun know that name?" His past that should have been erased from the world when he joined Rebellion.

Why would Ayato, who was completely unrelated, know? Amane threw that question at Ayato.

In response, Ayato... "I heard it from Prime Minister Tsukikage." Without hiding, he gave out the name of the man who visited him last night.

"Prime Minister Tsukikage told me this. Amane Shinomiya will forfeit the semi-finals for his personal reason. But that would be troublesome for Akatsuki Academy. That's why...Using your secret to provoke you, he wished for me to drag you into the battlefield...And he told me about you. About how you, as the boy called Shion Amamiya, have lived your life." Briefy speaking, Amane was continuously swung around by his abnormal ability for half of his life. A power that would grant whatever he wished for.

That had brought everything to Amane, but stole everything away from him at the same time. No matter how hard he worked, how well he scored in his test, nobody would think that it was his achievement. No matter how much efort he put in his club activities to leave a good result, nobody would acknowledge that it was his achievement. Despite mustering up his courage to rescue his classmates from the disaster, he was accused to be the perpetrator for the disaster. No matter how he stretched out his hands, trying to grab onto something, nothing would remain by his side.

What was there was only the result. Only Nameless Glory. Nobody noticed him. Nobody believed in his potential. Nobody looked at him in the eyes, only looking at the goddess behind him. He was that kind of ghost-like, unacknowledged existence. That was half of the life of Amane Shinomiya...no, the boy known as Shion Amamiya. And── "Aftering hearing the story, some puzzle pieces finally connected. About the true identity of the incomprehensible disgusting feeling you possessed ever since the moment I first encountered you, I finally understood it."

Seeing Amane's negative pupils tainted in chaos, he recalled his memories. The bottom of the well known as memory.

Looking up at him from the darkness, a pitch black silhouette.

Seeing that, Ayato thought that he had met Amane somewhere before, but that was not the case.

Who was that? The current Ayato could clearly be comprehended.

──That was...denied of all his potential, without anyone expecting anything from him, without any hopes, treated as a 「non-existent person」, the Ayato Kurozakuro before meeting Ryouma and Losing Control of his powers.

That's right, Ayato unconsciously saw his own past self in the existence known as Amane. ...Having no courage to believe in his own value, his uncontrolled powerful self around the time he just closed himself.

"I see, that's why I cannot tolerate you. That's why I sensed that disgusting feeling...You are what I have continued to deny until today, the 「Resignation」 itself."

"──────" "And that is...Amane-kun. It is also the same for you." Just like Prime Minister Tsukikage said. Amane was jealous of Ayato. The same human who did not mind about not having expectations from anyone, not choosing the path of resignation, and continued to believe in his own potential, Ayato became a powerful person to the point of currently being called Cryo Gale Sword Emperor. ──Certainly, there was no way he would not be jealous.

The reason was because Ayato had obtained the thing that he had in the past...when Amane still believed in his own potential, desperately reached out, but eventually failed to obtain. That made Amane jealous of Ayato...made him want to destroy everything. Like him in the past, destroyed by the absolute power of Nameless Glory.

That was the raison d'être of the man known as Amane Shinomiya. That was the motive for Amane Shinomiya taking part in Tsukikage's plan. That was so... "The more I hear the story, the more worthless it is." Ayato frankly said without any sugar coating.

"In other words, you just vented your frustration that had nowhere to go onto me. Grieving over yourself for not being rewarded, and envying the person who was rewarded. Just a sore loser throwing a tantrum...Prime Minister Tsukikage requested me to pull you into the battle, and I also intended to do so before hearing the story for the sake of the match between Stella and me, but honestly speaking, I don't even feel like becoming your opponent anymore.

if you want to forfeit then do as you like. If you want to interfere with the promise between Stella and me then just do as you like. Fortune has nothing to do with me in the first place. It's just a matter of adding one more misfortune."

(TL: Touma, your bosom friend)

And also──

"More importantly, for me and Stella, a showdown to the extent that can be swayed by the grumbling of a sore loser...we don't intend to have such a low level fight."

Ayato's words did not contain any exaggeration or bluf. There was only certainty. Ayato, who knew the true essence of the man known as Amane Shinomiya, did not even consider him as an enemy or obstacle. A small stone on the ring. That was how he viewed him. Amane, who felt that intention...

"────────────FUFU...AHAHAHA!

Stifled a few laughter like hiccups, then shook his body like a broken toy and began laughing uncontrollably.

"I see...I never told anyone about my past, but he is a Blazer that can do that kind of thing...I never thought that I would be betrayed by him, but I cannot complain since I was betrayed first. Well, in any case, if I am exposed to that extent, then it's fine to stop this act. Yes, that's right, you are totally correct. It's exactly what Ayato-kun said. You know, I hate those who work hard. I hate those who are rewarded even more. Because isn't it unfair? I never get rewarded no matter what I do. You should have been the same as me, a worthless person. That's why I intended to destroy your wish in the finals. Everything that you obtained. But since the story has been exposed like this, there is no meaning in waiting until the finals...Alright."

Amane revealed himself without showing any remorse, and manifested his Device, Azure, one in each of his hands. He stabbed them into the ground vigorously…

"Then I will not forfeit after all. I'm not really interested in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, but I'm interested in how Ayato-kun, who has boasted so much Magic Power, will fight with my Nameless Glory as my opponent. Show me. How far can you struggle under the goddess that destroyed my life!"

Saying so, he retracted the forfeit declaration single-sidedly. Being so selfish, the referee

"You, the forfeit just now──"

was distressed as expected, but... In response to the referee, Ayato manifested Ryuuzetsu as he spoke. "Sure. Please start."

"Contender Kurogane...is it fine?" Ayato nodded.

"I won't purposely chase if he wants to escape, but I will take him on if he wants to face me...Because he has taken great care of my little sister."

"Aha. As expected of Ayato-kun. Even though you are more blessed in talent than others, you are more righteous than others. That aspect of you, although I keep saying like and like, I really hate you to the point of wanting to kill you."

The evil intention Amane did not even bother to hide anymore caused the referee to feel a chill on his spine. The crows that settled down on the dome began to raise a commotion altogether.

The sky darkened one degree further, thunder blasted in the distance. ...It was really an unpleasant feeling. In the end, was it alright for the two of them to fight?

Something, that's right, something...felt like something that could not be taken back was about to happen. However, as long as both sides confirmed their fighting spirit, there was no reason to stop the match...

"Let's GO AHEAD!"

The fame of the semi-finals second match was lit.

The moment the announcement of the start was given, Amane dashed out with intensity. Holding Azure in each hand, he shortened the distance with Ayato.

"AHAHA! I'm coming, Ayato-kun! It's your favorite Chanbara!"

「Oioi, is he suddenly challenging Another One in close range!?」

「Could it be that he is strong in sword fight!?」 Amane's enthusiastic ofensive caused the audience to become noisy. Amidst the commotion, Amane shortened to the distance of sword range…

"Torya!"

"...!" And swung his sword. ──It was a swing that could only look like an amateur's reckless swing.

「Wh-What the heck is that!?」

「What's with that unstable waist! He's totally no good!」

「Th-This is terrible! I never thought that this level of sword fight will be in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival! Th-This is really a Chanbara of a kid!」

That would naturally not reach Ayato, every hit missed. The terrible disappointment from their expectations caused the tense audience and announcer to lose strength. However─

「You certainly cannot feel any technique or power...Just that, Aya-bou's expression is serious.」 The knights with Saikyou in the lead noticed the abnormality before their eyes.

"What's with that guy..."

"What's the matter? Stella-san."

Shizuku asked Stella for the reason he had a grim expression. In Shizuku's eyes, Ayato had completely handled Amane's attacks and obtained an advantage. However, in the eyes of Stella who had walked the path of the sword, it was not refected like that.

"...It's easy to see from the view of the onlooker. The motion does look amateurish, but the way he exerted power, pulled away, all of those are proficient without any faw. Every single hit has a clear direction and trajectory, and they all come from the most difficult angles for Ayato to handle...That makes him unable to carelessly counterattack."

"I-Is that so!?"

"In fact, Ayato cannot counterattack."

"──Now that you mention it..." Shizuku finally noticed the abnormality. That's right. Ayato did not completely handle Amane's attacks. It looked like he did at one glance, but in actual fact, he was pushed to the extent of not being able to counterattack at all.

"...Does that guy have so much talent with the sword!?" Amane was pushing back Ayato in sword range. Stella wavered due to the unexpected development. Kurono at her side explained the reason behind it. "Most likely, this is also Nameless Glory."

"What do you mean?" "Shinomiya himself is just swinging his sword with his feelings. But all of that coincidentally released their most optimum potential in their motions, going to the most difficult angles for My Nephew to handle."

No matter how low the possibility was, it could happen if it was connected to causality. Just wishing to overwhelm Ayato in a sword fight would bend the causality to grant said wish. That was Amane's Noble Art's ── Nameless Glory's power.

Eventually, as their number of moves increased, the audience also began to notice the abnormal situation happening in the ring. Amane, who was full of openings no matter how one looked, was able to continue attacking Cryo Gale Sword Emperor.

No, on the contrary ── he was suppressing him.

「...There are also cases in A-League where a lucky hit can determine the outcome of the match. Ama-chan seems to be able to deal out such lucky hits without limit...The attack that can overturn the match in one hit, he continued hitting for hundreds of times.」

「Truly...Bad Luck...!」

「Aah. It is an ability more vicious than we had imagined.」 And finally, everyone could clearly see the abnormality. Ayato, who had shown the absolute suppression power in close & long range in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, was pushed out of sword range by Amane's fierce attacks.

「Contender Kurogane has finally been pushed back! He received Contender Shinomiya's big swing and retreated back!」

「Y-You gotta be kidding!?」

「Even though I can only see him swinging around recklessly...!」 Receiving a strong strike from Amane, Ayato had no choice but to retreat back. His posture was currently broken. It was an early finishing chance for Amane. However──

"Ah, I'm tired." Amane took an unbelievable action at that timing. Not only did he not pursue, he thrusted Azure in his hands into the ground and let go.

「C-Contender Shinomiya let go of his Device!? What kind of performance is this!?」

The venue buzzed in confusion. However, Amane ignored the noise and smiled…

"Chanbara is strong after all! As expected of the Cryo Wind Emperor. Continuing like this will never end. ──Therefore." His empty hands displayed countless Azure…

"Let's change the rhythm!" And threw them straight up.

The countless Azure thrown into the cloudy sky further increased in number in the air and fell down freely after losing momentum. They stabbed into every place on the ring like grave-markers.

However, not a single one fell towards Ayato. What exactly was his intention for doing that? The instant everyone felt such doubt...

"Hoi!" Amane threw two new Azure towards the Azure stabbed into the ground ahead. Soon after, the thrown Device hit a Device on the ground, and bounced like a bunny by using the bent blade.

「Th-This is! The swords Contender Amane had thrown are rushing about on the ring just like pinballs! Wh-What's with this impossible phenomenon!?」

「...Hitting the swords that are stabbed in the good spots, then continuing to bounce about with good luck...In addition, he isn't letting them jump around at random.」

"────!" It was at the same time the commentator Saikyou muttered that.

From both left and right, the swords that were bouncing about assaulted Ayato.

The silver bullets that closed in on him from left and right at the same time.

Though, it was easy for Ayato to repel something of that degree.

He defeated them with one strike, but── "AHAHA. Too naive, Ayato-kun!"

Amane showered Ayato with mockery as he ficked away the incoming blades with Ryuuzetsu.

The reason immediately came to light. Azure that were repelled by Ryuuzetsu all hit Azure that were nearby with ice vacuum blades ── and once again bounced back to aim at the center of Ayato's brows.

"Kuh..." Ayato dodged those with his outstanding reflex and athletic ability, but the dodged Azure then hit the other Azure with good luck──

「This is...wh-what is going on!? Bounce and bounce, they hit the swords that were stabbed into the ring like gravemarkers, and bounced back the blades like bullets! Like that, there will be no end to bouncing around!」

Saying so, Amane throw countless Azure from his hands once again. They few through the air and increased in numbers like clones, and bounced about from colliding with Azure stabbed on the ring. They all turned into hunting hounds while giving of solid sounds of collision. That number actually reached over thirty──! That had exceeded the limit of what Ikki could handle even with his swordsmanship…

"Let me make a prophecy. Ikki-kun will lose without even being able to touch me!"

With Amane's words as the cue, the fangs of hunting hounds pointed at Ikki in three hundred and sixty degrees from all directions at the same time. That could not be dodged. And there was no meaning in defecting them.

Defecting them only meant that the same would happen again.

Stuck in that cycle, Amane showed a smile of victory... "Eh?" Right after that, his eyes turned into dots.

The reason was, in the instant Ayato was about to be pierced by the countless blades, he ripped off his upper uniform and spun one round with it in his hand.

He controlled his clothes like they were a dancer's veil, and used the cloth to catch the Azure that rushed in from all direction at the same time. If defecting them would make them bounce back, he just had to stop them. Ayato, who showed that without needing to say it, remained calm without changing his expression. And then, he closed in on Amane in the next breath.

"────!?" Amane, who was certain that Azure would make Ayato into a beehive, was late to react to that counterattack... ──His cheek was slightly cut

. "Looks like you don't have the talent in fortune telling. Amane-kun.

" "～～～～～～～!?" It was only a graze, without shedding any blood. However, the blade of Ryuzetsu definitely reached. That situation shook Amane so much that he could not rebut the provokation.

(I-Impossible...! Even though it was a graze, to think an attack actually hit me...!)

What exactly had happened? He could not comprehend it at all, but Ayato would not give him that much free time to think deeply about it. Chasing after Amane as if not letting him run away while being shaken, he pulled out Azure next to him and switched to two-sword style. He trampled down Amane's defense with a combo attack that could be seen as a roaring tide, and aimed at Amane's carotid artery in a pincer attack with both swords. The blades missed...

(Again...!)

A shallow layer of skin on his neck was slit. In addition, the new wound even showed a trace of blood. The blade clearly went deeper than before. Nameless Glory was already activated. Even though any action that could have harmed him should not have been possible.

──Why?

Amane's confusion finally erased his nonchalant smile and blood drained from his face. He could not understand the reason, but at least he was sure that it was closing in on his own life.

"D-Damn!" Amane cursed as he was forced into a defensive fight. He wished to the goddess, not to defeat his opponent, not to injure his opponent, but to not get injured himself.

However, rather than stopping, Ayato's fierce attacks with magic only increased in intensity...

「The attack and defense have turned around here! Contender Kurogane cleverly created a chance in the long range defense, and grasped the pace! Attack and attack! As if the proud Bad Luck was not functioning! Contender Shinomiya can only defend one-sidedly!」

He continued advancing while sparks flew around as the metal blades collided with Ayato's Blade moving much faster.

Forward, forward, with certainty. The steps taken were steady, the strikes were strong, it was exactly the usual Ayato. That situation not only shocked Amane, but also Shizuku, who had experienced his power first-hand.

"Wh-Why? Nameless Glory is a causality interference that forcefully causes the opponent to make an error...! Getting close would cause the feet to slip, using magic would cause the calculations to go haywire. Even though it's such a cheating power..." Ayato's movements in chasing Amane were flawless. He did not trip and fall onto the ground like she did. Why?

"How is Onii-sama avoiding that influence...!?" To Shizuku's doubt, Kurono pointed out

"That's not it. Kurogane-Niece"

"Not it, you mean?"

"Little Nephew is not avoiding the error. Amane's causality interference is definitely working. ──Vermillion. You can see it, right?" She said so and turned her gaze towards Stella. In response, Stella's pupils shook in admiration and envy as she nodded her head.

"Yeah...As expected, Ayato is incredible...!"

"What do you mean?"

"In other words, Little Nephew is receiving Nameless Glory directly from the front. The strike just now makes it three times. Before, it was four times. If you watch carefully, you can see that Little Nephew's posture is collapsing. However, he changed the slip beneath his feet to a circular motion of slash, spreading the burden on his almost snapping muscles to the muscles around them, fixing all the errors in an instant, in less than one tenth of a second."

"Such a thing can be done!? Even though there's no telling when an error could happen!?" "It's impossible if you think about it. The errors of Nameless Glory happen far faster than the limit of refex for humans. You will not make it in time if you think about it with your head...However, there exists one exception. In the past, a certain famous swordsman achieved enlightenment at the end of his swordsman career ── into the realm of 「Isshintou」."

That was combining heart, body and sword into one, the essence of sword and heart as one. Only those who trained to the extremity and crossed over countless deadly moments could arrive at that epitome.

"The swords of those swordsmen in this realm would slash their enemies faster than the wielders' will. For any kind of change in their condition, without needing to think, their muscles, marrow and cells, with form and technique carved from the tens and hundreds of thousands of repetitions, would respond to any kind of change in condition, guiding the body into the most optimum action without the interference of mind. What Kurozakuro is doing is none other than this.

No matter how his posture collapses, no matter what kind of unexpected situation happens, that man's body knows how to fix it." Just like the idiom, even Aya-bou makes mistakes in his calligraphy; the accuracy of a human's actions was poor. Even a genius like that sometimes fails.

It was not something that could be prevented. However, there was an anecdote that continued after the idiom.

After Koubou Daishi hung up his calligraphy, he noticed that he forgot to write a dot, but he did not show a speck of panic for his mistake, and threw the brush in his hand at the hung calligraphy to add in that dot, and completed that magnificent calligraphy. That's right. It's true that even geniuses could make mistakes. However, geniuses did not fret over them. No matter what the situation was, they would make the most optimal choice using their skills to fix it.

Hence Ayato was unwavered. No matter what change in his condition occurred, his blade pointed at Amane's life in a straight line.

That was no longer a technique. No longer a swordsmanship. It was pure reality that surpassed everything.

It was 「Cut you down」 ── sharpened into inevitability. "The power that can control only the extent of coincidences will not be able to escape it forever."

"...!" And then, those words of Kurono truthfully refected the reality on the ring.

"GUAAAah!" Blood that could been seen from afar bloomed on the ring. Amane raised a cry of agony as he pressed his cut arm. However, the blood could not be suppressed and dyed his white sleeve. Deep. The second strike was deeper than the first. The third strike was even deeper than the second── They were closing in. Absolutely. He did not think of why anymore.

Even Amane, who was not knowledgeable in martial arts, could comprehend at this point. Ayato fixed his errors in the most optimal way time and time again as he received Nameless Glory.

"To be able to, do such a thing...!" And towards the astonished Amane, Ayato pointed his bloodstained Ryuzetsu forward and declared.

"You can understand, right? Next time. The next strike ── I will definitely take your life."

"～～～～～～!" Amane's expression turned bitter after hearing Ayato's KO declaration. Just like Ayato said, he, who controlled causality, could understand. The next strike would be the certainty he could not escape from. ──Ayato sank his body. The final step. He would surpass Amane's coincidence with that step. Before that certainty…

"...Aah, whatever." Amane spoke in resignation and threw away Azure in his hands. At the same time, the Azure stabbed into the ring all disappeared. Then, he spat out empty praises with a tone that did not hide his frustration.

"Ah, incredible, incredible. You're incredible, Ayato-kun. I never thought that you could struggle all the way to this point. Honestly speaking, it's beyond my expectation. What a pity. I intended to make you struggle in vain like Shizuku-chan, and apologize to me for participating, but it seems that it won't happen. ──So, I will just end it quickly."

"...!" End it quickly. Feeling an ominous premonition from those words, Ayato's expression tensed. He could not understand what exactly that ominous premonition was, but── He should not let that man speak a single word beyond that. His instinct yelled so. Ayato followed it, leapt from the ground, and closed in on Amane. However ── he did not make it in time. Before the blade of Ryuuzetsu could reach Amane…

"Die."

The lips of Amane that showed a thin smile weaved his killing intent without hiding. Die. It was a savage word often spoken on the battlefield. However, it was just a word no matter how violent and savage it was. It only stopped at provoking the anger of the opponent, and could not reach the opponent's life.

However ── that word coming out from Amane, who had received the indulgence of the goddess that controlled causality in the world, would not stop at mere words. The instant that word came out of his mouth, the hand of the goddess bent the causality and pushed on to grant the result he wished for coincidentally──

"Kah────ah."

The fangs of fate sank into Ayato's life. Just as Ayato was about to strike Amane, he stopped in his tracks. His knees bent to the ground as he vomited.

「Wh-What is this about!? Contender Kurogane, who was one step away from chasing after Contender Shinomiya, suddenly knelt down on the ground!」

「Eh, what? He fell?」

「It can't be...」

The audience were confused as they were boiling in expectation for Ayato to finish of the match like that.

Amane's voice was quiet, they could not tell what had happened. However, on the other hand...

"H-How could it be...!"

"Touka-chan?" Touka, who was a high-level lightning user that could even see the microscopic electrical signals of the human anatomy, immediately realized the situation and paled.

She had never shown a more despairing expression before. However, it was only natural if she considered what was currently happening to Ayato's body. She caught onto the situation.

──The instant Ayato's heart stopped. Then, towards the venue that was shaken from the incomprehensible development, Amane's mockery echoed.

"AHA!

「The next strike, I will definitely take your life」

*Sparkle*! Was it?

AHAHA! Could it be that you seriously thought that you could surpass my Nameless Glory? That's impossi～ble. My Nameless Glory is a power that can make any existing causality happen, you know? In that case, if I feel like it, I can just stop a heart or two of the human body, which has many uncertainties!"

「Wh-Whaaat!?」

「S-Stopping the heart, you're joking!?」

The audience's stand generated noises of disbelief at Amane's words. If he could not stop the swordsmanship, he would stop life itself. If there was no meaning in errors of swordsmanship, he would cause an error in the life's activity itself. He was even able to do such a thing. If Amane could do such a thing, there was nothing Ayato could do against it. Amane's expression showed joy at the frightened commotion.

"Yes, that's right. There's nothing you can do. My Nameless Glory has the absolute enforcement that directly interferes with causality. In other words, fate itself. No effort can be a substitute for it...I know it the best. Because of this power, my life has been wasted. I can overcome it if I put in effort. You might have thought so, but that's being optimistic. How is it? Ayato-kun. 'You cannot win against my Nameless Glory', if you acknowledge that, you can still make it if you surrender now, you know?" Amane asked in a teasing tone, Ayato glared back without a word. Amane snorted at his futile resistance.

"I see. You cannot speak because your heart has stopped. Well, that rebellious glare is a clear answer...In that case, it can't be helped." Then, Amane moved closer to the kneeling Ayato, raised his white blade…

"If you bear a grudge, then blame yourself for not knowing your position." And swung down at his nape.

"Ayato!"

"Oniisama──────!"

"AHAHA!" And the blade struck amidst Stella and Shizuku's cries. The blade split apart the skin as if licking it, cut the flesh, and severed the bone freezing it. What spilled out was an abundant amount of blood. The ominous cluster amaryllis bloomed across the white ring. That was…

"Go...buh...!?" All of it, from the left side of his abdomen to the right shoulder, came from Amane's body.

「「「...Eh?」」」

After finishing the work of stopping his heart, Amane was about to finish him off. However, right after everyone thought that it was over, it was Amane and not Ayato, who bled. In an instant, the unexpected outcome stunned the audience, but... Seeing the figure of the collapsed Amane on the ground, their comprehension caught up. Ayato had taken control of that bout by returning a Powerful Wind slash at the last moment.

「「「O-OOOooOoOooOoh!」」」

「C-Counterattack! He cut him down instantly when we thought it was too late! Contender Shinomiya collapsed on his knees! His fresh blood made a puddle on the ring! That's a lot of bleeding! Deep! That wound is deep!」

"～～～～～～～!?" Amane fell onto the ground with all his limbs touching. His expression was dyed in shock ── to the point that he could not even feel the pain.

(Wh-What just happened...!?)

He could not comprehend. Nameless Glory did not activate? No, that was impossible. That had never happened before.

The wheel of fate definitely moved according to his will. Ayato's heart unmistakably stopped.

And if the heart stopped, the body could not move.

It was obvious. The heart was the pump that delivered the blood, which contained the oxygen needed throughout the entire body as its energy source.

Without gasoline circling through it, an engine could not operate, if the oxygen and energy in the blood did not circulate around, the human body would not move.

i's body died...

──No, he should've already been dead at that moment. He should not have been able to counterattack.

(Even so, how did he move? How did he cut me!?)

"Y-You...what did you do...!?"

The confused Amane seeked that answer from Ayato, who was standing there without any trace of difficulty. In response, Ayato looked down at him...

"I moved my stopped heart myself." Said so as if it was nothing.

「Ah! I see, so that's how it is! Haha, seriously!」

Saikyou, on the commentator seat, applauded Ayato's reply.

「S-Saikyou-sensei! What does this mean!?」

「It's just like what Kuro-bou said. Kuro-bou's heart definitely stopped once. But Kuro-bou made it move by himself, counterattacked and turned the table around.」

「Wha...!? M-Move you say, is that possible!?」

「AHAHA. No, well, I won't be able to do it, you know? That's because the heart is not something you can move with your will. Heart muscles thump according to the automatic orders given by the "Pacemaker cells". That does not involve human will. It is purely the fesh's rhythm maker...But if it's Kuro-bou, he can do it. After all, he has been doing it all the time until now.」

「Eh?」

「It's the swordsmanship of Twin-Wings. A swordsmanship that moves all the muscles in the body together in an instant. The signal that sends orders from the brain is important, but there is something else more important. That is blood. If there isn't enough energy supplied by the blood, it will not be possible to move all the muscles in the body together. But that amount of energy cannot be supplied by the blood pressure under normal pulsation. That's natural. A human body is not made with the swordsmanship of Twin-Wings in mind. Then what to do? There is one answer. You can only greatly increase the standard of life activities, and consciously boost the pulse and blood pressure. In other words, if he could not do something like moving his heart with his mind, there would be nothing to talk about. Kuro-bou is using such a sword technique. And if he could move his heart with his mind, there would not be a problem if the "pacemaker cell" made some irregular movement. It is just something like switching from auto to manual.」

The explanation from Saikyou was right on the mark without any mistakes. Ayato did just what she pointed out, by delegating the brain to control his heart muscle activity the moment his heart's autorhythmic beating stopped. He consciously moved his heart and picked himself up immediately. And the "pacemaker cell" was equipped with the function of rebooting by itself once stopped using external stimulation such as heart massage or electric shock . 「

That means, the "Die" just now did not deal any damage to Kuro-bou. While Ama-chan believed that he had won and closed in without any guard. Closing in on that Cryo Gale Sword Emperor. It is a big failure that can only be called as carelessness. That is a fatal wound.」

「C-Certainly...You can tell that the wound is very deep from the amount of bleeding.」

「It's not just that. Ama-chan's ability is the power to change causality to suit himself...Kuro-bou pretending that his heart stopped and luring him to close in foolishly is not possible normally. That kind of mistake should've been prevented by Nameless Glory interfering. But...it was not prevented this time. In short, the moment he overcame the ultimate causality interference of taking one's life, their power diference had been set in stone.」 Amane Shinomiya could not win against Ayato Kurozakuro. That truth was an inevitability that would not be shaken no matter how the causality changed, the goddess that protected Amane yielded. Amane's fatal wound was the proof.

In that case── 「The outcome has been decided. As long as Nameless Glory does not work, Ama-chan, who is relying solely on that, has no chance of winning.」

"～～～～～～!" Amane's expression paled from Saikyou's explanation.

Just like what she said, the situation of him getting such a wound should not have been originally possible.

Since that happened, it meant that the Nameless Glory that should be absolutely invincible was suppressed.

(Impossible...!)

However, Amane could not accept it.

"I wished for your death...! And then, that wish was granted! Then obediently die...! Why won't you give up!?"

Amane opened his eyes as widely as he could and glared at Ayato.

In response, Ayato looked down at him with calm eyes and said. "It's not really something unusual. Causality interference ability can only trigger something that can happen. Then having this result is only natural. Amane-kun seems to have a really high evaluation of your own power, but this level of power...is not rare in the world of knights."

"...!?"

"It's certainly a versatile and convenient ability, but...that's all it is. I know. There is a knight who has the power to make the arrows he shot undetectable, let alone his own figure.

There is a knight who has the speed to be able to split a descending lightning bolt in half with her swing. There is a knight who can freely manipulate heat that can rival the sun. There is me can manipulate windy-charged violet/pale-blue-colored frozen energy & electrically charged violet/pale-blue-colored frozen energy. Anyone of those is a strong ability that does not lose to your power. Then these knights, who possess such power, are aiming at the single summit, betting on their own possibilities desperately with the belief of 「I will not lose to anyone」, that is the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. I have won through such battles and stood on this stage today."

In that case──

"You are only trying to trip others because you are jealous of them...there is no way I would lose to a guy who can't even win against himself." Right after Ayato pierced Amane with his words like his blade…

"～～～～～～～Ge...hah!?" Blood sprayed out from Amane's mouth and wound vigorously, and he collapsed in a puddle of his own blood. He tried to move his limbs and pull himself up immediately, but was unable to.

(Cannot...stand...!?)

He could not rely on his arms or legs, as if they had lost their bones. His body was rapidly losing strength along with blood. No matter how much Amane wished to stand, no strength entered his four limbs. No, it was not only that.

(Da...rk...) Night fell in his sight. Darkness fell in his consciousness. Amane finally understood the unacceptable reality at that point. ──Just like what Saikyou said, the fight was already decided. And then…

"That's it! Winner, Ayato Kurogane!" The referee's voice echoed in his ear from afar within his fading consciousness, turning the unacceptable reality into an unshakable past of certainty.

Amane Shinomiya...Nameless Glory, had been defeated right then.

(Like that...is it something at the level that can be easily overcome like that?)

He sank amidst the puddle of blood, unable to believe it even at the moment he was about to lose consciousness.

Because there was no wish that could not be granted if he used Nameless Glory.

To think that just an Generation Knight, who did not know when to give up, could overcome it. And he did it without a single injury, not even using his trump cards Ittou Shura, Kori Kusanagi, or Kori Raikou Kirin.

With such a cool expression.

"That's it. Winner, Ayato Kurozakuro!" Seeing the amount of blood the fallen Amane shed on the ring, the main referee immediately announced the end of the match and the winner's name.

Due to his long years of experience, he decided that it would be impossible to continue anymore. Cheers of joy erupted from the venue.

「The main referee has judged that Contender Shinomiya is unable to continue the battle anymore! He has declared the end of the match! The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival semi finals second match's winner is ContenderSword Emperor of the Cryo Wind, Ayato Kuroganeee!」

「A-Alright! Ayato-kun won!」

「Eh, seriously? Is it already over?」

「It somehow looks boring...such a one-sided match.」

「The venue erupted in cheers! However, I can hear voices of confusion amidst that! That's also natural! The match began with a declaration of forfeit, the semifinal of Bad Luck vs Sword Emperor of The Cryo Wind was filled with extreme confusion! Once the mystery was unveiled, Contender Kurozakuro more or less advanced the match one-sidedly, eventually taking down Contender Shinomiya without a single injury! However, this was only because Contender Kurozakuro trained his body techniques & Magic Power beyond the limit! This victory was only "inevitable" because it was him! And with this victory, Contender Kurozakuro will be advancing to the finals! For the first time in history, an Generation Knight is reaching for the title of the Seven Stars Sword King!」

"Incredible! Incredible, Ayato! To be able to completely dominate the match against an opponent with that kind of unreasonable power!" The result of that match made Arisuin at the audience stand applause in joy. He also witnessed Amane's out-of-norm power, and was worried that it would not be easy to break out of it in that fight, so he was very happy. And as he wanted to share his joy of the victory, he turned towards Shizuku at his side.

"Isn't it great, Shizuku!"

However ── rather than being happy at the victory before her eyes…

"────..." With a serious expression, she watched the ring that had already determined the outcome.

"Shizuku?" Arisuin asked her what was it, but Shizuku did not answer. No, she could not answer.

(...What is it, this...)

Why was she unable to feel happy for the victory of her own brother, she could not understand. And that feeling was not something only Shizuku felt.

His lover, Stella, who was watching Ayato's match together in that place, also felt a strong sense of unease.

They could not understand.

The main referee had declared the end of the match, and announced the winner to be Ayato.

In other words, his victory could not be overturned. Everything was already set in stone.

Even Amane could not overturn it.

Even so... (Even though the match has already ended...)

For some reason ── an irritating feeling was expanding in acceleration. And that reason was...

"Watch ouuut!" Along with Ayato's warning, became clear.

After announcing the winner's name, the main referee bent down next to the fallen Amane.

Then he confirmed the his condition.

The wound was pretty deep as the bleeding was severe. It was a very dangerous situation.

That's why he used his own magic to stop the bleeding with healing magic before the medical team arrived.

However...

"Eh..." The instant he used healing on Amane. ──He made eye contact. With the muddy pupils that snapped open. Right after that...

"────You are in the way."

Black fog, no, like fames, thick magic power that could be seen by the naked eye blew out from Amane's entire body.

And then, the fame-like black magic power took the form of a few 「arms」, and reached out for the main referee's neck.

"Hii..."

"Watch out!" Ayato was the one who reacted to that abnormality earlier. He pushed the main referee, who was frozen still from the sudden situation, away to protect him from the pursuing arms of black fame.

「W-WWWW-What has happeeeeened!? Some things looking like black arms suddenly appeared from Contender Amane's body and attacked the referee!」

He attacked the referee after the match was over. Iida raised his voice at the sudden abnormal situation...

「...O-Oi oi , what's with that power...!」

Saikyou at the side also stood up from the commentator seat with an astonished expression. However, she was not shocked because Amane attacked the main referee. ──It was the result of coming into contact with the black arm.

(It's decaying...!) Ayato's pupils also shook in shock on the ring. After protecting the main referee, he looked at the black arm that passed by him from the side, and saw it. The portion of the ring that the black arm grabbed collapsed as if it had weathered and was blown away by the wind. And without stopping, it was spreading out slowly to the surrounding.

(This power is...)

"Amane-kun..." Ayato returned his gaze on Amane. Amane was no longer lying on the ground. He stood up slowly like a haunted ghost, and murmured with a voice like a curse.

"Don't...joke...I...will not lose...My Nameless Glory is an invincible power...There is no such thing as impossibility. There is no wish that cannot be granted...It has been like that until now. That's why...that's why I even made myself give up...! By now, my house, my family, my friends...even myself, when everything is already gone, telling me that this isn't how it is...there is no way I can accept it...!"

The blood-shot pupils opened to their limits. From the two corners, just like blood...tears were falling.

"I won't acknowledge it..." He spat out mutterings like agonized cries.

Amane said. ──I will never acknowledge you. Ayato Kurozakuro.

A failure born in two famous households.

Originally, he should have given up with his Uncontrolled Generation Powers.

However, that man did not give up on his own worth, and obtained the glory impossible for an Generation.

The moment he knew of that existence, he could only feel disgust.

Because when he saw that man...it was like seeing a dream.

He could still do it if he tried. If he had the courage to believe in himself like that man, he could have a diferent path than the present.

That kind of thorn-filled dream.

And he almost started to hate his current self.

──No joke.

When he already lost his family, friends and even himself, and finally gave up.

Stop showing him something like a dream...! "

...An eyesore...You are...!"

"────...You are..."

"Little Nephew get down! Leave the rest to us!" When Ayato was about to say something, a sharp voice rang out from the rowdy venue.

It was the voice of Hagun Academy's Director & Ayato's Aunt, Kurono Shinguuji.

She manifested her Device, and leapt off from above the fence.

"Everyone, suppress that guy!"

She instructed the Mage-Knights at the venue. Receiving that instruction, the Mage-Knights standing by at the audience stand moved out together. However, to the movement of those knights, Amane...

"Don't...interfere eeeeeeee!"

Raised an angry scream, shooting out hundreds of black arm from his body and stretching them out towards the audience stand. Seeing that situation, Saikyou called out to the MageKnights in the venue through the mic.

「All members, open up magic barriers! Don't let that black fame touch your body!」

「「「────!」」」

The professional staff chosen for the smooth running of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival immediately reacted. Every individual erected a barrier with magic to correspond. The black arms that hit the barrier made from magic and scraped against the invisible barrier like claws scratching a window glass. Fortunately, nobody was hit due to their quick response.

「U-UWAAAA!?」

「KyAAaAAAAA!」

「Wh-What is this...!」 Screams of the audience echoed here and there in the venue. A portion of the black arms pierced into the ground of the audience stand and the fence, and those places collapsed in the same weathered state Ayato and Saikyou witnessed before. In addition, the collapse spread out from the places where the black arms pierced them like an ink dripped onto a white cloth. Iida raised a confused voice after seeing that scene.

「This is...! Weathering!? The places that magic in the shape of black arms released by Contender Shinomiya touched are collapsing as if they are weathered down! B-But how did this happen!? Causality interference ability is a power that makes phenomenons that exist as possibilities to happen! However, the durability of the reinforced concrete that is used to construct this venue is over hundreds of years! There should be no possibility of it weathering...!」

「He changed the way he used the ability...」

「Saikyou-sensei?」

「Ama-chan has not controlled his own power up to now. He mainly used only the spilled out portion. It's a strong ability that doesn't need more than that. But...those black arms are different. Nameless Glory's power is concentrated to the point of being visible to the naked eye. And doing that raised the enforcement power...!」

Saikyou's examination was correct. Amane concentrated his causality interference to raise the absoluteness exactly like what she said. That was really to the point of reaching the 「result」 without the need of 「process」. And currently, Amane had only one thought imbued in his power.

Killing intent.

In other words──

「Those black arms ignore the method and process, becoming the hands of a reaper that pushes for the "death" result that all things cannot avoid! Just being grazed by it will send you to the afterlife! There will be casualties if we dawdle around...! Bro! I will leave the evacuation guidance of the audience to you!」

「Wh-What will Saikyou-sensei do!?」

「I will suppress that kid! Since Ku-chan and the others are having their hands full with protecting the audience!」

Saying so, Saikyou manifested her Device Beniiro Ageha, and blew away the windows of the broadcast stand with a horizontal swing. Then she wrapped her whole body in an armor of magic with such a concentration that could be recognized by sight and leapt out from the window frame. She intended to fly and land on the ring. However──

"That isn't necessary." Ayato in the ring stopped Saikyou's action.

「Aya-bou...?」

"Sensei, please protect the audience's stand. I will stop him."

He would stop Amane himself. The person who disagreed was Kurono at the audience stand.

"Don't say stupid things, Little Nephew! You have already won! There is no need for you to go any further!"

"No. With the property of Amane-kun's ability, not a single mistake can be allowed in the protection of the audience stand. Thinning out the defence is dangerous...Also, I saw myself in him."

"Ayato...!"

"Even though the match has already been decided and he has lost his consciousness and taken plenty of injuries, he is still challenging me like this. Then...I cannot turn my back on such an enemy."

Saying so, Ayato took his stance against Amane.

He did not intend to leave that place. It was only natural from Ayato's perspective. Not to mention, finally, at that moment…

"You are finally making a better expression. Amane-kun."

Amane finally showed him his true self after putting on a fake mask ever since their first meeting.

(...I understand them. Those feelings of yours.)

「My Nameless Glory is an invincible power...There is nothing impossible. There is no wish that cannot be granted...It has been like this ever since. That's why, that's why I was even able to give up on myself...!」

Finding a reason to give up on himself represented the feeling of not wanting to give up. Despite living, he had to give up all his potential himself. Normal people would not have the nerve to do that. It was more difculty than suicide in a sense.

That's why a reason was necessary.

He needed a reason that could convince himself no matter how forceful it was.

To Amane, the absoluteness of Nameless Glory was probably it.

...What feelings Amane had poured into his screams, Ayato painfully comprehended them.

(I was also like that.)

A failure born into a powerful famous household.

The value of the hybrid Ayato Kurogane was denied, and nobody expected anything of him since his childhood except his parents, older sister, Aunt.

─Certainly, Ayato Had an out-of-universe talent like that of diamond. However...his talent was diamond. There were people who possessed similar diamond talent but that of two gold ingots.

This was a reason, and was about to give up on mastering his own power. He was cornered to the point that he had no choice but to do that. However, at that time, Ayato had an encounter.

「Are you frustrated, brat? Then, don't discard that frustration because you can't control your powers. That's the proof that you haven't given up on yourself.」

With a man who gave him the courage to continue believing in his own incredible potential. Because there was that encounter, he was able to continue fighting to the present. Ayato was conscious of it.

However...Amane, no, Shion Amamiya did not have that. He did not have Ryouma Kurogane, Shizuku Kurogane, Stella...he had nobody.

Be it his friends or family, nobody looked at him, only looking at his power. His own existence had no place in the world.

He had been wandering like a ghost in the barren world with that kind of ultimate isolation. He told himself that he had a reason to give up as it couldn't be helped.

...Ayato knew how harsh that was.

(Then──)

What he should do was already decided. He had always wished to become a person that could give courage to someone who could not believe in his own potential ── that's why he walked on the path of knighthood!

"You probably cannot tolerate me. You probably cannot forgive me. Then bring along all of your hatred and challenge me. With my strongest, I will defeat your resignation...!"

Telling him strongly that he would accept his challenge, Ayato activated his trump card, Kori Kusanagi.

He stepped forward towards Amane while clad in a violet colored cryo tornado sword.

"U...aAAaAAAAAAAA!"

Amane raised a cry in response and lashed out countless reaper's arms that manifested his killing intent.

Ayato was way stronger in terms of magic power.

HAaaa!" With the swordsmanship that could be called the fastest & Strongest magic, he cut down the reaper's hands that pursued him like a wave of spears and moved forward.

He could not be stopped.

Not even a single step.

Not even a single moment.

He could not be stopped. Not even a single step. Not even a single moment. Like the moonlight splitting apart the darkness of night. The Violet Raging sub zero wind Tornado scattered the pressuring black flame. The powerful figure of that strength had stopped the feet of the audience that should've been escaping from Amane's rampage, making them focus on the ring.

「-Incredible...!」

「Even though he won the match already, does he intend to carry it by himself to the end!?」

Even though Ayato did not have the obligation to do that. The audience could not understand for what reason Ayato was doing that much.

However, even so── His side face had conveyed that he had some sort of strong determination.

Therefore... 「Gooo! Don't lose, Kurogane!」

「Take that cheating bastard down!」

「Do your best! Ayato-kun!」

Despite the fact that the match they should've been cheering for was already over, the audience sent cheers of support to Ayato. And as if responding to that, Ayato further increased his speed. Saikyou understood it after seeing that scene.

「Concentrating has brought out a faw.」

「A faw?」

「That's right. Certainly, if it's the Nameless Glory that is concentrated to the point of being visible, it will go straight to "death" while ignoring any and all processes. Kuro-bou can't do anything about it no matter what he tries. But...concentrating the causality power of "death" has killed of the greatest advantage of Nameless Glory.」

「The greatest advantage...is?」

「The coincidence. Since Ama-chan has "only been wishing" until now. That would be great, I wish it can be like this. That's why his "will" cannot be read. What kind of causality change will happen cannot be predicted. After all, even the person who used the Noble Art does not know what kind of efect there will be. In fact, Aya-bou only fixed the errors caused by Nameless Glory and had never avoided it once in the match and defeated him with his Cryo wind Dragon Manipulation.

But now it is different. The strong power of causality interference that can be seen by the naked eyes are moving according to the clear killing intent of Ama-chan. Ama-chan himself is controlling it.

Then ── even thousands of reaper's hands do not matter. Reading the intention of opponents and Finishing them with Raw Power. ──That's the most proficient field of the Sword Emperor of The Cryo Wind...!」

In addition, Amane himself was also using that kind of ability for the first time, and could not move proficiently.

That kind of half-baked power would not work on Ayato who has the greatest magic in the world..

In that case...

「Aya-bou! You stopped me with such manly words. I will leave this fight to you! Take responsibility and make that idiot behave!」

Saikyou took a posture to fly out at any time and told him through the mic. And then, at the same time Saikyou spoke those words──

"～～～～～～!" Ayato finally caught Amane in sword range. Amane's expression was grim, but he did not retreat. If he turned tail even once, he would be cut down from behind just like that. He understood that. He manifested Azure in his two hands. His blades, wrapped with the result of 「death」, counterattacked. That shape was death itself. That's only natural. If he lost that fight, his resignation would only be an excuse. He had already lost too much to accept it by then.

(Just grazing him is fine! Just grazing his skin with Kori Kusanagi a bit will be my win!)

"UAAaah!" With a painful scream, Amane swung his two swords.

However ── the slashes he made drew only weak and coarse tracks. It was similar to what Amane showed immediately after the match began, but not quite the same. It was a bonafide amateur Chanbara.

Currently, when Nameless Glory's power was concentrated towards the vector of 「death」, he was moving without the blessing of fortune, unable to strike at the angles where Ayato's defence was strong, not even able to properly swing his swords on the right track. And that kind of slash would not work on Ayato...

"────" He easily guarded the two swords with a flash Amane's eyes could not even capture. The impact sent Azure flying far behind. No matter what he did, he could not stop Ayato's steps. Amane painfully felt his own weak self unwillingly through that fact...and ground his teeth. Frustrating. He resented his weak self.

(...Since when has it been, I wonder. When did I start resenting my own powerlessness so much...)

He had long forgotten that feeling. A power that could grant any kind of wish. Amane was born possessing such abnormality, but he was unable to obtain anything. Everything was snatched away from his hands by the 「Nameless Glory」. Hence he gave up his desires. Since no matter how much he wished for, he would not be able to obtain anything with his own hands. However── Aah, however──

"U...aAAaAAa──────!"

"""...!?""" ── Everyone, including Ayato, held their breaths from the shock.

It was the moment when Amane's resistance was subdued, when everyone believed that Ayato had settled the showdown. The amateur swordsman Amane manifested his Device in his two hands again, and stepped up to slash back at Ayato.

And that was a slash with proper trajectory and timing that should not be possible for an amateur. Was it the fortune caused by Nameless Glory?

No. ──The power's vector was concentrated on 「death」, Amane, who wrapped it around his swords, could not use it.

That counterattack was purely from Amane's...Amane's own body technique. He had traced the sword's path and posture many times under the control of his fortune, making them his own at the last minute without relying on his ability. Ayato barely defended Amane's unexpected counterattack with his blade.

However, at that instant, for certain, he had stopped Ayato, who was unstoppable no matter what he did, for nearly an instant. At that ──── Amane betted all of himself and increased his counterattacks!

That's why I will show you. Sword Emperor, Ayato Kurogane's true power...!"

Making up his mind, Ayato raised his Ryuuzetsu...

"Cryo Dragon Spirit...!"

──And stabbed it into his own chest.

In that instant, a violent storm , accompanied with Blizzards and ThunderStorms, blew out from Ayato's body, enveloping the whole venue.

As the possessor of the world's greatest magic power capacity, he carried an equally great destiny.

he still didn't know what kind of destiny it was, but── At the very least, it was not something that just the world's number three could stop! "──────" In that case, he just had to release it. All the power sleeping in his body that he himself did not know. That should be in his body for sure.

Right then, just like his body, his soul roared────!

"Ua-AA-A-AaAAAAAAAAAA──────!"

The moment Ayato resolved himself, his body moved by itself, and stabbed Ryuuzetsu into her chest. No more hesitation, no more wavering. It was the same as humans breathing without being conscious of it. His body, his cells, knew about it.

His own power, the real way to use it────

Immediately, an explosion of Ice Storms came from the center of Ayato's body. A wind of light that mowed everything down in all directions was like a sickle of freezing Winds of near absolute zero.

The trees in the forest that were hit were disintegrated without even having the time to burn. While that storm of freezing Winds made his hair flutter...Saikyou smiled as if she was relieved.

"Good grief, He is finally awakened. What a troublesome boy ."

「W-What does this mean!? Suddenly, the moment Contender Ayato seemed to have made up his mind, a storm of Ice so blinding that we couldn't even open our eyes blew from Contender Ayato and buried the whole ring! Be it the camera or the naked eyes, we are unable to determine the situation on the ring! What exactly could be happening now!?」

「Cold! So Cold!」

「Please do not touch the fence! There is a danger of getting Frozen! Please keep your hands away from the fence!」

The Freezing wind wave that spread to the audience stand caused groans from the audience and voices from Mage-Knights protecting them to mix around.

Amongst that commotion, seeing the same brilliance as that time, Saikyou murmured "It's fine like this."

(It's fine for Ayato-chan to trust in his talents more.)

What he was lacking in. Simply speaking, it was the pride in his own talent. Ayato possessed talent greater than anyone else and Stella, and yet he did not neglect hard work.

Ayato would honor and respect the knights possessing excellent techniques despite them having weaker magic power. That humbleness was a virtue as a human being.

Everyone in the venue drew their breaths. The positions of Ayato and Amane did not change from before the storm enveloped the ring. However, Ayato's appearance was like that of a different person. Ayato stood in the center of the Freezing wave-like twisted scenery. The Ryuuzetsu that pierced his chest disappeared somehow, leaving a scar shining like a frozen metal. That scar slowly flickers between dark and hard as if freezing out the heartbeat.

And as if synchronizing with that, the radiance from the core shone on Ayato's skin and darkened Silver hair. That was like an entirely different thing from the brilliance of magic power Ayato released until then. It was not the brilliance of magic power gushing out, but the glow coming from within her body.

What exactly happened to his body── In the instant everyone was having that question. Ayato slowly raised his chin up towards the sky and…

Roared into the sky. What was released from the kind-hearted lips of a Boy was a roar of something obviously non-human.

Like the rumbling of the earth.

Like the rumbling of the sea.

Or like a deafening thunder.

It was a roar that shook the atmosphere──

"Sword Emperor of the Cryo Wind...You, that voice, is..."

"Defend yourself. You may die."

Right after saying so, Ayato crushed the distance of fifty meters between them with a speed similar to a bullet, arriving before Amane's bosom. And then he clenched his fist that was Freezing and then threw it at Ayato as if using his whole body behind it.

The impact that was harder and heavier than Amane's prediction broke his guard and knocked into his ribs. Its momentum was not killed after breaking two layers of guard, piercing through the back of Ouma through his ribs, pushing his feet along the ground.

「Contender Ayato has blown Contender Amane away despite his magic! A groan leaked out from Contender Amane who did not change his expression regardless of any attacks or strikes from Devices! His knees are bent! It was that much of a heavy impact!」

「It's not just heavy. Look at Amane-chan's arms.」

「Eh?」

Guided by Saikyou, the broadcasting camera zoomed in on Ouma's arms. There was a shocking image displayed.

「T-This is...! On Contender Amane's arm, there is a freeze mark in the shape of Contender Ayato's fist as if it was branded on it...!」

「The punch just now should have freezed in his bone, literally. In other words──」

"GuaVA...!"

「That's true...! B-But I don't understand! The current Contender Ayato is clearly different from the Contender Ayato from before! What exactly is this sudden power up about!?」

"I see...That is how it is...!"

Ayato, who had been closer to Stella than anyone else for the past few months, had arrived at the answer of that mystery one step faster.

"Stella-Chan, what is the reason for Ayato suddenly becoming stronger?" Stella nodded and replied to Touka's question.

"...I believe that most likely, her method of using her power was wrong from the beginning. Surely...in the first place, Ayato is not an ice user."

"E-Eeh!? What...does that..." Touka's voice contained more questions to Stella's answer. She could not understand the meaning behind Ayato's words. That was explained by Saikyou, who was at the scene when she awakened.

「Blazers are not able to use magic the moment they are born. They usually awaken abruptly on some days. Things like having the power to let out fire, or the power to control gravity. And then they learn how to use it from their own comprehension, hence there are times where misunderstandings occur. I was like that. The very first time I was aware of my special power was the time when I made toys float in the air. I actually believed that my ability was to make things float, but in reality, it was different. It was possible to achieve that from its usage, but it was a completely different ability. Ayato-chan is the same. Of course, spewing out cryo ice from an empty space suddenly would make anyone think that they were a fire user. Well, most of them would clear their misunderstandings like me while playing or fighting when they were small...In Ayato-chan's case, he was too strong even with the misunderstanding. Due to that, he had come all the way here with that misunderstanding.」

「I-In other words, are you saying that, Contender Ayato is not a ice user?」

「That's how it is. Ayato-chan's original ability is not nature interference, but concept interference. And everyone should also know. The mythical monster with freezing blood circulating its body, and breathing out Freezing ice. The concept of the story that is passed down as a symbol of fear and violence which could not be resisted anywhere in this world...!」

"Don't...tell me...!"

According to Saikyou's words, Amane, who was forced onto one knee by Ayato, thought of the worst possibility as he looked up at her. And that premonition was spot on.

"Concept interference type ── Cryo Dragon.

The ability to manifest in one's body the power of a predator that lives at the peak of the food chain in the mythological world.

That is mine, Sword Emperor of the Cryo Wind, Ayato Kurozakuro's true power."

"Time to end this crap."

Ayato injected all his remaining magic power into Ryuzetsu, wrapping it in a giant sub-zero tornado. The tornado increased in density as it swallowed the surrounding cold air, becoming a sword of icy storm from thousands of Sub zero wind blades in due time. The claw of the heavenly dragon that would tear everything upon contact.

It was the trump card of the Sword Emperor of Cryo Wind, Ayato Kurozakuro, who had defeated Stella and Many others before.

Ayato raised it towards the sky, and pleaded at Amane with his eyes.

──Draw your blade.

It was the figure that would take on the full power of his enemy despite knowing the difference in strength. To the world that he loved, he would not compromise, not deceive himself, such was his spirit.

(I must win!) If he had managed to obtain it, he would feel like smiling for the first time from the bottom of his heart. "UOOoOoOoOooOooooo!" Amane's scream was no longer cries, but changed to a roar filled with strong determination. He made a left thrust.

The tip of his sword followed the fastest trail to pursue Ayato. Kori Kusanagi sliced the unexpected counterattack from the right and was in no position to guard it.

The sword of ice storm bursted out in the moment of contact that suppressed Azure on the right and swung and severed Amane's final strength.

Because Bad Luck was swallowed into it just like that.

Exhausting his very best, exhausting all his strength, he could not squeeze out anything more...

...He could not deal a single wound and finished him with Overwhelming Power.

Painfully feeling the diference in ability between the two, Amane dropped his waist to sit like seiza on the ground. And...

"...It's...my loss..." Right then for sure, he accepted the reality before his eyes.

"Are you frustrated?"

"...Yes. That's right...I'm frustrated." Amane kept quiet for a while at the question and replied with a small nod.

Frustrated. The feeling that was more bitter than the blood rushing up his mouth could only be described as such.

To Amane's reply ── Ayato said.

"Don't throw away that frustration. That is the proof that Amane-kun has not given up on himself."

"...Eh?"

Those words seemed to see through Amane's struggle in his own heart, making him raise his head to look up.

The reflection in his eyes was like that of a light seeping through from a cloud dispersing unknowingly and... Ayato, whose back was facing the light and looking at him, showed a gentle smile that he had not seen before.

"A long time ago, when I was suffering similarly like you, a certain person said that. The feeling known as frustration, no matter how harsh, no matter how bitter, is something you cannot throw away. As long as you hold an indomitable feeling, humans can reach the moon. ...That's why, this time I will give you those words . If you feel frustrated, anytime you want, for any number of times, just keep challenging yourself. What your power, which can grant any wish, could not grant, was a victory against me. If you are able to obtain it, that victory will be something belonging to you that you can be proud of. Something you would win with your own power, your own glory."

"...Ah."

"I will definitely become a man that won't be ashamed of being your goal ── to receive your challenge."

Saying so, Ayato turned around and showed his back to Amane. And he left the ring without turning back. That steel-like sturdy back seemed to be telling him to catch up.

(Aah, I see...)

Amane was finally enlightened thanks to that back.

The reason Ayato ignored Kurono's interference and continued the battle after winning. He had been watching.

The one who even himself had given up on ── at Shion Amamiya.

(...I can't win against him.)

Deceiving him, making him suffer, hurting his little sister.

He would even help a guy like that.

How to become so strong like him?

How to become so gentle like him?

Amane could not comprehend it when he could not even tolerate himself.

However, what if... If he reached the place by chasing after that back...

──That was definitely the target he was aiming for by betting on his life's journey.

Amane squeezed out the last ounce of his strength and stretched out his hand towards that distancing back.

And then, he grabbed strongly. Of course, that hand would not grasp anything. It would not reach Ayato's sleeve. ──For now. However, someday, someday for sure──── Amane carved that burning frustration into his heart and fell on the spot.

The Kori Kusanagi that Ayato had released did not stop at subjugating Bad Luck, it had also slashed apart the Bay Dome, as well as the Osaka Bay beyond.

The audience stand and the huge screen in the dome were burned. A deep trench was carved on the seabed. Along with the extraordinary destruction and dramatic closure, the announcer raised an excited voice. 「A-Amazing! Contender Ayato, he has cut Bad Luck along with the sea!」

「S-SSS-SCARYyyYYY!」

「If World Clock had not stopped the time for evacuation, I would've been cut along with that...What an outrageous Boy.」 The audience raised a commotion at the carved out scar of destruction. And Amane, who was completely bathed in that destructive power, would definitely not be unharmed. Amane was unable to continue the fight. At the same time, he announced Stella's victory. 「Just now, the main referee has announced Contender Stella's victory! A battle worthy of attention. The one who conquered this second duel between both A-Rank monsters is the Contender Sword Emperor of Cryo Wind, Ayato Kurozakuro! Well, we speculated that both of them would be more evenly matched in this second match of the semi-final, but seeing the result, it is still the record holder of the world's greatest magic power capacity after all! He suppressed the Bad luck with overwhelming power from a different dimension! As expected, the wall of magic power capacity at birth is still tall!」 However, to those words of the announcer...

「That is wrong.」 Saikyou objected next to him. 「Wrong...meaning...there are other reasons for the victory?」

「Of course. Certainly, the strength of magic power is an important talent proportional to the greatness of destiny the Blazer carries in this world. But using that great power wrongly will also cause great backlash to the user. To use it well, it is necessary to put in an effort more than usual and have the strength of heart to continue that...If not, in unfortunate cases it is possible to be devoured by that talent. In fact, Ayato-chan had lost control of power two times when he was a child after losing his father & Stepbrother & Best friends .」

「I-Is that so!?」

「This is a famous rumor in the Mage-Knight world. But Ayato-chan never gave up no matter how many times he was scared to death because of his own power, afraid to push it to all its Might. It is because he had continued training without any compromise, she managed to let his own blood freeze to control the dragon. Just a single mistake could cause his magic power control to be cut off from the power that can destroy his body . Basically, I believe that the reason Ayato-chan won this fight is because of his strong willpower.」

「Right now, Contender Shinomiya has been restrained by the medical team and carried away. Really, what an unexpected commotion happened at the very end, but luckily, the excellent Mage-Knights have followed up and prevented casualties from appearing. As expected of the elites chosen for the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. However, the person we should praise the most is, as expected, Contender Ayato Kurozakuro. After the end of the match, regardless of the storm-like development, he did not receive a single injury. Showing an overwhelming difference in abilities, he incapacitated the rampaging Contender Bad Luck, Amane Shinomiya.

In tomorrow's finals, this overly powerhouse Knight will be facing the true absolute powerhouse, Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion, who possesses the world's second highest magic power behind his own. It can't be helped that we are looking forward to it even now.」

The lead-colored clouds that appeared at noon on that day had long floated to the western sky, revealing a night with a beautiful moon.

Amane Shinomiya sat up on his bed in the sickroom. While watching the white moon, he thought about the words of Ryouma conveyed through Ayato. Soon after, with a small sound, the window of the sickroom opened.

"..."

"Oh, what? You already woke up huh. That's a pity." The one who had entered the room by opening the window like a ninja was a petite person wearing a crimson kimono. It was the Yaksha Princess, Nene Saikyou.

She pouted as if the fun had disappeared and put the magic pen in her hand back into her kimono.

"Even though you've caused us quite a lot of trouble, so much that I thought of playing a prank on you, you are still a lucky kid as always."

Lucky. Amane truly thought so. Since currently, there was just something he wanted to ask. That was──

"...Is Ayato-kun alive?" Saikyou showed a slightly surprised expression hearing that question. "You noticed?"

"Just now, I heard it from the conversation of the staff here. He's in critical condition."

"I see." Saikyou was convinced, she also only knew the situation from Kurono's phone call a while ago.

"He safely kept his life and Unleashed his full power during the match with you. The White-Robed Knight rushed over and handled it."

"That person..." That nickname was still fresh in Amane's memory. It was the name of the knight he won against without fighting by using an underhanded method in the first round.

"I came here to pass on Kiriko-chan's message."

"To me, is it?" Amane was not intimate with her enough to receive a message, but prepared himself for what it might be. Saikyou…

"I paid you back for the first round. Serves you right. That's all." Passed on the message with a mean smile as if imitating Kiriko's emotions. Amane laughed dryly at that...

"I see. In other words, I couldn't even win against my opponent from the first round huh." He accepted that result.

"...So strong, everyone is."

"Of course. Kiriko-chan is a monster that would definitely receive an A-Rank evaluation if she seriously did her knight activities. She wouldn't look inferior standing beside Stella- chan, Ouma-chan or Aya-bou . She would be too much of an opponent to the current Ama-chan."

"By the way, is that the only thing you came for?"

"No, there's one more. It's related to the incident of you rampaging this time. The Committee and League have reached a consensus to pass on the judgement the day after tomorrow...It's naturally obvious that you will receive a heavy punishment. Well, it shouldn't matter to the terrorist Ama-chan."

"I will receive the punishment."

"...!" Not expecting that reply without any delay, Saikyou widened her eyes. However, to her reaction…

"That's why, Saikyou-sensei. Taking into account of my intentions of refecting, can you lighten my sentence a little?" Amane used his feminine voice to plead without any shame. Hearing Amane's words, Saikyou sighed in resignation...

"What a cunning brat. Well, I'm a teacher now. If you can still be saved...I can more or less say a few good words." She still gave a positive answer.

The organization known as League still owed her some favors to make that possible. However, she obviously did not intend to do that for free.

Saikyou had put on a sharp glare and gave conditions to Amane.

"But in return, absolutely do not meddle in tomorrow's finals, you got it?"

The final match was obviously the match between Ayato and Stella. Although the two of them were not bothered about Amane's interference, it did not mean that he could just interfere with that reason.

That was really a mood spoiling matter.

Be it as a teacher or as a knight. Hence Saikyou used the form of a trade to enforce that promise on Amane. In response, Amane…

"I promise. There's no reason for me to do it anyway."

Accepted that condition crisply with a smile as if the evil was exorcised. ...Seeing that, it was unlikely for him to break his promise.

"Then, I will be returning since I've finished my business. You should also sleep soon."

"Yes. Good night...Thank you." Finally, Amane lowered his head towards Saikyou and expressed his gratitude.

Saikyou took a glance at that, went out of the room and closed the window, then smiled.

"Seriously. What a refreshing expression."

Right after that ── she went straight towards the presence she had felt a while ago.

"Oya oya. What a rare encounter, Tsukikage-sensei. What are you doing at this hour?"

Waving her kimono's sleeve, she called out in an intimate voice. In response, Tsukikage stopped in his steps on the hallway from the other end, and smiled bitterly at the 'rare encounter' greeting.

"That is my student's sickroom. Isn't it natural for me to visit him?"

"What, are you still continuing that? The students of Akatsuki Academy have all lost." That's right. It was as Saikyou had said, with Amane's defeat, the pawns of Akatsuki Academy had all lost.

The plan Tsukikage made by illegally forming the National Akatsuki Academy had mostly failed. However──

"All of that is a pity. I was hoping that Akatsuki Academy's strength could prove that they would be able to carry on the future of this country."

The attitude of Tsukikage who shrugged his shoulders did not really seem to be that of regret. No, rather...it seemed to be the opposite…

"You are someone who doesn't show his true intentions."

Even Saikyou could not see through what he was thinking. However, putting that aside for the time being, Saikyou changed the topic.

"Well, it's good to meet you here. I want to ask about one thing, is it fine?"

"What might that be?" Saikyou's question was just one. It was the preparation he made before the semi-finals a while ago.

"The second A Rank match of the semi-finals. It's about how you saw through Ama-chan's intention to forfeit and told Aya-boy the method to provoke Ama-chan, but did you really do it for the sake of making Ama-chan win?" She could not be convinced no matter what. There were many other methods to set Amane up.

Handing the trigger to Ayato had too many uncertain factors. At least, Saikyou thought so. Hence... "Sensei hoped that Ayat-bou could save Ama-chan from the start, didn't you?"

"────" Tsukikage kept silent and did not answer Saikyou's question immediately...a tiny curve showed on the edges of his lips. He remembered something. Last night. When he handed over the trigger known as Amane's past to Ayato, he inquired...

「Please tell me one thing in the end. Is the one you want to set up Amane-kun? Or ── is it me?」

Saikyou's question held the same meaning. In that case, he chose to answer in the same way.

"I wonder. My job is full of superficial acting after all. After continuing that for so many years, I don't even know my own true intention."

He just gave a vague answer that could not be considered an answer at all. At that, Saikyou...

"I see." Responded disinterestedly. Since Tsukikage had no intention of answering it, she immediately discarded that question as it was worthless. On top of that…

"Then one more." "Didn't you ask just one question?"

"A man shouldn't be so fussy with the details." She took a step closer to Tsukikage and asked.

"What I'm interested in is the matter about Sensei knowing enough of Ama-chan's past to be able to tell another person."

"..."

"Seeing Ama-chan's behavior, I don't think that he told others about it. More importantly, considering the property of Nameless Glory, it would be impossible for any disadvantageous information of Ama-chan to be leaked to a third party. If that was possible, then there would exist a method of 「having an even stronger causality interference ability''.

Hey Tsukikage-sensei. I don't know what exactly your Noble Arts is, as I couldn't find anything no matter which database I had searched, but is taking an abnormal action of a country's leader joining hands with terrorists related to that power?" Although Saikyou's tone was intimate, her eyes contained a sharp pressure, and pierced Tsukikage.

Even though she didn't say it out loud, that gaze did not allow him to play the fool. However ── in fact, Tsukikage no longer had any intention of playing the fool regarding that question the moment Akatsuki Academy was defeated.

However...it was not the time for it yet. Hence, Tsukikage replied as such.

"That answer will probably be told by me not far in the future."

Not there, but in a more appropriate place, in front of more appropriate actors ── to be said.

….

The awakening arrived slowly, like seeping water. Opening his heavy eyelids, what he saw was an unfamiliar grid-pattern ceiling.

"Mm...u...where am I?" Ayato sat up and rubbed his eyes while looking around.

It was inside a clean room with white as the base theme.

Simple decorations.

Also the bed he was sitting on. It was no different from a sickroom.

Even his groggy head could understand it.

However, it was strange. He was certain that he should be...in the waiting room.

(Putting that aside, my body feels uncomfortably heavy...)

Not only his body, his head also felt dull.

He understood that it was currently night time from the darkness of the room, but he could not determine the exact time.

Ayato sought the answer of that question from the student datapad on top of his uniform folded next to his pillow.

He pushed the power switch and pressed on the display.

The time displayed was 10:30pm.

It was nearing the time for the date to change.

It was natural for his body to feel languid if he slept from noon till night──

"...Eh."

At that point ── Ayato's expression froze. At the date displayed next to time. 10 August. That was ── the next day after the semi-finals. It was the day he would be going to the finals with Stella.

"──────!"

In an instant, he remembered the moments before losing consciousness as if a firework went off in his brain. The unusual sense of powerlessness when he reached the waiting room.

It was clearly different from the fatigue caused by the backlash of using Cryo Dragon Spirit, it was despair, he immediately noticed.

He was being violated by the result known as 「death」.

──As he thought about it, it was the moment when he had protected the main referee. As it was too sudden, he did not pay attention to it, but at that time it probably grazed him slightly.

After comprehending that much, he thought that it would be bad, but...the sense of loss robbed even the strength for Ayato to make a sound, shutting off his consciousness.

Most likely, someone caught him and carried him to where he was after that.

──No, that kind of thing didn't matter! Rather than that, did he misread the current date? If not...

"～～～～!" As he thought about it, cold sweat oozed out from his entire body. However, believing that he was mistaken, Ikki looked at the reality he wanted to see again──

(M-Mail...!) Ayato noticed in the corner that he had received mail.

Sender's name was ── Stella.

He immediately opened the mail as if he was possessed by something.

The contents did not even have a title, just one sentence.

「I will be waiting for you at the ring.」 After seeing that, Ayato dashed out from his bed.

"Hah...haa...!" Ayato did not even change his clothes or wear his slippers, and ran to the bay dome, indicated by the mail, barefeet in the night.

He passed through the empty reception counter, dashed into the contender waiting room, pushed open the door connected to the entrance gate ── and ran towards the exit shone by the moonlight.

Then, the instant he crossed the gate…

"────..."

A dignified silhouette standing on the ring attracted Ayato's eyes. A beautiful girl with crimson colored hair fluttering in the night sea breeze. He went up the ring without adjusting his rugged breath and walked towards the girl.

Then he noticed.

Her scarlet pupils also reflected only on him.

Those pupils were mixed with sadness.

"...Stella."

"You woke up really late, Ayato."

"..."

"I have been waiting. A whole day. The whole time."

The words weaved by those pitiful lips made Ayato feel so desperate as if he would collapse on the ground.

He did not see wrong after all. The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival...was already over.

While he was foolishly sleeping.

Even though Stella was waiting for him at that promised place all the while.

──How did it become like that?

He had to apologize.

For not being able to carry out his promise.

Even though he thought so...

"...──Ah...!" What leaked out from Ayato's throat was only a saddened groan. The corners of his eyes felt burning hot, his throat ached.

Apology could not come out in words. And what he finally squeezed out was…

"DAMN IT...!" Only stifed anger at himself. He did not hate Amane. Just that, he hated himself to the point of wanting to cut himself into pieces. Even though he already came that far, finally, with only one more step to go...!

"～～～～～～!" He lacked the tenacity to take that last step. That turned everything into a waste.

That reality was too heavy to accept── Sorry. It was such a frustration that a word like that could not even come out. On the other hand, seeing Ayato's figure trembling in frustration, Stella...

"I wanted to hear that. Not your apology, but Ayato's heart." ──Muttered those confusing words with joy to the point that tears of happiness could fow out anytime.

"Ste...lla...?" Ayato was about to ask what she meant. However, before that, Stella turned her head back as her hair futtered…

"You all heard that right!? Everyone!" And shouted. ──Immediately...

「「OOOOOOooOoooo!」」

Suddenly, dazzling light burned through the darkness, tens of thousands of cheers and applause like a squall hit Ayato's entire body.

If he looked at the audience stand that he had not paid any attention to due to focusing all of his attention on Stella, he would've noticed that the entire crowd of audience was still there despite the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, which should've already been over, and sending him encouraging gazes.

"Th-This is, what exactly..." The situation was so unexpected that he could only say those default words. The person to answer him was standing right at where Stella looked at. A bald old man with a stern face stood right below the huge screen.

It was the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival Organizing Committee President, Yuuzou Kaieda. He spoke.

"Everyone has been waiting. For you to wake up."

"President Kaieda...! But, the finals are already..."

"Not over yet. Isn't that so?" He asked the audience crowded at the audience stand. The audience cheered loudly in response...

「OBVIOUSLY!」

「We have been looking forward to it!」

「The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival is not over until we see the match between Crimson Princess and Sword Emperor of the Cryo Wind!」

Everyone was shouting for the ending they wanted. And amongst them... "ONIISAMAAA! ABSOLUTELY...YOU ABSOLUTELY MUST WIN!" Shizuku, whose eyes were red and swollen, and Arisuin next to her...

"Kurozakuro-kun! Stella-san! Fight on, both of you!" Kanata and Touka, who were waving their hands…

"Don't worry about the surroundings! We all will follow-up for you, so fight to your heart's content!" Starting with Moroboshi, the figures of his rivals fighting for the same summit in the Festival were also there. And everyone was seeking it. The fight that Ayato wished for to the point of him shaking in frustration.

"...Everyone..."

"Nobody will be satisfied. Not until they see the fight between you and Stella-kun. The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival that revolves around Japan's summit, that is the battle between the two of you. ──You can be proud of it."

At the same time Kaieda spoke those words, Stella turned towards Ayato again ── swung her Device, Lævateinn, with the momentum of her turn, and pointed straight at Ayato. Then enveloped Ayato with her burning crimson eyes...

"What's left is just your feeling, Ayato."

"────!" Receiving everyone's feelings, a soundless cry came out from his throat. Different from the tears of frustration, warm tear drops moistened the corners of his eyes. Not out of kindness, nor out of sympathy. Just, 'not satisfied if they did not see the fight between himself and Stella'.

──Aah, what a proud thing that was. His reply had long been decided. There was no need for words. Ayato wiped away the tears, and he hit his Ryuuzetsu with a little of his strength at Lævateinn, Stella's soul, before his eyes.

Sparks few, steel and steel locked against each other. However, despite the full strength hit, Lævateinn and Ryuzetsu did not shake a tiny bit. The feedback felt like hitting against a huge chunk of metal. Feeling the numbness in his hand from that girl's powerful strength, Ayato did not tremble.

(That's how it should be...!)

He overcame various kinds of battles.

He won against many fierce opponents

. However, as expected, she and himself were special.

If he did not have a fight against her, if he did not win against her... He could not let the curtain of that dream stage drop...!

"With this, after confirming the intent to battle the two contenders, I shall exercise the authority of the official Organizing Committee President, and acknowledge the holding of the finals of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival! The match will begin tomorrow at 7:00pm! Both sides, please adjust the condition of your heart and body to the optimum, and have a match that will not leave any regret!"

""YES!""

…