The morning sunlight shone the academy ground as Ikki entered the dorm lobby after his jog around it. His sweat was still on his skin with his clothing being stained with it.
He headed to one of the elevators on the lobby. As he head there, he passes through the lobby. He saw many students sitting on a chair and sofa provided by the dormitory with their bags and luggage beside them.
"Looks like first year students." He quickly thought as he approached the elevator and press a button.
He looked at the elevator monitor to see the elevator was heading down. As he waited for the elevator to arrive to the lobby, he looked at his surrounding.
He reminisced the time when he first arrived for the dormitory. Plenty of students waited to get their key for their dorm room. He got assigned to a room on the top floor with a window overlooking the forest outside the academy which he consider lucky.
Hearing the elevator chime, signaling it has open up, he goes inside the elevator. As he entered the elevator, he heard a ringing coming from his phone in his sweat pants pocket. He grabbed it to see a number he recognizes
"Good morning, Director. It's a surprise to see you call me." He pressed a button to his floor.
"Morning, Kurogane. Sorry for calling you out of nowhere. Can you come to my office?"
"Is it about the match system? Has there been a change?"
"No, there hasn't been a change in the system yet. I want to talk about a special student that will be studying here."
"You really convinced her to study here, director." He softly cackled.
He knew who she meant. The student that will be attending Hagun Academy will be a princess from a small country known as Vermillion in Europe. He heard she was a prodigy knight who was blessed with powerful ability from the moment she was born.
He was surprised the princess would attend Hagun Academy while there were more prominent academy in Japan. He doesn't know how the director convinced her, but he could tell that the director really wanted to win.
"How did you do it, director?" He could hear her laugh from his call.
"There are benefits when your reputation is famous around the world. You'll get invitation by small countries such as Vermillion for example. So might as well try to convince her to study at a foreign country."
"I'm impressed, director." He exited the elevator and walk toward his room. "The academy winning chance will increase a lot with her here."
"But we're not out of the wood yet. She still have to fight for the spot." As he walked toward his room, he grabbed his room key.
"I can tell she can get the spot." With his key in his hand, he arrived at his room. He unlocked and enter his dorm room. "Anyway, I'll be there in moments. Just arrived at my room."
As he entered his room, he closed the door behind him. Since his upper clothing was covered with sweat, he undressed himself while still having a call with her. leaving him with his pants on and upper body exposed.
"Oh, that's make it easier. Can you get her here too? I messaged her to be here but she hasn't respond."
He approached the laundry basket with a confused look with what she said.
"What do you mean get her?"
He got to the laundry basket was half-full of his clothing as usual. As he was about to put his clothes in, he noticed an unknown clothing rest on the top of pile of his clothing.
Curious, he grabbed it to see what it was. When he touched the fabric of it, he was surprised by the smoothness. He didn't remember owning this kind clothing.
He decided to hold it up with both hands while having his phone pressed between his ear and shoulder.
It was a blazer with a color of dark red like rose. The design was elegant as if the designer made it for a high class citizen or nobility, and the smell the fabric released was fragrant. He was sure that it wasn't his as he didn't have this type of clothing.
"I told her to unpack her luggage in her assigned dorm room but she hasn't respond to my call or messages. Can you get her?"
He was baffled by the director request to contact her. He was aware of her status as a royalty even if it was from a small country, but she wasn't a friend or acquaintance of her.
"Director, I don't know where she is. Even if I meet her, I doubt she will talk to me with her being royalty."
He looked down at the laundry basket to see two more clothing that weren't his. It was small and crumpled up so he couldn't tell what it was. He grabbed both of it with one hand each.
"Don't worry about that, she wi-."
"That's a nice bath."
He heard an unknown voice coming out of the bathroom. Since the laundry basket was placed outside the bathroom, he turned toward the bathroom which was a huge mistake he has in his life.
The voice from the bathroom was a girl. Her hair color was crimson red which was let down with it being wet. Her body figure was covered with a single towel which length only covered her chest and upper leg.
His face became pale as he immediately recognize her face.
As she stepped outside the bathroom, her eyes immediately widen with her whole body frozen at the sight in front of her.
From her perspectives, her royal blazer was pulled out from the laundry basket along with her underwear and one of her stocking by an unknown man. He was half-naked with sweat covering his upper body.
Her mind made it into one conclusion.
"Kurogane, you there?" His phone was still active with her not knowing the situation.
"KYAAAAA!" She screamed loudly that the whole dormitory were startled by it.
"Director, you should have informed me about her before." Ikki touched his cheek as he still felt the slap from the princess. "Now, I'm being labeled as a pervert by her."
"Well, of course, you are a pervert."
The Princess was with him in the director office along with the director that called them there.
She wore the academy standard uniform consisting of a blouse with a blazer along with a skirt. The blazer sleeves almost reached her wrist while the skirt length reached half of her thighs. Along with it, she wore a dark stocking with a flat heels.
"You grabbed my clothing and underwear. You obviously are a pervert!"
"Princess, I wasn't aware you were there." He spoke in a calm manner as to reason with her and avoid escalating the situation.
"Don't hide behind excuses because I saw you grab my clothes with my own eyes."
"That's because there was a clothes that I don't own in my laundry basket." He refuted back, trying to not be irritated with her. "As I said before, I didn't know you were in my room."
"Your basket? Your room?" Confused with what he meant, she thought for a moment.
As she thinks further, her eyes immediately widen. She realized the implications and turned her head toward the director. "You want me to be room with a boy?! Nonetheless, a pervert?!"
He deeply sighed and shake his head. He knew it was inappropriate to see a girl body and would be stressful for her if a stranger saw her nude body. So he need to find a way to resolve the situation with the Princess.
"Look, I apologize if I unintentionally saw your body and grab your clothes. I get that you saw me as a stranger rummaging a basket and you are uncomfortable with me. So is there a way for you to forgive me?"
The Princess was thinking of a way to forgive him. She came to one conclusion that will resolve the situation with him and remind other.
"Why don't you commit harakiri for me?"
His eye twitched as he heard her request, a ridiculous one. "Princess, I won't go that far."
"But you said you do anything. So, kill yourself." Her voice remained firm.
"Princess, I won't kill myself just for your forgiveness. I thought you at least understand the situation already."
"I understand it perfectly. It's just you saw my pure body so I can't get married. If you don't want to be forgiven, it's fine." She held her hand in the air. "Then let me kill you at least."
Ikki just can't comprehend her action and mind. Her reasoning saying she can't get married and want him dead was childish. He began to think the princess can't be reason with.
The air around her hand began to brighten as a device started to manifest from her hand, a broad sword with two edges. The color of the blade was golden, imbued with flames due to her channeling her mana toward it.
The princess charged toward him with a swing to end his life, but the blade only hit the air as he stepped back from her range of attack.
She was surprised by his reaction to her attack so she continued to throw another swing, but he stepped back, missing her swing.
He kept stepping back from her range of swing until his back hit a wall behind him.
"Goodbye, pervert." She swung her device with commitment from her right side toward his neck to end his life once and for all. Her grin was visible to him.
Seeing her action, he lowered his body low enough to make her swing miss his head and neck. Since he doesn't have enough room to step back, he moved his body forward toward her right side when she swung and got behind her quickly. He makes sure he was far enough from her.
To him, the princess didn't want to have a word with him. Since she attacked first, he .
"You're good, pervert, but you need to die for what you did."
She directed her sight toward his face which made her froze with her eyes widen. It was an unsettling feeling she ever received. The face he displayed didn't show any fear and his eyes were glaring at her. Throughout her life, every person she had fought shows fear due to her overwhelming power and status.
"You want to talk with violence, right?" She flinched by his glare along with his hostile voice. "Fine, If you want a fight, then let's fight, but don't regret it, Princess."
He clenched his hand, and positioned his legs and body to move forward, deciding not to use his device against her.
The princess couldn't believe he want to fight her bare handed. It was stupid decision since she got the upper hand. She composed herself to reply to his threat. "Can you even do that? I'm a A-rank knight and you are be-."
"Both of you enough."
The princess was surprised by the director standing between them with both her hands extended to stop them from continuing. What puzzled her was the position of her body.
Her body didn't face her and her left arm lifted toward her. Her attention was focused only at him, making it hard to see her expression.
Soon enough, his face began to relax and unclenched his fist.
The director turned her head toward her. "Princess, please put away your device. This is my office, not an arena."
The princess dematerialized her device as requested by the director but still glare at him. The director sighed in relief as it did not escalate further.
"Director, why did you place her with me? She should have her own room due to her status as royalty. This problem could be solved if you just do that." Ikki was confused on why the princess was placed with him.
"I apologize, Kurogane, but I can't treat her as royalty. She is now a student of Hagun Academy so she has to follow the rule of the academy."
"But why me out of all the students in the academy?"
"Because you fit every requirement to be her roommate. Congratulations, you got every boy dream to be with a Princess."
He shook his head at her antigue even after he got nearly killed by the princess.
The princess wasn't pleased with her dorm placement. "Why him of all the student? Could you give me the detail?"
"The dorm assign student based on a number of things. As example, your rank. Since you are a A-rank, it means you'll be place with a lower rank to average it out. Luckily, he hits every mark to be your roommate."
The princess looked at Ikki with him looking at her, wondering what his rank is.
"What is your rank?"
"F-rank." He non-chantantly replied.
Hearing his one word made her mind went blank. She thought his rank would be a C-rank or at least a D-rank. She looked toward the director in which she replied with a nod as a confirmation.
"What!? You got accepted into this academy while being a F-rank!?"
"At the very least, tone down your voice, princess. Yes, do you have a problem with it?" He didn't showed his hostility as before.
"No, I'm just surprised." To say she was surprised was understatement. She was aware in order to be accepted in to a mage-knight academy, they need to be at least a D-rank or E-Rank in rare occasions.
It was logical.
People born with low rank have limited potential, and have higher risk of being killed in combat, making them not fit to be a mage knight. To her, a mage knights need to be capable of defending oneself from a powerful threat.
"A F-rank is the lowest rank in term of a mage knight. I'm surprised to see a F-rank in a mage knight academy of all things." The Princess said with some astonishment. "Alright, I understand why you put him with me, but he is a male. Aren't I suppose to get a female one?"
"Actually, Princess. There are a lot of students that don't mind with their opposite." The director replied as she was reminded of her past academy life. "In fact, when I was a student here, a lot of my friends had a boy for their roommate and don't mind it. Besides, the academy is strict when it comes to rules. Break it and you'll be expelled or not recommended to be a knight."
The rules for the punishment was harsh, but necessary as to make sure that mage knight fall into line. He remembered in a news that there were several cases of student from other academy getting expelled for using their ability on people and was expelled, and banned from becoming a knight. There were other cases for a different reason.
"I still don't trust him, Director. Aren't there any available room?"
"There are, Princess, but a room must be filled with two person no matter what. I can't make exceptions." She touched her forehead with her finger to massage it. "And please don't add anymore headaches. The academy have more problems than I thought."
Her statement causes the princess to become worried.
"What do you mean by that, Director? Isn't the academy doing well?"
When she first came to the academy, she could tell how well maintained the buildings were and no trash to be found, meaning they have the budget to hire cleaner and worker. It didn't made sense to her.
"It's doing well as of now, but in the future, it won't be." She turned his head toward him. "Kurogane, at the dormitory lobby, you noticed students are waiting there right."
"Yeah, I noticed them. Why?"
"You are a second year. I want you to think for a moment. Did you notice anything different in the lobby of the dormitory?"
He thought for a moment, recalling the moment he was there. He was aware that today was the day first year students move in to the dorm with the princess unpacking her belongings as evidence. He was deep in his thought, but he couldn't tell the difference as it was nearly similar to back then.
"The only differences was back then it was loud while today it was quiet when I wait-" He immediately widen his eyes as he realized what she meant.
"I think I get it now, Director."
"That was quick. So tell me, did you notice any difference?"
"I think the number of students applying for the dorm is lower than I remember."
"Huh?!" The Princess was shocked by what he said. "Director, is what he said true?"
"Yes, Princess." She nodded with a grim expression. "As he said, the number of applicant for the dorm is lower then before. You see the room need two peoples. The grade, gender, or abilty won't affect your placement. As of now, I believe there are 5 room that are unoccupied due to the previous third years leaving the academy and fewer enrollment for the first year."
"I thought Hagun was popular among the Japanese mage knight communities."
"Used to be, Princess, but time hasn't been so kind. The academy is at risk of closure."
Ikki was surprised she brought something serious. "What do you mean by closure?"
"Since you both weren't born at that time, there was an academy called Tasogare. It was pretty reputable academy when I was a kid, but there was a controversy, making parents worried about sending them there. It resulted with the academy closure for not being able to able to finance it. In fact, this academy is the replacement."
Both of them were surprised by her history lesson. Ikki simply widen his eyes, while the princess was the one shocked by it. The academy was at risk being closed down due to financial issues in the future.
"That's the reason why I took charge of this sinking ship. The previous director has never care about the academy. For 7 years, he hasn't been able to fix the problems or just won't." The director said as she slumped back to her chair.
The princess was deep in her thought. A financial crisis was an issue and risk for a group or nation will face in the future.
Her country did faced a financial crisis. The affect resulted in hundred of thousand losing their jobs as company didn't want to go bankrupt which leads to many striken by poverty that they were unable to buy neccesary goods for daily lives.
"Now that you are aware of our situations, what will you do, Princess Stella?"
The princess felt bad about the current conditions of the academy. The academy itself was her first experience outside her country and she enjoyed every moment of it. She intend to cherish every single moment of it, but it will be gone once she graduated from the academy. She wanted the academy to exist for at least 5 or 10 years.
So, she wanted to help.
But there were several issues that need to be resolved.
Her roommate was a boy. She has a lot of problems with it. How will she know he won't do anything to her. She needed a way to make sure he won't do anything unsavory.
"Alright, I don't mind."
Hearing her respond, the director sighed with relief as she finally agreed to be roommate with him.
"What is your name, commoner?" She directed her sight toward him.
"Ikki Kurogane."
"My name is Stella Vermillion, The Princess of Vermillion."
She approached him to make sure he hear her loud it and clear.
"I'll be honest with you, Kurogane. I don't trust you." The princess said boldly toward him. "I'm not willing to trust any of my belongings to you after what you did."
"So how can I make you trust me, Princess?"
"A duel." The princess pointed her finger toward him with a smile that shows confidence. "You said you are alright with fighting, right? Then let's fight to determine it. If you lose, you have to be my servant."
Hearing her proclamation, he simply nodded in agreement as he found a way to settle it.
"Alright, I accept your duel." Ikki wasn't surprised by it, but was curioused on how will she fight. "Director, are there any arena available?"
The director looked up on her computer to see if there were any available venue. "I think venue A will be a good choice. The duel will be held at 12.00."
She looked at her watch. "You have 2 hours left. So both of you, prepare yourself. Kurogane, can I have sometime with you?"
"Sure," He looked at the princess one last time. "I'll see you at the arena, Princess."
"Alright, Kurogane. Don't chicken out." With that statement, she left the office, leaving only the director and him alone.
He would never thought a princess would want a fight. He always imagine a princess would rely on a knight to do her biddings, but she was different. She would do it herself than rely on other. He wanted to head to the arena to prepare but the director asked him to stay.
"Director, what is it that you want to talk about?"
"Did you really need to glare at her?"
Her initial thought was to de-escalate the situation when she saw him being serious. She was well-aware of his capabilites and will have no problem fighting against her.
"You saw how the room became warm the moment she released her device. She was trying to kill me, Director."
The director nodded in agreement. The moment her sword wrapped with flame, the room temperature began to increase. The princess had used the physical form of her device, and if she had continue, the room would be on fire.
"I was worried you would actually injured her. Causing a nation crisis on her first day here, unbelievable." She shooked her head as she doesn't want to think about the scenarios if it did happen.
"Judging by the topic, you want me to play it safe with her."
Causing an international crisis between two countries that consider themselves allies would be a disastrous move. He needed to made sure that she doesn't have a permanent injuries.
"Thank you, Kurogane." She let out a sigh of relief. "I knew you'd understand."
"Alright, Director. I'll try my best to not fatally injure her."
It was nearly afternoon, the clock on the locker room shows that it was 11.45, nearly the time for her duel. She has finished her warm up for her first duel in a foreign country.
She never thought her first day in this academy would lead her to a duel with a mage knight even though his rank was lower. Thinking about him, there was something unsettling about him.
"I was worried that you would actually injured her. Causing a nation crisis during her first day, unbelievable." She shooked her head as she doesn't want to think about the scenarios if it did happen.
"Either he is strong or just bluffing."
Bluffing, a common tactic to discourage a fight. It was to made the opponents afraid of them before the battle start, to shake their mental state for an easy fight. She has experienced it beforehand.
Many claim to her that they were strong when she had her first duel. They claimed they can defeat her with their experiences, powerful ability, and skill, but none of them were able to touch or injure her. Once she claimed a lot of victory, they never bluff as she has proven that she is indeed strong.
Something was different with him, he knew who she was but still want to fight her even with his low rank. She doesn't know why he agreed to fight her, but one thing remain.
"Ikki Kurogane, it won't matter if you bluff or not, because I will win this duel."
She exited the locker room and head toward the venue A. As she headed there, she encounter many students in the hallway.
"Is that the princess?!"
"I can't believe she's here in this academy."
"She's strong, what is she doing here?"
"Don't you remember, she will be having a duel in the afternoon."
"Against who?"
"It's Ikki Kurogane."
"Wait, isn't he an F-rank? Why is he fighting her? He will get obliterate by her in a second."
"Yeah, she just need to release her power and it's over for him."
The princess wasn't surpised by their comments. It was natural to be praised for being born as a prodigy.
But to her, their words meant nothing. It didn't made her happy like she first received it from her family and friends. So, she kept walking, ignoring their continuous praise until she reached the venue.
Once she entered the main venue, she was in awe at the scale of it.
The main stage was a circle with a diameter of 100 meters. The audience seats circled the main stage with a gap of 10 meter. The venue was covered in a dome with headlight attached to it's side to lighten the whole room.
It differs from her previous academy.
On the main stage, the director and Ikki stood in the middle of it. The director looked at her and signaled her to come.
She stepped on a step stair to the main stage and headed toward her.
"You arrived early. I was thinking you chicken out or be late."
"Don't want to ruin your first duel here in a foreign country, Princess."
"I appreciate your concern, but your defeat is already guaranteed."
"Alright, both of you. I'm going to explain the rules." The Director looked at her watch. "The duel will start when it's 12.00, I have 5 minutes to explain it."
"This duel will be fought using illusionary form, there are certain restriction such as no physical techniques that result in permanent physical injuries, and the duel end if one of you are incapable to continue fighting. Any questions?"
The princess raised her hand. "Why did you need to say the second part of the rules? Isn't illusionary form enough? We don't fight with our bare hands."
She understood the duel will be non-lethal. While non-lethal, physical injuries from punches or kicks were allowed. As long as the damage from it was minimal, not fatal, the duel continues.
"I just need to make sure you both won't get permanent injury from a fight. As example, eye gouges." She used her finger and pointed it at her one of her eyes. "After all, you'll be using illusionary form as it only create pain and no fatal injuries."
"Fair enough, it's not like he can or will execute it when he's fighting against a sword user."
"Any other questions?" The director looked toward him in which he shakes his head. "Alright, I'll be off the main stage."
She left the main stages, leaving them both on it. As time continued, the audience seat began to be fill with students. It was mainly consist of the second and third year with the first years only having a few.
The princess looked at him. What she noticed most was how calm he is in front of her. She was literally a monster to anyone and he was able to maintain a facade.
"You sure are confident, Kurogane."
"Am I suppose to doubt my ability? If I did that, I would lose to you." Ikki looked at his surronding. "It's a rare opportunity to fight a princess so I must at least be serious."
"No one want to fight a A-rank when they are at the bottom of the ranking system. I can end this duel quickly only with my sword."
"To be honest, Princess. You are arrogant."
"Is it wrong to be a little arrogant? I have defeated a lot of experienced mage knight and powerful one with my ability and skill."
"Nothing wrong with having an ego. Half of the world are aware of how strong you are."
"At least you are aware. You really don't show any fear or worry at all. Most would forfeit before it start due to them being afraid of me."
"I agree. It's natural to be afraid of the strong. But when you are strong, who do you think you should be afraid of?"
"..."
She didn't respond, focused on the word he said. If anyone is strong, that person shouldn't be afraid of anyone or anything when fighting. Looking at his expression, she realized he wasn't terrified by her and didn't seem to care about her.
Was he implying that he was stronger than her?
[Contenders, take position.]
Before she could reply, an announcement was made to them.
"It looks like it's about to start." He walked toward his position.
She shrugged off his question and did the same.
They stood on their position which was 20 meter across from each other. The distance was long as to give advantages for mage knight a time to prepare their magic.
[Release your device.]
The air around the princess hand shone as a bright light started to form with a gust of wind coming from her. The device slowly shows it true form as a long golden sword with two edges that shows itself once again. She imbued it with flame as she did back at the office.
"Is this her device?! So cool."
"She's strong! How will he able to defeat her?"
Ikki was amused she decided to put out a performance. Since everyone eyes focused on her performance, he had already materialized his device. It was a dark katana with one edge, basically a standard katana.
[The match will began in 20 seconds]
The director observed them from the side. She hoped that he kept his promise when fighting her.
"Kurono, can't believe you didn't called me here."
She turned her head to the side to see her friend, walking toward her.
"You always know something is happening without me telling you, Nene"
Her friend, a woman with a height reaching only her waist. Many mistaken her for a child when she was a full-grown adult. Her dark long straight hair with a large ribbon tied into a bowtie on top of her head. She wore a loose red kimono that didn't fit her body type, making her exposed her shoulder as it got drag down.
"Can't believe you let this duel happen."
She stopped beside her and glanced at the main stage where two students were standing.
"Still, what happened to them?"
"Disagreement. The princess still doesn't trust him. So I just let her decide on how to settle it and she chose this."
"Are you sure about letting him fight her?"
"He accepted her challenge. Besides, I fought him and guarantee he is strong."
As the count slowly go down, they prepared their stance. The princess held her sword with both of her hands and positioned it beside her. Ikki on the other hand put out a relaxed stance as his right hand was the only thing holding his sword.
The princess begun to think he wasn't taking this seriously with his stance. His body wasn't tense as to make a proper stance for his sword.
'Is he joking? No matter, he is underestimating me, might as well take the chance.'
[5.. 4..]
The princess began to prepare to launch herself toward him.
[3.. 2..]
The princess has decided to swing her device from above to end the duel instantly.
[1..]
[Begin]
The princess reached him in a matter of second and swung her device with all her might down to the ground. This resulted on the ground being crack open, making a small crater. She smiled with confident certain that he would step back again just like in the office.
But that confidence fell when she saw him sidestep her swing. He managed to held his sword with both hands and quickly slip his blade to slice her neck.
As he slashed his sword toward her neck, she jumped back by a large distances.
She didn't have enough time to apply mana defense to her neck as his blade was nearly close to her neck. She prepared herself to face his follow up attack, but he just stood there.
The audiences either have their jaw dropped or eyes widen seeing her back off against a F-rank at the beginning of the duel.
An unbelievable sight appeared in front of their eyes.
She touched her neck with one of her hand while focusing at him. A cut from an illusionary would be the same as receiving from a physical one except blood don't spill or get beheaded. It would be an instant loss if she didn't react.
She calmed herself as she assess her strategy.
"Okay, He's agile. I just need to imbued myself with mana boost to outsped and overpowered him."
No matter what the skill of a swordsman they have, they would still lose if the strike was hard and strong that they break their stance.
She planned to apply a mana boost toward her leg to increase her speed to reach him. Once she reached him, she applied a mana boost again to her arm to make her swing strong.
Ikki didn't move from his spot as he looked at her.
"He's not moving, good."
The princess rushed to him once again, but this time her speed has double due to her mana boost.
"I have you now!"
But as she nearly reached him, he quickly moved forward and extend his left arm, forming an open palm in which it made contact with her head. He slowly absorb the impact to her head by pulling his arm slightly. The momentum from her charge carried her lower body forward with her head hit his hand, making her whole body fall to the ground.
She fell down to the ground with her back. She didn't have time to process what happened as from the edge of her vision a sword was plunging down toward her.
She narrowly dodged the sword by twisting her body, making his tip of the sword hit the ground. Judging on where it was heading, it was going to stab the left part of the chest, her heart.
When she twisted her body, she slowly got up to a kneeling position with one leg supporting her to prepare another swing.
As she prepared her swing, he took a chance by performing a foot sweep. The sweep direction was opposite to where her sword is, making her unbalance which resulted her fall to the ground again.
He continued it with a swing from above, intended to cut her down.
She looked up to see his sword approaching her. She used mana boost again, but this time on her arm to push the ground, making her dodge his swing and create a large distance between them.
She catches her breathe as she looked onto him. she never thought that he was skilled in hand to hand combat and sword. He was different from when he was in the office.
For the first time in her life, a challenge appeared before her. Even though his rank was low, he was able to put up a fight with his skill alone, and now she was unsure if her sword skill would be able to wound him.
"Are you really an F-rank?"
"I am, you can check the school database after this fight. By the way, when are you going to release it?"
"What?"
"Your ability." He lifted his sword in front of him to view and touch the blade. "Up until now, you have been only swinging with your sword and enhancing it with magic. Your swordsmanship needs a bit of work."
She had only used the basic techniques and applied it with magic. A simple way to strengthened her swing, evident with the destructions it caused.
It was taught back in his first years. He found it convenient for people with large mana pool. For him, it wasn't ideal choice since his own pool was small.
As of now, the fight heavily favored him as he could read her sword skill.
He wanted to balance it.
"Use it."
It was the first time she was requested to use her ability. Most would hoped she never use it. It made her chuckled.
"You have fought well, sadly, you are only a F-rank. Magic was already determined from the moment we are born and it can't be increased the same way we train our body. The only way to defeat me is by having a powerful or equal magic to me. In a fight, skill and techniques will always be overwhelmed with magic."
He sighed with disappointment with him shaking his head.
"I don't think the same, Princess." His words didn't reached her as the ferocious wind gathered around her.
He can't deny the power of magic. It could easily defeat a skilled person, a group of people, or an army of nation. Being born with one was an instant way to be strong.
He used to believe that magic will be the deciding factor in a fight, but someone changed his mind about it.
"To win, strong or weak, no matter what, you need a way to defeat your opponent."
He positioned himself. His eyes focused on her slightest movement of her body. His ears listened to the word she let out.
He was ready.
"And have the will to keep fighting."
Slowly, the wind around her increasingly becomes violent. The glowing blade changed to a pillar of flame that stretches to the celling, destroying it.
The destruction released made the audience panic, running to safety. Some of them were marveled at her ability and didn't move.
"I thought this was supposed to be illusionary form!"
"Run away!"
"So strong!"
"Is she using her noble arts just to defeat him?!"
The director and her friend never fazed at the destruction she unleashed. Their calm face was the only thing showing as they had experience under stressful situation.
"It seems she still hasn't been able to fully control her flame, Kurono."
"Yeah, her ability is too strong for her. It looks like I need to repair the ceiling." She sighed as the destruction of her arena.
The princess smiled with confident as the duel will end with her victory.
The sword stopped it flame released toward the ceiling. It descend and pointed toward him. Her mouth move to released her signature noble art.
"Katharterio Salaman-"
He quickly moved to the side.
"-dra."
As he moved, she pointed and released her ability toward the place where he once stood. From the hilt of the blade, a flame emerges instantly. It was small but it began to quickly expanded as it reached the tip of the blade.
As the flame headed toward his previous position, it expanded into a large flame. The flame resembled a dragon face with the size and top speed of a truck completely missed him.
"Tch."
The princess realized he understood the characteristics of her ability. Her ability was only effective against a stationary target in close range or medium range. It need some time to hit long range target, meaning they had a few seconds to dodge.
Luckily the distance between them were 30 meters apart and quickly decreasing with him running toward her. she just needed to adjust her aim to hit him.
She pointed her sword straight toward him. The moment her blade light up, he took a side jump toward his right to dodge her attack.
The direction of her device followed his position. She released her ability toward where he will be.
The flame arrived at the position she predicted, burning the unfortunate knight.
"I wi-"
Her eyes widen as she saw him avoid her flame by side jumping to his left. No flame were on him.
"What!"
She pointed her device at him again. She didn't need to think since he entered her effective range. She unleashed her noble art, indicated by her sword engulfed with flame.
He read her intention. Before the flame released, he made a wide side jump to his right.
Her flame reached to his location for it to completely missed him the third time.
She widen her eyes in shock. He should have been burnt with her noble art, but he dodged her flame. The distance between them became one digit.
It was a do or die moment for her.
She had decided.
She pointed her device with one arm toward him again and release everything she has.
"!"
Just as she released it, she widen her eyes. She felt her sword knocked to the side with his strike.
The strike differed from any other she had received before. It was solid and hard. The moment she released her flame, it headed toward the wrong direction.
An oppurtunity appeared before him as she was wide open, not being able dodge or step back from his attack. He instantly stopped his body and grabbed his sword with both hand, thrusting it toward her chest to end it.
Her views of the world slowed down. His sword tip slowly reached her chest to pierce her heart.
"Is this how I would lose?! Beaten by an F-rank rank! I should have taken this fight seriously."
Her mind began to panic. The outcome she hoped, gone.
"What should I do?! I will lose at this rate. I can't dodge nor jump back."
Her position didn't allowed her to move since she focused on releasing her noble art.
"If I use mana defense, it still won't be enough to stop his thrust like back then-"
In that panic, she made a realization.
It's as if a picture of a scene in her mind began to play. The scene was blurry but she still recognized some of the details.
A sword touched her chest with it being a blunt tip during her spar with her instructor. She used mana defense to block the thrust, but the thrust broke the mana defense like glass. She felt the pain as the tip pushed inside her skin until it reached one of her ribs. She looked at her instructor and heard a few words.
"Move your sword."
She took action.
He widened his eyes. His sword tip should have reached her heart. Even if she used mana defense to create a barrier around her chest, he should be able to penetrate it with ease.
It didn't happen as she had deactivated her noble art, and quickly rotate her knocked sword above her head with two hands holding it, parrying his thrust.
A small smile formed on him.
He took a step back from her as she thrust her sword toward him, followed up with a rush of swings. Her swings quality changed unlike before where she overswinged with magic added to broke his postures, meaning he could block it completely.
Along with it, he felt every swings he received with each block. Strong and solid. As if she trained her sword for half of her life.
She kept on attacking with her swing until she saw him jump back. She doesn't want him to catch a breathe, so she followed him with a sprint.
His feet touched the ground, making his whole body came to an immediate halt. He pushed his feet to the ground which resulted in him moving forward. His sword pointed toward the coming princess to stab her.
Her eyes quickly widen as his figure approached her at alarming rate as she sprinted toward him. Unable to counter or block the upcoming sword, she jumped to the side, dodging his thrust.
Her land wasn't perfect as she tried to cushion her fall with one of her arm. She quickly turned her body toward him while got up from her fallen position.
"She's good, but it seems she not used to this long."
He decided to stop prolonging the duel. Her limit could be seen by him.
Her head began to have sweat, but her clothes weren't drenched with sweat.
"Princess, I think it's about time we end this." He said without a drop of sweat.
"Yeah... Let's... end this." She tried to form a sentence as she was out of breathe.
She lifted her sword to her head level and point it toward him. Her device began to engulfed with flame. The flame quality differ from before as her mind focused on defeating him.
This time, she will used everything to defeat him.
Everything in the arena went quiet. No one made a single sound.
"Katharterio Salamandra!"
The flame instantly wrapped her sword and released coming toward him.
He had read her beforehand and dodged the flame to the side with a side jump. He thought of running toward her after dodging the flame.
As soon as he dodged it, he turned his head toward her position to see her wasn't there. His eyes scanned the area in front of him and she was nowhere to be found. He understood she wasn't behind him as her ability wasn't teleportation.
As the flame continued to pass him, he immediately realized it. The flame she produce can be hard to see through as it was opaque.
He turned his head toward the flame that passes him.
A blade swung down to him from the flame, and along with it she emerged with both hand grasping her sword.
He faced her and took a step back, completely dodge her sword. This time her sword didn't have the flame.
She continued her previous swing with a barrage of swings from every angles she had learned. She repeatedly swing horizontally, diagonally, and vertically at him with no rest.
Yet, her sword never touched him.
He stood his ground, blocking every swing she threw without flinching.
The sound of swords clashing each other at fast rate filled the arena. The students marveled at the spectacle of the clash.
"She is fast. I can't even imagine myself keeping up her."
"How can he defend all of her attack?! Is he really a F-rank?!"
Seeing he didn't faltered against her continuous swing, she gritted her teeth as she intensify her attack. Her heart kept pounding. Her body nearly covered with sweat.
Seeing the barrage, his eyes began to become focus at every swings as she tried to hit every vital spot of his body. Her swings were quick and strong. It would kill him if they were physical form.
She never felt liked this before. She wanted to win no matter the cost.
He widen his eyes in surprise. The rush of attack from her began to overwhelm him. He stepped back little by little.
She saw him began to back down from the barrage, meaning it was working.
She needed him to jump back to create distances between them so she could release her ability. She knew it would be hard to make him do it, but she will create it.
He gritted his teeth and performed it.
The oppurtunity came to her as his body leaned back when she swing her sword. Her barrage was a success as he finally about to jump back.
She pulled back her sword and positioned her handle beside her head with the tip position toward him. She doesn't want her sword to get knocked to the side again and make sure she wasn't near his range of attack.
She unleashed her noble art.
"Katharterio Salamandra!"
A check.
Her flame engulfed her sword. He can't do anything at all.
Seeing he was about to get vaporize by her flames, he didn't do anything as he can't turn or move from his position. What await him was a painful sensation.
The only thing he could do was to fall down.
By which, his back hit the floor hard. As he didn't jump back, rather just fall straight to the concrete in which he timed it perfectly.
The flame released from her passes above him, completely missing him.
When she released it, she couldn't see him fall to the ground as her sword was close and beside her head, and the flame engulfing her sword blocked her view on him. Along with it, he noticed the flame she released has a certain degree that it could only cover.
At close range, her flame only cover a small area, but it covered more area if the target distances was large, meaning the only save place to be was near and under her sword as there was a gap he can used to dodge.
He took advantage of her limited vision and swung his sword at her leg, cutting her knee.
Her celebration was cut short as she felt a loss sensation in her knee causing her to lose balance as her leg couldn't support her. She was confused which resulted in her stopped her noble art.
She widen her eyes in horror as she looked below her to see him slowly stood up while she fall to the ground.
Her sudden fall made her release her handle as to soften her fall with one hand.
As he stood up, he positioned his blade beside him and move toward her.
Her eyes were now focused on the incoming swing as it was making it way toward her neck. His positions was heading toward her left side as her sword was at her right side on the ground.
She lifted her arm and applied mana defense in time.
Applying mana defense was the only choice she has left now.
Along with it, she grabbed her sword with one hand. She planned to receive the swing and use her sword to swing it with full power as he won't be able to defend.
She focused herself on his sword, and prepared to counter attack.
"-Woosh."
She saw the blade didn't made contact with her arm. Instead, it went curved above her head.
She didn't question it and swung her device.
"Now-"
She felt a instant sensation. She couldn't moved any of her finger, let alone her body due to where she was struck down. Her clenched over her sword began to soften.
She fell to the ground with her head turning toward him with his sword that had already swung down.
He never intended to cut down her neck from the front.
Rather from behind.
As her consciousness start to adrift, she saw him looking at her with a satisfied smile. Not hearing the word he let out.
"Princess, you are a great opponent."
[Match over, the winner is Ikki Kurogane]
Cheers let out in the arena as the duel concluded.
"Way to go! That was a fight!" A person let out a shout.
"Good thing I recorded the fight. This video will explode." A person checked their phone.
"What should be the headline be?! 'AN F-RANK DEFEATED AN A-RANK?!'. That's too simple. What about this? This will be an amazing story." A person were scribbling on a note with enthusiasm.
"Hahaha, oh my god." Nene laughed out loud as she clutches her friend suit and her own stomach. "That was thrilling. I never imagined him winning like that. To think that he didn't used any magic at all to defeat her. You clearly have a trump card for the tournament."
The director agreed with her. All of his action never involved a usage mana as he used his own stamina.
On top of that, she already knew the outcome of the duel.
After all, he had proven himself in front of her before.
"Ehmm."
The princess eyes slowly opened to a new environment. She didn't know where she as it was a new environment.
She lifted her upper body up as she looked at the room where she rest. A drawer placed next to the bed. On top of it, a box of tissue placed neatly along with a pot of plant. The window showed the scenery of the forest outside the academy.
She looked at the clock to see how much time has passed. The clock small needles pointed at the number three with the long needle pointed at around the number zero.
"It's been three hour, huh? I lost completely."
She never thought her first duel in a foreign country result in her lost. The person she was defeated was at the bottom of the rank.
Throughout her life, many proclaimed her to be the strongest and undefeated as her ability was the sole reason she won. She can't deny it as she was born with it and it was stupid not to use it, but that reasoning made her mad as it did not acknowledge her skills as a swordsman and hard work to control her flame.
She also was frustrated by her defeat as it reveal the limit of her skill. She wasn't able to land a single hit on him. It wasn't better as he didn't even show fatigue or tiredness during the duel unlike her who was out of breathe.
It frustrated her as she was still far from where she want.
She heard a sound and turn her head toward it. The sound became steps as it was getting close to her.
"Kurogane, your sister is attending here. Don't you think you should meet up with her?"
"I'm unsure, director. We haven't talked in years."
"I'm sure she understood your situation more than I do. So at least meet her."
To her surprise, the director along with Ikki walked inside the room with him holding a plastic bag in his hand.
"Princess, you're awake. Are you alright?" The director asked as she approached her to the side of the bed with him walking to the other side.
"I'm fine." She replied with a tired voice.
"By the way, you haven't eaten in the afternoon, right?" The director pointed toward Ikki.
Ikki pulled out a box shape container from the bag and gave it to her.
She felt the container warmth as she hold it with both her hand. She wondered what was inside and opened the container lid to see steam coming out, indicating that it was freshly cooked.
Inside, it was a chicken katsu with a sauce on top of it and below it was white rice. Beside the katsu was carrot and lettuce that was cut down to chew size.
She felt the container warmth as she hold it with both her hand. She wondered what was inside and opened the container lid to see steam coming out, indicating that it was freshly cooked.
She felt conflicted to choose which utensils to use, chopsticks or a spoon. A spoon was something she was familliar with back in her country, but now she was in Japan. She had practiced to use chopsticks from a guide using pencils, but never practiced with food.
It would feel embarassing for a foreigner that will stay in Japan to not follow the norm and ethique.
"Thank you for the food." She grabbed the chopsticks from his hand.
She placed the sticks between her finger, following the instruction she had read before.
She felt confident and tried to pinch a piece.
Her attempts were embarrassing.
The piece of katsu kept slipping from the sticks as she pinched it. She tried her best to find the best way to pinch it without slipping.
She never felt embarrassed in her entire life. Being watched by two native trying to use a simple chopsticks.
A plastic spoon and fork appeared in front of her. She looked at the one holding it,
Ikki.
"Don't force it. We don't expect you to be good with it."
She sighed as she gave up, putting down the chopsticks. She needs to get use to eating with chopsticks as to not make a same situation again.
She held the container with one hand and a spoon with the other. She cut a piece of a katsu into bite-size. Along with it, she scooped up a bit of rice.
The moment she put the katsu with rice touched her tongue, it overwhelmed her. The tenderness of the chicken. Her first taste of a well cooked rice.
"You really haven't eaten at all, Princess." The director looked at her who was gouging his food as if she hadn't eaten for days. "Slow down or you get choked."
"This is good, director." Her exicted expression on full display.
"He has a job as a cook assistant. So, he has experience with cooking. You should try out his other food." The director glanced at him as he rolled his eyes.
"You are an amazing cook, Kurogane."
"I only do what I do." Ikki nodded at her.
The director paid for the meal he brought. She thought it would be a good idea to make her a food to feel better. So, he cooked up a simple katsu with rice.
Since he was here, he decided to ask her about the situation.
"Anyway, you don't mind me being your roommate?"
He needed to know if she alright with being roommate with him.
"Of course, you defeated me." Her voice never let out any hostility toward him. Rather respect.
It surprised him her personality changed.
"And the bet you imposed on me. About being servant?"
The room gotten quiet after his question. She stopped picking up her food. She had forgotten about the bet. Now that she lost the duel, she has to be his servant.
"I have to decline having you as a servant."
"Why?! You know that I have to uphold the bet."
"What would you do If lose to you?"
"Well, you have to follow my rules and be my servant."
"I can just leave the room and live at another place."
His answer made her jaw dropped in shock.
"Why didn't you do just that?!"
"I've been living there for a year now. I'm not gonna give the room to you because you're a princess. Finish your food so we can continue to talk."
Her change of demeanor was something unexpected. He didn't expected to be able see this side of her, a different kind of person.
A hot tempered girl turned out to be a happy go lucky girl.
He needed to know her character more. It will determine whatever she was a good roommate. To know her reason coming all the way to another country would gift a hint about her character.
She finished up her food and put it on top of the drawer.
"Why did you came to Japan, Princess?"
A familiar question had appeared for her. She had a conversation like this with the director when she arrived at Japan and headed to the academy.
"I wanted to become strong in order to protect my country. My power was gifted to me when I was young, so I had a duty to protect my country and my citizens.
Japan was a country that defend itself from a major power without any help. I wanted my country to be like that so we can be ready to face that challenges."
He could tell she has a sense of justice. Her reason to become strong was admireable as she has something to protect.
"You wanted to train in Japan to be the strongest?"
"That's right. I will do anything to become strong."
Her expression shows pride with unwavering resolve. He could tell by her determined look. She will do anything to become strong.
But how much?
"Will you still continue even if you are alone?"
"Ye..."
She couldn't finished her word as her mind went completely blank. It never occurred to her before. She didn't know how to answer his question.
Being alone wasn't something she wanted. Making friends was something she wanted along the way to become strong.
"Princess, you are a great person, but my first impression of you was a terrible one. You demand me to die and tried to execute me even if I had a good reason. If that was another person, they would keep a distance from you if they survive."
She again went silent as she stared at him with disbelief.
"If I got killed by you, or at least a fatal wound, you would probably have no remorse for me. Along with that, you would probably won't face any punishment due to your status as a guest here and your value."
She didn't talked back. Remembering it, she would have done that as she considered him a nobody that looked at her sacred body.
"I'm skeptical living with you, princess. You are strong, but you aren't willing to listen or negotiate. It'll be difficult to be your roommate if you don't even communicate just because over a misunderstanding or mistake.
So if you don't want to communicate, that's fine. Don't expect me to help you or stay with you."
Her view of herself differs from what she thought. She always saw herself as a righteous person with a determination to protect her country as her fellowmen and family sees her that way.
She felt guilty. His reasoning was right about her. She didn't have a lot of friends due to her status. Her friends were either a noble who befriend her due to status and fellow mage-knight with ability. No commoner or non-blazer ever talked with her.
She finally met someone that defeated her without even a sweat, and that person wasn't sure living with her.
She didn't wanted that.
So, she bowed her head to him as she sat on the bed.
"Kurogane, I apologize for my action back at the office. I didn't realized it was not befitting for a princess."
She should have at least apologize to him for causing unnecessary trouble. It won't really matter if he accepted or not.
Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to become the strongest. Never once she ever thought of anything other than her own responsibility for her country. That resulted in this consequences.
"I'll give you a second chance."
She widen her eyes and looked up at him. His face never shows anger nor annoyance.
"Princess, I don't mind living with you. It's clear you're a good person, just that you don't have a lot of experiences talking with people like me. Don't punish yourself over a mistake. So Princess, I hope you don't bring trouble."
His words brought relief. It didn't have any hidden animosity or arrogance.
Her impression of him changed.
"Thank you, Kurogane." She replied with sincere.
"Anyway," He stood up and turned his attention toward the director. "I got somewhere I need to go."
"Mind if we have a talk before you go? " The director spoke up as she looked at him.
"Sure, director. I'll be going, Princess. Take care." He left the room while waved at the princess.
Once he got out of the room, the director left the room with a smile plastered on her face as she closed the door behind him.
"I must say, Kurogane. You handled it pretty well."
"I only share my view on her. She won't make any friends as she is, and she in a foreign country with no family and friend."
"She will probably changed her way. Slowly. It must have shocked her to be defeated by you."
"She got defeated by an F-rank. It's the most unexpected thing happen to her."
"Anyway, are you sure you want live with her?"
"Yes, I don't mind."
He didn't mind her being his roommate. He didn't hate her. He found her to be annoying to dealt with at the start, and gradually subsided when he fought her.
He respected her. The fight had already proven she had experience and know how to be tacticful. She has potential to be strong if she learned more on how to fight.
"I need to get going."
"Yeah, you got to get ready for your job. Do you have a word for her?" Her finger pointed at the door.
"She should clean the container and utensil once she is back. Tell her don't touch my stuff." He pulled up his phone and looked at the screen.
His eyes scanned over the phone as he had opened up a messaging app. He looked over to a message that was sent by his so called old man.
"Also, tell her I'll be back in around 21 to 22. Take care, Director." With that, he turned his back toward the director.
"Noted. You too."
Before she entered the room again, she glanced at him once more as he headed to the exit of the building.
She did not know him fully well, aside from his job or his strength. She often wondered what his reason to be in this academy.
The academy prioritize the creation of mage knight. Along with it, taught the subjects for ordinary high school students.
It was simple.
But the administration before her decided to tweak it a bit. They made an agreement with the head of the Japanese branch of The League based on some of the teacher she talked to. It was to not let him graduate as a certified mage-knight.
The agreement resulted in him not being able to participate in practical study and exam for combat and magic class.
The reason? He did not have the requirement ability and rank to participate.
Anyone would think it was necessary and thought he just need to learn the theory to compensate it, but it was rigged against him.
Two of the class score heavily made up of practical study and exam, while the theory study made up of the small score.
It resulted in him having the worst score in magic and combat class. It should resulted in him unable to move to the next year.
In addition to it, he had to deal with students that looked down upon him. Many would stay away from him as he was at the bottom of the rank and had no value.
Seeing the unjust treatment, she had reviewed all the staff and fired the one that participated in the agreement. in which, she nearly fired all of them.
She worried it was too late for him.
But it didn't.
His score were above average that it was good enough for him to move onto to the second year.
It surprised her his demeanor never changed. It didn't affected his school life negatively. He even have friends even at the academy or more of a acquaintance as he told.
It made her glad he experienced a normal life.
She hoped in the future he will have a better life.
Author notes: I'll be honest, making Ikki and Stella fight was pretty hard. I had to think of a way to make their fight believable while not making them appear weak. They both are overpowered characters in the series.
Also, Ikki throughout the series almost never used his hand/fist to fight with. I remembered he fought with hands when dealing with some students in the beginning and some hooligan, but they don't pose a threat at all. So, I decided to make him fight with a combination of sword and hand.
Stella on the other hand is shown to be a powerhouse in the series. I want to make her strong while making her struggle in her early stage. She'll get stronger. In her first fight in the series, when Ikki uses Itou Shura, she attack at where he is. It resulted in her being defeated instantly in a single slash. So, I decided to make her serious about the fight, where she uses all of her skill and magic.
I apologize for the inconsistent update.
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.