Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

"Oh~ I remember now."

It was obvious that the exaggerated tone was a pretense by Byakuya.

Immediately after, an extremely terrifying surge of Magic Power erupted! Although it was only a fleeting moment, Ikki still felt it… that absolute power!

"Kurogane Gen values order and hierarchy, and uses them to maintain the Kurogane family's position in the Far East."

Byakuya gave a brief summary, then looked at Ikki and slammed his right hand down. "Kurogane Gen wants you to slack off and do nothing, simply because the benefits you bring are not enough."

"Internationally, there are people whose very existence represents absolute authority!"

— Demon!

"A country... no, many countries don't even have that. Should I say, 'the entire world' has only produced a few Demons?"

???

Ikki had no idea about this. He had never even considered it; this was practically a secret. "Byakuya, are Demons very rare?"

"There are probably about ten, or maybe a bit more?" Byakuya wasn't entirely sure.

Then, he turned his head to look at Ikki. "You've thought of it too, haven't you? Although it doesn't sound like much, this is based on the 'world' as the unit! They are truly rare."

"So what exactly is a Demon?"

"A Demon..."

— A Demon is a truly powerful being who has broken free from the shackles of fate. To a certain extent, the domain of a Demon can interfere with destiny.

"Further ahead is 'Transcendent Awakening,' compared to which the growth of Magic Power becomes secondary."

"Byakuya! Are you saying..."

"That's right, your pitiful Magic Power can still be saved, Ikki."

Hidden in the darkness, Byakuya watched Ikki with great interest. "Although it's very difficult, if it's you, Ikki, you can definitely do it, right?"

After all, according to the original story's trajectory, you succeeded... Byakuya mused inwardly.

"Is becoming a Demon enough?"

Ikki looked up, facing the deep darkness, yet it couldn't conceal the brilliance in his eyes.

"Of course, as long as they're not crazy, no one and no family would refuse a Demon, especially if that Demon comes from their own family."

As if suddenly thinking of something, Byakuya leaned down slightly, lowering his voice. "Let me tell you a secret, even the Chairman isn't a Demon~"

"Now you should understand the value of a Demon, right? So, young man, go and become a Demon!"

"Click~"

The electricity suddenly returned, and the closed door slowly opened, letting in light from outside... When Ikki looked to his right again, Byakuya's shadow was nowhere to be seen.

However... Demon? Although he didn't quite understand it yet, the concept was deeply etched into Ikki's heart.

29. Father and Son

"Kurogane Ikki barely won the match, showing no remorse on his face."

During lunchtime, Stella, Shizuku, and others sat at a table, flipping through the latest news in their student handbooks. Not only that, but the students around them were also whispering, spreading negative news.

— Someone is working against them!

Under the table, Stella clenched her hands, her skirt bunching up in pleats.

"It's only been a few days, Stella."

A figure approached the dining table, resting their hands casually on the surface. Byakuya leaned in slightly. "Looking at you now, it feels like you've lost your color~"

"It's you."

"Hey, hey, hey, at least call me by my name. I went all the way over there to see Ikki, and this is how you repay me..." Byakuya said, suddenly dodging.

"Bang—!"

Stella abruptly stood up, slamming her hands onto the table. A faint firelight flickered around her, her emotions clearly agitated. "You really saw Ikki?!?!"

"What are you thinking? How is that possible~"

As he spoke, Byakuya subtly reached out and gently patted Stella's shoulder. Then he leaned closer, deliberately lowering his voice. "Control your emotions a little, this is a public place."

"Alright everyone, Teacher Ning Yin needs us for something. Bronya, come with me for a moment."

Bronya casually told a lie, but with her tone, no one could tell.

Walking to an empty classroom, Bronya placed a hand on the wall and set up a barrier. "Stella is a bit too impulsive. Some things, even if done, cannot be brought out into the open."

"Exactly, how could I possibly fail when I take action~" Byakuya walked forward and sat on a desk, propping himself up with one hand.

Bronya added appropriately, "Given Byakuya's nature, if his actions had truly failed, he wouldn't have the mood to joke around. So the result is clear."

"Bingo~"

Byakuya made a gesture, admitting it. "The situation in the cafeteria earlier wasn't right, so I concealed a few things. But in fact, of course, I saw him."

"There are basically no problems with Ikki's side now."

Clapping his hands, Byakuya turned his gaze to Stella. "Of course, this is just my personal opinion... Stella, you can use the competition to convey something."

"Some mementos, even just a simple strand of hair would suffice," Bronya added from the side.

Byakuya then chimed in, "After all, at a time like this, he probably needs support from you, his lover."

"L-lover... something like that..."

Even though she had a general understanding, Stella still couldn't help but blush when it was pointed out so directly that Ikki needed her help.

"Are you unwilling?"

Seeing this, Byakuya deliberately misinterpreted the situation. With a flash, they appeared beside Shizuku, saying in a melancholic tone, "It's fine, if you really can't, Shizuku can..."

"No, no, no, I can! I can do it!" Stella lunged forward, cutting off Byakuya's words in a flustered embarrassment.

"There's no need. As his biological sister, Shizuku is perfectly capable..."

"No! I said no!"

For a moment, the earlier somber atmosphere vanished, replaced by a somewhat cheerful one.

During the private selection matches held again, Oregi Yuri, who was in charge of following up, could see that Ikki's complexion had improved significantly.

"Kurogane-kun, how are you?"

"Shut up, no personal conversations," the supervisor interrupted her, then looked coldly at Ikki. "Take your starting position immediately."

"Clang—!"

In just a short while, Ikki easily secured victory. This wasn't even enough to be considered a warm-up for him.

Hmm...

This, however, left Oregi Yuri in a rather awkward situation. She took a few steps forward and bowed slightly to everyone, her movements very natural. "Then for the next match... cough~"

A column of blood erupted from her mouth, and Yuri stumbled a few steps, falling towards Ikki.

"Yuri-chan!"

Just as Yuri had anticipated, Ikki caught her. Where no one could see, a folded handkerchief was slipped into Ikki's pocket by Yuri.

Since Oregi Yuri had such a constitution, the inquiry committee members didn't notice anything amiss, and everything was treated as if nothing had happened.

Ikki was once again confined to a small room.

His body blocking the surveillance camera, Ikki took out the handkerchief from his pocket and spread it open... a strand of red hair was revealed.

"..."

A long silence followed.

Stella... Ikki carefully pressed the strand of hair against his chest. In his eyes, it was the most precious treasure! In an instant, the emotions surging within him seemed to ignite.

"Yuri-chan, how is Ikki?"

On the other side, Yuri was also cornered after her return. Stella was extremely eager, concerned about Ikki's condition.

"Don't worry, Stella-chan~"

Yuri took a breath, ensuring she wouldn't spit blood again, and then said slowly, "Ikki's complexion has improved a lot, and he won the selection match with ease..."

On the other side, Ikki was no longer silent. During the inquiry meeting that day, he made a request to Akaza, "Akaza, I want to see my father!"

"Hah?"

"Kurogane Gen, the branch manager here. I want to appeal my innocence directly to him."

"Ridiculous, what are you talking about..."

Just then, a message came through—it was from Kurogane Gen. Chairwoman Kurogane had, through some personal means, provided Ikki with this crucial assist.

In a skyscraper overlooking the city, Kurogane Gen, dressed in a suit, sat before a floor-to-ceiling window. "The selection matches, I heard you've been winning consistently."

"They say your opponents were by no means ordinary, truly remarkable."

"..."

Ikki remained silent. If Byakuya hadn't mentioned it, he might have been excited? But now... Ikki could guess what would come next.

"I know what you mean, Father."

Although it was cruel, since he had prepared himself psychologically... Ikki still couldn't help but clench his fist. "Because of my inferior Magic Power, I shouldn't have succeeded, right?"

"...No, I am well aware of your talent in swordsmanship, but the current era is different."

Kurogane Gen slowly turned his chair, his stern gaze fixing on Kurogane Ikki for the first time. "If it were merely about swordsmanship, the Kurogane family could pave the way for you."

"But not as a 'Magic Knight'. Someone without talent, yet achieving success..."

(This was mentioned before, so it won't be repeated here, omitted)

Ikki lowered his head deeply, his bangs casting a large shadow over his face. Even though he had been prepared, hearing it again... it was still incredibly painful!

"If you can't do anything, then don't do anything. That's all I expect from you..."

"Father!"

Finally, Ikki slowly raised his head and shouted, his expression unreadable and complex. "Actually, someone has already said something like this to me before."

"That person told me that my father was this kind of person. But he also told me..."

At this point, Ikki paused slightly, his gaze towards Kurogane Gen gradually becoming firm. "If I can become a [Demon], will you truly acknowledge me!"

30. One Blade Rakshasa!

"..."

Kurogane Gen was silent for a while. Regarding the matter of a Demon, he ultimately didn't ask, but maintained a serious expression. "You have always been my son."

"Not that kind of acknowledgment!"

Ikki's powerful voice drowned out Kurogane Gen's, his eyes burning as he stared at his father. "What I want is your genuine approval, for you to be proud of me!"

"..."

Another long silence.

Finally, Kurogane Gen spoke first. "Ikki, the realm of a Demon... is not so easily reached."

"I will succeed."

His words were resolute. Ikki took a deep look at his father and finally left with firm steps. "On that day, I will return with honor."

emmm...

On the empty floor, Kurogane Gen remained in his previous posture, silent for a long time.

That Ikki could even bring up the concept of a "Demon" clearly meant someone had contacted him. But who could it be? Most Demons internationally were accounted for, so it couldn't be them.