"An unknown Demon? What was his goal?"
Having climbed step by step to this position, Kurogane Gen had experienced far too much deceit and intrigue.
"Politics, huh..."
At that moment, a streak of Thunderlight suddenly darted through the building, eventually condensing into a figure behind Kurogane Gen. "Why do people like you always lean toward conspiracy theories?"
Kurogane Gen did not turn around. Sometimes, not knowing was the best thing.
"Tch, you people really are boring."
White Night leaned against the window and commented casually. "Just think of it as an investment."
"An investment?"
"Yes, an investment."
They did not even face each other, but that did not hinder their conversation. White Night nodded behind him, then continued spinning his lie. "You know, Blade Dancers possess all kinds of strange abilities."
"As for me..."
He deliberately drew out his tone, sticking to the story he had established before. "Though it only works sometimes, and it merely shows possibilities, to some extent... I really can see the future."
"From what I've seen, you and your son will fall out and eventually sever ties completely."
He spoke in an easy tone, as though such an ability was nothing to him. "A newly risen Demon is worth investing in."
"No matter what, you're still his father~ When it comes down to it, will he really have no regrets at all?"
"That's why I came."
Having simply explained his purpose, White Night figured that was enough and prepared to leave. "Could you do me a favor and give that kid a chance?"
He said it entirely as a statement. As a Demon, White Night had no need to negotiate with Kurogane Gen. That was more fitting of his status.
"...I understand."
"Then that's that."
Having wrapped things up for Ikki, White Night nodded and turned into Thunderlight once more, vanishing from the building.
After that, Kurogane Gen remained seated for quite a while. Only after he was reasonably certain the other party had left did he turn around. "A Demon of lightning?"
"XXX, go to the surveillance room."
Kurogane Gen took out his communicator and quickly issued his orders. "Don't investigate. Delete today's surveillance footage. The backups too. Make sure everything is completely erased, understand?"
"Understood."
Without asking why, the person on the other end immediately got to work. Kurogane Gen put away his communicator and continued overlooking the city.
"I will now inform you of your next opponent."
Akaza was still playing his tricks. Ikki's resolute gaze irritated Akaza greatly, and his voice carried a trace of mockery. "Toudo Touka, 'Raikiri'!"
"This is your opponent in the Representative Selection Tournament final."
After a brief pause, seeing that Ikki remained unmoved, Akaza's expression twisted slightly. "Our Ethics Committee does not wish for this inquiry to continue either."
"If you wish to prove your qualifications as a knight, then win this duel before the public."
"A duel..."
Unlike the original story, Ikki's fighting spirit was exceptionally high.
"Tch~"
Seeing this, Akaza became even more displeased. "Don't tell me you really think you can win?"
Ikki remained silent. Standing at the inquiry stand, he returned a calm gaze, as though he were looking at a Jester.
"...If you can defeat Raikiri, we will not pursue this matter any further. On the other hand, if you lose..."
Akaza dragged out his words and stared intently at Ikki, yet he could not see any emotion in his eyes. "A mere Failed Knight, and you think you can turn the world upside down?"
"I'll be waiting for the day you lose your knight qualification." Akaza slammed the desk resentfully and stormed out.
Thus, this inquiry ended without a result.
"Toudo..."
Inside the Dark Room, Ikki recalled what had happened before: the radiance Toudo Touka had displayed at the Orphanage, that incomparably brilliant will. It had truly been dazzling!
"To dedicate your strength to others? But now, I too have something worth striving for. I can't lose!"
On the day of the match:
"The final day of the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival Representative Selection Tournament has finally arrived!"
The Announcer was as enthusiastic as ever~ Her spirited voice spread throughout the academy over the broadcast. "Today, six winners will be decided across six venues, each earning a ticket to the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival."
"Without question, everyone appearing today is a powerhouse who has remained undefeated through nineteen battles so far!"
"..." (A lengthy introduction omitted)
"Of course, the most eye-catching match is this one: last year's Seven Star Sword Martial Festival semifinalist, Toudo Touka! And the F-Rank Knight, Kurogane Ikki!"
"And unlike before, this match will also be broadcast live."
"They really want the whole world to see him make a fool of himself."
As usual, Nenene had gotten distracted while serving as commentator. Looking at the broadcast helicopter high overhead from the stands, she could not help sighing.
"That Akaza really did a fine job."
Hei Nai stood beside Nenene with her arms crossed. "This way, victory is the only path left for Kurogane to prove his innocence."
"I finally found you two." At that moment, an old man walked over through the spectator passage.
—The God of Combat, Nangong Torajiro!
"W-Why are you here?!" Recognizing the newcomer, Nenene was unusually flustered.
"Yes, here I am~"
"Quit pretending to be young, you old geezer!" The voice was very childish, but the words were particularly sharp.
"My beloved disciple is as merciless with her words as ever~"
Like an ordinary old man, Nangong Torajiro slowly walked over in his wooden sandals and sat in the row behind the two of them. "But that's one of your cute qualities too~"
"C-Cute... Don't say something so disgusting!" Nenene could barely stand hearing that.
"She is pretty cute, Nenene."
As someone who enjoyed a good show, White Night naturally would not miss this. He appeared beside a railing some distance away.
"Do you want to die?!"
She clenched her tiny fist and waved it before White Night. She could not handle her master, but she had no such reservations with White Night. After all... they had been through life-and-death situations together!
"Teacher Nenene is as energetic as ever." Soon after, Bronya slowly approached as well.
Ignoring the bickering on White Night's side, Bronya politely gave Nangong Torajiro a slight bow. "Greetings, God of Combat."
"My, my, young people these days... You really are remarkable."
Nangong Torajiro could tell. It was precisely because of that that he could not help sighing.
"No, Bronya still has a long way to go. Speaking of which, Toudo is also your disciple, God of Combat?"
"That's right, that's right."
Nangong Torajiro nodded. Looking at him like this, he truly seemed like an ordinary old man. "She's one of my beloved disciples, of course I had to come watch this match~"
"Though I could have waited for her at the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival..."
"I don't see it that way."
At that moment, White Night finished fooling around over there and walked over. "I think Ikki will win this match. What do you say, Lord Nangong? Care to make a wager?"
"Hehe, since the young man says so, what reason would this old man have not to indulge him?"
"This match might even be stopped midway~"
Suddenly, a strange, mocking voice sounded. Akaza's fat body squeezed into the seats—during Ikki's detention, he had made quite a few little moves.
"Chairman Akaza."
Hei Nai tilted her head slightly and looked toward Akaza in the distance, her lovely brows faintly furrowing.
"Oh, isn't this ugly bastard?"
"!!!"
That voice... Only then did Akaza look over and discover that brat White Night was actually among them! Impossible, he was just a student. "Why are you here?!"
"Ugly bastard, did you forget I'm a doctor?"
White Night remained utterly calm. "Those little tricks you pulled are nothing to me. Watch this match carefully. Kurogane Ikki will win."
On the other side, Ikki also saw everyone at the entrance. Shizuku, Oregi Yuri, Ayatsuji দৃশ্যা... even his classmates from the training class. They were all waiting for him at the academy gates.
"Brother, do your best."
"Master!"
"Kurogane..."
Amid the enthusiastic greetings, a smile unconsciously appeared on Ikki's face. And then...
Vivid red hair fluttered in the wind. Stella rushed over after finishing her match, holding her medal high. "Ikki! I kept my promise and became a representative for the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival!"
"Let's move forward together! To the pinnacle of the path of knighthood!"
"..."
That's right, our promise... We made a promise. Though his body was still a little tired from running all the way here, at this moment, Ikki's fighting spirit only grew stronger.
"Ladies and gentlemen, sorry for the wait. The final of the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival Representative Selection Tournament now officially begins!"
Amid thunderous cheers, Toudo Touka and Kurogane Ikki finally stepped onto the stage for the final.
"I hesitated before."
On the field, Toudo Touka faced Ikki and spoke of her earlier thoughts. "There were too many things mixed into this match. For a time, I felt that doing this would tarnish its honor."
"But..."
Golden Thunderlight began flashing in her palm. Toudo Touka summoned her Inherent Gear, "Narukami." "When I saw you here, I realized none of that mattered."
—"I want to fight this person!"
At this moment, Toudo Touka's tone gradually rose. "That is what my heart tells me."
"I feel the same."
As he spoke, the radiance of his Inherent Gear flashed, and "Yin Iron" appeared in Ikki's hand. "Since I'm standing here, then whether for myself, for you, or for the people supporting me..."
"I don't want this battle to bring shame to my sword. So I swear here:"
—"With my weakest, I will defeat your strongest!"
The match began!
Along with an electronic chime, Magic Power suddenly erupted around Ikki. "One Blade Arrogance!"
If he wanted to defeat her without using any tricks... then he could only overwhelm her head-on!
Before you continue