Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

Ikki's determined gaze fixed on Toudo Touka.

He's going to attack head-on…

On the other side, Toudo Touka had already realized this. Terrifying golden lightning erupted around her: If I can just dodge this attack, victory will be mine. But…

[I can't do that!]

The lightning grew brighter. Toudo Touka crouched slightly, assuming a drawing stance—she would meet the attack head-on!

—Raikiri!

I can only unleash one more strike. In that case… I'll pour all my will into this one attack!

Between heaven and earth, everything seemed to lose its color. Ikki heightened his senses to the extreme, perceiving everything in slow motion as he charged towards Toudo Touka.

This is my respect for you, Classmate Toudo, standing on this arena, and it's also my challenge to you! Ikki's eyes turned crimson, as if burning with flames.

Whether this duel was arranged by someone or not is no longer important here!

Little by little, his skin, his tendons… began to tear, and blood spurted from Ikki's blood vessels. I just want to bet everything I have to defeat this noble knight!

—Seventh Secret Sword: Lightning!

Then, Ikki's speed increased further. This time… blood began to stream from his seven orifices. His entire body was a gruesome sight, but he had reached his absolute limit!

[Cross over this moment of extreme!]

"……"

It was as if all sound had ceased. With a single, ultimate strike, the entire audience fell silent.

"Crack, crunch~"

At this moment, the sound of shattering blades was exceptionally clear. Toudo Touka's Narukami shattered, and she lost all strength, collapsing…

In contrast, Ikki was covered in blood, with even a deep sword mark across his chest… but he was undeniably standing! He was the one who remained standing until the end!

"The match is over!"

Finally, the announcer's high-pitched voice rang out, followed by the thunderous roar of cheers from the stadium.

[Winner, Kurogane Ikki!]

Instantly, Kurono appeared on the stage. The Time Element's dual pistols maintained Ikki's condition while awaiting the medical staff.

Meanwhile, in the audience seats, Stella, Shizuku, and the others impatiently rushed towards the stage, but they dared not make any sudden moves, afraid of causing further injury to Ikki.

"So this is 'One-Hit Rakshasa'? That move is incredible~ I learned a lot, I learned a lot, it just costs a bit of your life."

Byakuya leaned against the railing, not rushing in to interfere, as Bronya had already gone over.

"Wh-what? How is this possible?!"

Not far away, Akaza dropped his cane in shock. "D-did Toudo Touka go easy on him?"

"Tsk, are you already trying to escape reality?" Byakuya appeared beside Akaza in a few swift movements.

Casually sitting down in a seat, he spoke with a hint of amusement, "Looks like you lost your bet, ugly~"

"I told you before that you were asking for a beating. But considering you're practically done for, I won't lay a hand on you this time."

"Hey, I'll leave the Kingdom of Vermillion side to you. After all, such a huge incident has occurred, someone needs to take the fall. Though with your scrawny frame, you might not be able to handle it~"

31. Final Slots Determined

On the battlefield, Shizuku, under Bronya's guidance, was providing emergency treatment for Ikki's injuries. It couldn't be helped, as Bronya wasn't a Water Mage.

While not as skilled as Yakushi Kiriko, the methods she displayed were nothing short of miraculous.

"Lord God of Combat, it seems I've won this time."

On the other side, Byakuya, having dealt with Akaza, turned back to claim his winnings from Nangong Torajiro.

"Heh heh, so what is it you wish to obtain from me, young man?"

"If you don't mind, Byakuya wishes to learn from you." Byakuya clasped his hands into fists and bowed to Nangong Torajiro.

"Huh???"

Ning Yin, however, was a little displeased. "Hey, hey, hey, Little White, have I done something wrong? Why do you have to go find that old geezer for special training!"

"Alright, alright, I definitely have my reasons." As he spoke, Byakuya took the opportunity to ruffle Ning Yin's head.

Then, he leaped from the audience seats. Ning Yin's angry curses followed him:

"Ah!!! You damn Little White!"

But it didn't matter. At worst, he would just die again; he had already profited from this.

"What a shame, I didn't get to record it…"

Mid-fall, Byakuya still had the presence of mind to lament. And now? Heh~ he was going to do something big!

"Are you ready?"

Kurono glanced at Byakuya indifferently. Such a major event had, of course, received her approval.

In response, Byakuya gave her a slight nod before turning his gaze to Bronya. "Bronya!"

"Mhm."

With perfect understanding, Bronya tossed a microphone, which Byakuya caught. He cleared his throat first, "Ahem, testing the sound now."

"Hello, hello, can everyone hear me?"

"Byakuya, what are you up to now?" Ikki's injuries had stabilized for the time being, so he wasn't in a rush to be carried away.

But this time, Byakuya ignored him and continued his speech:

"I ask everyone present, aren't you all feeling indignant?"

"There are those among you who clearly have the strength to participate in the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival, and even to achieve top rankings."

"But simply due to luck, due to the matchmaking system, you've missed this opportunity. Are you truly content with that?"

Could it be...

After a brief, noisy discussion both on and off stage, someone had already guessed.

"That's right!"

Byakuya's booming voice drowned out all other sounds, "Here, I announce the hosting of a Loser's Comeback Match! The capable will advance, the weak will fall, and the strongest six will be determined entirely by strength."

"So, everyone, are you satisfied with this proposal? If you give your all and still lose, you should be convinced."

"Let me say this first, the Chairman has already agreed." Byakuya handed the microphone to Chairwoman Kurogane.

At the same time, the audience erupted:

"I think it makes sense."

"Exactly, the most deserving should win over the crowd!"

"That's true."

"..."

Kurogane took the microphone and looked at the students' reactions. It seemed there was no need for her to say anything further, "Then, let's set the date for three days from now."

"If you believe you have the strength, you can start preparing now. The Loser's Comeback Match is your last chance."

As for what happened afterward, there wasn't much to say. Akaza was undoubtedly unlucky.

Was a princess of a kingdom someone he could mess with? As expected, he was handed over to the Kingdom of Vermillion. And after that... it had nothing to do with Byakuya and the others.

However, regarding the comeback match...

"I say, were we too low-key before? Why are people coming to challenge us every other day these past few days?"

After finishing a match, although Byakuya hadn't broken a sweat, he still took a quick shower. He changed into casual home clothes and sat on the sofa quite relaxedly.

"Perhaps there was no benchmark."

In the bathroom, with her fair hands turning off the shower, Bronya's silver-white hair, now wet, draped over her shoulders. Her alluring figure was hidden within the steaming mist.

Bronya slightly lifted her long hair, revealing her fair neck, "After all, the previous opponents were mostly unknown, and it didn't matter if they lost."

"Tsk, is that so..."

Byakuya relaxed his body, leaning back on the sofa, almost sinking into it. "That's why Ikki, Stella, and the others are fine, because they are recognized as strong."

"It's more than that..."

In the bathroom, Bronya tested the water temperature before dipping her perfect feet into the bath. Only the water rippled slightly. "Toudo Touka is the same."

"After all, she is 'Raikiri'."

Slowly, her entire body submerged into the water, reaching up to her collarbone. Bronya looked down, a pair of full breasts floating slightly on the water's surface.

Bronya didn't seem to mind. After all these years, she had gotten used to it. But was it just her imagination?

Emmm...

A pair of slender hands gently cupped beneath the water, her calm tone seeming to carry a hint of distress, "It seems... they've gotten bigger again?"

"Bronya?"

"Byakuya, is something wrong?"

"Ah, it's nothing. You suddenly went quiet, so I just wanted to call out to you a few times."

( ? ? ? )

"...By↘a↘ku↘ya↘"

"Alright, alright, don't be angry, don't be angry."

At this, Byakuya quickly pleaded for forgiveness, but his face... showed no sign of remorse. "By the way, Bronya, who do you think will qualify in the end?"

"Look, we've got two spots, Ikki and Stella each take one, and Touka takes another."

Byakuya counted on his fingers, a wider smile spreading across his face. "That makes five. So, for the last spot..."

"Arisugawa Nagi?"

"Exactly."

Byakuya nodded, already looking forward to it. "We all know this person is an undercover agent and will definitely take up a spot. But if he (or she?) wants to achieve their goal..."

—Shizuku Kurogane!

"Shizuku wants to compete with Ikki and will definitely challenge him in the Loser's Comeback Match. Umm... probably?"

But Byakuya thought about it again and wasn't so sure. Still, it didn't matter much. "Even if Shizuku, out of friendship, truly gives up challenging him..."

"Arisugawa won't have an easy time either."

With perfect synergy, Bronya picked up where he left off. "After all, they're already undercover, their conscience will be tormented."

"He's the 'Shadow Killer' after all~"

"But they're still human. Everyone has a heart. In the original timeline, didn't they betray to this side?"

"...Probably?"

Byakuya didn't argue. After all, he found the whole thing amusing and it held no special significance for him.

The final Loser's Comeback Match unfolded exactly as the two had predicted: Shizuku still gave up.

Though subtle, Byakuya noticed... for a fleeting moment, an indescribable expression crossed Arisugawa's face.

"It seems the cold-hearted 'Shadow Killer' has finally developed human emotions."

32. A Request for Guidance

After the selection matches, the Loser's Comeback Match, and various other incidents in between, the final six student representatives were chosen.