Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

She was completely wrapped in cold-weather gear, a scarf around her neck obscuring the lower half of her face, leaving only her fierce eyes visible.

Tadara Yui held her Chainsaw-type Spirit Gear, her small body exuding an astonishing killing intent that sent shivers down one's spine.

"Lianzhen Academy first-year student—'Beast Tamer' Kazari Rina!"

Kazari Rina wore a peculiar dress with a cape pinned to her back, and a wide-brimmed hat as she rode on a lion, a maid with an arrogant expression sitting behind her.

"Lukcun Academy first-year student—'Bloody Da Vinci' Sarah Labudrili!"

She was almost bare-chested, wearing only an apron stained with paint and jeans. Sarah was tall and voluptuous, but her attire was unusually revealing.

However, her gaze wasn't here; instead, she was intensely focused on the drawing board in her hands. Perhaps... that's just how artists are?

"Jumon Academy first-year student—'Misfortune' Shinomiya Amane!"

Ikki was quite familiar with this one. Shinomiya Amane was a slightly slender boy, but his appearance was as delicate and cute as a girl's.

Right now, a gentle and brilliant smile graced his face, which was a stark contrast to the body of his attacker.

These four individuals were all first-year students who had stood out in this Seven Star Sword Martial Festival, talented Blade Dancers with exceptional abilities.

"Heehee, is it my turn?"

Joker struck an exaggerated pose, his deliberate tone stirring one's Blood Essence. "It is I, Wenqu Academy third-year student—'Joker' Hiraga Reizen~"

As for the last person... Kurogane Ouya wore a kimono with an extremely long hem, wielded a ferocious Ōdachi, and exuded a fierce aura, his expression cold and unreadable.

He didn't introduce himself, but everyone recognized him, especially Ikki. After all, that was his older brother!

—Wuqu Academy third-year student, 'Fierce Wind Sword Emperor' Kurogane Ouya!

"Big Brother Ouya! Why, why are you doing this!"

"Shut up. I have nothing to do with you anymore, so I don't need to explain anything."

Kurogane Ouya looked over coldly, his almost emotionless reprimand silencing Ikki, preventing him from asking further questions.

"What do you mean by this? Six academies have joined forces to attack our Broken Blade Academy. Aren't you afraid of punishment from the Knight Union?"

As she spoke, Toudo Touka slightly lowered her body, her hand already on Narukami, secretly on guard.

"Oh dear, oh dear, it seems we've caused a misunderstanding~"

The one who replied was 'Joker' Hiraga Reizen, who explained in a mocking tone.

"The six of us standing here today do not represent the other six academies. We represent 'Dawn Academy,' here to extend our greetings~"

"'Dawn Academy'?"

"You probably haven't heard of it, right? That's right, because we're just a new school not recognized by the Union."

Joker continued, his tone growing more intense and his actions more flamboyant. "Because 'Dawn' isn't recognized, even if all the students have the right to participate, the organizing committee won't acknowledge 'Dawn's' participation."

"So..."

"To participate in this grand ceremony for the strongest student knights in the Far East, we need them to acknowledge us, to prove it in some undeniable way..."

— "Without our 'Dawn's' participation, the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival is meaningless!"

35. The One I've Been Waiting For

Of the seven academies, six had personnel planted by 'Dawn.' So, in Broken Blade Academy...

However, before Joker could reveal more, Byakuya placed a hand on Arisugawa's shoulder. "Alright Alice, you've pretty much made up your mind, haven't you?"

"Don't think about coordinating from the inside; with Fate Intervention, your plan won't succeed."

He patted her shoulder lightly, then walked past Arisugawa. "Well then, Ikki, the rest is up to you. I have something to attend to, so I'll be going now."

"Remember what Bronya said."

Bronya also greeted Stella. A Silver Motorcycle appeared out of thin air. "Byakuya, get on."

"Coming."

Byakuya responded, then playfully punched Ikki's shoulder. "Good luck, I'm rooting for you~"

"Byakuya is really taking his time."

"Sorry, but I had to say a few words."

Byakuya didn't mind, skillfully getting on the back seat, his hands encircling Bronya's slender and soft waist.

"Hold on tight."

With a simple instruction, Bronya twisted the throttle, and a pale blue magical glow converged at the front and rear wheels of the motorcycle...

Streams of magical vortexes spun rapidly at the front and rear wheels, and the motorcycle transformed into a streak of light, charging out of the scorched and broken academy, disappearing from view.

"Heehee~ Did your friend run away?"

Joker's exaggerated words seemed to mock the group. He turned his gaze to Arisugawa. "But I didn't expect you to be discovered."

"As for what that guy just said... listening to him, you did betray us after all, didn't you? If the One-Armed Sword Saint knew about this, wouldn't he fly into a rage?"

"Alright, enough with the nonsense."

Kurogane Ouya didn't want to listen to his rambling any longer and stepped forward. A powerful aura pressed down, directly targeting Stella. "In any case, the Crimson Lotus Princess is mine. You guys can do whatever you want."

Without waiting for Joker to say anything, Kurogane Ouma charged out, his Ōdachi in hand, accompanied by a furious Gale.

"Oh my, it seems someone can't wait any longer~ Then, let's begin this performance~"

As Joker spoke, killing intent surged from the Dawn Academy students, and the battle began at that moment. However... this had nothing to do with Byakuya.

"Ikkki and the others probably can't win, right?"

Bronya gripped the motorcycle, accelerating wildly along the way, her speed already absurd.

"It's normal. Although Ikki has improved, he's still far behind Kurogane Ouma... tsk tsk."

"That guy, ever since he lost to the Tyrant, although his spirit was broken by half, he donned the Heavenly Dragon Armor and has been developing in a non-human direction."

"Muscles, bones... even skin, tempered bit by bit, refined into steel, he's probably close to actual steel?"

Byakuya evaluated objectively, "Not to mention Ouma, even Tadara Yui is troublesome, a Reflector Mage who counters him."

"Then why did Byakuya say he was optimistic about them?"

"What else? Tell Ikki you're doomed and should run? They wouldn't listen. But it's fine, didn't you already warn Stella?"

"Speaking of which, Ouma is truly pitiful. He pursued the Demon realm, but could never reach it. Even Ikki succeeded, and he still couldn't touch it."

"Next is Stella. All her tempering couldn't compare to the officially appointed cheat, and she was instantly defeated by dragonization."

"Sigh~ She worked so hard, yet still couldn't win and ended up as a stepping stone. Emm... this feeling, why is it so off?"

As he spoke, Byakuya tidied Bronya's long hair, "I say, Bronya, where's your helmet? Your hair keeps flying around and hitting your face, it really hurts."

"Bronya forgot."

Her voice, devoid of emotion yet with a hint of sweetness, showed no sign of remorse. Deep blue Magic Power outlined lines, and a helmet materialized, confining her spiraling long hair.

"Tsk, you've definitely been out street racing again, haven't you! After all, you don't need to tie your hair back when you're alone, you're used to it, right?"

"... Bronya doesn't know~"

"Don't play dumb!"

Byakuya was somewhat helpless, rubbing his temples with one hand. When he split off half his body, something must have gone wrong. "Forget it, how much longer?"

"Three minutes at most."

"Hey, hey, hey, Little Kuro, what should we do?"

Ning Yin had listened to Byakuya and finished her affairs early, rushing over specifically. Unfortunately, like Kuroko, they were both stopped here.

A figure seemed to blend into the world, making it difficult to notice her. However... to true powerhouses, that figure exuded an incredibly strong presence!

—The pure white Valkyrie, holy and flawless. She was the Strongest Swordsman in this World, Biyoku · Edelweiss!

Just standing there, she had forced Kuroko Shinguji and Nenene Saikyō to stop, afraid to make a move.

Kuroko silently lit a cigarette, exhaling mist, "There's no other way, we can only do this for now. But Byakuya is here, so there shouldn't be any problems."

Emm...

"Not necessarily, Little Kuro."

Ning Yin seemed to have figured something out. From the previous lessons, she had probably sensed it, and now it was all revealed, "Little White seems to have come to Broken Blade Academy for a certain purpose."

"I know, of course. After all, at his level... wait, Ning Ning, you mean...?"

Seeing Kuroko look over, Ning Yin nodded gently at Kuroko, "Mhm, it's probably like that. Little White said he could see things, and now I really believe it."

"... This is truly insane."

Kuroko extinguished her cigarette butt, falling into silence. Was it to challenge Biyoku?

The roar of a motorcycle. Although it was Magic Power driven and produced little noise, who were the people present?

Following the source of the sound, several people also noticed... a stream of light blue light speeding towards them. It was a silver-white motorcycle, and its destination...

With a beautiful drift, the motorcycle stopped in front of Ning Yin. Byakuya dismounted from the back seat and waved at Ning Yin, "Yo, long time no see, Ning Yin."

"Long time no see, did Little White come for Biyoku?" Ning Yin approached with a few brisk steps, the large red bow behind her head swaying slightly.

"Byakuya, although I appreciate you reminding me to evacuate the students, I still want to ask about the academy's condition."

"Not very good at the moment."

Byakuya had nothing to hide about this, "As for Ikki and the others... they're likely not a match. But it's okay, aren't I here to take over for you? It's just..."

"Chairwoman, after you go back, I'm afraid the academy will need another major repair."

Major repair... Kuroko remained silent. That damned word reminded her of the past, of repeatedly rewinding the training grounds and cleaning up their messes for these two.

Emm... Seeing Kuroko's displeased expression, Byakuya greeted her, "Alright, alright, Chairwoman, you should head back to the academy soon."

"Leave this place to me."

As he said this, a sharp Tang Saber appeared, flashing with a cold glint in Byakuya's hand, "After all, the person I'm waiting for has arrived..."

36. Biyoku · Edelweiss

"You should really think this through, Little White. That's Biyoku, the Strongest Swordsman in this World."

"Of course, I know."

Byakuya twirled his sword, walking step by step towards Edelweiss, his aura growing sharper. "On the contrary, it's precisely because she's Biyoku that I have to go~"

"I've been stagnating for long enough. If I continue like this, Ikki, Stella, and the others will catch up."

With the great war imminent, Byakuya's state of mind gradually calmed, and the corners of his lips curved upwards. "Oh right, Nenene, do you know how to pursue a girl? Ah, my apologies, wrong person to ask."

???

Nenene tilted her small head, which, combined with her petite stature, made her look quite adorable. "Hey, hey, hey, Little White, what do you mean by asking the wrong person!"

"Little White means... Teacher Nenene, you're not good at it. After all, Chairwoman Kurogane was poached by someone else."

Beside them, Bronya, with a characteristic emotionless tone, delivered a critical blow to Nenene. "Of course, if Teacher Nenene is angry, feel free to take it out on Little White."

"Ahhhh!!! Damn you, Little White!" Faintly, a pair of oni horns flickered on Nenene's forehead.

Bronya ignored her and instead looked at Kurogane. "As for Chairwoman Kurogane, why aren't you leaving at a time like this? Little White can hold the line here... probably?"

"...Let's wait a little longer."

Perhaps it was anxiety, but Kurogane lit another cigarette. "Leaving the burden to the students, if I leave like this again... it would be a bit inexcusable~"