Dual Souls, the Other Half is Bronya

After saying this, Nenene waved to Kurono, then retracted her little head.

Hmmmm…

A moment of silence.

But she had to admit, Nenene's gloating tone had genuinely eased Kurono's worries. However… she cast her gaze towards the ruins outside.

With one hand on her forehead, Kurono felt a headache coming on. The entire place was so damaged, it was practically the same as rebuilding from scratch, wasn't it?

"Oh my~"

She thought Broken Blade Academy was tragic enough, but she hadn't expected this place to be even worse. Nenene placed a hand on her forehead, scanning the area. "This is truly… quite a spectacle…"

The place was shrouded in smoke, the entire ground leveled, with jagged ravines crisscrossing everywhere.

What's more, a section not far away had been almost completely gouged out, leaving a crater resembling an impact crater.

"Little Nia, your big sister is here~" Her gaze swept around, but she couldn't find Bronya. Nenene then stepped into the ruins.

!!!

Nenene suddenly flickered, the hem of her kimono swaying as a small piece of fabric detached, the cut perfectly smooth. "...A residual sword mark?"

"Was Little White really this strong? Hmm, if that's the case, wasn't he holding back before?"

Recalling their previous "sparring match," Nenene fiddled with Crimson Phoenix, smiling dangerously. "It seems I'll need to be a little more serious next time."

—Earthbound Seal!

Under the terrifying gravitational pressure, the sword mark was completely obliterated. Nenene easily stepped into it. "It would be a bit troublesome if I had to face it directly, but it's merely a sword mark…"

"Is that Teacher Nenene?"

Not long after, in a more secluded corner, Bronya's unique milky voice could be heard. However… if one listened closely, they'd notice a subtle difference.

But Nenene didn't overthink it and followed the sound. "Little Nia, you're really something, hiding so… "

A deep blue mecha dematerialized from its Quantum state, its complete form appearing before Nenene.

"Apologies, Teacher Nenene."

A faint light flickered from the mecha's head, and it continued in a synthesized electronic voice, "Bronya is experiencing some inconvenience, please follow Heavy Rabbit."

"Heavy Rabbit, huh…"

With a leap, Nenene landed on the Heavy Rabbit mecha and touched it curiously. Its small body and the large mecha seemed to blend perfectly.

"I've heard for a long time that Little Nia's Spirit Gear can transform into countless forms, I never thought she could even transform into a mecha."

"Oh right, right, didn't you call it 'Silver Wing' before? Why did you change it to 'Heavy Rabbit'?"

"Teacher Nenene…"

A synthesized electronic voice sounded, and even through the mecha, Nenene could feel Bronya's exasperation.

After that, Nenene stayed on the mechanical arm and refused to get off. It was indeed a convenient spot for carrying someone.

Hmmmm…

"I think I know why you were hiding."

Upon arriving at their destination, Nenene Saikyō fell silent for a moment, then spoke with a complicated tone. "So…"

"How did you two manage it?"

—Bronya knelt on the ground, allowing Edelweiss to rest comfortably on her soft, white thighs.

Bronya lowered her gaze, her eyes filled with extreme tenderness, her small hand gently stroking Edelweiss's snow-white long hair.

44. Aftermath

The attack orchestrated by Dawn Academy has finally come to an end.

This incident couldn't be kept secret.

After all… Broken Blade Academy was lying in ruins right there. It's unclear through which channels, but the scene of devastation after the battle spread like wildfire.

The relevant departments couldn't possibly contain it. Hmmmm… Or rather, were they even trying to contain it?

◆Tsukikage Bakuga

He once served as the Chairman of Broken Blade Academy and had a profound influence on Kurono and Nenene at the time.

But now, he is the current Prime Minister, the highest authority in this country.

Not only that…

—He is also the Chairman of Dawn Academy!

With his endorsement, the relevant departments completely let the news spread, intentionally allowing it to disseminate.

Daring to attack Broken Blade Academy was a provocation to The Union! The Union would certainly not tolerate such a heinous act.

Soon, the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival Organizing Committee began investigating responsibility, but such things are best taken with a grain of salt.

"Surprised, aren't you?"

"The academies belonging to the Union are utterly incapable of putting up a fight!"

Before long, Tsukikage Bakuga, in his capacity as the Chairman of Dawn Academy, stepped up to the podium.

In front of the assembled media, the man showed no hint of an apology. Instead, he offered a hearty smile and announced to the public:

"The academy was destroyed, the teachers and students were powerless to resist, and even the representative players for the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival were all severely injured."

Immediately after, the projection behind Tsukikage Bakuga switched, displaying the devastating state of Broken Blade Academy.

Finally, the image froze, showing Nenene suppressing the people of Dawn Academy.

"You see, if it weren't for the 'Yaksha Princess,' currently ranked third in the KOK world rankings, stepping in, Broken Blade Academy wouldn't have even had the capacity to deal with this crisis."

"And the ones who acted were merely a few student knights!" Tsukikage Bakuga's voice rose, aiming to stir the public's emotions.

"Yes, what you are witnessing is the might of 'National Dawn Academy'."

"And they!"

Another switch in the projection displayed the people of Dawn Academy. "Will replace the Seven Star Academy, will replace these running dogs of the Union, and will shoulder the future of the Far East!"

In a private residence somewhere, the television broadcast this speech. Nenene closed her Crimson Phoenix, tapping her folding fan on her chin. "Little Nia, do you have anything to say?"

"It's boring. It's just another trick of public opinion."

Bronya sat sideways on the edge of the bed, her fair and slender hand holding a damp towel, carefully wiping Edelweiss's forehead.

"Well, you see through it quite clearly." Nenene shifted her posture, her gaze still fixed on Bronya.

Emmm...

"Don't look at me like that."

Feeling the stare, Bronya, without turning her head, pushed all responsibility away. "It was Byakuya's doing. And Byakuya didn't win either; it was just an advantage in spiritual equipment."

"Byakuya also didn't expect Myriad Phenomena to be so strong, almost having an indestructible attribute."

Mhm mhm, keep talking, I'm listening. Nenene casually sat on the sofa, watching how Bronya would spin the tale.

"The last exchange, that was mainly Little Ai, wasn't it..."

???

In an instant, Nenene appeared behind Bronya, practically pressing against her. "Your relationship has progressed quite quickly, Little Nia. You're already calling her 'Little Ai'."

"Is there a problem?"

Still with a calm tone, Bronya reached out and gently caressed Nenene's face. "In Bronya's opinion, stripping away all those so-called halos."

"Little Ai is just a cute girl."

Emmm...

Her? Cute?!!

Nenene glanced at the sleeping Edelweiss... Indeed, her delicate face was like a work of art, her curves almost perfect, and her snow-white long hair spread out, appearing holy and flawless.

But in just a moment, a sharp sword light appeared—this was the most profound image in Nenene's memory. "Perhaps you're right."

It was clear she was just humoring her. But Bronya didn't mind. What did others matter? As long as she liked it, that was enough.

"Teacher Nenene, do you have any spare ingredients here? Bronya wants to make some simple desserts for Little Ai."

Even with the existence of Blade Dancers, Broken Blade Academy had not yet completed its reconstruction; only a small portion had been repaired. The damage was too severe.

Among them, Kurono Shinguji, as a Time Element user, took on the vast majority of the work.

After a brief moment of respite...

"There's news from the Union Headquarters."

Sitting in her office, Kurono looked somewhat exhausted, the ashtray filled with cigarette butts.

—Tsukikage Bakuga intends to participate with 'National Dawn Academy' and win the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival, thereby ending the Union-dominated Blade Dancer education system and reclaiming sovereignty over Blade Dancers in the Far East.

Naturally, the Union could not acknowledge this.

However, after this incident, in order to maintain its gradually weakening "prestige" in the Far East, the Union had no choice but to accept this challenge:

Dawn Academy would participate in this year's Seven Star Sword Martial Festival as the "Eighth Academy."

"Because of this, this year's Seven Star Sword Martial Festival is different from previous years. It could easily escalate into a real battle if one is not careful."

Kurono's gaze swept over Ikki and the others. "As teachers, I need to reconfirm your intentions."

"Also, Arisugawa has chosen to withdraw. She is passing her spot as a representative player to you, Shizuku Kurogane. How about it, are you willing to accept?"

"If you are willing to accept, I will make corresponding adjustments on my end."

Kurono looked at Shizuku, awaiting the girl's answer.

Huh?

A flicker of surprise crossed Shizuku's face. However, considering her relationship with Arisugawa, such a decision was understandable. "Of course, I'd be happy to participate."

How could Shizuku possibly refuse an opportunity to compete in the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival alongside Ikki?

If not for their relationship, Shizuku would have definitely challenged him during the previous loser's match.

"Then it's settled."

With that, Kuroko took a document and handed it to Shizuku. "Sign this, and you'll be one of our representatives. Now, what about you two?"

"Chairman, I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity."

Having gone through various events, Ikki had a clear understanding of himself and accepted the document without hesitation.

Following closely behind, Stella and Toudo Touka did the same. They weren't just decorative pieces.

What's more... they had just been attacked. It wasn't their style to let such a matter go unaddressed.

"By the way, Chairman, where is Byakuya?"

"...Him..."

Kuroko slowly took a drag from her cigarette, exhaling a puff of smoke. That kid was no longer on the same level. "Nene has taken him away for now. I'll speak with him separately later."

"Is there something else?"

"No, nothing."

After bidding farewell to the Chairman, Ikki and the others left one by one. Kuroko didn't say anything, her gaze drifting to the construction site outside the window... Tsk, her head was starting to ache again.