Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

Edelweiss stared for a long moment before finally reacting, puffing out her cheeks slightly. "Bronya, what did you take a picture of? Let me see!"

"Don't worry, Little Ai, you're very photogenic~"

Bronya extended her hand, a portion of her mechanical body manifesting as she took the tray from Edelweiss.

"Hey, Bronya!"

"Alright, Little Ai."

With that, Bronya turned slightly, raising a slender index finger to her lips. "Bronya likes Little Ai. I promise the photo won't get out. Okay?"

"Mmm..."

However, before Edelweiss could say anything, Bronya had already walked away quickly.

Although I don't know how to chase girls, doing something like this occasionally with a little bit of playful scheming is fine. Of course~ the prerequisite is that the other person doesn't dislike you.

As expected, Edelweiss didn't bring it up again after that. She brought over some desserts like cakes and cookies, and along with the apple pie Bronya had cut, they almost filled the table.

"Don't be shy, Byakuya. Try it and see how it tastes. I'm quite confident in my cooking."

Even so, when Byakuya took a small piece of apple pie and put it in his mouth, Edelweiss still appeared nervous:

Is it too sweet, or too bland? Or maybe it's not to Byakuya's taste?

Emmm...

"It's delicious, Little Ai~"

A perfectly balanced sweetness, a rich fruit aroma... paired with a crispy crust, it was incredibly delicious!

"I'm so glad you like it."

At this, Edelweiss also wore a happy smile and cheerfully recommended desserts to Byakuya, "Try this one next, and this cake too..."

Sitting beside Edelweiss, Bronya also took small bites. "This is really good. So, were you tricking Bronya before? This one you made is much better than what Bronya made."

"Eh, no, no. Your part was also..." Edelweiss began to explain somewhat flusteredly.

At this moment, Bronya gave a barely perceptible smile, and with her hand, she offered the bitten apple pie to Edelweiss. "I was just kidding. Want to try some, Little Ai?"

Because her mind was elsewhere earlier, Edelweiss didn't notice anything amiss and naturally took a bite.

"As expected, good things should be shared, right?" Bronya then withdrew her hand and, with a light smile, took a bite from where Edelweiss had bitten.

Gasp! Is this... indirect kissing?! Edelweiss realized, her fair face flushing slightly.

"Speaking of which, Little Ai."

Byakuya spoke up immediately, his gaze fixed directly on Edelweiss. "We talked about this before, but if you were to choose a partner, do you have any criteria?"

"Of course, if possible, I'd hope to hear my name."

Touching on this topic, Edelweiss's face grew even redder. She unconsciously shrank back a little, and after a long while, she cautiously looked at Byakuya. "D-do I really have to say it?"

This pitiful appearance was particularly alluring in Byakuya's eyes. In contrast, Bronya had already hugged her from the side. "If Little Ai doesn't want to, it's okay, of course."

"That's right. I want to know Little Ai's thoughts, but I will respect Little Ai's wishes more."

Byakuya rested one hand on his cheek, his elbow propped on the small square table, his gaze very gentle as he looked at Edelweiss across from him.

"..."

A moment of silence.

Edelweiss's face grew increasingly flushed.

Of course, Edelweiss wasn't indecisive. Once she made up her mind, she wouldn't back down. "I don't know either."

"However, if I really had to make a choice, then I think that person would be you." Her eyes held a determined look as Edelweiss's beautiful gaze met Byakuya's.

emmm...

I don't know what to say.

This is my first time publishing a book. I hope all readers will subscribe. After all, the author relies on this to make a living.

For the next few days, the author will maintain three updates a day and release some of the previous drafts. I hope the first subscription numbers are high, as that will give the author motivation to write. Data is very important.

Regarding this book, I will do my best to ensure it is completed. Or rather, unless there are special circumstances or the data is particularly disastrous, I will probably guarantee its completion.

After all, it's my first book, and it concerns my personal credibility. If I get labeled as a "flaker," then it's over.

So, don't worry about the author running away.

As for the comment section and forums, I'm not good at managing them, so I won't set any thresholds there.

Of course, if possible, please be a little mindful and try to maintain a good atmosphere.

Then there's the pacing.

Personally, I feel... the pacing in the Failed Knight arc was a bit fast, but from another perspective, at least I didn't pad the content.

Please give me some feedback, and I'll see if I can improve it later. Although I don't have high hopes, as the author is also writing for the first time, I've done my best just to keep it from falling apart in this aspect.

Okay, that's probably it. I don't know what else to say.

There's also the author's group. I'll just post the group number. I feel the data isn't particularly good, and I don't know how many people will join.

Group number: 699938529

54. The Banquet

Far East region, Osaka City.

A port city far from the city center, it's filled with skyscrapers but usually deserted.

Decades ago, a large number of high-rises were built during the urban development boom, but investment completely dried up.

The entire city was nearly abandoned, a completely failed policy. It's usually as desolate as a ghost town, where you'd be lucky to see a stray cat.

But now, the entire city has come back to life.

At some point, water and electricity were supplied throughout the city.

Stalls lined the streets, and the desolate, Gobi-like buildings were leased out by tenants one by one. Clothing stores, accessory shops, fast-food restaurants... and so on filled the entire city.

There was only one reason.

Two days from now, at the city's "Port Dome," the annual Student Knight Festival will be held:

—The Seven Star Sword Martial Festival!

Moreover, compared to the "KOK League" of professional magic knights, the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival attracted even more attention from the people of the Far East.

After all, in international events like KOK, there weren't many national contestants.

Especially after the "World Clock" retired, the only active and highly-ranked contestant left was "Yaksha Princess."

The Seven Star Sword Martial Festival was different.

Furthermore, considering the incident at the National Dawn Academy before, this year's excitement even surpassed previous years.

In fact, starting seven days before the event, the city had already been buzzing with unusual excitement.

Of course, it wasn't just the audience who arrived early; the representative contestants of the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival had also arrived.

"Is it really necessary?" (Bai)

In the dormitory specially prepared for the contestants, Edelweiss carefully tied a tie for Bai Ye.

Then Edelweiss took a few steps back, appraised Bai Ye's well-fitting black suit from a distance, and nodded with satisfaction, "Of course, you should dress formally for an occasion like this."

—The Seven Star Sword Martial Festival's organizing committee held a banquet to entertain the contestants who arrived early.

As for Edelweiss?

Given her status, she wasn't interested in such things. But since their relationship had been established, and Bai Ye was participating, she naturally had to come and show her support~

She had also disguised herself on the way.

It was simple, just ordinary casual clothes and a baseball cap... but that was enough.

Bronya linked arms with Edelweiss, cooperating with her in hiding her identity.

No one would think she was "Biyoku"; Biyoku wouldn't act as ordinary as she was! Even if people saw her, they'd just assume it was a resemblance.

"Then you don't need to wear a suit, do you?"

You call it formal wear, but in Bai Ye's impression, there weren't many "normal" people at banquets; they all had their own unique styles.

Like Bronya: the style of Secondary Silver Wings' attire could completely pass as formal wear. Of course, the thigh straps, which could be called the "essence," were also indispensable.

"Even casual wear is fine as long as it's neat. It's this suit, on the other hand..."

As he spoke, Bai Ye loosened his tightly buttoned collar, giving him a bit of a "suit gangster" vibe. "It feels too tight, and it doesn't suit my temperament."

Stare—

"Okay, okay, I get it." Bai Ye raised his hands in surrender, retreating under Edelweiss's gaze.

After bidding farewell to Edelweiss, Bai Ye and Bronya headed to the banquet venue together.

Because he was with Little Ai, Bai Ye, as usual, was acting alone this time.

In this hotel specially prepared for the representative contestants, the top floor had a large hall for banquets—that was where the banquet was being held.

Taking the elevator at the end of the corridor, Bai Ye and Bronya arrived at the hotel's top floor.

A large, ornate double wooden door stood before them, and warm, lively clamor could be heard from behind it.

"This is it."

No need for psychological preparation; Bai Ye had seen plenty of grand scenes. He and Bronya stepped forward together.

"You two are representative contestants participating in the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival, aren't you? We've been expecting you. Please come in."

The attendant at the door greeted them with a perfect, polite smile and opened the door for them.

A wave of warmth washed over them.

Upon entering, they saw a spacious hall:

An rouge-colored carpet was laid out, complemented by exquisite crystal chandeliers, exuding luxury. The entire setup was very elegant.

And on the neat tables, exquisite food and wine in various styles were displayed in abundance.

Under the dazzling lights, dozens of figures moved about, clinking glasses and chatting merrily.

"Looks like there are a lot fewer people," (Byakuya)

"That's normal," (Duck)

After the video of the previous battle at Broken Blade Academy leaked, many contestants withdrew, and the list was urgently adjusted.

—Not everyone had the mental fortitude for it. More students, lacking real combat experience, backed out.

Correspondingly, those who chose to remain at this point were basically all people who were quite confident in their own strength.

On the other side, when the doors to the banquet hall were opened that evening... the chatter in the hall suddenly ceased, and all eyes turned uniformly towards the entrance.

"Who are they...?"

"It's the Twin Fangs of Lightning."

"..., I think I've heard of them. Didn't they not show much in the qualifiers?"

"What are you thinking? They were just being low-key."

"..."

A wave of hushed whispers.

Regarding the actual combat strength of Byakuya and Bronya, a small number of people expressed doubt, as there was indeed a lack of a track record.

Byakuya paid no mind to such remarks. He didn't need to prove anything—why would the strong care about the opinions of the weak?