Dual Souls, the Other Half is Bronya

Previously, while busy dealing with Shinomiya Amane, Byakuya had forgotten about this matter—Stella arrived at the venue, fought four opponents, and won, high-profilely announcing her return.

Because of this, some contestants in Zone B withdrew, and Stella's matches were suddenly reduced.

Extracting the key points from his complex memories, Byakuya couldn't help but glance at Stella.

"Byakuya, why are you looking at me?"

"Your perception has improved quite a bit."

In response, Byakuya simply smiled calmly. He looked at Gagami, "It's a bit troublesome to explain. Gagami, it's better for you, the professional, to handle this."

"Understood!"

Gagami, a very lively person, pushed up her round-rimmed glasses and began to explain to everyone:

"The Seven Star Sword Martial Festival is a student festival, so commercial activities are not allowed on the surface. However, for battles between Blade Dancers, venue rental fees, repair costs for damaged facilities..."

"No matter what, it's expensive. Generally, the organizers would... (omitted)"

"But this year is different."

—Stella is a major favorite, and the organizers and sponsors have invested a large amount of capital. But now that her matches have been reduced, the returns are less!

"That's right, that's why the schedule was shortened."

Byakuya snapped his fingers, summarizing everything, "By shortening the schedule, the originally planned finals day is freed up, and a special exhibition match can be added."

"Stella, you should be able to understand. The so-called exhibition match is specially prepared for you."

A moment of silence.

It was precisely because she understood that Stella couldn't speak. Two matches a day would be too disadvantageous for Ikki—his ultimate moves had a cooldown.

"I'll leave this to you."

At this moment, Byakuya patted Ikki's shoulder and said in a lowered voice as he leaned down slightly.

Immediately after, Bronya also excused herself from everyone and followed, leaving the venue.

"Little White, Little White, I heard you really caught up to that Winged Sword?"

On the way back, a petite figure pounced over and clung to Byakuya without any hesitation.

"Ning Yin, long time no see."

Byakuya didn't even need to turn his head. He patted the small hands wrapped around his neck and teased her like a good friend, "Also, you're the only one still single this time..."

"Crack—"

With a heavy impact, the road beneath Byakuya's feet cracked. Ning Yin seemed to radiate dark energy, and a pair of black oni horns flickered on her forehead. "Liiittle White~ did you just say something?"

"Cough, cough, speaking of which, where is the Chairman?" Byakuya coughed dryly and then steered the conversation towards Kurono.

"You mean Little Kuro..."

Ning Yin unconsciously looked up, her gaze drifting towards the direction of the competition venue.

"...Alright, I think I roughly understand."

Although some of the matches today were somewhat restrained, there were still many large-scale events. As a user of the Time Element, Kurono had a very demanding job~

"The Chairman really works hard."

Byakuya sighed and then stretched his shoulders. "It's about time you got down, Ning Yin. It's not good if people see."

"Isn't it just gossip and scandals? This one is already used to it. What, are you scared, Little White?"

"What do you think?"

Byakuya slightly turned his head, suddenly realizing they were too close, almost feeling her breath. He then quietly turned back. "Although Xiao Ai has a good temper, but..."

"Zing—"

As he said this, Byakuya drew out his tone and then swung his right palm like a knife, accompanied by a whistling sound of wind. "Winged Sword warning, you know the drill."

emmm...

For a moment, Ning Yin stiffened.

She didn't say anything and silently got down from Byakuya's shoulder. "I have to admit, Little White, you really have guts."

"Heh heh, you're just misled by so-called rumors. Xiao Ai is actually a very cute girl. As for guts..."

Byakuya paused, then turned his gaze to Ning Yin with a smile. "This is just the beginning~"

"Clang—!"

Ning Yin revealed her Divine Key, Crimson Phoenix, and clashed with Byakuya's Myriad Phenomena, erupting in crimson sparks. They were at a stalemate for a moment. "It seems Little White hasn't regressed either..."

"When Little White wins against this one, we can talk about this topic again."

With a surge of strength from her slender forearm, Ning Yin forcefully pushed Byakuya away. "Speaking of which..."

"You didn't even avoid a little girl like Nia? Hmmm… Little White, are you two together?" Ning Yin glanced at Bronya, her tone uncertain.

"That depends on what you want to think, Ning Yin~"

Byakuya didn't give a direct answer, instead leaving Ning Yin to her imagination.

"Well then, Teacher Ning Yin, we'll be going now." Bronya also said goodbye to Ning Yin and left with Byakuya.

Next, the Sword Martial Festival was held in full swing. Bronya and Stella quickly stood out from the AB districts.

As for district C, Ikki successfully defeated Sarah and Shinomiya Amane.

Sarah's "Fantasy Caricature" had once conjured the figure of Biyoku, and for a time, it had suppressed Ikki, preventing him from getting up. But in the end, Ikki surpassed himself and won the match.

Then came Amane.

At the start of the match, he performed a self-confession, revealing the true nature of his Blade Dancer abilities and offering Ikki his "blessings." This was something Amane had planned all along.

However… perhaps after being lectured by Byakuya and receiving genuine affirmation from him, he didn't go too far this time, and they still ended up having a fight.

As expected, Shinomiya Amane lost. Furthermore, he seemed to understand what Byakuya had said back then:

"Perhaps someone can give you salvation, but that person is destined not to be me."

The one who could give him salvation… was Kurogane Ikki. After a deep look at Ikki, Shinomiya Amane collapsed.

With this, only the final D group remained—Kurogane Ouya VS Byakuya!

"First to enter the arena is Byakuya, the 'White Lightning' from the 'Twin Fangs of Lightning,' who is on par with contestant Bronya!!!"

"Previously, Byakuya has always won his matches with overwhelming lightning."

"Even after multiple matches, everything about Byakuya still seems shrouded in mystery."

"But with contestant Bronya leading the way, it's predictable that Byakuya will not be simple. So, will he show his true strength in this match!"

Amidst a thunderous roar of cheers, a sudden, genuine clap of thunder resounded, and a brilliant white lightning bolt struck the arena.

Byakuya, dressed in sharp attire… a white t-shirt, black slim-fit trousers, and a black outer robe, looked full of spirit.

"And next, contestant Kurogane Ouya!!!"

"Having crushed all his opponents so far, Kurogane Ouya undoubtedly possesses absolute strength!"

"But this time, facing the unfathomable Byakuya, can Kurogane Ouya continue his winning streak!!!"

Wearing a black kimono, its long hem swaying with his steps, Kurogane Ouya slowly walked onto the stage.

(I read the original work, and there was a section about Kurogane Ouya's introduction that I could have written, but I decided against it. It was just filler, so I'll skip it.)

64. You did it, Ouya

As the signal for the match to begin sounded, Ouya moved first. Accompanied by a howling gale, a great Ōdachi appeared in his hand. "Enough talk, let's begin."

"What intense killing intent…" Even so, Byakuya maintained a calm and unruffled demeanor.

A Tang saber fell into his palm, and Byakuya casually flicked it, "Want to compare?"

BOOM—!!!

Invisible killing intent raged, momentarily overpowering Ouya's. This was even more intense than Bronya's match! Not to mention the audience, even the commentators fell silent.

This match no longer needed any commentary.

"Hahaha, so that's how it is…"

Ouya's body trembled, a sign of excitement. With this immense killing intent, Ouya finally found someone he could converse with. "It seems this match will be more interesting than I imagined."

"Indeed. We're both not interested in the championship anyway, are we? Why don't we settle this here?"

"Precisely!"

"..."

After a brief exchange, Ouya and Byakuya fell silent. Violent Magic Power surged, storms and lightning intertwined.

The sheer clash of their auras was already causing the arena to crack under the strain.

"Zheng—"

The Ōdachi, Dragon Claw, tore through the air, forming an invisible vacuum blade that shot towards Byakuya.

Closely following, a tempestuous storm, capable of tearing down the entire venue, was condensed and compressed onto the blade by Ouya.

He knew very well that while the vacuum blade was sharp, it posed no real threat to Byakuya.

That was merely a greeting; his true opening move was this—Moon Severing Sky Dragon Claw!

The air vibrated, the ground trembled, and a hurricane sword that devoured all things appeared, slashing down fiercely at Byakuya.

"Is this a beam-clash? Very well, I accept."

On the other side, Byakuya shattered the incoming vacuum blade with a single slash, doing so with complete ease, not even considering it a warm-up.

Facing the descending wind sword, Byakuya also responded—brilliant white lightning flashed, gathering on the Myriad Phenomena blade. "What should I call this move?"

"Ah, whatever~"

He thought about it for a moment but decided it was too much trouble and gave up. Byakuya swung his sword from bottom to top, and the blazing white lightning formed a light cannon that met it head-on. "Myriad Phenomena, push it back!"

"BOOM—!!!"

A world-shattering roar. Storm and lightning intertwined, creating explosive winds that swept towards the spectator stands.

"That was a bit much," Bronya said faintly from her seat, extending a hand towards the competition arena. With the help of the Heavy Rabbit, an invisible magnetic field spread out, suppressing the aftershocks of the battle.

And this was only the aftershock!

Under the deliberate guidance of Byakuya and Ouya, an incredibly terrifying beam of magic power shot into the sky, dispersing the clouds.

As expected...

The moment they clashed, Ouya already knew... the Moon Severing Sky Dragon Claw couldn't harm the opponent. So, in the next second, he quickly pursued Byakuya.

"Clang—!"

A Tang Saber appeared, blocking the way.

It was obvious that with Byakuya's extensive combat experience, he naturally blocked Ouya's cleaving strike. "Not bad, your timing is spot on."

Byakuya slightly deflected the blade. Sparks flew as he slid along Ouya's Ōdachi, slashing.

"Zing—"

With a light hum, the blade missed.

Ouya leaned back, dodging the attack. His counterattack followed closely... Ouya held his sword in his right hand, leaving his left hand free to clench into a fist and smash heavily onto the back of the Divine Key·Dragon Claw's blade.

—Rising Sun One Heart Style - Extreme of Hardness - Fire Thunder!

It wasn't pure brute strength, but a special technique for generating power. The Dragon Claw, carrying the force of a gale, slashed down fiercely at Byakuya.