Dual Souls, the Other Half is Bronya

As Stella spoke, she exhaled a scorching breath. The Dragon Sinner Sword had completely merged into her body, pulsing with her heartbeat and blood.

A terrifying wave of heat surged, transforming the entire arena into a purgatory of crimson flames.

"..."

What a gruesome sight... Kurono crossed his arms, tapping his index finger against his forearm. A dark aura emanated from the shadows, causing Byakuya to retreat several paces.

"This warm-up should be about done."

Stella took a step forward, leaving behind a massive, dragon-beast-like claw print on the ground.

Despite her beautiful and captivating appearance as a young girl, in everyone's eyes, she was as terrifying as a colossal dragon.

—To manifest the mythical Fantasy Species, the creature known as a dragon, by using one's own body as a vessel. This is the Blade-Cutting Skill: Dragon God Possession!

This is truly... an overpowered boost. As expected, the world's favored daughter isn't just a saying.

A radiant aura of Magic Power surged around Bronya. It was very similar to One Blade Arrogance, even causing others to mistake it at first. "That's right, at this point, it's about time to finish this."

As she said this, Bronya unconsciously glanced towards the audience seating.

Boom—

"Hey, where are you looking?"

With a deafening roar, Stella shattered the lava-like ground and charged at Bronya like a cannonball, her small fist smashing down fiercely.

Clang—!

The Heavy Rabbit materialized at that moment, a shield of alloy standing firm, withstanding the blow. Looking behind, Bronya had already vanished.

—Harmony of Light and Dust.

In an instant, Bronya appeared behind Stella. The Life Chronicle was applied to her, and a flash of lightning flickered. "I'll get a little serious this time."

An immense strength, disproportionate to her appearance. The air exploded, and the entire arena instantly shattered.

At the center of the battle, Stella crossed her arms, taking Bronya's attack head-on. "You have great strength, Bronya."

"Still a bit less than Stella."

As they spoke, both exerted their strength simultaneously, using the recoil to create distance.

"Dragon Sinner Sword!"

"Truth!"

Almost at the same time, a golden-red greatsword and a deep blue katana appeared in their hands.

Stella raised the Dragon Sinner Sword, terrifying flames swirling around it, an extreme light and heat shooting towards the sky.

A sword of condensed light and heat, as if tangible, slashed down. "Let everything be burned away! Blazing Heaven Earth Dragon King Flame!"

Why is it a beam cannon...

Seeing this, Bronya gave up the idea of engaging in a direct clash. That was said to be the "world's number one" Magic Power!

Boom boom boom—

Earth-shattering roars, this was absolute violence!

Under this attack, the venue was directly destroyed, and the sword of light and heat extended further... towards the port city! In a single blow, the city was almost split in two!

"Chairman!"

Byakuya maintained the magnetic field and immediately called out to Kurono. But as a professional Magic Knight, even after retiring, his instincts needed no reminder.

Almost instantly, Kurono had already used his abilities to rescue people.

"This is too much."

Seeing this, Bronya shook her head and also took action:

She flickered behind Stella, and the deep blue katana, flashing with lightning, slashed down fiercely. However... just this was far from enough.

The dragon's attributes were comprehensive, and its defense was naturally not to be underestimated.

Under the blow, it only barely managed to break through the defense.

Then, empowered by the dragon's immense vitality, the wound on Stella's back healed!

Boom—!

The sword of light and heat swept across, its blade cutting through more than half of the venue, everything almost instantly rendered beyond recognition.

"Truly exaggerated..."

—It was the Heavy Rabbit again!

At the critical moment, a shield of alloy stood tall, firmly protecting Bronya within.

"It's about time." (White)

"..., Indeed."

The Heavy Rabbit's support was reassuring. Bronya even took the opportunity to survey the venue. "It's not that I can't fight, but if this continues..."

"The Chairman will kill someone," Byakuya added, glancing at Kurono.

Emmm... she's probably at her limit. Byakuya didn't know what would happen if this continued. "Let's forfeit. We're not interested in the championship anyway."

"Bronya agrees," Bronya said.

The conversation ended, and Bronya, using Harmony of Light and Dust, instantly appeared outside the arena.

She raised a hand, with Heavy Rabbit shielding her. "Stella's strength is too great. Bronya forfeits this match."

"...Huh?"

On the other side, Stella, who was about to pursue, heard Bronya declare her forfeit, and the flames engulfing her faltered. "Bronya!"

"Bronya is serious."

Bronya shook her head. "In this state, Stella's vitality is immense. Bronya can't think of a way to win, so forfeiting is the only option."

According to the original plan, Bronya would forfeit if the opponent was strong enough. After all, the so-called championship meant nothing to her.

Looking at the now-shattered arena... it was enough. People would think Stella was too strong, not that Bronya threw the match. It was time to retire gracefully.

Thus, the first match of the semifinals concluded, with Stella earning a ticket to the finals.

Then, almost immediately, Bronya and Byakuya quietly slipped away—they had turned the arena into ruins and didn't want to face Kurono.

Due to the immense damage caused, the Seven Star Sword Martial Festival's organizing committee issued an announcement, and the competition was postponed once again.

As a key participant, Stella naturally received the notice and was placed under observation by The Union.

As for Bronya?

Emmm... there didn't seem to be any notification. Although the destruction she caused in this match wasn't small, it was within control; she had been quite measured.

Besides, with Stella in the spotlight, there was no comparison.

"While we have time, let's go see Kiko," Byakuya said, greeting Bronya out of habit.

Bronya nodded in response. After all, they were preparing to depart once the competition ended. "This time, let's bring Xiao Ai along. It'll be a family dinner in the Chivalry of a Failed Knight world."

Emmm... will it explode?

They were quite worried about this, and their hands even stiffened slightly.

Without a word, they tacitly skipped over that point. Byakuya changed the subject. "Speaking of which, a few people seem to have arrived too. Do we need to make any preparations?"

"We'll see if they make a move," Bronya said, a fierce glint in her eyes as she sat on the sofa.

◆ Regarding this exchange

Actually, they could communicate telepathically. However, that would result in complete silence, so it had to be written out.

Verbal communication was also a way to gradually get used to it. Otherwise, just staring at each other silently every time... even with a deep connection, it would seem strange to others.

Of course, it was also easier for the author to write this way. Just remember that they are essentially the same person.

67. Kiko and Xiao Ai

Near the Apothecary Hospital, a small house... well, it wasn't that small, with wisps of smoke curling from the chimney.

"Xiao Ai, I can handle this," Byakuya said, stir-frying home-style dishes without looking up.

"That's right."

Bronya chimed in beside Byakuya. "Xiao Ai is here as a guest. How can we let a guest help with chores? Byakuya will handle this."

"Xiao Ai, go play some games first. I'll be done soon." Saying this, she signaled Bronya and led Xiao Ai out of the kitchen.

In the living room, Bronya turned on the TV, skillfully connected a game console, and pulled out a pair of controllers from a drawer below. "Xiao Ai, how about playing some games first?"

"I'll try."

Although she still leaned towards helping, Xiao Ai accepted a game controller at Bronya's enthusiastic invitation.

"Then let's begin."

For their first try, Bronya deliberately chose something simple. Xiao Ai had no friends and had probably never tried these before, so she needed to consider her gaming experience.

The result proved... in any aspect, a genius was always a genius.

With Xiao Ai's reflexes, even a normal game was easy for her to pick up. In just a moment, she was almost catching up to Bronya's level.

"It seems Xiao Ai has gotten used to it. Let's switch to a competitive game next."

A competitive game...

On one hand, she found it novel. On the other hand... it was because Bronya liked it, so Xiao Ai was willing to try. "Okay, let's have a match."

"Remember to come home for dinner, Kiko!"

At the Apothecary Hospital, Kiko was looking through the received text message. A beautiful smile bloomed on her delicate and gentle face. "Sister knows. I'll be back early."

In an instant, she seemed filled with renewed energy.

In her subsequent work, Kiko maintained her rigorous attitude but quietly sped up.

"Yo, Miss Kiko, did something good happen?" a kind, uncle-like patient asked with concern.

To this, Kiko offered a gentle smile, "Yes, Little White came to see her big sister today."

"Little Brother Byakuya? Then Kiko should head back early today. But speaking of which, didn't that kid already make it to the quarterfinals? I really couldn't tell back then."

"Little White is usually quite low-key." Even so, the pride in Kiko's eyes couldn't be hidden.

After diligently finishing her hospital duties, Kiko gave a few instructions to the on-duty doctors and hurried home with light steps.

Taking out the keys she rarely used, Kiko opened the door to her home. Without even looking to see who was inside, she rushed to Byakuya and acted spoiled, "Little White, did you miss your sister...?"

For a moment, Kiko's words caught in her throat. In the spot where she usually sat, there was a beautiful woman with silver hair cascading over her shoulders—Edelweiss.

"This is..."

As a mature adult, Kiko quickly composed herself and greeted her warmly. However, regarding the form of address... calling Edelweiss felt too formal.

"Kiko, you can just call me Xiao Ai."

Edelweiss also had a realization. Just like her, if she were to call Kiko "sister," she would also find it strange.

So, regarding their forms of address, they could each use whatever felt right, "This is our first meeting, I suppose, I am Byakuya's... Byakuya's..." (her voice gradually faded)

A blush of red appeared on Edelweiss's delicate, pretty face. This kind of self-introduction, emmm...

—This is just like meeting the parents! Even Biyoku would get shy at a time like this.

Uh... Xiao Ai, huh...

Of course, Kiko wasn't faring any better. In her impression, Edelweiss was powerful and dignified, but now... it felt rather out of place.