Thus, under the gaze of every spectator in the arena, both competitors took their positions and came to the center of the battle circle, facing each other.
Kirihara Seiya, completely unaware of the changes in his opponent, looked at Ikki's disheveled appearance and spoke with a mocking tone.
"Say, Kurogane, why do you look so miserable every time we meet?"
Come to think of it, when they had met previously, Ikki had just finished a fierce battle with Attila as well. He had been in an even worse state then, and Kirihara Seiya had mocked him aloud. Naturally, this time was no exception.
"That's why I told you, the path of a Magic Knight is too much for you. You should give up as soon as possible. Then you wouldn't end up in such a miserable state. But you just wouldn't listen. As your former classmate, that makes me very sad, Kurogane."
Kirihara Seiya put on an affected expression as he said this, but his face was filled with mockery.
Faced with Kirihara Seiya like this...
"I'm truly sorry. I was in such a hurry that I could only come over like this. Come to think of it, that was indeed rather rude of me."
As always, Ikki apologized with great humility and gentleness.
But this time, Ikki did not lower his head. There was no bitterness or anguish in his eyes, only a calm coldness that Kirihara Seiya could not perceive.
Compared to the usual Ikki, his entire atmosphere was different.
It was as though he were announcing that he had already stepped onto the battlefield and that there was no longer any need for courtesy. With a feeling unlike his usual self, Ikki continued.
"However, it shouldn't matter much, because the match will be over soon. Don't you