"Clang----!"
In the shuttle boat's dining hall, a loud metallic clang like a struck bell suddenly rang out, kicking up a fierce gust of wind that swept toward everyone nearby.
"...!"
As they watched Noelle attack Luo Zhen, Kanata, Chloe, Yuri, and Mina had been completely unable to react because everything had happened so suddenly and Noelle had moved far too quickly. The gust that suddenly blasted toward them forced them back. They raised their hands to shield their faces as they involuntarily retreated several steps.
"Senior!"
Yuri even cried out.
But her voice overlapped with another.
"What...?"
Noelle exclaimed in shock.
Only after hearing Noelle's voice did everyone present finally see what was happening.
Luo Zhen, who had taken the attack head-on, was still standing perfectly straight, without the slightest movement. Only the coat of his uniform swayed back and forth in the fierce wind.
As for Luo Zhen himself, he had raised one hand and caught Noelle's slash head-on with his palm.
That was right.
His palm.
Facing this unexpectedly powerful strike, Luo Zhen had actually used nothing but one palm to seize the blade of Noelle's saber-shaped magic sword and block it.
"You caught my attack with your hand...!?"
Noelle stared in astonishment and fury.
Facing Noelle like this...
"So it's you."
Luo Zhen suddenly looked enlightened, as if he had finally remembered something, all while maintaining his stance with one hand blocking the blade.
Luo Zhen had finally remembered who the girl before him was.
About a year ago, a short-term exchange student from Falucion had sought him out and challenged him.
She had apparently heard of Luo Zhen's reputation long ago and knew of his many legendary exploits. That was why she had wanted to fight him.
Unfortunately, at the time, Luo Zhen had just