At the start of the first round, the character controlled by Eriri launched a fierce assault, and the fight looked almost completely one-sided. (Continued)

"No! I need to regroup first."

Busujima Saeko slapped a hand against the ground and used the momentum to get back up. She flipped through the air and landed on her feet.

It was a breathtaking battle of offense and defense. Their attacks and speed kept escalating, leaving the spectators unable to look away—not even enough time to gasp.

This was probably the quietest match the spectators had ever watched. Just following the fight with their own eyes took all their concentration, and even then, it was a blur, like watching 360p instead of 1080p.

"Can you see the openings in my sword techniques, Hasegawa-kun?"

Busujima Saeko couldn't help asking the question that had been on her mind.

"This is the Nine Solitary Swords. The Sword-Breaking Form is designed to counter every sword technique under heaven. Your techniques aren't beyond its reach, Senpai... Though that might also be because you haven't fully mastered your own style yet."

Caught up in the moment, Hasegawa Izumi generously explained.

He could tell that her swordsmanship still lacked a particular kind of energy needed to bring it out in full.

In other words, this sword style was probably at the transcendent level.

Unfortunately, given the limits of this world as it was now, it would take some time before she could reveal its full potential.

"To break every sword technique under heaven? That sounds like a bit of an exaggeration."

Busujima Saeko didn't believe him.

"Of course, it depends on the user's understanding. And sword techniques aren't the only thing that matters... All right, enough chatting."

Hasegawa Izumi opened and closed his eyes, once again adopting an air of arrogance.

"Senpai, your sword is too restrained. It clashes with your own instincts, and your intentions are far too obvious. I could defend against all of it even without the Nine Solitary Swords. So come on, Senpai! Let it out! Show me who you really are!"

His words struck Busujima Saeko like a heavy hammer.

"What are you talking about, Hasegawa-kun? Let's just continue our duel."

The senpai, usually so calm and fearless in front of others, was clearly flustered. Sweat dripped from her forehead.

"Then our match ends here."

Hasegawa Izumi suddenly sighed.

"Busujima Senpai, you've given me a taste of what I came for... I hope this next move will be one you never forget!"

With that, he took a stance as if preparing to draw his sword.

"Moon Breathing. Form of Land: Eternal Night Solitary Moon: Interminable!"

Busujima Saeko didn't dare let her guard down. She gripped her wooden sword and launched her own technique.

"Death-Defying, Continuous... Three Immortals Sword!"

In a daze, she saw a figure within the endless hell, sword flashing like an immortal's, striding toward her beneath the moon.

The first strike came straight down from above.

Busujima Saeko raised her sword to block it, but the force was overwhelming, like a mountain crashing down.

With a flick of his wrist, he drew back his sword and immediately thrust it upward for the second strike.

The wooden sword in Busujima Saeko's hands was knocked into the air.

By the third strike, his blade was already at her throat.

"I... lost."

As Busujima Saeko admitted defeat, the breath left her in a rush. The effects of pushing her Breathing Technique beyond its limits, along with the injuries she'd sustained in the fight, all caught up with her.

It was like the adrenaline had worn off, and exhaustion flooded her whole body. Her limbs went limp, her vision blurred, and she began to fall backward.

In this battle,

she had lost the honor of being the Kendo Club captain.

She had lost the standing of the Busujima Family.

And she had lost the heart of a swordswoman.

"I'm sorry... Hasegawa-kun."

"I couldn't give you a satisfying match. That's my fault."

"Next time..."

"If I get another chance, I'll show you the sword that truly belongs to me!"

Seeing that Busujima Saeko was about to collapse, Hasegawa Izumi reacted quickly and gallantly caught her around the waist with his right arm.

They had been opponents just moments ago, so he'd acted coldly to show her respect.

But now she was his senpai, so of course he had to show the grace of a strong fighter.

Up close, he could see that Busujima Senpai was not only a swordswoman but also a genuine beauty, with a striking figure. With the marks of battle upon her, she looked rather tragic.

"Busujima Senpai!"

The result was settled, and the first to rush over was the Kendo Club girl who'd been worried about Busujima Saeko's safety.

"She's fine. She just passed out from exhaustion. She'll be all right after she rests."

Hasegawa Izumi handed his senpai over to the girl.

"Thank goodness... And Hasegawa-kun, thank you for holding back."

The Kendo Club girl's eyes were glistening with tears and tinged with respect. She nodded sincerely to him.

To an outsider, his exquisite swordsmanship might have looked like nothing more than impressive skill. But someone who knew the art could appreciate the unique beauty of the sword that he'd displayed.

"Wow! Hasegawa won!"

"Even Busujima Senpai couldn't stop him?"

"Does this mean the times really are changing?"

Only then did thunderous applause break out among the spectators, celebrating the incredible kendo match.

Even those who weren't fond of Hasegawa and firmly stood with Shuchiin couldn't help praising him.

But one person was especially unhappy.

"That guy Izumi actually took advantage of the situation to touch her! Sure, he was holding Busujima Senpai up, but he still touched her! And he even looked at her like that earlier!"

Eriri bit her lip and clenched her hands, furious.

"Come to think of it, Shinomiya-san isn't here, is she?"

She suddenly looked around, curious to see the other girl's expression, but couldn't find her anywhere.

"Izumi-chan, another thrilling victory!"

Fujiwara Chika and the others came over to him.

"Lord Sage, your sword skills were so cool, death! So this is what a real kendo master looks like? I learned so much! I'm going to work hard and improve at this too, death!"

Dekomori Sanae was so excited that she made a fist as if gripping a sword and swung it wildly through the air.

Even the girl who swung a giant hammer wanted to give it a try!

"Even the Wicked Eye of the Tyrant King probably couldn't replicate that kind of technique. This world seems much broader than I imagined."

Takanashi Rikka looked a little embarrassed, but spoke with conviction.

Sanae Dekomori glanced at the two beside her as if they were idiots, then turned back and said, "Honestly, I learned a lot too. Hasegawa, I had no idea your swordsmanship was so good that you could beat Busujima Senpai! That explains your incredible physical ability. You really are an expert!"

This battle had truly changed the way she saw Hasegawa.

This chuunibyou was a super genius, skilled in both the arts and the martial ones.

He was on a completely different level from little nobodies like them.

For some reason, she felt a little inferior.

"I've always been an expert. I just haven't had a chance to show it off. If I weren't trying to make the Far East Magic Society famous, I might've decided to be a 'shadow eminence' instead."

Facing his friends' congratulations, Hasegawa Izumi immediately put on a smile and joked.

The girls felt closer to him than ever. The gap in strength didn't create any distance between them.

"Hasegawa-kun, it's time for the interview!"

Ki Karen hurried over and raised her hand to remind him.

"Then let's go."

He nodded and followed her.

Today, instead of publishing a news article like before, they were going to conduct a radio interview.

After some negotiation, the News Department and the Student Council had decided to announce the result of the match to the whole school over the radio.

Meanwhile,

far away overseas, the current head of the Busujima Family had also learned that his daughter had been defeated.

"You've disappointed me, Saeko... But even with the Breathing Technique, you still couldn't keep up with his pace? Hasegawa—could his swordsmanship have already reached the 'master' level? How interesting. Talented people really do keep emerging in this era..."

He took a sip of the hot tea before him, lit the incense beside him, then sat back down and resumed his sword-gripping posture, closing his eyes to rest.

The fragrant smoke gradually spread throughout the room.

"Hasegawa-kun, could I get your autograph?"

"Can we add each other as friends?"

"Hasegawa-kun, I'll always support you!"

When Hasegawa Izumi arrived outside the broadcasting room, a group of girls gathered around him from a respectful distance, as if they'd just met their idol.

Clearly, they'd all heard the result of the match.

"Stop, stop, stop! Quiet down, you're making a scene! This is important, so don't cause any trouble!"

Ki Karen couldn't take it anymore and scolded them.

But she clearly didn't have enough authority. Nobody paid her any attention.

"Hey! I'm the dignified—Wah!"

As for Takanashi and Dekomori, they had no chance at all. They were completely squeezed off to the side.

"All right, everyone. The rest of the school is waiting to hear the results. If you keep this up, you'll only cause trouble for them, won't you?"

Hasegawa Izumi spoke in a gentle voice.

"Make way for Hasegawa-kun!"

"Don't touch him, hey!"

His words worked. The girls immediately opened up a path.

"Huh, Hasegawa is pretty good with people after all. I thought he'd arrogantly look down on them to make them leave. Is he putting on an act? For the club's reputation?"

Sanae Dekomori looked surprised.

"Izumi-chan has always been gentle. Even when I cheat at games, he lets me keep playing with him... He'll only scold me once at most."

Fujiwara Chika spoke up at once.

Sanae Dekomori's eyes flickered. She turned to face Chika with an expressionless look. "I hate players who cheat."

Chika-chan blushed, looking embarrassed.

"Uh, I just wanted to beat Izumi-chan once."

It was a rather weak excuse.

"Hasegawa-kun, sit here."

Hasegawa Izumi entered the broadcasting room and saw Asahi Shizuku, the News Department's club president, already wearing her headphones. She gestured for him to come over.

Soon, the school-wide broadcast began.