You Can Be More Confident

Half an hour later, the meal Yulis had treated them to came to an end.

Throughout the meal, the Princess had kept talking to Toudou Kirin. She was nothing like the Magnificent Flame Witch from the rumors, who was supposedly impossible to get along with. Amagiri Ayato, who had seen her fierce side firsthand, was left staring in disbelief.

Having witnessed the same scene, Azer had basically confirmed that Yulis had arranged this meal specifically for Toudou Kirin.

It had to be said that the speed and way girls bonded had always been baffling. Even someone like Yulis, who was said to be difficult to get along with, had managed to ease Toudou Kirin's tension without her even realizing it after chatting with her for a while.

Thus, by the time the meal was nearly over, Toudou Kirin was already chatting and laughing with Yulis.

Their relationship had progressed so quickly that they were even feeding each other, leaving Azer staring in astonishment.

Still, after Yulis's encouragement, Toudou Kirin's expression had indeed brightened considerably.

"It's about time."

After the meal, once the group had stepped out of the restaurant, Yulis glanced at the sky before turning to the others.

"I'm taking this guy around for a bit next. Do you want to come along?"

Pointing at Amagiri Ayato, Yulis spoke to Azer and Toudou Kirin.

It seemed that the Princess still remembered her agreement with Amagiri Ayato.

Naturally, Azer refused without a second thought.

"I'll pass. You two go ahead."

What was he supposed to do, play third wheel?

Azer had no interest in that, nor was he so oblivious.

"I-I won't go either," Toudou Kirin said softly. "I still have homework to do..."

That was naturally an excuse.

The little girl had not thought too much about it. She merely felt that she had been out for too long, and if she did not return soon, her uncle would scold her again.

"Neither of you is coming?"

Yulis muttered to herself, looking somewhat dissatisfied.

She normally had almost no opportunities to go shopping with friends.

Though she did not want to let herself relax or indulge too much, this was a rare opportunity, and she wanted to spend a little more time outside with a few friends.

Of course, Yulis quickly suppressed that little thought.

She was not someone who would make unreasonable demands. If not for Toudou Kirin, she never would have done so many things out of character.

"Then we'll be going first. You two be careful," Yulis said, then turned to Azer. "As her senior, you need to take responsibility and bring Kirin back to Seidoukan Academy in one piece, understand?"

At that, Azer rolled his eyes.

"Toudou is Ranked First at our academy."

The implication was that even without him, it would be difficult for the girl to end up anything less than whole.

"That's one thing, and this is another. They're not the same."

Yulis was even more serious than he had expected.

"Yes, yes." Azer spread his hands. "I'll take Toudou back. You two should hurry up and go on your date."

"I-I told you, it's not a date!"

Yulis was so angry that her face turned red.

"Ahaha..."

Amagiri Ayato did not know what to say, so he could only continue chuckling foolishly, which made Yulis even more annoyed.

Before long, the two left amid bickering—or rather, Yulis was throwing a one-sided tantrum at Amagiri Ayato while he endured it with a wry smile.

Watching the two leave, Azer finally turned to Toudou Kirin.

"Shall we head back too?"

"O-Okay!"

Toudou Kirin responded nervously. It seemed that with Yulis gone, her true nature had returned.

"Don't be so nervous." Azer sounded rather helpless. "It's not like I'm going to eat you."

"Yes..."

Toudou Kirin tried to relax, but no matter how many times she tried, she could not manage it.

"Forget it." Azer did not force the matter. As he started walking, he said, "Anyway, let's head back first."

"Yes!" Toudou Kirin hurriedly followed. Sneaking glances at Azer's expression along the way, she seemed a little dejected as she asked, "Senior, are you angry?"

"No." Azer was not so petty. Seeing Toudou Kirin's disappointed expression, he could not help but say, "Don't overthink it. Everyone has a different personality. You're still... cough, cough, still young. It's normal to be a little timid. You don't need to feel discouraged over something like this."

Timid, soft-spoken girls like her were quite popular. Who knew how many people considered them their sweet spot?

He could not let her become completely withdrawn, or that would be a serious sin.

Unfortunately, Toudou Kirin did not seem to see it that way.

"I know I'm useless. My uncle says so often too." Toudou Kirin spoke with low self-esteem. "You don't need to comfort me, Senior."

"You think I'm comforting you?" Azer stopped and looked at Toudou Kirin. "I think you don't see yourself clearly enough."

"Leaving aside the fact that you're Ranked First at our academy, just look at yourself. At your age, how many people in this world could achieve what you have?"

Though Azer always teased Toudou Kirin inwardly for having a figure that seemed impossible for someone her age, the fact was that she was only thirteen this year.

Thirteen years old, a first-year student in the Middle School Department. In Azer's former world, that meant she was a first-year middle school student, a kid who had only just graduated from elementary school.

Even the age range for the Star Martial Festival was thirteen to twenty-two, and Toudou Kirin had only just met the minimum age requirement. She still had the next ten years to shine.

Yet at this age, she had already reached the top of Seidoukan Academy.

Ranked First!

What an honor that was in this dueling city.

Others might spend ten years from enrollment to graduation and still never reach that position, yet Toudou Kirin had reached it from the very beginning!

That was why her appearance during the Official Ranking Battle had drawn so much attention.

Perhaps she was not the strongest student among the Six Academies, but she was definitely one of the most promising.

If she were truly given ten years, who could imagine what she would achieve here?

No one could imagine it!

The most incredible part was that Toudou Kirin had reached such a position and attained such achievements entirely through her own efforts, relying on the sword in her hand—a blade forged from ordinary steel, not even a Huang-style Armament.

She was neither a witch nor a user of Pure Star Radiant Armaments. Even her physical abilities and Star Power were not the most outstanding, at least not compared to Amagiri Ayato after he removed his seal.

And yet, relying solely on her swordsmanship, she had reached the top of Seidoukan Academy.

In the original story, Toudou Kirin had even defeated Amagiri Ayato once, handing him his first defeat since coming to Seidoukan Academy!

That was Amagiri Ayato after removing his seal and obtaining the Black Furnace Magic Sword. He was absolutely among the strongest at Seidoukan Academy. Even Yulis, who was Ranked Fifth, claimed she had no chance against him and could not win even once in ten duels.

Even Azer as he was now would have no chance against Amagiri Ayato in that state without relying on the Black Furnace Magic Sword.

And Toudou Kirin?

She had defeated Amagiri Ayato within five minutes!

If someone like her had a suitable Pure Star Radiant Armament, a weapon like the Black Furnace Magic Sword, what would she become?

It was precisely that potential that had drawn the attention of so many people.

With abilities like that, if she could not feel confident, then what was she supposed to do?

Fly to the heavens?

"You should be more confident." Azer looked directly at Toudou Kirin. "You're outstanding. There's no doubt about that."

Azer's words made Toudou Kirin raise her head and meet his gaze.

And this time, she did not look away because of shyness or nervousness.

Toudou Kirin gazed at Azer, who stood before her and had been looking at her directly all along, remaining silent for a while.

After a while, Toudou Kirin gathered her courage.

"Why did you specifically choose to challenge me, Senior?"

She had asked that question.