Azer vs. Toudou Kirin

At the same time, in another contestants' area, Toudou Kirin sat alone on a long row of chairs.

Wearing the Middle School Department uniform, with a real sword sheathed at her waist, Toudou Kirin waited quietly for her turn while looking at the window open before her.

Displayed on it was someone's profile, exceptionally detailed. Everything from his enrollment until now—his performances, grades, changes in ability, even trivial matters such as eating habits—had been recorded clearly, without a single omission.

Naturally, these were the intelligence files her uncle had prepared for her. Toudou Kirin had read and studied them countless times, and their contents were completely memorized, to the point that she could recite them backward.

Yet every time she studied or read them, Toudou Kirin could not help but be amazed.

"Just over a month ago, he was still so ordinary. But after becoming the wielder of the Black Furnace Magic Sword, Senior Azer became completely different from before..."

Based on the intelligence Toudou Kouichirou had gathered, the changes Azer had undergone since obtaining the Black Furnace Magic Sword could only be described as a complete rebirth.

During his previous match against the former Rank Thirteen, Arkti Vanken, Azer's performance had already been astonishing. Yet according to the intelligence Toudou Kouichirou had collected, his strength seemed to go far beyond that level.

Although Azer had not fought anyone since the previous Official Ranking Battle, someone claimed to have seen him training in the morning. They had seen him run far faster than he had during the last ranking battle, as well as perform a sword dance that could only be called divine.

Toudou Kouichirou had used his own methods to gather this intelligence and place it all in Toudou Kirin's hands. That was why Toudou Kirin had marveled at the files more than once.

"...I'm looking forward to it a little."

Toudou Kirin unconsciously voiced that thought, surprising even herself.

In Toudou Kirin's imagination, she should have been feeling conflicted and weighed down as she faced this challenge.

But when she truly arrived here, at this very moment, the first thing she felt was not nervousness or heaviness. Instead, she found herself looking forward to it.

What that meant, Toudou Kirin understood very well.

"More than all those complicated matters, I want to have a fair and honest match with Senior Azer... is that it?"

After all, she was a swordswoman.

And as a swordswoman, she could not possibly remain unmoved by a powerful opponent.

Realizing that she still possessed the fighting spirit of a swordswoman, that she was a swordswoman who longed for powerful opponents, Toudou Kirin smiled involuntarily.

"Please enter the arena for the next duel."

At that moment, the amplified announcement in the contestants' area rang out, and the school emblem on Toudou Kirin's chest glimmered faintly.

There was no one else left in the contestants' area besides Toudou Kirin, proving that all the other duels had concluded.

Next was her duel.

"...All right!"

Toudou Kirin patted her cheeks and stood up.

The sword at her waist swayed slightly, producing a clear clinking sound, as though it too anticipated the coming battle.

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO—!"

On the Comprehensive Arena's largest stage, the audience, having enjoyed all the previous duels, erupted into cheers and drove the atmosphere to its peak.

The final battle was about to begin. The two duelists had emerged from their respective contestant tunnels, and the crowd could not contain its excitement or applause.

"It's finally starting."

In the premium seats, Amagiri Ayato and the others all sat up straight, watching the man and woman slowly approach one another in the arena with solemn expressions.

In contrast, for some reason, both Azer and Toudou Kirin wore smiles.

Before long, the two arrived at the center of the stage and stood facing each other at a distance.

Gazing at the petite girl opposite him, Azer narrowed his eyes, as though he had noticed something.

"Looks like you're in good condition, Toudou."

Azer said so with a smile.

"Yes, even I'm surprised." Toudou Kirin wore a serene smile unlike her usual expression, her mood unexpectedly calm. "Originally, there were many things I wanted to say to you, Senior, and many questions I hoped you could answer. But now that I'm truly standing here, I've realized that those things do not seem very important anymore."

"Doesn't that prove what a qualified swordswoman you are?" Azer met Toudou Kirin's gaze directly. "Although you said you were useless, when you stand here like this, your actions have already told you what an incredible person you are."

"...Perhaps this is my only strength. Apart from holding a sword, I can't do anything else." Toudou Kirin fell silent for a moment, then her expression turned serious as she looked at Azer. "That is why I will seek the answer I want in this duel. Through my sword, I will find out what your true intentions are, Senior."

"There's no need to make it so complicated." Azer shook his head. "When this duel is over, I'll tell you what I intend to do."

"Okay." Toudou Kirin nodded firmly, her voice becoming strong and resolute. "Then please teach me, Senior."

As she spoke, Toudou Kirin slowly drew the sword at her waist.

The blade scraped against the scabbard, ringing out clearly as Toudou Kirin drew it free.

"The blade is two shaku, three sun, and four bu long. This is a famous sword crafted by Inoue Shinkai. Its name is—Thousand Feather Cut."

Toudou Kirin gripped the sword with both hands and assumed a middle stance, its tip aimed at Azer.

"Please teach me."

At that moment, Toudou Kirin's aura changed.

Her originally delicate air became icy, while her bearing turned cold and razor-sharp, as though she had been possessed by a Valkyrie, making those who saw her tremble slightly.

The girl named Toudou Kirin seemed to vanish the moment she took hold of her sword. In her place stood the female swordswoman known as Gale Blade Lightning—the undisputed strongest in this academy, currently Ranked First.

This was the true Toudou Kirin.

"Clang!"

Scarlet radiance blossomed from the black Activation Device, making the red Omni-Response Crystal particularly dazzling on the stage.

A vast amount of Omni-Response Element gathered as astonishing heat was released, condensing into a pure white energy blade that extended from the Activation Device embedded with the Omni-Response Crystal.

"Hum!"

Azer casually swung his sword in a natural, fluid motion, angling its tip toward the ground.

"One of the Four-Colored Magic Swords, the Pure Star Radiant Armament—Black Furnace Magic Sword."

Azer raised the magic sword in his hand and pointed it at Toudou Kirin from afar.

"Please teach me."

As Azer's words fell, the cheers throughout the arena grew even louder.

In the premium seats, Amagiri Ayato pressed hard against the case at his waist.

It was constantly trembling.

"This is...?!"

Amagiri Ayato was somewhat startled.

"Oh my." Seeing this, Claudia immediately smiled. "It seems the connection between magic swords is even deeper than we imagined."

"Has this child become excited after sensing the power of the Black Furnace Magic Sword?"

Hearing that, Amagiri Ayato calmed down. Still pressing the case at his waist, he focused even more intently on the two people below.

"It's about to begin."

Yulis spoke as though she had timed it perfectly, and the school emblems on the chests of the two below simultaneously flashed red.

"Seidoukan Academy, final match of the final group in the Official Ranking Battle: Azer vs. Toudou Kirin."

"Duel—begin!"

The mechanical declaration sounded from the glowing school emblems. Spatial screens bearing Azer's and Toudou Kirin's names appeared above the stage. Like illuminated signboards, they rotated as they sprang apart to either side, passing through the two duelists' bodies.

"Ding!"

The next instant, a loud signal sounded.

"Clang—"

Star Dust immediately began to dance around Toudou Kirin, causing the Star Power within her body to surge.

"I'm coming, Senior!"

Toudou Kirin declared loudly.

"Come."

Azer revealed a fearless expression.

Then, almost in the blink of an eye, Toudou Kirin shot toward Azer.

Her speed... was terrifyingly fast!