Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe

"Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe"

"What is it?"

Claudia noticed the subtle changes in Azer and the other two's expressions and asked.

Azer said nothing.

Instead, Yulis spoke directly.

"What's going on with Arle Kant?"

There was a trace of displeasure on Yulis's face.

Amagiri Ayato beside her looked much the same, his brows already furrowed.

Claudia immediately understood.

As the Student Council President of Seidoukan Academy, Claudia was no mere figurehead. She had long since investigated the reasons and circumstances behind the many covert attacks on Amagiri Ayato and Yulis before they became teammates, which had forcibly drawn them into that incident.

Thus, she knew that the people who had secretly attacked Yulis and dragged Amagiri Ayato into the affair had actually acted on Arle Kant Research Institute's orders.

In other words, Amagiri Ayato and Yulis held a grudge against Arle Kant Research Institute.

So Claudia shared what she knew.

"As far as I know, Arle Kant doesn't have any particularly powerful outstanding contestants participating in this Phoenix Star Martial Festival. Not to mention highly ranked competitors at the level of Page One's Twelve—there are very few contestants even within the rankings." Claudia paused lightly before continuing, "However, this year's Phoenix Star Martial Festival may undergo some special changes."

Everyone other than Azer was immediately drawn in by that statement.

"Special changes?"

Toudou Kirin looked somewhat puzzled.

"There's nothing strange about that." Claudia explained, "Since the Star Martial Festival is a major global event intended to draw the attention of people around the world, the Operating Committee responsible for running it usually keeps trying new measures to build excitement."

"For that reason, every Star Martial Festival may see changes to certain rules or special experiments."

"If those experiments benefit the Star Martial Festival, the rules will continue to be used in future festivals."

"If they prove harmful, they will be discarded."

Claudia had clearly received some information in advance, but it was inconvenient for her to reveal it.

"This Phoenix Star Martial Festival is one such case. Arle Kant may very well be the greatest beneficiary. Even if they do not have anyone with particularly high rankings participating, it would be best if everyone did not let down their guard."

At that, Amagiri Ayato and Yulis both frowned and fell silent.

"What about Lefevre?" Toudou Kirin asked timidly. "Does Lefevre have any contestants we need to watch out for?"

"Of course." Claudia nodded. "Rather, in this Phoenix Star Martial Festival, aside from Arle Kant, Lefevre is the academy that requires the most attention."

Claudia enlarged one of the many windows.

The next moment, everyone saw someone's profile.

It was a girl with a fierce expression, someone who looked extremely difficult to provoke, like the boss lady of a gang.

"Irene Ursais, ranked third at Lefevre Black Academy. Her title is the Bloodthirst Tyrant Princess. Aside from Azer, she is the highest-ranked student in this Phoenix Star Martial Festival."

Claudia's voice reached everyone's ears.

"She is the wielder of the Pure Star Radiant Armament—Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe. Although she is ranked below Azer, if she were at Seidoukan, she would have the ability to compete for Ranked First."

Claudia's words made everyone's expressions turn grave.

By now, even Amagiri Ayato, who had only recently arrived, had gained a fairly thorough understanding of the various academies.

Therefore, everyone knew that compared to the other academies, Seidoukan Academy's overall strength was nearly at the bottom.

It was still manageable when compared with Queenveil Girls' Academy. The nature of that academy itself meant it would not have many strong students; even if it did, they would only be isolated cases. Against that academy, Seidoukan Academy still held an advantage.

It was also possible to compare it with Arle Kant Research Institute. The other side was an academy dedicated to research, the only one among the Six Academies with a research institute division. Though it possessed top-tier technology and its students used Huang-style Armaments with performance superior to those of the other academies, it was ultimately an academy focused primarily on research. Even if it had powerful students, it would not necessarily surpass Seidoukan as a whole.

But compared with Seidoukan Academy, Jielong Seventh Academy, and Lefevre Black Academy, Seidoukan fell short.

This was also related to the nature of those academies.

Seidoukan Academy was the only noble academy among the Six Academies. It regarded discipline and loyalty as absolute principles, maintained strict school rules, and fervently promoted chivalry. Every student believed swordsmanship was the proper path, so most used swords as weapons and focused solely on refining their sword techniques. It had produced many powerful swordsmen, so its overall strength naturally could not be low.

Jielong Seventh Academy was the largest academy among the Six Academies. It was also the only academy that, in addition to a Middle School Department, Senior High Department, and University Department, had an Elementary Department. They believed martial arts had to be cultivated from childhood, so martial traditions flourished within the academy. Coupled with their mastery of a technology that popularized Omni-Response Element sensing abilities known as "Star Immortal Art," their students were generally stronger than those of the other academies.

As for Lefevre Black Academy, its school culture was one of extreme belligerence. It revered duels above all else and worshipped strength. The individual combat ability of students who could survive at that academy was generally exceptional. Yet it was also the most chaotic academy. It was not only filled with students who violated rules and all manner of delinquent behavior—even most criminals came from there. It had close ties with the Redevelopment Zone, where lawbreakers gathered, and many students would stop at nothing in pursuit of victory.

Under such circumstances, the overall strength of those three academies was naturally superior, and their students were generally stronger than those from the other three academies.

In previous Star Martial Festivals, the academy that took first place in the overall results was usually one of those three.

Irene Ursais was a powerhouse who could rank among the top three even at Lefevre Black Academy. If someone like her came to Seidoukan Academy, there was no way she could be weaker than Toudou Kirin. Saying that she could compete for Ranked First was absolutely no exaggeration.

"Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe..." Yulis said thoughtfully. "Is that the Pure Star Radiant Armament that has appeared in the Star Martial Festival many times before?"

"Yes." Claudia confirmed Yulis's words. "This Pure Star Radiant Armament is very special. It has a high Suitability Rate with anyone, so it has had multiple wielders. On top of that, it is extremely powerful, making it rather famous even among Pure Star Radiant Armaments."

"However..."

Claudia glanced at the silent Azer beside her. For some reason, a cryptic smile appeared on her face.

"However, the price of wielding this Pure Star Radiant Armament is tremendous. Basically, no one has been able to use it well. If the Bloodthirst Tyrant Princess can fully bring out its power, then she will undoubtedly become a formidable opponent for all of you."

The profile also showed that the Bloodthirst Tyrant Princess's partner was a student who had not even entered the rankings.

She was the Bloodthirst Tyrant Princess's younger sister. Her abilities were ordinary, and she could even be described as harmless.

Yet despite having such a partner dragging her down, Claudia still believed that she was the opponent from Lefevre Black Academy who required the most caution.

This showed just how great a threat Irene Ursais posed, making everyone's expressions grow increasingly grave.

Only Azer had not spoken from beginning to end.

As he looked at the fierce-looking woman in the window, Azer's eyes flickered slightly.

If I remember correctly, that woman should have been specially sent by that fat man from Lefevre to target the wielder of the Black Furnace Magic Sword, right?

In the original story, this woman had entered the Phoenix Star Martial Festival specifically to deal with Amagiri Ayato.

Then... who was her target this time?

Looks like I need to find an opportunity to confirm it.

While Azer was thinking this, Claudia finally finished explaining the information on the strong teams from each academy.

"I'll send everyone more detailed information later," Claudia said. "This is all I can do for you. The rest will depend on your own efforts."

Everyone nodded in succession.

And so, Seidoukan Academy's Summer Vacation began a few days later.

But Asterisk only grew livelier and livelier.

All kinds of tourists began arriving one after another, and the atmosphere throughout the city grew increasingly heated.

The Phoenix Star Martial Festival had begun without a sound.