Chapter Summaries

Azer defended his partnership with Toudou Kirin by explaining why this year’s Phoenix Star Martial Festival offered them a real chance to win. Toudou Kouichirou left in defeat, while Kirin renewed her resolve to win the tournament and save her father.

• Toudou Kouichirou mocked Azer and Kirin, claiming they were too weak to compete with other academies’ strongest students.
• Azer agreed that the pair could not match the greatest fighters but explained that the top contenders would mostly skip this year’s Phoenix Star Martial Festival.
• Azer argued that he and Kirin might be the only Ranked First students competing and that they had their best chance of victory at this festival.
• Azer told Toudou Kouichirou to leave with the dignity he had left, and Kouichirou departed without replying.
• Toudou Kirin felt pain at seeing her uncle leave but resolved to win the Phoenix Star Martial Festival and save her father.

Azer invited Toudou Kirin to partner with him in the Phoenix Star Martial Festival and laid out the formidable opponents they would face. They agreed to train together and pursue the championship, with a month left before the tournament began.

• Azer thanked Toudou Kirin for accepting his invitation, and she bowed to express her gratitude for giving her hope of saving her father.
• Azer assured Toudou Kirin that he had chosen her because of her strength and said they had to win the Phoenix Star Martial Festival.
• Azer warned Toudou Kirin about strong competitors from other academies, especially Amagiri Ayato and Yulis-Alexia von Lisette.
• Azer proposed that they begin training the next day to build teamwork, and Toudou Kirin agreed to do her best with him.

After Azer and Toudou Kirin announced their plans to compete in the Phoenix Star Martial Festival, several powerful figures watched their duel and took an interest in Azer. The chapter ended with a girl from the Redevelopment Zone looking forward to meeting him again.

• A student council president watched Azer's duel with Toudou Kirin and ordered a woman released to register for the Phoenix Star Martial Festival and cripple Azer.
• A little girl in Jielong praised the potential of Azer and Toudou Kirin and eagerly anticipated seeing how far Azer would grow.
• A girl in the Redevelopment Zone watched Azer's duel and recalled sensing the Black Furnace Magic Sword's will, which led her to believe he was its true master.
• The girl in the Redevelopment Zone said she hoped to meet Azer at the King Dragon Star Martial Festival, then left behind defeated delinquents.

Azer and Toudou Kirin fought in Ranked First's private training room, where Azer defeated her by combining swordsmanship with the Black Furnace Magic Sword's independent movement. After nearly a month of training together, Kirin recognized how much stronger Azer had become.

• Toudou Kirin attacked Azer with a relentless chain of Toudou Style slashes, and he calmly deflected them with the Black Furnace Magic Sword.
• Azer shifted to offense, knocked Kirin back, then threw the Black Furnace Magic Sword at her and pinned her against the wall with its tip aimed at her brow.
• Azer checked that Kirin was unharmed and explained that her attacks left openings when an opponent countered them unexpectedly.
• Azer told Kirin that he lowered the Black Furnace Magic Sword's heat and power during their sparring so it would not cut through Thousand Feather Cut.
• Toudou Kirin said Azer had grown strong enough to beat her through swordsmanship alone, and Azer replied that it depended on the situation.

Azer reflected on how his armament authority let him unleash a weapon’s full power but did not grant skill beyond what the weapon could support, and realized he needed Omni-Response Crystals to grow stronger. With the Phoenix Star Martial Festival opening the following week, he and Toudou Kirin met Claudia, Amagiri Ayato, and Yulis to review the tournament groupings.

• Azer concluded that his swordsmanship depended on the weapon he wielded and that ordinary Omni-Response Ore could no longer improve his strength.
• Azer decided that winning the Phoenix Star Martial Festival could give him a chance to obtain Omni-Response Crystals from the Integrated Enterprise Foundation.
• Toudou Kirin and Azer discussed the approaching summer break and the festival’s opening the following week.
• Azer and Toudou Kirin went to the Student Council Office, where they met Amagiri Ayato and Yulis.
• The two pairs traded confident promises to give their all if they met in the tournament.
• Claudia announced that the organizers had released the groupings and opened a Spatial Window to show them.

Claudia explained the Phoenix Star Martial Festival’s tournament format and Seidoukan Academy’s need to score highly, then presented the strongest competing teams. Azer, Amagiri Ayato, and Yulis reacted as Claudia began discussing Lefevre Black Academy and Arle Kant Research Institute.

• Toudou Kirin marveled at the tournament roster, and Claudia explained that 512 participants formed 256 teams competing across Asterisk’s stages.
• Amagiri Ayato noted that the brackets made it unlikely for teammates to face each other early, and Yulis agreed that strong teams would be separated.
• Claudia outlined the preliminaries and official schedule, explaining that only results beyond the Top Thirty-Two counted toward each academy’s score.
• Claudia stressed that Seidoukan Academy needed strong results in the Phoenix Star Martial Festival to improve its overall standing and reclaim its past success.
• Claudia presented the strongest teams from each academy, including Seidoukan’s Doroteo Remus and Elliot Forster, Jielong’s Li Shenyun and Li Shenhua, and Queenveil’s Sandra Sejour and Nina Achenval.
• Azer, Amagiri Ayato, and Yulis narrowed their eyes as Claudia began to discuss the teams from Lefevre Black Academy and Arle Kant Research Institute.

Claudia briefed Azer, Amagiri Ayato, Yulis, and Toudou Kirin on potential Phoenix Star Martial Festival rule changes and the strongest opposing contestants. As the festival began, Azer wondered whether Irene Ursais had been sent to target him instead of Amagiri Ayato.

• Yulis asked Claudia about Arle Kant, and Claudia warned that it might benefit from special changes to this year's festival despite having few highly ranked contestants.
• Claudia identified Lefevre as a major threat and introduced Irene Ursais, its third-ranked student and wielder of the Pure Star Radiant Armament Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe.
• Claudia explained that Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe was powerful but carried a tremendous cost, and she warned that Irene could become formidable if she mastered it.
• Azer suspected that Irene had been sent to target the wielder of the Black Furnace Magic Sword and wondered whether he was her target this time.
• Claudia promised to send detailed team information, and Seidoukan Academy's summer vacation began as tourists arrived and the Phoenix Star Martial Festival got underway.

Azer and Toudou Kirin attended the Phoenix Star Martial Festival’s opening ceremony at Sirius Dome, where Azer noticed chairman Matthias Mesa briefly watching him. Their first-round match was called, and they headed to the contestant area ready to compete.

• Asterisk celebrated the Phoenix Star Martial Festival as crowds filled the city and the opening ceremony began at Sirius Dome.
• Toudou Kirin was overwhelmed by the packed stadium, while Azer sensed Matthias Mesa’s strength and noticed him glance their way.
• After the ceremony, Azer and Toudou Kirin confirmed that their first-round match would take place at Sirius Dome.
• Azer reassured Toudou Kirin that they could rest and train at the academy after their match, then patted her head.
• The announcement called Azer and Toudou Kirin’s match, and they set off for the contestant area determined to finish quickly.

Azer and Toudou Kirin faced two Lefevre Black Academy students in the Phoenix Star Martial Festival as the crowd and commentators focused on their fame. After one opponent made lewd remarks about Kirin, Azer intercepted him and used the Black Furnace Magic Sword to blast and scorch him, leaving the match underway.

• Azer and Toudou Kirin entered the Sirius Dome as commentators introduced them as a popular team of two former Seidoukan Academy Rankeds.
• The two Lefevre Black Academy students insulted Azer and Kirin, and one made a lewd remark about Kirin.
• Azer told Kirin to face the mohawk-haired opponent while he took the seaweed-haired one, then both teams began fighting.
• The seaweed-haired student charged at Kirin, but Azer stepped in and struck him twice with blasts of hot wind from the Black Furnace Magic Sword.
• Azer threatened the scorched opponent as he lay on the stage, while the match continued.

Azer and Toudou Kirin easily won their first-round match, drawing the attention of the Phoenix Star Martial Festival’s other contestants. In the lounge, they watched Amagiri Ayato reveal the Azure Cry Magic Sword and defeat his opponents in a single swift move.

• Azer and Toudou Kirin defeated their opponents in ten seconds, with Azer scorching one emblem and Kirin shattering the other.
• Azer and Toudou Kirin returned to their lounge and checked Amagiri Ayato and Yulis’s match on the tournament schedule.
• Amagiri Ayato summoned the Azure Cry Magic Sword, which reacted with Azer’s Black Furnace Magic Sword.
• Amagiri Ayato broke free of the chains restraining his Star Power and rushed past both opponents, breaking their school emblems.

After Amagiri Ayato and Yulis-Alexia von Lisette won their match, Azer explained the Azure Cry Magic Sword's power to Toudou Kirin and warned her not to block it with her Thousand Feather Cut. They watched several formidable teams compete, and Azer decided they would attend the Bloodthirst Tyrant Princess's match the next day.

• Amagiri Ayato and Yulis-Alexia von Lisette won their match, and Toudou Kirin acknowledged Amagiri's strength.
• Azer explained that the Azure Cry Magic Sword could sever space and warned Toudou Kirin not to block it with her Thousand Feather Cut.
• Azer and Toudou Kirin watched Doroteo Remus and Elliot Forster, Li Shenyun and Li Shenhua, and Sandra Sejour and Nina Achenval win their matches decisively.
• Toudou Kirin found no other notable teams from Lefevre Black Academy or Arle Kant Research Institute competing that day.
• Azer checked the schedule and told Toudou Kirin they would watch the Bloodthirst Tyrant Princess's match tomorrow.

Azer and Toudou Kirin struggled through Asterisk's crowded, scorching streets to reach Irene Ursais's match, but arrived too late and watched the replay. Azer said his interest in Irene was about more than her weapon, just as two figures approached them in a deserted corridor.

• Azer and Toudou Kirin endured the crowded, sweltering streets as they made their way to the arena to see Irene Ursais compete.
• Toudou Kirin became too exhausted to continue, so Azer carried her the rest of the way.
• Azer and Toudou Kirin arrived after Irene Ursais's match had ended and watched a replay of her powerful performance with the Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe.
• Toudou Kirin warned that Irene would be difficult to defeat, and Azer said the Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe was only one reason he cared about her.
• Two figures appeared at the end of the corridor, and Toudou Kirin recognized them.

Azer and Toudou Kirin encountered Irene Ursais and her younger sister Priscilla in a deserted corridor after coming to watch the tournament matches. Irene suddenly attacked Azer with her Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe, and after he blocked her strike, she declared that defeating him mattered more than remaining in the tournament.

• Irene Ursais and Priscilla Ursais argued as they walked through the corridor, with Priscilla accusing Irene of planning to gamble on Joy Street.
• Irene recognized Azer and Toudou Kirin, questioned why they were there, and grew suspicious when Azer mentioned her Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe.
• Irene activated her scythe and suddenly swung it at Azer's head.
• Azer released Toudou Kirin, activated the Black Furnace Magic Sword, and blocked Irene's attack while Toudou Kirin prepared to draw Thousand Feather Cut.
• Irene said she did not care if she was disqualified as long as she dealt with Azer.

Azer confirmed that Irene Ursais had entered the Phoenix Star Martial Festival to target him, but he defeated her by using the Black Furnace Magic Sword to break her gravity and sever the Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe. Irene left with Priscilla, while Azer resolved to prepare for the bloodshed ahead.

• Azer realized Irene had come to deal with him because he possessed the Black Furnace Magic Sword.
• Irene used the Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe to pin Azer with intense gravity and prepared to strike him.
• Azer unleashed the Black Furnace Magic Sword, broke free of the gravity, and cut through the Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe's blade.
• The explosion knocked Priscilla down, and Toudou Kirin caught Azer as Irene rushed to her sister.
• Irene accused Azer of wielding a terrifying sword, then left with Priscilla after warning him she would not let this go.
• Azer let Irene leave to avoid drawing attention and resolved to prepare for major bloodshed.

After Azer and Toudou Kirin easily advanced to the Top Thirty-Two, the Phoenix Star Martial Festival preliminaries ended and the official schedule awaited them. On the weekend, Claudia invited Azer to the Sirius Dome, where she watched the opening proceedings with him before the tournament draw.

• Azer and Toudou Kirin defeated their second- and third-round opponents, becoming the first team to advance to the Top Thirty-Two.
• Amagiri Ayato and Yulis, along with the other favored teams, also advanced as the preliminaries ended on the festival’s sixth day.
• Azer and Toudou Kirin decided to rest over the weekend before the official schedule began.
• Claudia invited Azer to Seidoukan Academy’s private box at the Sirius Dome, and he arrived in disguise on the seventh day.
• Claudia explained that speeches and a summary meeting would precede the draw, then told Azer she was glad he had come to keep her company.

Azer confronted Claudia about her sudden invitation and her interest in Amagiri Ayato. Claudia revealed that Pandora had changed in ways she believed were connected to Azer, leaving her uncertain about the wish she had planned to fulfill through Amagiri.

• Azer asked Claudia why she had invited him instead of Yulis or Amagiri Ayato.
• Azer explained that Claudia had used her authority to admit Amagiri and had drawn him to Seidoukan Academy by revealing that his sister once attended.
• Claudia admitted she had once cared deeply about Amagiri but was now unsure what she wanted.
• Claudia showed Azer Pandora's Activation Devices and said Pandora had stopped causing her suffering and instead gave her happy dreams.
• Claudia suspected Azer had changed Pandora and noted that Pandora and the Black Furnace Magic Sword had both reacted unusually to him.
• Claudia said she had focused on Amagiri to fulfill one of her wishes, but no longer knew what to do.

Azer confronted Claudia about her wish to die protecting others, arguing that a meaningful life mattered more than a meaningful death. Claudia left to join the drawing ceremony, realizing she wanted Azer and questioning what she truly desired.

• Azer told Claudia that her wish to recreate her death protecting Amagiri Ayato was foolish and urged her to find meaning in living.
• Claudia fell silent as Azer explained that the happiness she had experienced in her dreams had made her doubt her pursuit of death.
• Claudia left the private room for the drawing ceremony and reflected on Azer's words.
• Claudia realized that she wanted Azer, who had appeared in every dream of love, marriage, family, and old age that Pandora had shown her.
• Claudia suspected Pandora had made Azer the center of her happy dreams and continued toward the stage with a sincere smile.

Azer met Toudou Kirin after she waited for him and brought her to his room to discuss the official tournament brackets. They found that their draw was favorable, with no difficult opponents likely before the Top Four semifinals.

• Toudou Kirin waited for Azer on his usual route and told him she wanted to discuss the official schedule brackets.
• Azer invited Toudou Kirin to his room, and she agreed to go there instead of taking him to her own room.
• Azer showed Toudou Kirin his spacious suite, which Seidoukan Academy had assigned him after he became Ranked First.
• Azer asked Toudou Kirin what she thought of the brackets, and she said their draw was good because they were unlikely to face troublesome opponents before the Top Four semifinals.

Azer and Toudou Kirin reviewed the tournament bracket and found that their route to the semifinals appeared relatively easy, while Amagiri Ayato and Yulis faced several of the strongest teams. The chapter left Azer considering Irene Ursais as a likely semifinal opponent.

• Toudou Kirin showed Azer the schedule, which matched them against Lefevre Black Academy's fourteenth- and fifteenth-ranked students in the fourth round.
• Azer and Toudou Kirin predicted they would face a Jielong Seventh Academy pair in the fifth round and Sandra Sejour's Queenveil Girls' Academy team in the quarterfinals.
• Toudou Kirin said she could overcome Sandra Sejour's water-based Pure Star Radiant Armament with Rengeki, and Azer agreed they were favored to advance.
• Azer and Toudou Kirin noted that Amagiri Ayato and Yulis faced strong Jielong teams, Seidoukan's strongest team, and potentially Arle Kant Research Institute's team on their way to the semifinals.
• Azer spotted Irene Ursais in the neighboring bracket and judged that she would most likely be their semifinal opponent.

Irene Ursais learned that she would face Azer and Toudou Kirin in the semifinals and discussed how to counter their weapons with her mysterious contact. Four days later, Irene and her opponents advanced to the semifinal stage of the Phoenix Star Martial Festival.

• Irene Ursais defeated casino enforcers who pursued her through Asterisk’s Redevelopment Zone.
• A mysterious contact told Irene that she would meet Surging Star Magic Sword and Gale Blade Lightning in the semifinals and urged her to exploit Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe’s power.
• Irene’s contact explained that Black Furnace Magic Sword consumed vast amounts of Star Power and advised her to drag Azer into a battle of attrition.
• Irene accepted the mission and vowed not to lose before facing Surging Star Magic Sword, while demanding that Tyrant Collapse Blood Scythe be returned intact.
• Four days later, Azer and Toudou Kirin advanced through their matches, and the anticipated semifinals arrived.