Burning Life Asura! Forbidden Sword!

A breeze swept up withered leaves, sending them spiraling down the silent street.

Ikki Kurogane forcibly suppressed his surging blood and qi, unable to hide the shock in his eyes as he hurriedly asked.

"Could it be that Kashu also possesses an ability similar to my imitation swordsmanship?"

"It's troublesome to explain. Just think of it that way."

Kashu waved a hand casually. With each breath, the fluctuations of his magic power abruptly intensified.

"I'm also curious about your imitation swordsmanship. Try replicating one of my moves again."

Flame Form: Burning Wing!

In an instant, blazing flames surged over the platinum sword, burning fiercely.

The wings of a crimson dragon spread with force, and a terrifying heatwave rushed at him. Ikki Kurogane's expression turned bitter as he retreated at high speed, not daring to meet its edge head-on.

Having forced back his opponent with a single move, Kashu did not pursue. He merely held the platinum sword casually behind him and said aloud.

"Kurogane, imitating my moves isn't so simple. Besides the movements, you also need to learn how to properly channel magic power."

Ikki Kurogane breathed lightly and repeated, "Properly... channel magic power?"

Leaving aside the rhythm of breathing for the moment, magic power was the fundamental difference between them.

Complete Magic Breathing worked from the inside out. Movements alone could only replicate the form, not the essence.

Ikki Kurogane lacked magic power. Simply enhancing his physical abilities was already his limit.

In other words, there was no way he could wield magic power as freely as Kashu did and command so many elemental forces.

"What, you haven't used your full strength yet? Or could it be—"

Thunder Form: Light Fang!

The sky exploded with light as the slash tore through the air, swift as devouring lightning and vicious as dragon fangs. One moment of carelessness would mean being smashed to pieces!

Steel clashed against steel, scattering sparks!

Kashu pressed Ikki Kurogane down until he was half-kneeling on the ground. Raising an eyebrow, he asked.

"Did you think you could still fight me so effortlessly?"

After barely blocking that fierce strike, swift as a thunderbolt, Ikki Kurogane's gaze abruptly changed, sharpness blazing from within.

He rolled away to create distance, then rose to his feet and held Dark Iron across his chest as he apologized in a low voice.

"You're right. Lacking the talent of a Mage Knight, I have no right to be arrogant. From now on, I won't retreat again!"

"This is only a practical sparring match. If I don't give it everything I have even now, how could I face the self I swore my life upon?"

"Kashu, please witness the results of all my efforts so far!"

One-Sword Asura!

Boom—!

Azure flames erupted from his body, and a torrent of magic power far greater than before surged forth, cracking the long street beneath his feet!

Before Kashu could ask anything, Ikki Kurogane had already shattered the ground beneath him and shot forward with a ferocity no less than Light Fang!

Seventh Secret Sword: Lightning Flash!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The explosive ringing of steel against steel came without end, echoing through the dormitory streets.

Ikki Kurogane, who had been struggling moments ago, now transformed into a blood-soaked asura. He charged forward without hesitation, his attacks crashing down like waves, every strike a gamble with his life!

The smile vanished from Kashu's face. His gaze turned serious as he reassessed Ikki Kurogane before him.

Under the vision of the Transparent World, the human body held no secrets.

After activating that so-called One-Sword Asura, Ikki Kurogane had compressed every bit of energy in his body and unleashed it all in a single instant!

His total magic power had not truly increased. Instead, he had forcibly drawn out the life potential buried deep within himself, staking everything on one desperate attempt!

Yet, like the Demon Slayer Mark, this kind of poison-drinking battle method was a forbidden art that prematurely depleted the very source of one's life. It could never last long!

His opponent's resolve to fight with his life on the line was indeed worthy of respect!

Moon Form: Dark Claw!

Five black claw shadows tore through the night sky, unstoppable in their sharpness!

After failing to break through for so long and then suffering a heavy blow, Ikki Kurogane staggered and rolled several meters away.

Kashu shouted sharply, "Stop, Kurogane! If this continues, you'll die!"

"Cough... cough! Thanks for your concern... I'm... not in that bad a state yet..."

Before he could finish speaking, the azure flames surrounding Ikki Kurogane abruptly went out. The surging magic power also dissipated, becoming almost imperceptible.

"Hm!?"

Kashu's eyes widened in surprise as he studied Ikki Kurogane, who sat slumped on the ground, temporarily too weak to rise.

Indeed, after using One-Sword Asura, his opponent's strength had been completely drained, leaving him unable even to move.

But was that all?

He had clearly used a secret technique that depleted the source of his life, yet he could still restrain it on his own after the battle?

This was truly beyond Kashu's expectations, leaving him secretly amazed.

"Kurogane, your creativity far exceeds what I expected. It rivals that genius swordsman who created Breathing Styles long ago."

Ikki Kurogane barely steadied his breathing. Curiosity filled his eyes as he hurriedly asked.

"May I ask that genius swordsman's name? Um..."

"Don't misunderstand. I've studied swordsmanship schools from all over the world, but I've never encountered techniques like yours before, so I was just curious."

Kashu spoke with a hint of emotion. "His name was Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a swordsman whose talent was enough to touch the divine."

"Because of his indifferent nature and wandering life, he left behind no legacy. I only learned his style through a fortunate coincidence."

After hearing Kashu's explanation, Ikki Kurogane lowered his head, his eyes flickering as he hesitated over whether to ask for instruction in Magic Breathing.

It was rare to encounter someone who did not fear the influence of the Kurogane family and was willing to acknowledge his efforts. He truly did not want to seem overly calculating.

"Want to exchange secret techniques?"

For a moment, Ikki Kurogane nearly thought he had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud.

But he immediately realized that those words had come from Kashu.

"I think highly of your One-Sword Asura. It may be able to solve a problem that has troubled me for a long time."

"In exchange, I'll teach you everything I know about a Magic Breathing style suited to you."

"Will you consider it?"

Consider it?

What the hell is there to consider?

Ikki Kurogane's eyes widened. Somehow, a burst of strength surged through his exhausted body, and he sprang to his feet!

"No need to consider it. I agree!"

As Kashu helped Ikki Kurogane back toward the dormitory, Stella stood atop the dormitory building with her arms crossed, looking down below as brilliance flickered repeatedly in her eyes.

The princess, who held absolute confidence in her own strength, was brimming with vigor. The intense battle just now had not shaken her in the slightest.

"One is a powerful practical combat opponent on my level. The other possesses Blazer techniques I've never even heard of."

"Coming to Hagun Academy was indeed the right choice!"

Chairman's office.

Kurono Shinguuji shifted her gaze away from the surveillance footage and turned to the other observer.

"What do you think?"

Nene Saikyo held an iron fan. Though petite in stature, she wore an oversized kimono and covered her lips as she gave a deliberately mature little laugh.

"Which one are you asking about, Little Kuro?"

"Don't call me Little Kuro!"

Kurono Shinguuji waved her hand irritably.

"I roughly understand Kurogane's situation. As for that new kid..."

"He's very strong."

Nene Saikyo snapped open her iron fan, concealing her chin as she replied with narrowed, smiling eyes.

"That boy never used his full strength from start to finish. Even when the Kurogane family brat used a forbidden secret technique, it was still the same."

"Little Kuro, you really found a treasure this time."

Kurono Shinguuji could not be bothered to correct her troublesome friend again. Leaning back in her luxurious office chair, she muttered softly.

"Let's hope so."