Who Agrees? Who Objects?

The shopping weekend warmly hosted by the Rebel Army came to a noisy close, and Hagun Academy's gates opened once more.

Announcements flashed across the students' mobile terminals as everyone surged like a tide toward the auditorium where the opening ceremony had been held.

Today was the crucial moment for the official announcement of the new rules for the school's selection matches.

Rather than entering through the main doors with the crowd, Kashu and the others took the staff passage and arrived backstage first.

Touka Toudou, the student council president, had already arrived and was waiting with all the student council members.

"Welcome, everyone. I look forward to working with you over the coming days."

Touka Toudou gave a courteous bow, while the other four student council officers smiled amiably and nodded in greeting.

Kashu casually waved a hand and spoke to the student council members.

"You're too polite, President. As seniors in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, we're the ones who should be relying on your guidance."

Touka Toudou raised a hand to adjust her thick-framed glasses and nodded with a smile.

"Then we'll support each other. With all of you joining us this year, Hagun Academy's results will surely reach new heights!"

Ikki Kurogane and the others stood quietly nearby, watching Kashu and Touka Toudou converse with such effortless understanding, their faces filled with confusion.

They had only received a message on their mobile terminals telling them to gather backstage first. They knew nothing of the circumstances.

Only Stella knew a little of what was going on. Her gaze swept across those present as she fell into thought.

Aside from the student council members handling behind-the-scenes work, there were herself, Kashu, Ikki Kurogane, Shizuku Kurogane, Touka Toudou, and Nagi Arisuin—

Exactly six people. No more, no less.

By now, Hagun Academy's students had mostly gathered in the auditorium, and the roar of voices faintly penetrated the soundproofing into the backstage area.

"The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival selection is finally starting!"

"Why are you so excited? Do you really think a D-rank like you can get selected?"

"W-What—cut it out! This year's selection isn't based on ability ratings, so maybe I really can make it!"

"Heh, if you can get selected, then all of us can get selected too."

"Exactly, exactly."

"You wanna go? Fight me after school if you've got the guts!"

Listening to the increasingly heated noise outside, Kashu swept his gaze across the backstage area and asked,

"Where's the chairwoman? She wouldn't be late for an occasion like this, would she?"

Touka Toudou smiled somewhat awkwardly and explained,

"The committee has quite a few objections to the new selection format. The chairwoman is dealing with them."

As she spoke, she lightly patted her ample chest as though encouraging herself, then rallied her spirits.

"I'll take charge of the briefing from here!"

A moment later, Touka Toudou walked onto the stage with steady steps.

When the students in the auditorium saw the student council president take the stage, the commotion subsided. They held their breath and waited for her to speak.

Touka Toudou carried herself with poise. After adjusting the microphone, she spoke in a serious tone.

"Good morning, everyone. I am Touka Toudou, a third-year student and the student council president of Hagun Academy."

"I am sure you all know that you have been gathered here today to select the representatives who will compete in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival."

"Now, I will introduce the six main representatives."

The auditorium erupted into an uproar.

"Did I hear that right? The student council president said she was introducing the main representatives directly?"

"That's what she said... but why?"

"Yeah! Didn't they say they were introducing a new format this year? Picking the main lineup directly is just going back to the old way, isn't it?"

"Did the chairwoman fail to withstand the committee's pressure?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Do you have a death wish?"

Discussion flooded the auditorium. Even Touka Toudou, microphone in hand, could not suppress the thunderous voices.

Boom—!

A vast, overwhelming surge of magical power suddenly burst from backstage, and an invisible pressure instantly seized everyone's hearts.

The roaring voices stopped abruptly. As though invisible hands had clamped around their throats, the students fell dead silent, terrified gazes turning in unison toward the stage.

Scarlet particles of magical power spilled from Kashu's body as he walked step by step to Touka Toudou's side, signaling for her to move aside.

He stepped onto the stage, took the microphone, and tapped it twice. His voice rang out like a great bell.

"If you're done making noise, then listen carefully!"

"The main representatives have already been decided. There are six of them—"

"Class 3-3, Touka Toudou."

"Class 1-1, Kashu Animusphere."

"Class 1-1, Stella Vermillion."

"Class 1-1, Ikki Kurogane."

"Class 1-4, Shizuku Kurogane."

"Class 1-4, Nagi Arisuin."

"I'm finished speaking. Who agrees? Who objects?"

In an instant, the oppressive magical pressure vanished.

Only then did the students in the auditorium feel as though they had been pardoned. They lowered their heads and exchanged uncertain, startled looks.

After hearing Kashu announce the main representative lineup, it would have been absurd to say that every student had no objections.

Touka Toudou had represented the academy twice and had nearly defeated the Seven Stars Sword King last year. Her strength was beyond question, so her selection as a main representative was only natural.

The strength of the two newly promoted A-rank Knights was unfathomable. It was only reasonable for them to receive main representative positions, and no one was foolish enough to provoke them.

Shizuku Kurogane had ranked third in the freshman assessment and was one of the rare B-rank Knights. Her selection was understandable enough.

But!

What was with the other two?

Nagi Arisuin was an obscure nobody at the edge of the school. No one had even heard of him before.

Ikki Kurogane was an F-rank student mockingly called the Failed Knight because he had been held back.

What right did people like them have to be selected as main representatives?

Just as everyone remained silent out of fear of Kashu, Shizuya Kirihara raised his arm abruptly, his face twisted with resentment, and shouted sharply.

"I object!"

Seeing everyone's attention turn toward him, his expression grew even more smug. He straightened his back and pointed at Stella and the others filing out from backstage.

No, more precisely, his finger was locked firmly on Ikki Kurogane.

"Ikki Kurogane is an F-rank! Everyone knows that! What qualifications does he have to represent the academy?"

"Even if this year's standards aren't based on ability ratings, why should a Failed Knight like him be selected?"

Kashu looked down at Shizuya Kirihara, who was stirring up the crowd like a clown, narrowed his eyes, and spoke in an even tone.

"If you have objections, don't just flap your gums. I'll give you a chance."

"Starting today, the main representatives will openly accept challenges from every student."

"Anyone among you who believes they're stronger than the six of us, come at us!"

"The winner takes the spot, and the loser steps down. If you win, the main representative position is yours!"

At those words, Shizuya Kirihara could barely hide his delight. Without hesitation, he pointed at Ikki Kurogane and snarled,

"Fine! I challenge Ikki Kurogane right now! Immediately! This instant!"

This clown, who believed victory was already in his grasp, failed to notice that Kashu was looking down at him as though he were the perfect straight man.

Behind Kashu, Ikki Kurogane stood as still as an abyss and as firm as a mountain. His gaze was calm yet blazed like the sun, his aura restrained yet concealing a razor-sharp edge that made others afraid to meet his eyes.