As the days passed, the number of battles erupting in Hagun Academy's arena grew fewer and fewer.
After being tempered through one real battle after another, even the most stubborn students gradually came to realize just how powerful the main representatives were.
Every day, Kashu and the others accepted challenges from students of different ranks and grades, yet they had never suffered a defeat.
The students acknowledged the six of them, convinced that they could bring back the Seven Stars Sword King trophy that Hagun Academy had been without for so long.
Just as the campus was filled with harmony because of that shared anticipation, undercurrents from beyond the academy had already begun to stir quietly, bringing new pressure with them.
At the campus café, Kashu arrived for a meeting at the Committee's invitation.
The moment he stepped into the lounge, where lazy blues drifted through the air, a bloated figure as fat as a hog, reeking of money, came into view—
It was Akaza.
"Welcome, welcome. You must be Hagun's renowned Radiant Dragon Holy Sword. Please, have a seat. What would you like to drink?"
A seemingly warm smile squeezed onto Akaza's fat-laden face, his voice oily.
As though he had not seen the man at all, Kashu walked straight past him and sat opposite him. His gaze swept over the bar as he spoke calmly.
"Then I'll have a Darjeeling."
Akaza studied the boy before him, who showed no trace of nervousness and remained perfectly composed. A faint, nearly imperceptible sneer flashed through his tiny eyes beneath his sunglasses.
"Of course. I never expected Student Kashu to be so knowledgeable about beverages."
"As long as it's drinkable, even plain boiled water is fine."
As Kashu spoke, he accepted the Darjeeling delivered by the waiter and lowered his head