Who Isn't a Herrscher

"Haaaaaah!"

Ayatsuji Ayase swung her Device, "Scarlet Claw," the same type as Ikki's.

"Clang!"

Ikki blocked Ayatsuji Ayase's attack with Yin Iron.

The sound of clashing echoed from the outdoor training grounds as Yin Iron and Scarlet Claw met.

Meanwhile, on a resting bench in the training area, Luo Mio listened to music with headphones on, watching Ikki and Ayase spar with Stella.

The reason they were outdoors was because the hotel's training rooms were all occupied.

Shizuku was with Arisugawa for adjustments, as she had a match today.

Touka, like Arisugawa, had accompanied Kuden'en Kanata.

(La la la la oh oh oh)

(La la la la oh oh oh)

Luo Mio closed his eyes, the gentle music from his headphones causing him to sway his head and tap his foot to the rhythm.

Stella watched Ikki and Ayase's spar with a complicated expression.

Noticing Stella's jealous gaze fixed on Ikki, Luo Mio removed one earbud and said, "If you want Ikki to teach you, just go and ask him."

Hearing this, Stella's face flushed red, and she retorted haughtily, "W-What are you talking about! I never said I wanted I-Ikki to teach me."

Luo Mio stared at her expressionlessly.

"Oh, really?"

Stella's face grew redder under his gaze.

She then lowered her head, tapping her index fingers together, and mumbled, "He refuses to teach me swordsmanship, but he's willing to teach a senior he just met."

Upon hearing Stella's words, Luo Mio glanced at the two sparring on the field and said, "I think I know why Ikki is unwilling to teach you swordsmanship."

"Huh?"

"It's because Stella doesn't need Ikki's swordsmanship guidance."

"What do you mean?"

"Just what I said. Ikki's sword fights with 'technique,' while yours crushes opponents with 'power.' From the fundamental principles of your swordsmanship, Ikki's guidance probably wouldn't improve your skills. It might even have negative side effects."

"With Ikki's discerning eye, like a demon-reflecting mirror, if there were any flaws in your swordsmanship, he would have pointed them out long ago."

"Besides, I've watched your matches. Every movement when you swing your sword—your arms, wrists, the tips of your feet, knees, and waist—each attack is connected perfectly and smoothly. So, for Ikki to guide your swordsmanship, you'd have to be a child for him to teach you from scratch."

After hearing Luo Mio's analysis, Stella felt a sense of relief, followed by deep regret.

Why did I train my swordsmanship to be so perfect when I already have so much Magic Power! I'm such an idiot!

"Hey~ Claude, look, there's a training ground here."

A voice called out.

Then, a noisy group of dozens of young men and women, looking like delinquents, gathered.

Behind the group of young hoodlums, the tall man Luo Mio had seen in the infirmary yesterday walked over.

Their appearance also caught Ikki and the others' attention.

Ikki and Stella's attention wasn't on the group of delinquents, but on the tall man leading them.

The Sword Eater—Kurashiki Kurato.

"Oh my! Isn't that Ayase?"

The group instantly spotted Ayase sparring on the field.

They then noisily approached Ayase.

"Why haven't you been coming home lately? We've missed you so much~"

"Wow, that sounds really gross."

"Gahahahaha."

However, Ayase kept her head down, refusing to look at them, her hand gripping Scarlet Claw trembling slightly.

The group didn't notice her clenched hands and continued talking amongst themselves.

Seeing this, Ikki frowned.

"Excuse me, you're bothering my friend."

One of the hot-tempered delinquents sneered at Ikki and said arrogantly, "Who the hell are you to butt in?"

He then jabbed his index finger forcefully at Ikki's chest.

Hearing the man's vulgar words and aggressive behavior, Stella, who was watching from a distance, narrowed her eyes.

Among the delinquents, someone clearly recognized Ikki.

"That's the infamous F-Rank Knight of Hagun Academy—the Failed Knight."

"An F-Rank Knight, hahahaha."

"Hey, hey, hey, what kind of weaklings are these other academies? They actually let an F-Rank beat them."

"Hey, Failed Knight classmate, want to fight us here?"

Teasing, mockery, and ridicule continuously came from the thugs. Although they knew of Ikki's reputation, they didn't believe an F-Rank could easily defeat an opponent.

Seeing that Ikki had no reaction.

"Hahaha, this guy's probably scared stiff."

"Forget it, let's spare him."

They then turned their attention to Ayatsuji Ayase, even thinking of making a move on her.

"Ayase, why don't you spar with this F-Rank? Come with me instead."

After saying that, the thug's hand intentionally reached towards Ayatsuji Ayase's chest.

Slap!

Ikki, who had appeared at some unknown time, struck the man's hand down with the blade of his Yin Iron.

"I-Ikki..."

"You bastard!"

"Are you looking for trouble?"

The thugs behind them instantly became agitated.

"Stop it."

From behind the thugs, Kurashiki Kurato called out to them.

"Claude..."

Kurashiki Kurato walked over and glanced at the Yin Iron in Ikki's hand.

"What a truly exquisite sword."

Hearing his compliment, Ikki replied, "Thank you for the praise."

"Then..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kurashiki Kurato grinned sinisterly.

"Let's have a match!"

Suddenly, a great sword resembling a bone saw with serrations appeared in Kurashiki Kurato's hand and lunged at Ikki.

"Ikki—!"

Stella cried out in alarm.

Clang!

The moment Kurashiki Kurato's great sword swung towards Ikki, it was blocked by something invisible.

Seeing this, Kurashiki Kurato frowned, retreated, and then turned towards Stella.

"Can you not interfere with my good time?"

"Thousand Stars White Night classmate."

Then, a colossal figure slowly flickered into existence behind Ikki.

A silver-white giant wolf stood behind him, raising its strong, powerful forelimbs and blocking in front of Ikki with its sharp claws.

"Devices can be used within the designated training grounds, but not in 'combat form.' You're violating the rules like this, Kurashiki-classmate."

Luo Mio took off his headphones and hung them around his neck, saying to Kurashiki Kurato.

Kurashiki Kurato grinned sinisterly, "I don't care about that."

He then swung his snake-bone-like great sword and said to Luo Mio, "What? Want to have a match?"

Facing Kurashiki Kurato's provocation, Luo Mio shook his head and smiled, "I refuse."

"Besides, the opponent you're looking for isn't me, is it?"

Kurashiki Kurato felt as if he had been seen through and clicked his tongue.

Luo Mio glanced around, thought of something, and spoke.

"How about this, Kurashiki-classmate? In a week, we'll be going to help Ayatsuji-senpai reclaim her dojo. Let's have our match there then."

Upon hearing this, Kurashiki Kurato's eyes instantly became like a predator's, fixated on its prey.

"Interesting."

"Then in a week, let's have a deathmatch."

With that, he beckoned his followers behind him and left. Before leaving, he cast another glance at Ikki.

Chapter 39: Myself and "Myself"

In the evening, at the hotel's provided entertainment lounge.

"So, you guys are planning to help Ayatsuji-senpai reclaim her dojo?" Shizuku sighed, rubbing her furrowed brow in exasperation.

Stella had just recounted the conflict between her and Kurashiki Kurato at the training grounds earlier that day, including their one-week agreement.

Arisugawa, speechless, commented, "I can't believe you guys got into trouble again after only being gone for half a day."

"That's a harsh thing to say, Alice!"

"They were the ones who started the trouble!"

"Okay, okay, I get it," Arisugawa said, comforting a visibly upset Stella.

Upon hearing this, Touka looked at Luo Mio.

"So, in a week, Miohua, you're going to fight Kurashiki Kurato."

Luo Mio shook his head, spreading his hands. "It's not me."

"Huh?"

Luo Mio continued, "Even if I went, his target probably wouldn't be me. Besides, don't you remember what he said before he attacked Ikki?" Luo Mio looked at Stella.

What a fine blade...

"Is that so?"

Ayatsuji Ayase, who had been silent until now, turned to Ikki and apologized, "I'm sorry, Kurogane-kun, for dragging you into this."

Ikki shook his head, indicating it was nothing.

Ayatsuji Ayase then explained her relationship with Kurashiki Kurato to everyone.

Luo Mio, now aware of the situation, returned to his room ahead of the others and lay down on his bed.