If the longsword from before had lacked a certain vitality, then the longsword now seemed to have truly come alive.
In truth, Ren Yu did not know swordsmanship, much less any saber techniques. He had simply chosen a longsword because it was more convenient to swing.
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The countdown continued.
What Ren Yu did not know was that every move he made inside the training chamber was automatically broadcast outside by the system.
In other words, at least several thousand people were watching him now, observing Ren Yu's every move.
"Who is that guy? Is he going to solo a Honkai Emperor?"
A female student covered her little mouth and pointed at the projected screen floating overhead, speaking in disbelief.
"Isn't this supposed to be a girls' school? When did we get a male student?"
At that moment, Kiana recognized the person on the screen as well.
It was that teacher from earlier!
Though she was somewhat surprised, she understood once she recalled the "combat record" on Ren Yu's résumé.
But could he really do this without Stigmata or special equipment?
Even her dad had to rely on the Divine Key, Heavenly Fire Judgment, to unleash powerful strength.
Kiana was very curious about what method this teacher would use to deal with the Honkai Emperor.
Meanwhile, at the Valkyrie training center, Area B.
Inside the swordsmanship training grounds.
"Senior Mei, this is bad! Really bad!"
The girl with black hair tied in a ponytail, gripping a katana as she continuously slashed at a robot, stopped moving.
She wiped the fine sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief, then turned toward the junior running over and asked in confusion.
"What is it? What's so bad?"
"Over in Area A, someone is challenging a Honkai Emperor!"
The girl who had come to deliver the news bent over, bracing her hands on her knees as she answered between gasps.
"What does them challenging a Honkai Emperor have to do with us?"
Mei frowned. Just as she was about to scold this junior for neglecting her duties again, she suddenly heard, "Th-that person isn't wearing Valkyrie armor. He's challenging the Honkai Emperor with just a standard-issue longsword! H-he's even being livestreamed right now!"
Mei froze.
Really?
"Senior, hurry over and take a look! That person might be a swordsmanship master. Aren't you even a little curious?"
The girl anxiously tugged at Mei's training uniform.
Anyone capable of challenging a Honkai Emperor without armor, relying only on a longsword, was an absolute master among masters!
Such an exciting battle was a perfect opportunity to study someone else's fighting style. How could sword users like them possibly miss it?
Mei pressed her lips together, her expression conflicted. Her curiosity had indeed been stirred.
"Has it started yet?"
"What do you mean, has it started?"
Mei patiently explained, "I mean, has that teacher's battle started yet?"
She had long since guessed the challenger's identity.
—Anyone who could challenge a Honkai Emperor had to be a teacher.
But she had never heard of a swordsmanship master of that caliber at the academy.
Could he be new?
"No." The female student shook her head.
"Then how long until it starts?"
"T-twenty seconds?"
After thinking about it, the girl gave Mei a conservative estimate.
"..."
Mei turned and ran.
"Senior, you haven't changed out of your training uniform yet..."
Her junior shouted after her.
But Mei did not look back.
The North Star One Sword Style she studied had been passed down by her ancestor, Beichen Mei.
This sword style was remarkably effective against humanoid enemies, but it was powerless against large Honkai Beasts.
As a result, Mei had always been troubled when facing large Honkai Beasts, unable to find a good solution.
Yet now, someone was actually using a sword to fight a large Honkai Beast alone. Her curiosity was thoroughly piqued.
Just what style could deal with large Honkai Beasts?
Training grounds, Area A.
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