"Three, two, one... go!"
A moment later, Asta gave the signal.
March 7th, the pretty girl in a black one-piece swimsuit,
charged forward at a run and plunged straight into the emerald sea.
She paddled furiously toward the White Lighthouse.
In no time, March 7th had pulled dozens of meters ahead.
Watching March 7th struggle with all her might,
Asta showed no hurry. Instead, a playful smile curled her lips.
"Just as I thought... you still love rushing ahead!"
"Sorry, but this is the last round. I'm not giving you any openings."
"I'll be the only winner of this war for love!"
After those breezy words,
a dazzling light flashed, and a mechanical Staff fashioned from an astronomical telescope
appeared in Asta's hand.
"O key that yearns for the mysteries of the stars, grant your true blessing to this devoted maiden!"
She raised the mechanical Staff in both hands, pointing it toward the clear blue sky.
A phantom Beacon Instrument flickered across the heavens.
An ethereal glow swirled around Asta, lending her an air of mystery.
She dismissed the Staff in her hand.
Like a white mermaid, Asta leaped into the emerald sea.
Starlight wreathed the girl's smooth, white skin.
Asta swam astonishingly fast.
In less than half a minute, she overtook March 7th despite the latter's head start.
"Th-that's way too fast!"
"That's the trail of Starlight Blessing! Asta, you cheater!"
Still paddling hard, March 7th
caught sight of the stardust-like trail behind Asta.
Her pupils contracted, and shock and disbelief covered her face.
March 7th had never imagined
that Asta would actually use her combat Ultimate Technique for something like this.
"Ugh... come on, March 7th! You can't lose!"
"Right! I absolutely can't lose to Asta!"
Biting her rosy lip, March 7th quickened her strokes.
Soon, twinges of