Blazers are well-known figures among the general public.
Setting aside professional Knights, even Student Knights, who are a reserve force, receive a lot of media attention. If a talented Knight like Stella possesses a strong identity aura, they will become the media's darling.
For example, the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival held annually.
As the pinnacle battle for Student Knights, this large-scale league with thousands of Blazers competing for the top positions is also broadcasted on TV every year, and its broadcasting rights alone can be auctioned off for royalties exceeding one billion yen.
Some strong Blazers have already gained considerable popularity before the competition and have amassed a significant fanbase.
Hoshiharu was just a first-year student at Hagun Academy. He had no reputation at all before enrolling. Due to his Master's deliberate protection, even the media did not know that the God of War had a disciple like him.
Four days ago, the duel between him and Kurono was photographed by Kagami and posted online, which seemed to have gathered a lot of popularity for him.
Even before school started, he was already famous at Hagun Academy.
After all, he had once defeated the former third-ranked strongest Knight in this world where most people were E-Rank and D-Rank Blazers, so he was already quite recognized.
"Nangou-san, Nangou-san!"
Kagami nestled up to Hoshiharu's side, inserting his arm into her chest, skillfully using her assets, and swinging his arm while speaking with bright eyes.
"Actually, I've always wanted to do an exclusive interview with you. Do you have time these days?"
Her immature face and large breasts made her actions very lethal, and Hoshiharu couldn't help but unconsciously accept her request.
"Let's chat privately later."
Hoshiharu bowed his head and thought for a moment. Seeing that the other party was quite sincere, he immediately agreed to her request.
"Really?"
"Actually, I also want to chat privately with Nangou-san~!"
"I actually want Nangou-san to bleed…"
Seeing Kagami's success in approaching Hoshiharu, the female students quickly became enthusiastic and one by one moved closer to him.
"Alright students, please return to your seats… Ahem, the class meeting is about to start!"
Just as Hoshiharu was about to be overwhelmed by a flood of sincerity, a weak voice came from outside the classroom.
As the voice came, the figure of a teacher also appeared in front of everyone.
It was a very young female teacher with slightly curly jet-black hair. She wore standard women's business attire—a white shirt and a short skirt covering her hips. She looked quite curvy and well-proportioned.
However, although her figure and face were quite good, her face was as pale as a zombie's.
Her face was pale, her eye sockets were sunken, and her voice was weak when she spoke, as if she had been suffering from a serious illness all year round. The students were worried she might suddenly faint in the middle of class.
The possibility of falling ill at any time like this was enough to scare away any fantasies the opposite sex might have.
After the teacher arrived, no matter how reluctant and regretful they were, everyone could only return to their positions.
Hoshiharu glanced at the classroom and his face darkened slightly.
There were no other seats except the front row.
It seems that the fatigue of studying is the same wherever he is.
Hoshiharu had no choice but to sit in the front row, causing the girls at the same table to frequently glance at him.
"Ahem... Okay——☆! Dear new students, congratulations on your official acceptance☆!"
The young female teacher smiled widely. She stood on the podium and fired confetti at Hoshiharu and the others below.
"I am in charge of Class 1, your homeroom teacher—Oreki Yuuri! Although I'm a beginner teacher and this is my first time as a homeroom teacher, I will work hard and make good friends with all of you! Please don't be too serious, call me 'Yuuri-chan' affectionately, the teacher will be very happy!"
"No, it would be weirder to call the teacher a friend, right?"
"I feel like I'm going to be a very tiring teacher…"
A grumbling voice was heard from someone in the back.
"Um~, today is the first day of school, so we don't have any classes! However, the teacher has something to announce, which is about the upcoming Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival Representative Selection Battle!"
Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival Representative Selection Battle.
As the name suggests, this refers to the practical evaluation system that selects a number of students to participate in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival from the total of more than 700 students in the school.
"The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival is a national-level league. All Student Knights can participate, but after all, the number of places is limited, so each school will select a number of places in its own way."
Yuuri stood on the podium. Although she spoke weakly, her expression was very enthusiastic, and she explained to everyone in a contradictory tone.
"Although the director already mentioned it at the opening ceremony, the teacher still has to repeat it. Previously, Hagun Academy used ability scores as the selection criteria to choose its contestants, right? The system will be changed to a practical selection system that all students in the school can participate in!"
Among the seven Knight academies in Japan, six of them initially selected contestants based on their ability scores, which is to say, they sent students who performed better on a panel to compete.
However, this year, with Shinguji's Kurono appointment, drastic reforms were made, and the original ability score selection criteria were abolished and replaced with a selection system of all battles.
"The selection competition is a round robin, and all students in the school can participate. Everyone has to duel every three days or so. Everyone has to compete in at least ten matches, which totals almost an entire semester! Once the selection competition is over, the school will draw the top six students by score who will become Hagun Academy's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival Representative Selection Battle participants this year!"
One match every three days, at least ten matches.
Considering this is a round robin, those who can win in the end may have to play dozens of duels each.
If it lasts an entire semester, around mid-July, Hagun Academy's six places will be newly announced.
In other words, the selection process will take a total of about three months.
"Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival..."
After hearing Yuuri's detailed explanation, Hoshiharu thought hard.
Gathering all the Student Knights in Japan, they compete for the one and only throne of Seven Stars Sword King and become the focus of national attention.
Such a competition will undoubtedly gather strong Student Knights. There will be no shortage of C-Rank Knights, B-Rank Knights will not be absent, and there will also be unprecedented A-Rank Knights like Stella participating... For anyone aiming for the top, this is undoubtedly a great test.
For Hoshiharu, this is like a major exam. Only by overcoming this test can he qualify to break through himself, leave his weaknesses behind, and reach the true pinnacle.