Hoshiharu was very eager to participate in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, but it didn't matter to him whether he could become the Seven Stars Sword King.
What he wanted was to fight with Student Knights from all over Japan, to experience all kinds of strength firsthand, to enrich himself, constantly push his limits, shed his weaknesses, and become strong.
—Because being weak is extremely painful.
Winning the title of Seven Stars Sword King would, of course, be the best. Being recognized as the Seven Stars Sword King while walking down the street would be very grand, but it didn't matter if he couldn't achieve it.
After all, Seven Stars Sword King is just a title.
As long as he became a being stronger than the Seven Stars Sword King in the future, people would still praise his name, and his reputation would far surpass those who had ascended to the throne of Seven Stars Sword King.
Then, someone would surely say, "How can a Blazer with F-rank magic power like you become the strongest in the world? Isn't that—"
"Don't overestimate your own abilities."
A loud voice came from the side, causing the girls around Hoshiharu to glare angrily.
"It's laughable for a weakling like you to think about becoming the strongest in the world!"
It's coming!
There was the sound of desks and chairs being pushed aside, and a tall figure stood up from his seat at the back, looking at Hoshiharu with undisguised disdain.
Hoshiharu rubbed his hands together and looked a bit excited.
In any kind of novel, there will always be a grand part with face-slapping! Whether it's urban, fantasy, or academy, this is definitely a must-have episode—there will always be some idiot who shows up to slap the protagonist's face!
He had realized earlier that because he was surrounded by too many girls, he naturally attracted a lot of resentment from the boys.
"Are you stupid? Nangou-san defeated the former third strongest Blazer in the world!"
"Yeah, no matter if Nangou-san can become the strongest in the world, there's no room for someone like you to casually dismiss others!"
"Nangou-san saying this proves he has great ambition. Can you dare to say the same?"
Before Hoshiharu could speak, the girls spontaneously started to defend him and began saying harsh things.
"Why wouldn't I dare! He can say it but I can't? I'm just saying I also want to become the strongest in the world, how about that?"
"Hey, you're overestimating your abilities!"
"?"
The troublemaking student had a question mark on his forehead.
Why is it that when this handsome boy says he wants to be the strongest in the world, it means he has great ambition, but when he says the same, it means he's overestimating his abilities?
"Ahem... Let me say something fair."
Hoshiharu lightly coughed, signaling the girls beside him to step back, and stood up on his own initiative.
"So you won't continue to hide behind women? You still have some courage."
Seeing this, the tall boy sneered coldly, "I want to see, what can you say?"
"Let's duel directly."
Hoshiharu spoke with a smile.
"..."
The crowd fell silent for a moment.
"Hmph, I'll let you off today. Don't think I'm afraid of you!"
He snorted again, turned around, and quickly left.
"?"
Hoshiharu felt a bit uneasy that the other party gave up so easily.
According to the routine, shouldn't his opponent be talking loudly at this moment, deciding that he has no ability, agreeing to duel with him, and even holding back from using Device?
Only a fool would duel with him.
An unnamed student, breathing a sigh of relief after leaving the classroom.
No matter how unwise it was to cause trouble, he still knew Hoshiharu's record of defeating Kurono. Although he hadn't seen the video circulating on the Internet, he also knew there's no smoke without fire.
Even though he felt Hoshiharu's record might be exaggerated, he didn't quite believe that someone like the former third strongest in the world would be willing to throw a match and deliberately lose to someone else, so that handsome boy might indeed have a certain level of strength.
He was an ordinary E-Rank Knight and probably couldn't get any benefit from him, so he quickly fled.
Cowardice for a moment wasn't a big deal, but if he got humiliated in front of everyone, his whole face would be lost, his joke would be big, and he might not be able to lift his head for the next three years.
"Luckily, I'm smart enough!"
The tall boy thought proudly.
A few years ago, he had read online novels. In them, there was a plot where various supporting characters jumped out and got their faces slapped one by one by the protagonist.
He knew the trick very well and would never let himself become a stepping stone for that handsome boy!
Unfortunately, the book was soon taken down. According to the author, it seemed because it couldn't make money, he had to go home and move bricks, which he regretted for a long time.
In the classroom.
The other party gave up, and Hoshiharu had no choice.
"Nangou-san, are you worried about something?"
"Is there anything we can do to help?"
The girls saw him sigh and all took the initiative to speak, patting their chests vigorously, even if their chests were small.
"It's nothing, it's my personal matter."
Hoshiharu shook his head.
After a few days, the 100,000 yen given by Touka had completely run out.
Training is very expensive, and various facilities and nutritional supplements combined can make people cry, not to mention his type of exercise that pushes himself to the limit every day.
Although Hagun Academy has a subsidy system, it's only paid once a month, so it couldn't wait that long.
He was really short of money!
No, he had to find a way to make money!
Even if his talent for making money was cursed, and the money in his hands could only go out, that didn't mean he had to do business or work to get the money.
It wasn't good to always ask Touka for money. She would save most of her annual subsidy and send it to the "Wakaba House." The 100,000 yen she gave before was already a small amount she had left for herself to give to Hoshiharu.
Hoshiharu's eyes swept over the people around him one by one and focused on Kusakabe Kagami.
As a reporter, she must know some special ways to make money, right?
"Kusakabe-san."
"Just call me Kagami. Being closer to an idol is something I very much desire!"
"Kagami, regarding the interview, let's do it after school."
"So soon? Great!"
Kagami's face was filled with excitement, and her mind had already started fantasizing about where she would go on a date with her idol.
In conclusion, the interview was also a kind of date.
Soon, Ikki returned from the health room with Yuuri's instructions.
Hoshiharu didn't wait any longer in the classroom and immediately left the class together with Kagami.