In the morning, there was a mandatory class, the magic control class, but Hoshiharu skipped it and didn't show up at the arena until the battle was about to begin in the afternoon.
During the battle selection, the entire Hagun Academy held classes only in the morning, and the afternoons and evenings were entirely dedicated to the battle selection. Students who were not participating in the battles could move around freely.
Hoshiharu didn't have a match today.
The match between him and Totokubara Kanata was scheduled for Wednesday, but the matches for Touka, Stella, Nagi, and Shizuku were today.
It didn't matter if others were fighting, but he had to come to watch Touka's match.
"Fortunately, I'm not late."
Hoshiharu ran to the ninth training ground and sighed in relief when he saw that the battle hadn't started yet.
There were still water droplets in his jet-black hair, and a faint scent of shampoo lingered on his body. It was obvious that he had just taken a shower and rushed here without drying his hair.
Hoshiharu moved his shoulders, feeling the pain all over his body, and couldn't help but slightly move the corners of his mouth.
"First Senior Sister can really kill me, doesn't she know how to hold back?"
Although he had gone to the hospital and seen a health teacher skilled in healing techniques, all the bruises on his body were gone, but the soreness from physical fatigue still remained.
Thinking about this, he walked to the spacious training ground.
Actually, pain like this was just a usual occurrence for him, but he only thought about it to show his inner dissatisfaction with Nene.
It was midday.
Sunlight pierced through the competition area through gaps in the steel shards. The neon lights around the stadium were all directed at the battle arena, which could accommodate thousands of people and was now filled with hundreds of spectators.
"The second match has ended, and the third match today will be played next! So many spectators have come to the scene. As expected, the popularity of the student council president is very high!"
"Hello everyone, Tsukuyomi from the broadcasting club and Sakyou Nene-sensei, who is responsible for commentary, will be broadcasting the next match live! Please greet everyone?"
"Ossu~"
"That's not very energetic... Let me introduce the contestants immediately! The representative contestant who defeated the representative contestant of Donrou Academy in the exchange match with Donrou Academy last year is very skilled in dual swords and ranks at the top of the academy. The expert who ranks 10th in Hagun Academy, C-Rank Knight from the third year, Azuchiyama Michiyuki-senpai!"
"Very strong~"
"Don't read anymore! Can you be a little more sentimental?"
From around the arena, there were cheerful voices from the broadcaster and uninterested comments from Nene.
"The match has just begun, so it seems like the right time."
Hoshiharu stepped out of the corridor and walked towards the auditorium.
The arena was very spacious. Even if all the students from Hagun Academy gathered, they still occupied less than one-tenth of the space. When the entire arena's focus was on the battle circle, Hoshiharu didn't alert anyone and sat in a dimly lit corner.
Within the hundred-meter-wide battle circle.
A third-year student walked out of the red gate. His face was very serious, and sweat was dripping from his forehead. He was clearly under immense pressure and very nervous.
"Then on the other side! Our school's student council president also ranks at the top of the school! Now she finally appears at the blue gate!"
Although the broadcaster was female, her voice was full of enthusiasm and very exciting, as if just seeing the girl made her feel proud and honored.
"She reached the semi-finals at the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival last year, but unfortunately, she lost to the Seven Stars Sword King Moroboshi Yuudai last year. She failed to reach the top! But she's back this year and continues to compete. This is the ultimate battle! Is the unrivaled sword in her hand sharper than last year?"
As the voice resounded, the blue gate on the other end of the battle circle slowly opened.
A girl with long brown hair walked out of the gate.
Unlike her usual gentle senior self, at this moment Touka had shed all her gentleness, her wide glasses had disappeared from the bridge of her nose, her eyes had become very sharp, and there seemed to be flashes of lightning in her eyes.
She exerted her full aura as a Blazer, and her entire body was surrounded by a cold aura.
"Senior Sister is so cool!"
Hoshiharu had to admit that he had been deceived.