Around noon, after lunch, Hoshiharu arrived at the seventh training ground first.
He didn't exercise this morning; he only did his usual morning run, then went to the hospital to adjust his body, rested for a long time, and regained enough energy to prepare for the afternoon's qualifying match.
When Hoshiharu arrived at the training ground, only a few figures were present.
It was lunchtime now, and the first match wouldn't start until 1:30.
During the selection battles, there would be almost a hundred matches every day, held in more than ten arenas, with each arena hosting at least seven or eight matches.
The first afternoon match at the seventh training ground was between Nangou Hoshiharu and Totokubara Kanata.
Given Hoshiharu's high popularity, there would likely be more spectators then, whether they were contestants coming to confirm if the record was wrong or girls simply obsessed with his appearance. Perhaps even all the school's outsiders would gather here when the time came.
To avoid distractions, Hoshiharu didn't stay in the auditorium but walked through the corridor to the preparation room.
Contestants had to leave for the preparation room ten minutes before the match to wait. There was still half an hour before the first match started, so it wasn't impossible to head there first.
"Class 1, contestant Nangou Hoshiharu, confirmation complete, the student handbook is returned to you."
At the counter in the preparation room, the female staff member had a stunning smile on her face. She scanned the student handbook at the machine and handed it back to Hoshiharu. She didn't ask any unnecessary questions.
"Since this is the first battle, let me explain the rules to you. This selection battle adopts the same real battle format as the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. It's a one-on-one duel. There's no time limit, and you may abstain; Devices will also be used in Material Form, not Illusionary Form."
"Although the arena will be equipped with Healing Capsules at all times and has several teaching staff, lives may be at risk depending on the situation. If you fully understand the above and are still willing to bear the consequences yourself, please click the 'Yes' button on your student handbook. If you are unwilling, please click the 'No' button. However, this will be considered a forfeiture, and your name will be automatically removed from the next draw, and you will no longer be able to participate in the selection competition."
Hoshiharu didn't hesitate and quickly pressed the willing button.
The female staff member gave him a very surprised look.
Student Knights were not allowed to release Devices in Material Form before the age of 15. Therefore, most Student Knights would hesitate for a while when facing a life-threatening competition.
Hoshiharu walked to the corner, opened the door, and entered the preparation room.
The decoration in the preparation room was very simple, with only a few lockers, benches, and a full-length mirror attached to the wall. There was a small door at the innermost position, giving an impression of extraordinary presence.
Behind that door was the selection battle stage.
If he want to become the Seven Stars Sword King and reach the pinnacle of Japanese Student Knights, he must not lose a battle from now on. If he are careless or make a mistake, years of hard work will be in vain.
"Huffff."
Hoshiharu adjusted his breathing and slowly eased his nervousness.
Touka said that she wanted to meet him on the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival stage.
In this case, Hoshiharu had to continuously surpass his limits and pursue the strongest realm so that he could keep defeating all the strong enemies that blocked his path.
"I have no talent, except for the sword—"
Hoshiharu extended his hand, revealing a bright silver sword shimmering with ripples in the water, and held it tightly.
As long as he held the sword, his heart would be very calm, as if everything was in his hands.
He sat on the bench, placed the sword on his knees, closed his eyes, and gathered his momentum.
His current figure attracted the attention of others. He transformed from his previous weakness into full aggression and sharpness.
Next, it was just waiting for the sound when the match started.
❀❀❀
Kanata came from a noble family, but because of that, she was burdened with the fate of not being able to act recklessly.
As the eldest daughter of the Totokubara Consortium, the second-largest economy in Japan, she enjoyed the wealth and status from her family that ordinary people could hardly have, but she also bore the responsibility of marriage because of this.
It was a family decision to marry immediately after graduating from high school.
She was already in her third year of high school this year. In other words, when she graduated early next year, she would marry a European man and become the next housewife of a large family.
She didn't mind the family's decision.
The Totokubara family was different from other families; they were European nobles who migrated to Japan during the French Revolution.
This family was greatly influenced by the ideological trends of that time. Therefore, unlike other nobles interested in money, the Totokubara Consortium enthusiastically supported the charity industry and established many orphanages, nursing homes, special care centers, etc., across the country.
Public facilities were praised nationwide.
The wealthy should use their wealth to help the poor, which was the philosophy the family adhered to.
Kanata was also proud to be part of this family, so she respected the family's decision and planned to curb her selfish desires and sacrifice her marriage to make the family stronger.
But even so, she wasn't without some little ideas that only she herself had.
Only fate hindered her from realizing this idea.
"First-year student contestant Nangou Hoshiharu and third-year contestant Totokubara Kanata, the competition time has arrived, please enter."
Shortly after entering the preparation room, there was a call from the radio.
Kanata stood up from the bench, discarding the chaotic thoughts swirling in her mind, picked up her umbrella, and walked towards the small door at the end of the preparation room.
Opening the small door, walking through the dark corridor, and seeing the blue gate ahead.
As she stepped out of the gate, her eyes suddenly opened wide.
The noisy discussions and cheering voices, as well as the electronic commands from the radio, constantly impacted her eardrums, and the noisy battle circle was displayed before her eyes.
She walked through the path on the grass, entered the large battle circle with a diameter of 100 meters, and stood opposite the young man.
The young man had an extraordinary appearance. Both his facial features and body shape were nearly perfect, and he exuded an extraordinary charm all over his body.
Especially those dark eyes, which seemed capable of seeing everything in the world. When looking directly at her, the other party had the illusion that everything about her had been clearly seen.
In front of those eyes, Kanata felt naked, unable to hide anything.
That's right.
Although Kanata was burdened with the fate of marriage, she wasn't without her own little thoughts.
'If possible, just once. I want to fall in love of my own will.'