Now, what was Toudou Touka's ability again?
Rifling through her hazy memories, Okita Souji tried to recall what she knew about Touka's powers.
First, there was her primary ability: an elemental lightning manipulation classified as a "natural interference-type" power. Most of her skills revolved around this.
Her most famous technique, however, was her family's secret sword art—an absolute, undefeatable move known as Raikiri, or "Thunder Cutter." By accelerating her blade's draw with electromagnetic force, she enhanced its speed and power to their absolute limits.
So far, every time Touka had unleashed this move, victory had been hers. Even last year's Seven Stars Sword King had only bested her through reach advantage, choosing to fight from a distance.
Then there were her eyes—what was it called again? Shinri-Gan, the "Thunderclap Eyes"?
Humans moved through nerve impulses sent from the brain, and Touka's eyes could see these faint electrical signals, giving her a way to "read minds" by interpreting intention.
In everyday life, Touka wore large round glasses to suppress this ability, preventing it from interfering with her daily interactions.
For now, those were the essentials Okita could remember about Touka. But if this was the strongest swordswoman in the school, then she no doubt had a few other tricks up her sleeve…
"It's our first time officially meeting, isn't it, Okita-san?"
Startled, Okita looked up; Touka had suddenly spoken to her.
Shouldn't this be their first encounter?
"Toudou-san, you know who I am?"
"I've been keeping an eye on you for quite some time, Okita-san."
Outside of battle, Touka Toudou was warm and approachable—strength alone wouldn't have won her the respect she commanded at this academy.
"I've watched every one of your matches, Okita-san."
Touka's gaze drifted to the audience seats, her expression unreadable. "So powerful… you and Kurogane-san. You've both come this far as true swordsmen. That's why I respect you so much."
She turned back, her gaze meeting Okita's. Sparks crackled around her as the lightning surrounding her intensified.
"And that's why I can't contain my excitement at the thought of facing you!"
In her hands, near-solid arcs of lightning coalesced, and with a thunderous crack, a katana with a golden hilt and ivory blade materialized, complete with a pristine white sheath. She sheathed the katana, setting up her stance for a battoujutsu strike.
"With my blade, my blood, my very heart—I crave this chance to defeat you!"
"Excitement, huh…" Okita murmured, lifting her hand as blue energy particles coalesced, solidifying into her cherished, simple katana, the one with the tsuba shaped like a blooming chrysanthemum.
Clutching Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, she adopted her natural, favorite stance—the Chudan no Kamae, or Middle Guard.
"Then allow Miss Okita to return that feeling in kind—consider it a welcome gift."
In an instant, the air of calm vanished, replaced by a seething, storm-like tension, like a lightning-charged sky before a tempest or the depths of a turbulent sea.
The sheer intensity of the two warriors' battle-ready spirits gripped the crowd, urging them to hold their breath.
At the first synthesized announcement, the match officially began.
In that same heartbeat, both figures disappeared from sight.
Before the audience could even register shock, freezing blades and blazing lightning collided at the center of the stage in an explosion of force.
A flash of golden thunder crashed down, carving pits across the left side of the arena.
Ivory arcs of Okita's blade swept in response, slashing deep, crisscrossing fissures across the right side of the stage.
Each swing, each draw—swing and sheath, swing and sheath—the furious assault played out for all to see.
A true dance of blades, an overture of swordsmanship.
If Touka's attacks were a tempest, every blow struck with violent, overwhelming strength, the weight of heaven's might itself, then Okita was the mountain piercing through the clouds, the calm and unyielding sea.
Touka's attacks weren't just sword swings; they were accompanied by writhing electric serpents coiling around her blade, each one lunging from every direction toward Okita with each cut.
But Okita's silent blade crafted a snowy curtain of light around her, one so impenetrable that no storm could breach it, however fierce.
From the stands, Stella's puzzled voice broke through.
"Why isn't the Student Council President using her Raikiri?"
Stella was the type to ask questions as soon as they popped into her head.
"She's probably worried Okita would dodge it," Ikki replied, seated beside her with his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on the fight below.
"Toudou's Raikiri is said to be 'undefeatable within its reach,' but it has two weaknesses. First, it requires charging time; second, during the charge, she can't attack or move freely. Touka's likely aware of Okita's advantage in speed—she must've watched Okita's previous matches."
"Meaning she won't attempt Raikiri until she's managed to restrict Okita's speed, right, Big Brother?"
Shizuku chimed in, adding her own insight.
On the opposite side of the arena, another conversation unfolded among the spectators.
"Incredible. That first-year Okita Souji is actually going toe-to-toe with the President."
"Yes, indeed, Vice President."
A young, silver-haired boy, barely the size of a middle-schooler, spoke first, his academy uniform just slightly oversized.
Following half a step behind him was a woman dressed in an elegant white gown, with golden curls and a parasol—an odd choice indoors—that made her look every bit like a dignified noblewoman.
"This year's first-years are truly impressive," the silver-haired boy continued. "Besides her, we have Kurogane Ikki, Stella, Shizuku… all remarkable talents."
"Yes," agreed the woman behind him, a hint of fondness in her tone. "It's been a while since we've seen the President enjoying herself this much."
Touka, it seemed, was indeed having fun.
She'd never experienced anything like this. No matter how fierce her assault, Okita repelled every attack with perfect precision.
Neither lightning nor blade could penetrate the wall of light Okita's blade constructed.
"How brilliant…" Touka marveled. "To think someone could achieve this level of mastery with pure swordsmanship alone…"
Her eyes sparkled, brimming with electric gold.
---
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