"The final battle of the Academy Selection, and the most anticipated showdown, is finally about to begin!"
Helicopters buzzed across the sky. Despite the arena being significantly expanded, it was still packed to capacity with students and reporters eager to witness the match.
"It's as if even the blazing sun above us is serving as a prelude to this fierce battle."
The announcer expressed their excitement and anticipation in their own unique way.
"Speaking of which, this time, both contestants are first-year students! Come to think of it, only one representative qualified for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival so far isn't a first-year. This year's freshmen are truly extraordinary."
"And that's not all! In addition to the excitement surrounding the two competitors, this match is especially remarkable for being broadcast live on television. The helicopters in the sky will only make the atmosphere even more electrifying!"
After rousing the crowd, the announcer began introducing the contestants.
"First up, we have a contestant who, despite being only a Rank-D knight, has swept through her opponents, defeating them all in an instant. Even our academy's strongest, 'Raikiri' Touka Toudou, fell to her blade. Behold the fleeting blossom of brilliance, the beautiful Sword Princess—[Sakura] Okita Souji!"
As she was introduced, the massive screens hovering in the air began replaying Okita Souji's previous battles.
However, since Okita's matches tended to end swiftly, only her fight against Touka Toudou was highlighted.
Many in the audience were seeing Okita Souji for the first time and knew little about her.
Yet, upon witnessing her battle with Touka, any doubts they had would be quickly dispelled.
Touka Toudou herself had come to the arena—not as a competitor this time, but as a spectator.
She, too, watched the replay of her match against Okita on the big screen.
There wasn't an ounce of dissatisfaction in her eyes. The battle she fought against Okita Souji left no room for complaints.
It was because she was so fulfilled by that fight that she yearned for a rematch.
But challenging Okita directly wouldn't work; she'd only lose again.
Thus... the desire to grow stronger burned within her more intensely than ever.
She wasn't alone. Several other students who had lost to Okita Souji were present in the audience as well, curious to see just how far their conqueror could go.
"Now, onto the other competitor! He is strikingly similar to Okita Souji—both wield the same type of ability, share unremarkable stats, and rely solely on a sword to remain undefeated! Starting as an F-ranked 'Failed Knight,' he defeated opponents such as the Crimson Princess and the Hunter, advancing all the way to this final match! Would it be enough to call this 'unbelievable'?"
"Although surrounded by rumors, his strength and determination are undoubtedly real. The former 'Failed Knight,' now the 'Uncrowned Sword King'—Ikki Kurogane!!"
The announcer's voice was brimming with passion.
Despite the negative rumors orchestrated against Ikki by certain powers, the announcer, who had watched many of his matches and even knew him personally, fully trusted his character.
"Rumors? More like facts..."
Akaza Mamoru, who had also arrived at the arena, clenched his cane tightly, veins bulging at the announcer's words.
Not far in front of him sat three individuals.
"That old fox..."
The one who spoke was a kimono-clad girl, Saikyou Nene, seated next to the academy director, Shinguuji Kurono.
Although Nene's tone carried strong dissatisfaction and loathing toward Akaza, the man dared not retort, lowering his head meekly.
He was merely the head of the Ethics Committee, whereas in front of him sat a former and a current World's Third-ranked knight—an intimidating presence, to say the least. And as if that weren't enough, a figure even more formidable than both of them was present.
"Oh-ho! So, that's the young one who defeated my darling disciple? Such a charming little fellow."
The speaker was an elderly man with crow's feet and age spots marking his face. His thinning white hair barely clung to his head, and he leaned heavily on a gray cane.
At first glance, he appeared to be an ordinary, frail old man. Yet, Kurono and Nene regarded him with nothing but reverence.
This was [War God] Nango Torajiro, a living legend in Japan.
He was also the mentor of both Nene and Touka.
Not that it stopped Nene from her usual tsundere attitude, calling him "old geezer" and "smelly codger."
"I thought you came to watch Touka's match, old man."
"Hoho, even I didn't expect this. Imagine my shock when my beloved disciple failed to make it to the final match! I hurried over from my vacation in Hokkaido just to see who managed to defeat her. And on top of that..."
Torajiro paused, glancing up at the big screen.
"The other contender is a Kurogane. How enviable. That guy always seems to produce such outstanding descendants. I only wish the Nango family could boast a worthy youngster to reignite our fateful rivalry."
Nango Torajiro and Kurogane Ryouma were legends of the same era, lifelong rivals as well as allies.
"But perhaps..." Torajiro's gaze lingered on the screen, watching the past matches of Ikki Kurogane and Okita Souji. He murmured softly, "In some sense, this could also be called a fateful showdown."
Just then, the announcer's voice echoed through the expansive arena once more, this time tinged with disbelief and anxiety.
"Huh? What's going on? We haven't received any notice of Ikki Kurogane arriving in the preparation room. Could it be that Ikki hasn't shown up yet?!"
Kurono shot a sharp look toward Akaza and asked, "Chairman Akaza, wasn't Ikki supposed to be transported here by the League's vehicle?"
"Perhaps there was a mistake on their end. He had already left on his own when I last checked. He's not a child; I'm sure he'll be fine."
Akaza feigned indifference, but Kurono and Nene weren't fooled. They could see the barely concealed smirk in his eyes.
Just as Kurono's expression darkened, Nene gritted her teeth, and Akaza silently reveled in his scheming, the announcer's next words sent shockwaves through the arena.
"What?! Okita Souji hasn't arrived at the preparation room either?!"
---
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