Mystic Code Deployment: Bonus Chapters ✨
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According to the competition rules, if contestants fail to arrive within fifteen minutes of the start, they are automatically considered to have forfeited.However, the current situation was far more complicated.
Neither contestant had shown up, leaving everyone utterly dumbfounded.
This was especially shocking given that Akaza Mamoru had heavily publicized this match as a live broadcast available worldwide.
Saikyo Nene instinctively turned her head to glance at Akaza, seated behind her. Considering the man's track record, it was hard not to suspect foul play. However, Shinguuji Kurono shook her head.
"He has no reason to do this—it goes against his goals."
Akaza's objective was to ensure that Ikki Kurogane never became a Mage Knight, thus avoiding any further tarnishing of the Kurogane family name. The last thing Akaza wanted was for Ikki to win this match.
In fact, Akaza was likely one of the most anxious individuals about Okita Souji's absence.
After all, if Okita didn't show up while Ikki did, Akaza's entire plan would go up in smoke.
Nene scratched the back of her head in frustration.
"Then what the hell is going on—"
Suddenly, her expression shifted dramatically.
Sitting behind her, Nango Torajiro kept his gaze lowered, but even his aura underwent a shocking transformation at that moment.
Only Shinguuji Kurono seemed unaware of the shift, yet she could sense something had changed in both Nene and Torajiro.
Before she could ask, Nene whipped her head in a specific direction, her face pale with something closer to fear than mere surprise.
"A Demon... This aura—are they fighting a Demon?!"
"What?!"
Kurono's face turned ashen, her cigarette slipping from her lips unnoticed.
But Nene didn't have time to explain. She had already identified the source of this razor-sharp sword aura.
"[Wings of Unity]... Edelweiss."
"That little girl... Is she being serious?"
Even Torajiro was astonished. He had watched Edelweiss grow step by step into the swordswoman she was today.
There was a little-known fact about Edelweiss: she had initially trained in swordsmanship to lose weight. Her sword instructor had been none other than one of Japan's legendary figures, Kurogane Ryouma.
As Ryouma's old friend and rival, Torajiro naturally knew Edelweiss and maintained contact with her, even now when she was considered one of the world's most dangerous criminals.
Out of respect for her mentor's friend, Edelweiss had always treated Torajiro with great reverence.
"She's actually serious?"
Despite his frailty, Torajiro's sharp instincts as a former legend were keener than Nene's. He had sensed Edelweiss's serious intent long before she did.
While Nene didn't doubt her teacher's observation, she couldn't help but wonder.
"Who could possibly force her to be serious?"
As the world's foremost swordswoman, Edelweiss stood among the few at the pinnacle of the martial arts world. Nene could only think of three individuals capable of pushing her to that level.
The 'Leader of the Alliance,' the current world number one from the "KOK" headquarters—Whitebeard.
The Commander of the 'Superpower Army'—The Superman.
The Leader of the Rebellion—The Tyrant.
Although Nene herself had reached the level of a Demon, she was acutely aware of the vast gap between her and Edelweiss.
Even among Demons, there were varying degrees of strength.
Yet, something peculiar stood out. For someone to force Edelweiss to take a battle seriously, they would likely need to be another Demon.
Demons could always sense each other, especially in the heat of battle. Their unique aura, transcending the bounds of fate, was impossible to suppress.
However, neither Torajiro nor Nene could detect the presence of any opponent facing Edelweiss.
Kurono couldn't sense Edelweiss's aura either—not because she lacked ability, but because she had stopped just short of becoming a Demon herself. For the sake of her marriage, she had willingly abandoned the opportunity.
Edelweiss was fighting an unknown opponent, while Okita Souji remained mysteriously absent from the arena.
Both Kurono and Nene knew that Okita Souji was Edelweiss's younger sister.
After a brief deliberation, the group immediately set off toward Edelweiss's location.
Their earlier panic had left their conversation unguarded, but fortunately, their seats were in a restricted area with only Akaza nearby.
They didn't even bother to deal with that sly fox for now—if things went poorly, this city might not survive.
Meanwhile, the audience remained unaware of the chaos behind the scenes, still puzzled or disgruntled by the contestants' no-shows.
The countdown continued. If neither contestant arrived on time, both would be disqualified.
What would happen if both were ruled out by default? No one knew.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the school gates.
Moments later, a slightly frail figure emerged from the shadows of the blue gates, stepping forward into the audience's view, one shaky step at a time.
"Class 1-A! Ikki Kurogane has arrived!"
At that moment, Ikki Kurogane could not have looked more disheveled.
His face was pale and devoid of color, his lips cracked, and he appeared thinner than usual. Dust and grime clung to his clothes, lending him an air of utter exhaustion.
Yet, his eyes burned with unprecedented determination.
Under the glaring sun, he stepped onto the stage.
There, he saw no sign of his opponent.
"Ikki Kurogane has arrived at the arena! If Okita Souji does not appear before the countdown ends, this match will be declared Ikki Kurogane's victory!"
No. She'll come.
Ikki didn't know where Okita Souji was or why she hadn't arrived.
It made no sense, and yet, Ikki was certain—without a shred of doubt—that she would show up to face him.
He closed his eyes.
The sound of clashing blades echoed in his ears. Sparks of crimson danced before his vision.
His opponent was not just a friend, nor merely a rival. She was his teacher.
She was strong—far stronger than anyone he had ever faced. In countless matches, he had never defeated her.
Would he lose? Was he destined to fail?
If he thought so, he wouldn't have come here.
Ikki steadied himself, sharpening the "sword" within his heart.
Sharper. Faster. Stronger.
Until, at last, a faint pull stirred his spirit, prompting him to open his eyes.
In his gaze, a glimmer of swordlight rippled—a light that, when unleashed, could turn the world on its head.
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