Humans are living beings, and living beings have survival instincts.
Take running, for example. Even if you think you're giving it your all during a race, you're still not truly pushing yourself to the limit. If you really did exert yourself to the fullest, the moment the race ended—you wouldn't still be conscious. You'd have already passed out.
Why can't humans truly use their full strength?
The answer is simple: humans are living beings, bound by an insurmountable survival instinct.
In the subconscious of all living creatures, this survival instinct takes top priority. No matter how much you mentally force yourself to go all out, your survival instinct won't allow you to cross that limit.
This is a protective mechanism inherent to life itself, operating on principles entirely different from machines.
According to related research, whether it's stamina, muscle strength, or magical power, humans can only use about half of their full potential. Only in specific situations, such as life-or-death situations, can more of that potential be unlocked.
But some people, through incredibly rigorous training and absolute control over their bodies, can actively break this survival instinct and unleash 100% of their potential.
Ikki Kurogane is one such person.
Through extraordinary willpower and precise control over his body, he forcibly shattered his survival instinct, unleashing power that was previously out of reach.
However, under normal circumstances, even if you break your survival instinct, you can only exert about twice your usual strength.
But Ikki Kurogane's performance earlier completely defied this rule. After using Ittou Shura, his physical and magical power exploded to at least dozens of times his normal level, transforming him into a literal monster!
This is because Ikki Kurogane's Blazer ability is—Physical Ability Doubling.
In the League's classification, this is undoubtedly the weakest Blazer ability. Combined with his F-Rank magical power, the most important qualities and metrics for a Blazer are at their lowest. Ikki Kurogane is, without a doubt, a super failure.
He is acutely aware of his own weakness.
He deeply understands the insurmountable gap in talent between himself and geniuses.
And so, to overcome the strongest with his own weakness, he underwent incredibly rigorous training, tormenting his body countless times, and ultimately developed the Noble Art—Ittou Shura!
Under normal circumstances, one can only unleash twice their strength, but with his Physical Ability Doubling, he can multiply his power dozens of times over.
It's a technique that can only be developed by enduring the torment and devastation of the body, pushing forward through that pain with unyielding willpower.
This Noble Art is unimaginably powerful, but the toll it takes on the body is equally immense.
Every use is an extreme act of self-destruction, exhausting all physical and magical power. It takes at least a day to recover before it can be used again.
This is why Eiji offered the prayer, "May he enjoy a peaceful retirement."
Forcing yourself to unleash twice your strength is already extremely damaging to the body. Multiplying it dozens of times over, as Ikki did… the damage to the body is almost unimaginable.
It's practically equivalent to shortening your lifespan.
While it may not show when you're young, in old age, countless illnesses will come rushing in, bringing unbearable suffering.
"In a way, he's like you—the type who's willing to risk their life to achieve something."
Kurono glanced at Eiji.
Yesterday, when he collapsed in her arms, that near-death scene had left a deep impression on her.
"I'm much luckier than him."
Eiji shook his head.
Well, it's hard to say who's luckier between the two.
While Eiji's Blazer ability is exceptional, he also endured fourteen years of pain and countless near-death experiences. Ikki Kurogane may not have a powerful Blazer ability, but at least his childhood wasn't as harsh.
"The first student to challenge you was Ikki Kurogane, right?"
Eiji recalled Kurono's words from yesterday and turned to her for confirmation.
"Oh? What makes you say that?"
Kurono raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"While watching the match, your expression was different from everyone else's. You didn't immediately assume Ikki Kurogane would lose. That must be because you already knew his strength… because you've fought him before, right?"
Eiji made his deduction.
"Correct."
Kurono blew a perfect smoke ring, a hint of interest appearing on her face.
"He's an F-Rank knight. Last year, due to some adult reasons, he wasn't even allowed to participate in combat training, which forced him to repeat the year. When I took over the school, I initially planned to advise him to drop out… but then he challenged me to a duel. Although I was a bit careless and didn't use my ability, I did lose to him once."
Since no one was watching at the time, no one knew about it.
In that duel, Kurono didn't use her time-manipulation ability and didn't go all out, allowing Ikki Kurogane to defeat her with Ittou Shura.
In comparison, Eiji's victory was far more impressive, because Kurono had genuinely intended to use her Blazer ability against him. She just didn't get the chance before he defeated her in the blink of an eye.
After losing to Ikki Kurogane once, Kurono never brought up the idea of him dropping out again.
"Honestly, I'm looking forward to seeing you two fight."
Kurono's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Who's more willing to throw their life away? Who can surpass my expectations? Who can live more like a true knight… Isn't that interesting?"
Eiji pondered for a moment.
After watching the match earlier, he could roughly tell that their swordsmanship levels were quite similar.
While he had top-tier talent, his frail body had caused him to waste too much time. Right now, he was just getting started.
Ittou Shura was indeed terrifying, but if he used Lightning Flash, Eiji was confident he wouldn't lose.
To be honest.
Eiji was also looking forward to it.
He glanced at Ikki Kurogane in the distance, then turned and left.
Who was stronger between him and Ikki Kurogane… that question would be answered at the upcoming Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.
**
Later that night.
Eiji returned to the dormitory carrying several large bags filled with daily necessities he had bought at a nearby mall.
Thanks to this, most of the 100,000 yen his senior sister had given him was already spent. He felt a bit guilty about it.
He wondered if his senior sister still had any savings left.
"Sigh, with such a handsome face, why hasn't a rich woman offered to take care of me yet?"
Eiji sighed.
If possible, he hoped this rich woman would have big, wavy hair.
To be honest, Kanata Totokubara would be a good fit. Her family had more money than they knew what to do with. However, given her elegant, reserved demeanor as a noble lady, she likely had a proper upbringing and wasn't the type to keep a pretty boy.
Most importantly, she was close to his senior sister. If his senior sister found out she was taking care of him, she'd probably pull out her sword in a rage and unleash 'Raikiri' to destroy everything.
"Senior sister, open the door."
Seeing the lights on in the dormitory, Eiji, who had carried the bags all the way up five flights of stairs, was too lazy to dig out his keys and called out instead.
"Ah, is that you, junior brother? Wait a moment, I'm in the shower!"
A muffled voice came from inside, the sound somewhat distorted by the bathroom door.
"In the shower?"
Eiji's expression immediately turned serious.
His senior sister was a bit scatterbrained. While she was good at taking care of others, she often forgot things like bringing a change of clothes when she showered.
I guess I'll have to go in and help!
With that thought, Eiji quickly pulled out his keys and opened the door.
***
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