〈Hunter〉 Tōbara Shizuya, a C-rank Blazer. Last year's top student and representative of Pojun Academy in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival. He also happened to be a former classmate of Ikki Kurogane.
His ability to remain hidden until now was thanks to his Blazer technique—Forest of the Hunter.
Charles had no particular fondness for him. Anyone who used a sneak-and-hide technique like that probably wasn't the most honorable of characters.
Especially since Tōbara had clearly shown hostility toward Ikki—if Charles hadn't been standing nearby, the guy probably would've said something nasty.
That was also why Charles left all the cleanup work to him—not because the guy had seven girlfriends.
Tōbara was clearly reluctant, but Charles hadn't given him any room to refuse.
After dumping the responsibilities on Tōbara, the group returned to Pojun Academy.
With that chaotic weekend behind them, the school's internal selection matches were set to begin.
And perhaps fate really was cruel: once back, Ikki discovered that his first-round opponent was none other than Tōbara Shizuya.
Through Ikki, Charles learned what had transpired between them.
Maybe because they were now friends, Ikki spoke of things he'd never told anyone before.
The root of everything was the prestigious Kurogane Family, to which Ikki belonged.
Perhaps because they didn't want a lowly F-rank to tarnish the family name, the Kurogane Family did everything they could to obstruct Ikki's path as a Magic Knight.
Since he was a child, Ikki had been forbidden from learning any form of swordsmanship. That alone forced him to leave home.
Even after he left, the Kurogane Family didn't stop targeting him.
To say the Kurogane name held weight in Japan's Blazer society would be an understatement. They practically dominated it.
Aside from the main family, there were numerous branch families and allied clans. Their influence ran deep, with barely any leadership position in Japan's League unconnected to them.
The former chairman of Pojun Academy was one of their lapdogs. And upon Ikki's enrollment, a special rule was enforced just for him:
Students with insufficient ability ratings were not allowed to participate in combat training.
So for his entire first year, Ikki had no opportunity to join the Seven Star Sword Art Festival—or even attend practical classes.
Worse, rumors began to spread.
People said that getting too close to Ikki would get you blacklisted by the chairman. Eventually, it turned into a belief that being associated with him would result in poor evaluations on one's student record.
That isolated Ikki completely. For an entire year, he didn't make a single friend.
The culprit behind this was obvious.
Among all those who alienated him, Tōbara Shizuya was by far the worst.
Most people simply avoided Ikki. Tōbara actively targeted him.
He didn't just gossip or spread malicious rumors. He carried out pranks—and even physically assaulted Ikki using his Device.
All under the supervision of faculty loyal to the chairman, who turned a blind eye.
Not only did no one stop him, but he also went unpunished afterward.
Ikki knew that had he fought back instead of fleeing, he would've been expelled.
There were plenty of people like Tōbara in this country—those who saw kind, defenseless faces and assumed they were free to abuse them.
After hearing all this, Charles regretted not giving the guy a proper thrashing when he had the chance.
The next morning, as they prepared for training, Charles turned to Ikki and said, "So that's why you've been brooding?"
Ikki shook his head. "I'm just trying to figure out how to handle today's match. Tōbara's abilities are… badly matched against mine."
Charles nodded. "True. He completely hides his presence—his appearance, aura, and voice. And his Device is a bow, a long-range weapon.
The best way to deal with him would be a full-scale area-of-effect attack that blankets the whole arena… but that's not your style, is it?"
Then Charles added, "But I've got a way for you to counter his ability."
Ikki looked at him in surprise. "You do?"
Charles nodded. "It's a special technique taught to me by a senior I really respect. It lets you read your opponent's life force and emotional state.
Even if he can hide his external aura, he can't conceal his core essence—his ki—and especially not his intent to harm you."
Ikki hesitated. "Would it really be okay to teach me something like that?"
Charles smiled. "If I'm offering it, you can trust it's fine. But before we start, I've got something to say."
Ikki, seeing how serious Charles looked, instinctively sobered up.
Charles looked him in the eye. "After hearing your story, I finally understand why your sword feels so light."
Ikki was visibly shocked. He knew his own technique better than anyone—and he had full confidence in it. He couldn't understand why Charles would say that.
Charles continued, "The strongest people I've met all have one thing in common: a belief that drives them. Some fight to protect. Some fight for a dream. Others fight for vengeance.
Whatever it is, they have a source of strength. For you to have come this far while enduring everything alone proves you've got resolve.
But having fought you, I can tell—your resolve is too light. There's a difference between dying to achieve something and living for something."
Ikki reflected. The man who first recognized him, the warrior Kurogane Ryōma, had told him:
"Your frustration proves you haven't given up!"
"Don't give up on yourself!"
That belief was what kept him going all this time.
But as Charles said… he had never really found a reason not to give up.
Maybe he just wanted to prove himself. Maybe it was for a dream. Maybe for his father's approval.
But that lack of purpose explained why his sword felt hollow—it carried nothing on it.
Charles sighed, seeing Ikki withdraw into himself. He had thought Ikki was like Asta… but clearly, he was more complicated.
Then he remembered something—Asta had Noelle beside him.
So Charles said, "Seems like you've figured it out. Let me ask—what's your goal? To graduate from Pojun Academy and become a Magic Knight?
I don't mean something obvious. I'm talking about ambition—something you burn for."
Ikki went silent.
His promise with Shinguuji Kuro no was to become the Seven Star Sword King and graduate. He had given that everything he had. He hadn't thought beyond that.
Charles stepped closer. "So you don't have one, huh? Well, I'll tell you mine—I want to surpass everyone and become the strongest. I want to see the view from the top."
Ikki replied, "That's… an incredible dream."
Charles held out a hand. "So, want to see that view too?"
Ikki looked confused. "Why are you asking me that?"
Charles smiled. "Climbing a mountain alone is boring. Competing with someone—that's what makes it worthwhile. So let's compete—see who becomes the strongest first."
Ikki blinked, then said, "The strongest? But I—"
"Don't give me that defeated talk. If you can't do it now, then train until you can. Let your future self break through your limits."
Charles cut him off—and snapped him out of his slump.
Ikki took Charles's hand with a smile. "Alright! Let's race to the top!"
Charles grinned. "Then we're rivals from now on. Don't forget—you're the only rival I recognize.
If you lose to anyone but me, I won't forgive you."
"What are you saying? If we're rivals, I won't even lose to you!"
"Big talk! I'll be watching, then!"
…
Stella stared, dumbfounded, at the two laughing and shaking hands.
Why had she walked in on a scene like this of all times?
Could it be… her greatest rival wasn't the other girls in the class… but…
Ikki Kurogane?!
Ikki turned around… only to see Stella staring at him with murderous eyes.
"Why is Stella looking at me like she wants to kill me…?"
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