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The final selection match was promoted with overwhelming intensity, covering every corner of the media landscape.
Online platforms, newspapers, and various media outlets rushed to report the news without needing any prompting.
Kurogane vs. Nangou.
A clash between the descendants of two legendary figures!
This alone was a massive draw. Blazers, of course, were ecstatic, but even ordinary people were buzzing with excitement. The news spread like wildfire, igniting a massive wave of public interest and sparking a widespread frenzy of discussion.
One side was Kurogane Ikki, the direct descendant of Kurogane Ryouma. Despite his initially mediocre talent, he had risen like a comet in recent times. However, he had also been embroiled in a scandalous affair with a foreign princess, with media outlets branding him a "scum man."
Inevitably, Ikki's public approval plummeted to rock bottom. Countless people, brainwashed by the media, loudly condemned his actions, launching personal attacks and declaring him a disgrace to his legendary lineage. Many even defected to support his opponent.
In contrast, the other side was far more appealing. Ryoji's extraordinary and refined appearance, coupled with his breathtaking charisma, far surpassed that of any celebrity. Even the hottest rising stars couldn't hold a candle to him. Though his Blazer Rank wasn't high, his abilities were exceptionally strong.
Ryoji's popularity overwhelmingly surpassed Kurogane Ikki's, and with the media's relentless promotion, he became a nationwide sensation.
For a time, his fame reached such heights that even celebrities envied him. Debuting now would guarantee instant nationwide stardom.
In this looks-obsessed world, his very existence was a glitch in the system.
Yet Ryoji remained indifferent to the external clamor.
Currently, he was completely immersed in his own world, preparing for his final showdown with Kurogane Ikki.
Hagun Academy.
The usual forest plaza.
Boom!
The legal loli unleashed a strike.
Though it appeared light and airy, the fan strike produced a deafening sonic boom. Its speed caught even Ryoji off guard.
Though caught off guard, Ryoji's MAX-level dodging ability allowed him to instinctively evade the attack.
Yet he remained rooted to the spot, not moving an inch.
The strike landed instantly.
Boom!
An overwhelming force surged through the blade.
For a fleeting moment, Ryoji felt a death-like despair. He was hurled through the air like a cannonball, crashing into the forest and snapping over a dozen trees in half before finally skidding to a halt dozens of meters away.
"How was that?"
The legal loli closed her folding fan and leisurely strolled over to him, asking with gleeful curiosity.
"Cough cough... You're really... merciless!" Ryoji spat out a mouthful of blood, crimson streaks blooming across his body.
"I was being super merciful! I only used about ten percent of my power!" The legal loli chuckled.
'Your mother!'
Fine.
Ryoji knew there was an immeasurable gap between his current strength and the world's top Blazes. If the legal loli were to get serious, she could instantly kill him.
At best, he was only slightly above average, far from the world's elite. The difference was beyond calculation.
Even with his slight advantage over weaker opponents, he would be helpless against abilities like reflection that completely countered him.
As Ryoji mentally reassured himself, a deep sense of frustration welled up within him.
"Again!"
"Still going? Are you sure you don't need to go to the infirmary with those injuries?"
"Don't underestimate me!"
Ryoji sneered, pushed himself up from the ground, and bounced on the spot a few times.
Apart from the bloodstains covering his body, there were no visible signs of internal injuries like fractures or organ damage.
"Oya?"
The legal loli covered her lips with her hand, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"It seems your practice over the past few days has yielded results."
"Again!"
"Boom!"
The legal loli readily complied.
A thunderous roar, like spring thunder, reverberated across much of Hagun Academy.
"You're being too loud!"
Shinguuji Kurono, his patience exhausted, stormed over and unleashed a torrent of criticism on the pair.
...
"Junior Brother, are you going to duel Ikki Kouhai?"
Touka Toudou rushed up to Ryoji, her face etched with worry, as he returned to the dormitory that evening.
"Senior Sister, you're just finding out now?" Ryoji replied, his expression still weary despite the health teacher having healed his physical injuries. The question made him chuckle.
"I've been so busy, you know! And you didn't even tell me! I only found out from the news reports!" Touka pouted, clearly displeased. "Plus, I called you earlier today, but you didn't answer. I didn't want to interrupt your practice, so I didn't come looking for you!"
"My bad, my bad. These past few days, there've been so many toads lusting after swan meat, calling me with offers to 'take care of me.' As if they're even worthy of coveting someone like me! I got so annoyed that I just turned off my student handbook."
Ryoji pulled out his student handbook to prove he wasn't lying.
"So, your battle with Ikki-kouhai is unavoidable?"
"There's no need to avoid it," Ryoji replied, shaking his head. "Things have escalated too far. We can't back down now. We need to seize this opportunity and resolve this mess once and for all!"
"Senior Sister, just watch me!"
Seeing his unwavering confidence, Touka said nothing more.
No matter what, she would firmly support her Junior Brother's actions.
She would always be his most steadfast pillar of support.
That's right.
Her Junior Brother was no longer the weakling who needed her protection. He had gradually grown into an expert.
She believed he could definitely do it!
As time passed...
As the final selection round drew near, the tension at Hagun Academy gradually climbed to its peak.
Finally, the day arrived.
The school's selection tournament reached its climax.
This day would determine who would represent the academy at the national tournament, the pinnacle of honor for Student Knights, and decide who would step onto the stage symbolizing glory and dreams!
Ryoji woke up early, his mind and body brimming with energy, his spirits high.
A good night's sleep could make all the difference for the day ahead. So, breaking his usual routine, he had skipped singing with Senior Sister Touka the previous night, ensuring he woke up in peak condition.
"The selection tournament is this afternoon, so what should I do this morning?" Ryoji pondered briefly before leaving his dormitory and heading to the third dormitory building.
"What brings you here?" Kurogane Shizuku asked calmly, her expression as composed as ever.
Ryoji didn't resort to harsh words just because he was about to stand in the way of Shizuku's dream of becoming her Elder Brother.
"Today is the day of the finals," he said.
Ryoji paused, and Kurogane Shizuku's expression shifted slightly.
"I'll be at my peak condition, but Kurogane Ikki must have suffered greatly. It's terribly unfair to him."
"You want Elder Brother to concede?" Shizuku's eyes flashed with hostility.
"If that were my intention, I wouldn't have come here personally."
Ryoji ignored the reaction of the Little Sister who adored her Elder Brother so much. Instead, he pulled a crystal bottle filled with colorful potions from his pocket.
"Give this to him. He should drink it before the match."
(End Of This Chapter)