Chapter 245 - You flatter me too much
Kurono Shinguuji rested one arm casually on the window of her black sedan. She looked at Roy and Ikki with curiosity, wondering how these two had ended up together.
Hearing the car, Roy turned to look at her.
Kurono was dressed the same as yesterday. A lit cigarette dangled from her lips, the smoke curling lazily around her mature features.
If one didn't know better, it would be hard to believe this woman was the Chairwoman of one of Japan's seven Mage-Knight Academies. She looked more like a yakuza boss.
"Hey, kid. Are you thinking something rude?"
Noticing Roy's gaze, Kurono asked sharply, as if she could read his mind.
"Chairwoman, you seem like the type to be married with children, don't you?" Roy asked with a smile.
"Why, boy? Do you want to pursue me?" Kurono chuckled, amused by the sudden question.
"You were born before I was born, and by the time I was born, you were already... well," Roy sighed with feigned regret.
"You've got quite a tongue on you, kid." Kurono laughed, understanding the implication immediately. Then her eyes narrowed. "Wait... are you calling me old?!"
"No, I just wanted to remind the Chairwoman that smoking is harmful to your health. Not only is it bad for your skin, but second-hand smoke is bad for children too," Roy said with mock earnestness.
Kurono's face darkened. "Watch your mouth!"
She raised her hand to take a drag, but remembering Roy's comment, she hesitated. It felt awkward to smoke now, but putting it out seemed like admitting defeat.
"When did you two meet?" Kurono changed the subject to save face.
"Chairwoman, Roy and I just met by chance," Ikki responded politely, though he was also curious. Judging by Kurono's tone, she seemed quite familiar with this new student.
"I see. So, it was fate," Kurono nodded.
The only two people in Hagun Academy who had personally tested her and defeated her, had met before the school term even started. It certainly felt like destiny.
"Actually, Ikki," Kurono said, turning her attention to the black haired boy. "I have something to tell you."
"Something to tell me?" Ikki was stunned for a moment.
"Should I leave?" Roy asked, turning to go.
"No, it's not a secret," Kurono shook her head. She looked straight at Ikki. "Do you remember the graduation requirement I gave you? To become the champion of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Ikki asked, puzzled.
Due to political pressure from his family, Ikki had been suppressed by the previous administration and prevented from graduating.
Kurono had given him a lifeline: Win the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, and I will issue your license personally. Although difficult, it gave him hope.
Kurono nodded. "I've been thinking about it. That condition was too strict. Your strength is already far superior to many graduated knights. So, I'm changing the condition. You only need to reach the Top 4 this year."
"This year?" Ikki caught the nuance immediately.
Previously, the condition was just to win a festival. As long as Kurono was Chairwoman, he had multiple chances. But now, she was specifying this year's tournament.
"Let's just say... there are too many monsters enrolling this year. The quality of contestants is far higher than in previous years," Kurono said, glancing vaguely at Roy.
"So, as long as you can reach the Top 4, I will allow you to graduate."
If nothing unexpected happened, this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival would be a gathering of titans.
Rumor had it that Bunkyoku Academy was sending their strongest ace.
Hagun Academy now had Roy and Stella Vermillion, two more A-Rank monsters.
That was already three A-Rank knights in one tournament. The other five schools wouldn't sit idly by; they would likely field their own hidden aces. Plus, the Top 4 from last year's festival were all returning.
The competition would be a bloodbath. Seeded contestants from previous years might not even pass the first round.
Of course, the main reason Kurono relaxed the condition was Roy. His strength was simply too unconventional. Asking Ikki to defeat Roy to graduate felt unfair.
"I understand," Ikki nodded, feeling the weight of her words.
"Alright, you two get along. I'm heading out. If you have any questions, find me in my office," Kurono waved her hand and drove off toward the parking lot.
"You need to reach the Top 4 of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival to graduate? I can't tell if the Chairwoman values you or is making things difficult for you," Roy asked, pretending to be puzzled as he watched the car leave.
Of course, Roy knew Ikki's situation, but he needed Ikki to say it himself.
"How should I put it... My personal situation is a bit special, so the Chairwoman set that condition for me," Ikki said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"Special?" Roy feigned curiosity. "If you don't mind me asking... of course, if it's private, forget it."
"It's not really private. Most people in the school know," Ikki said with a wry smile.
Although Roy was a stranger he had just met, Ikki felt a strange kinship with him. He didn't hide anything and slowly revealed the reason for his struggles.
Ikki was born into the prestigious Kurogane family.
The Kurogane clan rose to prominence after World War II, thanks to a samurai named Ryoma Kurogane who played a pivotal role in the conflict. The family became a dynasty of powerful Blazers, valued highly by the League.
Unfortunately, Ikki, the son of the current family head, was born with pitifully low magic power. His Mana Capacity was evaluated as Rank F—the lowest possible tier.
In this world, a person's magic power is fixed at birth. It cannot be increased through training.
Magic is often equated to Fate or the weight of one's existence. Those with high magic are destined for greatness; those without are destined for mediocrity.
As the scion of the Kurogane family, having Rank F magic was seen as a disgrace. The family gave up on him entirely.
But Ikki didn't give up on himself.
He regarded becoming a Magic Knight as his lifelong dream. Despite the lack of support, he trained relentlessly for over a decade. He even left the family home and enrolled in Hagun Academy to obtain his license.
However, his father, the patriarch of the Kurogane family, refused to let him succeed. He believed an F-Rank knight would tarnish the family name. He pressured the academy to prevent Ikki from graduating. The previous chairman had made Ikki's life hell, hoping he would drop out.
If Kurono hadn't taken over this year, Ikki would have already been expelled.
"Is that really your father? Sounds more like an enemy," Roy commented dryly.
To suppress his own son for fear of embarrassment... the Kurogane patriarch was truly a piece of work.
"That's why I'm actually very grateful to the Chairwoman," Ikki said sincerely. "If not for her, I would never have a future as a knight. She blocked the pressure from my family and gave me a chance."
"As the former World No. 3, the Chairwoman wouldn't make unreasonable demands," Roy looked at Ikki with a knowing smile. "You must be more than just an F-Rank knight. You definitely have the strength to compete for the championship."
"You flatter me too much," Ikki said, embarrassed. He was used to cynicism and mockery. "I'll try my best to reach the Top 4."
Ikki gave a wry smile, then looked at Roy with piercing eyes.
"But... about what the Chairwoman said earlier..."
"Among the monsters enrolling this year... are you one of them?"
---
Read 20 advance chapters at:
patreon.com/verse7
PS:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter