"The Student Council's Elite"
Hagun Academy's intra-school selection tournament saw students from all three grades competing for six spots.
However, among ordinary sword masters, innate talent clearly outweighed acquired skill. Innate ability values were the biggest unfair advantage, making the difference in grade level almost meaningless.
Drake also had a match today, against a third-year senior. Worried about Ikki Kurogane's match, he incapacitated his opponent before the senior could finish their pointless rambling, without even using his Device. Drake had no time for such opponents.
He was more concerned about the others. He'd taught Ikki Kurogane the ki-reading technique, but it was only a morning's instruction; its effectiveness was questionable.
When Drake arrived at Ikki Kurogane's match, he already heard the announcement of his victory.
While he was nurturing Ikki Kurogane, Drake's statement about considering him a "rival" wasn't a joke.
It wasn't because Ikki Kurogane was the protagonist of this world, but due to his other characteristics.
Like his Device, In Iron, Ikki Kurogane's past life had been like forging a samurai sword—enduring trials by fire and hammer.
External hardships hadn't broken him; they made him stronger. Becoming Drake's rival had sharpened this blade.
If anyone had the potential to become a blade capable of wounding a dragon, it was Ikki Kurogane. To avoid being cut by that blade, Drake needed to become stronger.
Shizuya Kirihara was no match for this blade; he was easily defeated.
Drake learned that Shizuya Kirihara had forfeited his second match in last year's Seven Star Sword Festival simply because his opponent happened to have a large-area attack technique.
Such a character, in a novel, would be a minor, annoying antagonist, appearing for only a couple of chapters before fulfilling their purpose and quietly exiting the story.
Stella, Kurogane Shizuku, and Nagi Arisuin's matches had all concluded yesterday. The matches were rather uneventful; the three girls had used overwhelming strength to force their opponents into immediate surrender.
The difference wasn't just in skill level but also in resolve. The most injured person in the entire tournament was Yuuri Oreki, who vomited blood three times while commentating—absurd.
With everyone victorious, they decided to celebrate.
Walking along, Ikki Kurogane commented, "That ki-reading ability is truly amazing! It's like seeing a whole other layer to the world."
Drake waved his hand dismissively. "I'm more impressed by you, mastering it in just one morning. But it's not surprising given your concentration."
Ikki Kurogane laughed, "Not really, I only fully grasped it during the match. And I feel like there's still room for further improvement in this ability!"
Kurogane Shizuku intently watched Drake and Ikki Kurogane; after just one day apart, it felt like something had changed between them.
A strange sense of foreboding made her want to draw her Device immediately.
Turning her head, she saw Stella also wearing a wary expression. The two girls exchanged glances, and instantly, as if telepathically connected, they nodded at each other.
Nagi Arisuin was enjoying the unfolding drama immensely. It was a shame that Kagami had gone to cover the selection tournament and wasn't here; she was missing a great show.
Drake suddenly said, "Ikki, you, having learned ki-reading, felt it too, didn't you?"
Ikki Kurogane replied, "Ah! Although their skills are quite good, I could clearly sense their presence through their ki."
"Hey! You two, stop speaking in riddles that others can't understand!"
Stella and Kurogane Shizuku complained simultaneously; they didn't want to be left out of the conversation. At the same time, they became even more wary of the unspoken understanding between Drake and Ikki Kurogane.
Drake said, "Let's be clear, those two have been following us since a while ago. We don't recall ever meeting them, so is there anything you need to say directly?"
"Oops, we've been discovered!"
Two individuals wearing Hagun Academy uniforms emerged from behind a nearby tree; the speaker was the lively girl with wheat-colored skin.
Beside her stood a tall man with a buzz cut.
Drake looked at the two of them and said, "Aren't these two the members of the Student Council? You two wouldn't be following us just to watch, would you?"
These two were quite famous within Hagun Academy, and Drake naturally recognized them immediately.
Hagun Academy's third-ranked, 〈Runner's High〉, Renren Tomaru, and fourth-ranked, 〈Destroyer〉, Ikazuchi Saijou.
This ranking wasn't limited to their own grade level. Hagun Academy conducted rankings of all its students at the end of each academic year.
Furthermore, the rankings weren't based on ability values but on the results of practical training classes. These two had achieved third and fourth place in these rankings.
Without a doubt, these two were undoubtedly among the academy's elite. Moreover, both of them had joined the Student Council in their first year; Renren Tomaru held the position of administrative management within the Student Council, while Ikazuchi Saijou served as the secretary.
Drake simply wasn't sure whether these two were present for personal reasons or on behalf of the Student Council.
Renren Tomaru, clearly a very talkative and outgoing person, waved her hand dismissively. "Don't be so wary! We have absolutely no ill intentions."
"People who casually stalk others have no right to say such a thing!" Kurogane Shizuku retorted, not concealing her hostility in the slightest.
This girl would show no mercy to anyone who might be tailing her brother; she could easily turn hostile at any moment, believe it or not.
Renren Tomaru quickly said, "I understand, we were wrong, we apologize! So please calm down and listen to what I have to say."
Ikki Kurogane also restrained Kurogane Shizuku, saying, "These two are after all seniors from the Student Council, so Shizuku, please listen to what they have to say first."
Renren Tomaru, seeing Kurogane Shizuku being pacified by Ikki Kurogane, let out a sigh of relief. "The reason we came to see you all is twofold. Firstly, we wanted to meet some of the outstanding first-years. After all, we're likely to encounter each other in the selection tournament!"
"So it was to gather information after all!" Kurogane Shizuku even drew her small katana Device; thankfully, Ikki Kurogane managed to stop her in time.
Even so, it still startled Renren Tomaru quite a bit.
Ikazuchi Saijou sighed and stepped forward, "Of course, besides that, we have another purpose. We have witnessed your prowess on the battlefield and have come to ask—would you be willing to join our Student Council?"
Ikazuchi Saijou's tone and phrasing felt somewhat strange, but at least it was possible to understand what he was saying.
Incidentally, the Student Council's recruitment of first-years was precisely at this time. However, it was typically the case that those who were interested would submit an application, and the Student Council would then review the application and decide whether or not to accept them.
It was unexpected that the Student Council members would proactively extend an invitation.
But upon further consideration, it made sense; all the most outstanding students in the first year were gathered here, so it wasn't surprising that the Student Council would extend an olive branch.
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