"The Power of Raikiri"
Touka Toudou's concerns about conflict were unfounded.
Even if Touka Toudou and Kurogane Shizuku were to face each other in the next match, as long as the competition was fair and reasonable, even Ikki Kurogane, as her brother, wouldn't have reason to oppose Touka Toudou.
After allaying Touka Toudou's concerns, Drake agreed to help investigate Okutama.
After bidding farewell to the Student Council members, they planned to find Ikki Kurogane and Kurogane Shizuku.
However, neither Ikki Kurogane nor Kurogane Shizuku responded to Drake's contact. Fortunately, Nagi Arisuin, who was with them, could be reached.
Nagi Arisuin directed them to a hospital.
…
Seeing Ikki Kurogane, bandaged from head to toe, Drake understood Touka Toudou's feelings.
"How long have we been apart? What happened to you?!"
Before Ikki Kurogane could speak, Ayatsuji Ayase said, "I'm sorry, it's because of me that Ikki-san was injured!"
Nagi Arisuin explained; Ikki Kurogane had fought Kuraudo Kurashiki from Donrou Academy, resulting in his injuries.
Drake had heard of Kuraudo Kurashiki, a sword master who'd shown promise at last year's Seven Star Sword Festival. His title was quite arrogant: 〈Sword Eater〉! He hadn't challenged Nangou Torajirou, though.
Drake had thought he was a clown, but to injure Ikki Kurogane so badly, Kuraudo Kurashiki must have some skill.
The problem was that it was a private fight; they couldn't use regeneration pods. Fortunately, Ikki Kurogane's next opponent wasn't strong; otherwise, his tournament would be over.
"You had fun, didn't you?" Drake said, smiling; he knew Ikki Kurogane well.
Ikki Kurogane was overly kind, but Drake sensed his duel with Kuraudo Kurashiki wasn't just to help Ayatsuji Ayase. Ikki Kurogane enjoyed fighting; the duel was exhilarating.
Ikki Kurogane laughed. "The Sword Eater was a good opponent; I look forward to meeting him at the Seven Star Sword Festival."
Drake said, "Don't lose to him."
Ikki Kurogane looked at Drake. "Of course, I'm your rival; I won't lose to anyone easily."
Kurogane Shizuku and Stella sensed danger and separated them.
Kurogane Shizuku held Ikki Kurogane down. "What's so urgent?"
Stella said, "Shizuku, check your Student Council email; your next match is scheduled."
Kurogane Shizuku guessed. "My opponent must be strong."
Drake replied, "The Student Council President, Raikiri."
Kurogane Shizuku was silent. "A formidable opponent."
Ikki Kurogane worried, "Shizuku…!"
Kurogane Shizuku interrupted. "Don't worry, brother! I'll face any opponent; watch my fight!"
Ikki Kurogane knew he couldn't say anything else. He just needed to watch his sister's fight.
…
The day of the match arrived; the group sat in the audience.
Drake had seen Touka Toudou's popularity; the enthusiastic cheers weren't surprising.
Kurogane Shizuku was also popular, but less so. Fortunately, she didn't mind.
The buzzer sounded.
"Splash! Yoishigure."
"Roar! Narukami."
They drew their Japanese-style Devices—a wakizashi and a katana.
They circled the arena, keeping their distance.
In past Seven Star Sword Festivals, most champions were B-rank; both had the potential to be champions.
Caution was necessary; Kurogane Shizuku couldn't block Raikiri; she needed distance.
Drake guessed Touka Toudou would strike first.
After a minute, Touka Toudou, surrounded by electricity, approached Kurogane Shizuku.
Kurogane Shizuku expected this and was prepared.
"Freeze everything! Toudo Heigen!"
Ice spread from Kurogane Shizuku's feet.
Touka Toudou, on the slippery ice, used the slide to accelerate.
She dodged Kurogane Shizuku's three water prison bullets.
This was Hagun Academy's top-ranked Raikiri; her combat reflexes and experience surpassed Kurogane Shizuku's.
Touka Toudou struck; it wasn't Raikiri, but it unleashed searing lightning.
Kurogane Shizuku raised a water wall—her ultimate technique, Shouha Suiren.
Purified by Kurogane Shizuku's A-rank magic control, the wall was pure, non-conductive water.
The lightning shattered and evaporated part of the wall but didn't harm Kurogane Shizuku.
Touka Toudou continued attacking; continuous lightning overwhelmed Kurogane Shizuku.
Ikki Kurogane and Drake admired Touka Toudou's sharpness. The lightning was a normal attack; Kurogane Shizuku needed to purify the water.
Her attacks were faster than Kurogane Shizuku's defense; she chose continuous attacks.
But Drake wasn't worried; Kurogane Shizuku wasn't easy to defeat.
Kurogane Shizuku counterattacked; water arms emerged, grabbing Touka Toudou's leg and freezing it. A circular ice block fell towards Touka Toudou.
Kurogane Shizuku wasn't just defending; she'd created water arms to restrain Touka Toudou and used the evaporated water to create ice pillars.
Multitasking—only Kurogane Shizuku's magic control could achieve this. It was a trap.
But when the dust settled, Touka Toudou was unharmed.
Kurogane Shizuku's trap was clever, but she underestimated Touka Toudou.
"Evenly matched?" Ikki Kurogane's tone lacked joy.
They'd analyzed that to defeat Raikiri, they needed to prevent her from using her ultimate technique and gain a 70% advantage at the start.
Now it was evenly matched; the situation was unfavorable for Kurogane Shizuku.
Stella noticed something. "The President is nearsighted; she's not wearing glasses; is she holding back?"
Drake shook his head. "The opposite! Touka-senpai is a lightning mage; she senses electromagnetic signals, including the body's neural signals.
She's not wearing glasses to weaken her vision and enhance other senses. By sensing her opponent's neural signals, she reacts faster.
This is Hagun Academy's strongest; she's almost flawless."
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