"Surprise"
The arena's red gate opened, and Touka Toudou, her inherent Device, "Narukami", already materialized, walked out step by step.
The announcer began introducing the Student Council President, but instead of listening, Drake focused on Touka Toudou's state.
Touka Toudou had previously asked Kurogane Shizuku to persuade Ikki Kurogane to forfeit. She couldn't refuse the scheduled match, but she didn't want to face a sick Ikki Kurogane in the arena.
She didn't want to… kill Ikki Kurogane!
The maternal Student Council President hadn't become the strongest at Hagun Academy through kindness, nor had she achieved fourth place in the Seven Star Sword Festival through gentleness.
Violence was the essence of sword masters; Touka Toudou's other side was cruel and ferocious.
Touka Toudou usually hid this side… unless she was serious.
Drake sensed her seriousness. She wouldn't hold back; she might kill Ikki Kurogane.
Facing this Touka Toudou, the blue gate opened, and Ikki Kurogane emerged.
His steps were steady, but as he entered the arena, everyone sensed something unusual.
His appearance and expression were normal, yet a terrifying aura emanated from him, unsettling the arena.
This was Ikki Kurogane's response to a potentially fatal match—resolve!
Nangou Torajirou said, "So this is Touka's opponent; an impressive kid!"
Drake agreed. "Ikki's prepared to die; that resolve consumed the audience."
Nangou Torajirou exclaimed, "I didn't expect the Kurogane family to have such a man! This match will be exciting!"
Kurono Shinguuji worried. "But Ikki's stamina is depleted; he can only use one or two strikes! Resolve isn't enough!"
Everyone knew the key to defeating Touka Toudou was countering her "Raikiri"!
Yes, the undefeated Raikiri could be countered.
Not by using weapon range like Hoshizora Yudai in the previous Seven Star Sword Festival, nor by brute force, which Ikki Kurogane couldn't do.
Ikki Kurogane had planned his counter to Touka Toudou.
"Raikiri" was essentially a sword drawing technique; the most dangerous moment was before the sword was drawn. After that, Raikiri couldn't be used.
In a prolonged battle, he'd probe, inducing Touka Toudou to use Raikiri or other ultimate techniques; that brief opportunity was the only chance to win.
Everyone in the stands understood this; they lacked confidence in Ikki Kurogane; he lacked the stamina.
"Let's go ahead!"
The arena's buzzer sounded; the match began.
Ikki Kurogane didn't prolong the fight; his body glowed with magic.
It was Ittou Shura, his ultimate technique, usable once a day. This was why people thought he could fight Touka Toudou.
But he revealed his trump card at the start.
Ittou Shura lasted only a minute; Ikki Kurogane had no retreat.
Drake sensed Ikki Kurogane wasn't using tactics; his resolve was real.
No one had defeated Touka Toudou at close range; her blade's reach was her domain.
Ikki Kurogane would break through it directly.
"Seventh Secret Sword, Lightning Flash!"
Ikki Kurogane used his fastest strike, invisible to the naked eye, like lightning.
This was his first and last strike; he'd end this without regret.
But his opponent was Touka Toudou, whose title was "Raikiri"—lightning cutter.
Touka Toudou knew Ikki Kurogane was at his limit; dodging would exhaust him.
But she sensed his resolve; she couldn't back down.
He'd invaded her domain; it was a challenge; she'd respond with her strongest attack.
Legs apart, Touka Toudou channeled lightning into her scabbard, preparing Raikiri.
"Raikiri!"
They clashed, risking everything.
The audience saw the result instantly.
Both were incredibly fast; Ikki Kurogane's Seventh Secret Sword was slightly slower than Raikiri. Touka Toudou would cut him down.
Ikki Kurogane sensed this, but he didn't think he'd lose.
Ittou Shura released all his power in a minute, but he only needed a second.
Hearing, sight, touch, taste, smell—all unnecessary. Even breathing and heartbeat weren't necessary.
He channeled all his strength and magic into that second.
This was Ikki Kurogane's limit-breaking power—Ittou Rasetsu! Compressing a minute's power into a second; all his power was in this strike.
"Last Secret Technique - Heaven Clad Null Shroud!"
Drake stood up, amazed.
Ikki Kurogane's strike cut through Touka Toudou's plasma blade and severed her Narukami.
Inherent Devices, manifestations of the soul, were considered indestructible.
Ikki Kurogane's In Iron, for example, could withstand tons of pressure without deformation.
It was unimaginable how Ikki Kurogane could cut Touka Toudou's Narukami.
With her Device destroyed, Touka Toudou lost consciousness and fell.
Drake, leaning on the railing, watched Ikki Kurogane excitedly. He hadn't expected this surprise.
Ittou Rasetsu was impressive, but Drake was moved by the technique's unique aspect.
Drake sensed a change in Ikki Kurogane's ki flow during his final strike; he released his magic, unleashing an incredibly sharp attack.
That's how he cut Touka Toudou's Device; it felt dangerous.
Drake had taught Ikki Kurogane about ki; he'd developed a combat technique using ki.
Drake had taught Shinryuu Temple's members about ki, but none had developed such a technique.
Shinryuu Temple's monks lacked the time.
Ikki Kurogane, limited by his abilities, seized every chance to become stronger. Only he could develop such a technique.
"Was that for me?" Drake whispered, smiling.
"You didn't disappoint me!"
Unknown to Drake, a similar ability appeared in the Black Clover anime he hadn't seen—the Zetsu-ten technique of the sorcerers from Yami's homeland, the Sun Country.
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