"The World's Strongest, Arrives!"
Ikki Kurogane, though not fighting, remained vigilant towards Shiranoi Amane and Kurogane Ouma.
Drake sensed Ikki Kurogane's worry about his brother.
"Don't worry, he's alive! President, please take them for treatment; then ask about their motives!"
Touka Toudou nodded; Drake had handled the fighting; she needed to do something to maintain her composure as Student Council President.
Touka Toudou, witnessing Akatsuki Academy's power, especially Kurogane Ouma's, knew she wasn't his match.
Without Drake, things could have gone badly. She didn't want to trouble Drake further.
Drake turned to Shiranoi Amane, who was standing quietly. "I thought you'd run away! Do you think I'll go easy on you? Or are you confident you can defeat me?"
Shiranoi Amane wasn't nervous; he smiled. "Impossible; Ouma was defeated; I can't do that.
But I'll escape safely today; I wish for it!"
Drake was amused; besides chaotic malice, he sensed no danger from Shiranoi Amane.
He didn't understand his confidence; Drake wouldn't be lenient.
As Drake was about to reprimand him, his body froze. His pupils narrowed.
"President, take everyone and leave!"
Touka Toudou was about to ask, but saw Drake's serious expression. She had everyone take the injured away.
After persuading Kurogane Shizuku to leave, Ikki Kurogane stayed; he joined Drake, ignoring Shiranoi Amane.
"You felt it too?" Drake asked.
Ikki Kurogane nodded. "Yes! That ki is terrifying, like a sword at the throat! Only one person could have such ki!"
Drake nodded in agreement. He knew this person was in Japan; that's why he came, but he hadn't expected this.
…
Fifteen years ago, the Baltic Crisis occurred.
Russia, a core member of the Great Power Alliance, attacked Estonia, which hadn't joined the International Magic Knight Alliance. The Alliance, to counter the Alliance, sent troops without Estonia's permission.
Both sides deployed 300,000 troops, nearly sparking a world war.
The crisis was resolved due to internal disagreements, but mainly because of one person.
A girl, in white, radiated light in the darkness. She wielded twin winged swords, like a Valkyrie.
She ravaged the battlefield, single-handedly annihilating both armies.
The girl's name was Edelweisss; the legend of Hiyoku began.
After this, both the Alliance and the opposing Alliance issued international arrest warrants. But the girl was too strong; her power rendered the warrants meaningless.
Like in the One Piece world, the high bounty became proof of strength.
A significant event occurred ten years later; Estonia joined the World Magic Knight Alliance.
When a reporter asked Estonia's leader about Edelweiss, the president declared:
"Our country relinquishes all claims to the land where Hiyoku is hiding. Therefore, Hiyoku has no connection to our country!"
A country relinquished land to avoid one person, ignoring public opinion and national image.
They were helpless! Hiyoku (Edelweiss) showed what it meant to be a one-person army.
Edelweiss's ability wasn't combat-related; her power stemmed from her swordsmanship.
Since then, she was called—the world's strongest swordsman!
Only Edelweiss could cause Drake such tension from a distance.
Only the "world's strongest" had such sharp ki. Edelweiss was approaching at incredible speed.
Drake stared into the distance; Ikki Kurogane said, "I didn't expect to meet Hiyoku so soon!"
Drake looked at Ikki Kurogane; he was smiling.
"We agreed to become the strongest; to become the strongest, we must challenge Hiyoku! I didn't expect it to be so soon."
Drake was silent, then smiled. "Challenging Hiyoku now is too early, but seeing the world's highest peak isn't bad.
But…"
Ikki Kurogane noticed Drake's gaze. "Shiranoi Amane… did Hiyoku come because of him?"
Drake said, "Hiyoku might be connected to them; a rendezvous. Shiranoi Amane's ability isn't simple precognition!"
Ikki Kurogane felt the same; Edelweiss was approaching; he had no time to think about it.
Shiranoi Amane said leisurely, "What are you doing? Tell me; I'm bored!"
Shiranoi Amane didn't seem to sense Edelweiss's arrival, but Drake was still suspicious, but it wasn't the time to investigate.
Drake saw a white light in the distance.
Shiranoi Amane noticed it. "She's temporarily staying at Akatsuki Academy, but she came in person. Unexpected!
But since she's here, the result is certain. Kurogane-senpai, I didn't lie! I'm your biggest fan.
I love seeing you fight despite the pain, like against Raikiri.
Against Hiyoku, show me how you overcome despair! That's the coolest Kurogane-senpai!"
They ignored Shiranoi Amane; as Hiyoku approached, they felt immense pressure.
They were in her "domain," experiencing the world's strongest sword ki.
A white light approached, brighter than moonlight.
She slowed, walking towards them.
She held twin winged swords; even though the blades weren't pointed at them, they felt like they were being cut.
Sweat dripped from Ikki Kurogane's forehead; his body trembled.
His body seemed to cry out.
Run, or you'll die!
Ikki Kurogane felt fear for the first time; it was a dimensional gap.
Unlike with Raikiri, Ikki Kurogane knew he had no chance of winning if he drew his sword.
No… he couldn't even block her attack. This was the weight of the world's strongest!
But Ikki Kurogane didn't obey his instincts; he faced the pressure.
Drake didn't retreat; as rivals, he couldn't fall behind.
They saw Hiyoku clearly; her appearance didn't match the world's most vicious criminal; she was beautiful and pure, like a goddess.
Shiranoi Amane approached. "I didn't expect you to come in person!"
Edelweiss said, "It's Wallenstein's request. I didn't want to be involved, but I must repay my debt for lodging!"
Ikki Kurogane said, "I should have known; besides students, Akatsuki Academy has teachers!
Wallenstein… 〈One-Armed Swordsman〉! No, the President…"
Drake's expression turned serious. "We were focused on Hiyoku; we didn't notice someone else went elsewhere.
But we can't escape; we have to trust the President."
〈One-Armed Swordsman〉, Wallenstein, was a famous sword master… infamous.
Wallenstein belonged to Rebellion; he was one of the Twelve Apostles, an elite.
They could guess Wallenstein's strength. But their opponent was stronger; they could only hope Touka Toudou could defeat him.
Edelweiss looked at Drake and Ikki Kurogane, her voice like a song. "I don't want to fight you, but I'm obligated. If you stay still, I won't attack."
They knew she wasn't lying; they could be safe.
But…
"Meeting the world's strongest without doing anything is a waste!"
Drake said, preparing to fight, unleashing his fighting spirit.
Edelweiss nodded. "My apologies; I shouldn't have said that to a strong person like you!"
She turned to Ikki Kurogane. "What about you? As a swordsman, you should sense the gap. You're afraid, yet you draw your sword."
Edelweiss's gaze made Ikki Kurogane sweat, but he pointed In Iron at the white Valkyrie.
"I want to show off in front of my rival! I've never been this scared, but I can't retreat!
Surprisingly, you, the world's strongest, question the fighting spirit of someone who's drawn their sword!"
As Drake expected, Ikki Kurogane showed fighting spirit equal to his.
Edelweiss nodded, understanding their resolve. She raised her winged swords.
"I am the peak, the end, the one who created the world with twin swords. I am Hiyoku (Edelweiss)!
Young men! You will experience the vastness of the world."
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