"If that's the case…?"
Ikki grabbed Eiji's extended hand, forcing his legs to stand straight despite the pain. His expression carried confusion.
"You mean... you didn't enjoy the fight?"
Eiji glanced around the stadium.
The audience was now swept up in a festive, celebratory mood.
But even after such an intense battle, there were still people in the crowd casting contemptuous, hateful gazes at Ikki—faces gleaming with so-called righteousness, clearly gloating over his defeat.
"This match was polluted... too many adult agendas mixed into it."
His expression was unreadable, betraying neither joy nor frustration.
"A duel between swordsmen is supposed to be something purer. But your heart was weighed down by too many outside forces. You couldn't fully unleash yourself."
Ikki gave a bitter smile.
Of course Eiji had seen through it—he had fought him head-on, after all.
From the beginning, Ikki had been obsessed with clearing his name. That obsession had warped his mindset, turned what should've been a battle to enjoy into a painful, suffocating ordeal. It was no wonder he'd grown agitated throughout.
He hadn't fought freely at all.
"But," Eiji continued, a grin forming on his lips, "there might still be another chance."
It was as if something had just occurred to him, a spark of mischief lighting in his eyes.
"We'll have our rematch at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival."
"…But I lost. I'm not allowed to participate this year…"
Ikki looked puzzled.
Was Eiji talking about next year's Festival?
True, the event was annual. At best, they'd both be second-years by then—plenty of time for a comeback.
With another year to grow, he was confident he could become a worthy candidate. Especially since upperclassmen like Toudou Touka would graduate, freeing up spots.
Except—
Wait.
There was a high chance he wouldn't even be allowed to participate next year.
"No need to wait until next year," Eiji chuckled.
"In fact, it's about time I told you—actually, from the start I—"
"Hahahahaha! Ikki Kurogane! You lost this duel!"
Just as he was about to speak, a shrill laugh interrupted them.
Akaza had leapt down from the stands, striding proudly into the arena with an air of triumph.
"As per our agreement, the outcome of the duel determines the result of your case! And now that you've lost, your situation with Princess Stella is officially settled! You're done for! This'll go straight to the League's headquarters, and they'll strip you of your Blazer qualifications!"
For them, the duel's result was everything.
Ikki's expression darkened.
Yes... that was the crushing weight he had been carrying.
Losing this duel didn't just mean defeat—it meant he'd be stripped of his right to wield a Device.
He would be expelled from Hagun Academy. Forced to return to normal life. Sent to a regular school. He'd lose any chance of participating in next year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
He'd betray Stella's faith in him. And destroy his own future.
All his ideals—shattered like glass.
But then—
"You piece of trash—shut your damn mouth!"
The words came like a whipcrack.
It was Eiji—his voice colder, harsher than it had ever been before.
So abrupt was the insult that both Ikki and Akaza were stunned.
Eiji didn't spare them another glance.
His gaze turned to the audience, as though searching for something—or someone.
"Eiji-kun, catch!"
Almost as if waiting for the cue, a short-haired girl with soft pink-blonde hair leapt out from a corner of the stands and tossed him a microphone.
Flawless teamwork.
Props to you! And I'll sign something for you later.
"Everyone, quiet down!"
Eiji's voice rang out across the entire arena through the microphone.
The sudden shift in atmosphere left the crowd in confusion, unsure of what was happening.
"What's he doing?"
"If Angel-sama has something to say, you shut up and listen!"
In mere seconds, the entire stadium fell into complete silence.
An overwhelming charisma—In this moment, Eiji's presence radiated with unmatched intensity.
"When did he set this up?"
At the commentator's desk, Yuuri Oreki turned to announcer Tsukuyomi in shock.
"Before the match even started!"
Tsukuyomi flashed a peace sign, her face beaming with pride.
"Angel-sama asked me for help—like I'd say no!"
***
Top row of the audience seating.
"What's our little junior trying to pull off now?"
Nene narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"Just watch."
Kurono folded her arms, her expression calm—as if everything was unfolding exactly as she expected.
***
In the center of the arena.
"Let me ask you this—Don't you feel any regret at all?"
Eiji's voice echoed from every speaker around the stadium.
Regret?
What did he mean?
The entire crowd exchanged confused glances, murmuring among themselves.
Even Ikki and Akaza were dumbfounded, watching Eiji speak as though he were putting on a show.
"I believe the selection format of this tournament is fundamentally flawed!"
The moment those words left his mouth—Those quick on the uptake immediately grasped where this was going.
"Wait… is he—?"
Kikyo Hagure stared in disbelief at Eiji from across the field.
"No point system. No elimination bracket. Just pure random matching? That's ridiculously unfair! There are plenty of people here who clearly had the strength to make the top six—who should've been on the stage of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. But because of bad luck, they missed their chance."
"Tell me—doesn't that frustrate you?"
In that instant—
Takeshi Momotani, Shizuya Kirihara, and even Shizuku Kurogane, watching nearby—Their gazes all sharpened.
The Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
The greatest honor any student knight in the country could achieve.
Forget about becoming the Seven Stars Sword King—just standing on that stage was enough to etch the memory into your soul for life.
Every year, thousands of student knights made it their dream to reach that stage, devoting years of training for a single chance.
No one would accept losing just because of luck.
Especially people like Shizuku, who only lost once or twice—eliminated not by weakness, but by unfortunate pairings. If the system were different, she might've made it into the top six.
"I believe the current system is unjust!"
Eiji took a deep breath and raised his voice even higher:
"So I propose this—"
"A REVIVAL TOURNAMENT!"
"A true elimination bracket—no luck involved. A pure test of skill, where only strength determines who advances. That's how we'll find the real top six—the ones truly worthy of representing our academy at this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival! Isn't that how it should be?"
He wasn't wrong.
Setting aside those who gave up early, there were still plenty of fighters like Shizuku, who burned with frustration. From the start, her dream had been to stand beside her brother on that sacred stage.
And people like Kikyo, Momotani, and others were no exception—Just becoming one of the six was already an honor in itself!
"He's got a point!"
"I knew this format was sketchy from the beginning!"
"Angel-sama's always right! Even when he's wrong—he's right!"
In a matter of seconds, the entire audience erupted.
The wave had been unleashed.
***
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