Eiji took a shower, changed into fresh clothes, and stepped out of the dormitory wearing a short-sleeved outfit.
It was the third day of the joint training camp.
Nangou Torajirou had taken up residence here as the sole instructor, effortlessly guiding everyone with his seasoned expertise.
The sun was setting at this moment.
The evening clouds stretched across the horizon, dyeing the earth and mountains in golden hues.
As Eiji left the dormitory, a cool evening breeze swept by, dispelling much of the summer heat and bringing a refreshing chill.
"Ah, that feels good!"
Eiji shivered slightly as the breeze evaporated the moisture on his skin, making him feel even cooler.
As everyone knew, the best times of the year were summer nights and winter noons—not necessarily the most comfortable in terms of climate, but certainly the most satisfying.
"Hey! Eiji, wanna join us for fireworks?"
As he passed the training grounds, Stella called out to him loudly.
Students from both Hagun Academy and Kyomon Academy had gathered together, each holding different fireworks, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
Stella, who had never set off fireworks before, was visibly excited and even extended an invitation to Eiji.
"No thanks, I've got plans!"
Eiji replied before heading toward the camp's main gate.
Near the iron gate shaded by trees, a girl with chestnut-brown hair had shed her usual school uniform in favor of a white casual dress. Her usual braid had been let down, cascading straight down her back.
Her skirt and hair fluttered in the evening breeze, blending seamlessly with nature to form a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
"Junior, you're here."
"Yeah, Senior, you look amazing in that!"
Eiji walked up to her, not holding back his praise.
"Hehe, you always know what to say. Let's go!"
Touka giggled, clearly delighted.
The two left the training camp and followed a nearby mountain path onto the main road.
"Come to think of it, I've hardly ever gone on a date with you, Senior."
"Well, I'm usually so busy that I never had the time."
They chatted casually as they walked.
During this intensive training camp, Touka was free from student council duties, and with summer vacation in full swing, she found herself with plenty of free time—nothing to do but train.
Realizing they had never properly gone on a date before, Eiji decided to make up for lost time during this period.
And tonight, they wouldn't be returning to the camp. Instead, they planned to battle it out over thirty rounds of "karaoke"!
The dormitory walls at the training camp weren't exactly soundproof, and Eiji hadn't sung with his senior sister in days.
Their destination was a city about ten kilometers away, bustling even at night.
"But speaking of which, the level of competition in this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival is unexpectedly high!"
As they walked toward the city, Eiji—now in disguise—casually brought up the upcoming festival.
Only about half a month remained until the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
And the quality of student knights participating this year was arguably the highest in a decade.
"A-rank knights aside, there's a whole crowd of B-rank knights. C-rank knights, who could barely scrape by as Seven Stars Sword Kings in the past, are completely overshadowed this time..."
As far as he knew, Stella was the only A-rank knight so far.
"For B-rank knights, in Hagun Academy, there's me and Shizuku, in Bukyoku there's the Seven Stars Sword King Moroboshi Yuudai, and in Kyomon there's Tsuruya Mikoto—that makes four in total. And there are even more C-rank knights..."
Touka counted carefully and realized this year's competitors were truly formidable.
One could say it was second only to the generation of Kurono Shinguuji and Saikyo Nene over a decade ago.
In weaker years, even C-rank knights could become the Seven Stars Sword King, but this year, C-rank knights had become downright common.
"Senior, you missed one. Yakushi Kiriko from Rentei Academy will also be competing this year. Though she's rated as B-rank, she undoubtedly has A-rank strength. Her water manipulation far surpasses Kurogane Shizuku's, making her a strong contender for the Seven Stars Sword King."
"Miss Yakushi is participating too?"
Touka was startled, then her expression turned troubled.
"Then we really won't have an easy time against so many strong opponents this year!"
Indeed.
Yakushi Kiriko's cellular-level self-decomposition and reassembly were even more effective against purely physical swordsmen like Eiji than reflection. If he faced her, Eiji would likely lose decisively.
So even Eiji had no confidence in becoming this year's Seven Stars Sword King.
It wasn't for lack of ability—this year's competitors were simply too strong!
With his current strength, he was far from capable of sweeping through such a field.
"If only I could stumble into a few other worlds before then..."
Eiji secretly hoped in his heart.
Compared to others, his biggest disadvantage was how short his rise had been!
While others had been training—or even making names for themselves—he had still been bedridden, unable to care for himself. Even counting his time in the Danmachi world, his total training time barely amounted to five months, not even half a year.
If he had trained since childhood like the others, he would already be the strongest in the world.
"In that case, I should finish developing my new technique sooner too."
Touka mused thoughtfully.
"Senior, you're working on a new technique?"
"Yep! But it's a secret for now. I'll tell you once it's done!"
Touka pressed a finger to her lips, flashing a mischievous smile.
"Then my expectations are through the roof."
Naturally, Eiji didn't press further.
"We're reaching the city now."
The two moved swiftly.
After a dashing sprint under the setting sun, they arrived in the city within half an hour.
By now, the sky had begun to darken into indigo.
Neon lights flickered to life along the streets, which were packed with commuters and vehicles, the entire city bustling with activity.
"So many people."
A red light flashed at a crosswalk ahead.
Touka held onto her junior's arm, gazing at the crowd gathered there, quietly marveling.
"Senior."
"What is it?"
"Look at that person..."
Following his gaze, Touka spotted a slightly peculiar figure across the street.
It was a utility worker in overalls, his face half-hidden under a cap, his build somewhat burly. He stood silently at the opposite crosswalk, waiting for the light.
"His gait seems a bit...?"
"Yeah, a little odd."
Eiji's eyes fixed unwaveringly on the worker.
His vision pierced through the man like an X-ray, constructing a model of his musculature in his mind based on the folds and texture of his clothes, estimating his height and physique.
"The right leg isn't moving too well, but it doesn't seem injured—leg function should be fine... Is there a long object hidden in the right leg's pocket?"
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹