Chapter 295: The Final Battle of the Representative Selection!
In the end, under Luke's persuasion (physical), Ikki successfully changed his goal of becoming stronger from a certain old man in the past to the rival and friends he had now.
After throwing away his confusion, Ikki also gained a huge breakthrough in his spirit and heart after going through such suffering.
The following days returned to peace once again.
The representative selection battles also proceeded smoothly.
Just when everyone thought this peaceful daily life would continue until the representative selection battles ended, a shocking piece of news swept through the entire Hagun Academy.
The selection battles had now reached the nineteenth battle, and only students who had won all nineteen matches were qualified to participate in the twentieth battle, which was also the final battle of the representative selection.
There were twelve students in total, making six battles in all.
The six student Knights who won in the end would represent Hagun Academy at the Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
And this earth-shaking news was about that final battle.
It was a pairing no one had expected.
Falling Star Sword Emperor VS Raikiri!
…
At this moment, Luke was eating with Ikki, Stella, and the others in the student cafeteria.
"It's simply unbelievable. Luke and Touka-senpai actually met this early."
The news had already been released for more than a day, but Stella still found it somewhat hard to believe.
"Why would two people who absolutely have the qualifications to participate in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival meet in the selection battles? I thought the selection battles…"
"You thought the selection battle system had some mechanism to ensure that outstanding students wouldn't meet in advance?"
Luke interrupted the crimson-haired princess's words with a smile.
Then he gestured to Stella, telling the girl to look beside her.
And when Stella followed his gaze and saw Shizuku sitting beside her, staring at her with a dark expression, she immediately grew embarrassed and hurriedly explained.
"Ah! Shizuku, I-I-I didn't mean it that way!"
"I wasn't saying you weren't outstanding enough. Shizuku is very strong! I even have to thank you for guiding my magic control training during this period."
"Wh-what I meant just now was… was…"
"…Forget it."
After hearing Stella's explanation, Shizuku first glared fiercely at her, then sighed and spoke.
"I understand what you mean. It is indeed surprising that Luke-san and Todo-senpai ended up facing each other this time."
"But it is not that difficult to understand."
After all, Shizuku herself was the best example.
The representative selection battles held by Hagun Academy this time were not using a completely random match-up system, but a certain degree of randomness still existed.
Shizuku's past battle with Touka had been like that.
In terms of strength, she was stronger than most of the twelve current undefeated contestants.
Shizuku glanced at her brother, then continued speaking to the confused crimson-haired girl.
"The purpose of this selection battle was originally to create a relatively fair stage, allowing everyone to have an equal chance."
"Only that way can certain people be prevented from exploiting loopholes."
"And for the Director, as long as someone from the school can win the Seven Star Sword Art Festival and obtain the title of 'Seven Star Sword King,' that is enough."
"So, having just one sufficiently outstanding contestant is enough."
"If you think of it that way, Luke-san and Todo-senpai matching is not that surprising."
"Shizuku is right."
Ikki, who was sitting nearby, also nodded in agreement with her words.
"There aren't many contestants left. It's very normal for matches between acquaintances to appear."
"Rather, among us, only Luke and Touka-senpai ended up facing each other, while the rest of us aren't facing anyone we know. That is what feels more surprising."
In truth, Ikki also understood that the random mechanism of the selection battles had been deliberately arranged by Director Kurono to take care of him to a certain extent.
Only by using this kind of mechanism that no one could interfere with could she guarantee that Ikki would not receive unfair treatment.
"Still, putting that aside, Luke, you don't seem nervous at all."
Arisuin looked at the calm boy and smiled as he brought the topic back to its starting point.
He knew about Luke's battle with Edelweiss. In fact, it was precisely because of the intelligence he provided that the Rebellion invited that great figure, "Twin-Wings," to test Luke once.
The result of that battle had already been sealed within the Rebellion. Almost no one knew the exact details.
There were only private rumors spreading that Edelweiss had been injured.
However, as the core of the "plan," Arisuin had obtained partial information about the battle between Luke and Edelweiss.
He knew that Luke had truly injured Edelweiss.
This person had carved a wound onto the world's strongest that could be called fatal.
Although the information Arisuin received emphasized that it was because "Twin-Wings" had underestimated her opponent and been careless that the boy had succeeded…
Even so, it was enough to shock Arisuin.
After all, that was the world's strongest swordsman. Even if she had been careless, could an ordinary person leave a wound on her?
Luke's terrifying battle record also strengthened a certain thought in Arisuin's heart.
The strength on Hagun Academy's side had far exceeded the Rebellion's expectations. In that case, his choice would no longer be seeking his own destruction.
However, whether out of curiosity or wanting to increase his own confidence, Arisuin still hoped to understand more about Luke's true strength.
This peak match of the selection battles could be said to be a heaven-sent opportunity.
"Nervous… Hmm, I suppose what I feel more is anticipation."
Faced with Arisuin's question, Luke thought for a moment before giving his answer.
"To be able to personally experience the sword-drawing technique known as 'undefeated,' honestly, I have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time."
"If I really had to describe my feelings, aside from anticipation, I suppose there is still some worry."
"Oh-ho? As expected, when facing the undefeated 'Raikiri,' even you finally have a day when you feel worried, Luke!"
Hearing his words, Stella was the first to laugh excitedly.
It was not only her. Even Ikki, Shizuku, and Arisuin all immediately shifted their gazes over.
In the eyes of these friends who were relatively close to Luke, Luke had never shown such an emotion as worry.
When facing battle, he had always appeared calm and unhurried.
Even Arisuin, who knew Luke had fought Twin-Wings, could not imagine him looking nervous or worried about battle without seeing it with his own eyes.
So after he said that he was "somewhat worried," everyone became interested.
However, Luke's next sentence nearly made them choke.
"…For the time being, I am somewhat worried about whether Touka-senpai can give me a surprise."
"If it is only 'Raikiri,' then while I would still be satisfied, it would ultimately be somewhat regrettable."
"I wonder if Touka-senpai has prepared some hidden trump cards for this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival."
Listening to Luke's reflection and looking at his expectant expression, which did not seem like act, the expressions of anticipation on Stella and the others' faces instantly froze.
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