Chapter 419: The Third Round—The Quarterfinals!
Until now, Sara had never felt like a warrior to Luke, and she truly did not consider herself one.
The presence of a grandmaster was terrifying, but it could not greatly affect Luke, who had reached a similar realm.
Now, however, things were different.
Luke had awakened Sara's will to fight.
Although the feeling was not entirely clear and carried a faintly strange quality, Luke was certain of one thing.
Sara possessed enough strength to threaten him.
So Luke smiled.
It seemed his next match finally would not bore him!
...
Afterward, Luke packed some food and returned to the hotel alone to have lunch with Edelweiss.
As for why he was alone—
Sara had left.
That was right. She had voluntarily stopped following Luke around.
She seemed determined to prepare for the afternoon match and departed with an unusually serious expression.
Before leaving, she gave Luke one final look.
It contained unwavering determination and absolute confidence in victory.
...
After the midday break, the afternoon matches soon began.
Although this was the third round and officially the quarterfinals, there were only four matches in total.
Stella had no opponent and advanced automatically, leaving only three actual matches.
Luke and Sara represented Block D, so their battle was scheduled last.
The opening match belonged to the two remaining competitors from Block A.
Raikiri Todo Touka versus Lorelei Kurogane Shizuku!
It was an internal clash between Hagun Academy representatives!
Most interestingly, the two had already fought once during Hagun's representative selection matches.
That time, Touka achieved an overwhelming victory.
News of their previous battle had already spread throughout the venue before the match began.
The promise of a revenge match greatly increased the audience's anticipation.
"I've waited a long time for this day, Touka-senpai."
Shizuku stared intently at Touka, countless emotions hidden within her voice.
Ever since losing to Touka during the selection matches, Shizuku had never relaxed her training.
She had spent almost every waking moment hoping for another chance to face Touka and defeat her.
Now, on the grand stage of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, her wish had finally come true.
"This time, I won't lose."
"Onii-sama will undoubtedly reach the semifinals. If I want to meet him on this stage, I absolutely cannot lose this battle!"
"Touka-senpai, I will defeat you!"
"I see. You wish to meet Kurogane-kun in the tournament…"
"That is a wonderful dream for a brother and sister."
Touka looked at her petite underclassman with quiet admiration.
She knew exactly how powerful Shizuku was.
This girl was unquestionably a dangerous opponent who could not be underestimated.
However…
"I'm sorry, but I cannot surrender this victory to you."
"Just as you wish to meet Kurogane-kun, there is someone I want to challenge again."
"Luke…"
"On the stage of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, I intend to complete my own challenge!"
Touka was actually quite similar to Shizuku.
After Luke defeated her, she devoted herself to training and even sought guidance from her master, God of War Nangou Torajirou.
Touka's improvement over this short period could only be described as terrifying.
Otherwise, she would never have regained the confidence to challenge Luke.
Now that she had reached the quarterfinals, advancing one more step would give her an excellent chance of facing him.
"Until then, I will not hold back, even against a fellow representative of Hagun Academy."
"I accept your challenge!"
Towering lightning and surging waves erupted across the stage.
Before the eyes of the entire audience, the second battle between Touka and Shizuku began!
...
Stella advanced through Block B without fighting.
Once the Block A match ended, Ikki entered the arena for the Block C quarterfinal.
His opponent was also an old acquaintance.
A grinning skull tattoo was clearly visible across the man's exposed chest.
Behind his sunglasses, vicious eyes glared at Ikki with unmistakable ferocity.
Third-year student of Donrou Academy—
Sword Eater Kurashiki Kuraudo!
He had once caused an incident involving Ayatsuji Ayase and had later been defeated separately by Luke and Ikki.
His connection with Hagun Academy could hardly be called pleasant.
"Kurogane Ikki!"
"Ha! So you're the first one I get to face."
Kuraudo's voice overflowed with killing intent.
Ikki had no doubt that if the opportunity appeared, this man would genuinely try to kill him.
But beneath that murderous aura burned overwhelming excitement and soaring fighting spirit!
"I wanted to crush Luke first, but… whatever."
"It was only a matter of time. It makes no difference which of you comes first."
"Luke Ashburn, Kurogane Ikki—nothing matters to me except fighting the two of you!"
Powerful mana and towering fighting spirit erupted from Kuraudo.
The violent pressure made even Ikki tense.
"To fight you both…"
"To return the humiliation of defeat…"
"To surpass both of you…"
"That is why I finally obtained this power!"
Kuraudo's presence grew stronger with every word.
Mana gradually gathered within his hands.
Then the familiar white bone sword, Orochimaru, once again appeared before Ikki and Luke, who was watching from outside the arena.
At that exact moment, both of them revealed indescribable shock.
The bone sword itself was not what surprised them.
What stunned them was that Kuraudo now held an identical Device in each hand!
White Bone Sword—Dual-Wielding Style!
This was not as simple as gaining a second weapon.
The number of Devices a Blazer possessed could not be increased casually.
Some Blazers could indeed manifest multiple weapons, such as Arisuin and Amane.
However, their Devices had always existed as multiple objects from the moment they awakened.
They had not increased their number later.
Both Luke and Ikki had personally witnessed Sword Eater Kurashiki Kuraudo's Orochimaru.
It had unquestionably been a single sword.
Furthermore, its shape had changed along with becoming a pair.
The former white bone sword resembled a jagged saw.
Now, each weapon looked more like a double-edged western sword.
A Device itself had changed.
That was almost impossible to believe.
A Device was the physical manifestation of a person's soul.
It represented their very existence—the crystallization of their values, aesthetics, worldview, personality, and chosen way of life.
If a Device changed, only one explanation was possible.
Compared with the person he once was, Kuraudo had undergone a complete transformation at his very core.
Perhaps he had even…
Killed his former self with his own hands.
…
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