"You're holding back a lot of anger!"
While Ryoji practiced in the forest plaza, the legal loli watched his heaving body, drooling slightly as she mused aloud.
"...It seems... hah! ...there's a sign of that... is there!"
Ryoji, bathed in twenty times the normal gravity, struggled through his physical training, his voice strained as he replied.
"Your imposing manner is completely different today. You're clearly pushing yourself much harder than usual."
The legal loli nodded emphatically. "It's rare to see you this angry, not since you were a child!"
Since pulling himself together seven or eight years ago, Ryoji had rarely felt hatred for anything.
For him, nothing in the world could surpass the hatred he felt for his childhood memories. As a result, he approached people and things with remarkable composure, never losing his cool even when dealing with idiots.
Of course, he was naturally straightforward and outspoken. Once provoked, he would immediately unleash a torrent of profanity.
To date, he had only truly lost his temper a handful of times. One instance was with the toad woman in the Danmachi world, and another was with the Puppet Warlock who had manipulated Tomaru Renren just a few days prior. Even when beaten to a pulp, he had never truly lost his composure.
But this time, Kurogane Ikki's ordeal had ignited his fury once more.
It wasn't that he felt Kurogane Ikki's suffering as if it were his own. Such trivial torment was beneath consideration for both of them.
What truly infuriated him was someone else entirely—
"Huff... Senior Sister... could you get the clay from my bag?" Ryoji lay sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.
"Clay? Isn't that for practicing Magic Control?"
The legal loli picked up another folding fan and waved it gently. Ryoji's backpack floated into her palm. She retrieved a drink and the clay, tossing both to Ryoji.
Ryoji caught the items and took a large gulp of the drink. He cradled the clay in his palm, channeling Magic Power from within his body to reshape it.
Sculpting clay was the most common method Blazers used to train their Magic Control.
Compared to techniques like water walking or hydraulic presses, this method was much safer and suitable for all skill levels. Even Kurogane Shizuku, a prodigy with A-rank Magic Control, frequently used clay for practice.
"Junior Brother, your Magic Power...?!" Saikyou Nene exclaimed, her expression shifting from curiosity to astonishment.
As she watched Ryoji, her gaze gradually turned strange and unfathomable.
Ryoji maintained his Magic Power projection for a much longer duration than before, his Magic Power visibly growing stronger.
And not just by a factor of two or three—based on the sustained duration, it was likely more than tenfold, which, according to Blazer standards, would qualify as D-Rank Magic Power.
"Have you... perhaps reached that realm?"
"Huh? What realm?"
Faced with the legal loli's astonished expression, Ryoji looked utterly bewildered.
He completely trusted the legal loli, which was why he had been practicing his Magic Control in this secluded spot.
After all, in a world where Magic Power couldn't be increased through training, Blazers like him who had enhanced their Magic Power were considered anomalies. If exposed, they might be captured and dissected by the League or even terrorists.
But what on earth was this "realm" she was talking about?
"You haven't?"
The legal loli scrutinized him from head to toe.
For a fleeting moment, it felt as if the legal loli before him had vanished from the world. An indescribably eerie sensation washed over Ryoji, sending chills down his spine.
The strange sensation lasted only a moment before vanishing, and the legal loli's aura returned to its usual calm.
"You're right, there's no such aura... Amazing! If you haven't reached that realm, how did your Magic Power increase?" the legal loli asked Ryoji, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Eh, can I not answer?"
"A big secret?"
"Exactly."
"Tch... Fine."
The legal loli clicked her tongue repeatedly, clearly annoyed.
"So, what exactly is this 'realm' you're talking about?" Ryoji asked, relieved but still curious.
"If you reach that realm, can a Blazer's Magic Power also increase? I thought it was supposed to be impossible to change after a lifetime?"
"I don't want to say."
"...Really? Not even a hint?" Ryoji sat up from the ground, his gaze fixed on the legal loli with a profound expression.
His eyes held three parts reluctance, three parts disappointment, and four parts anticipation, their explosive intensity overwhelming Saikyou Nene, who cried out, "I can't take it anymore!"
"Alright, alright! I'm not telling you for your own good!"
The legal loli quickly pressed her legs together, her petite body squirming on the lounge chair before finally settling back into a normal position.
"I'll tell you when you reach my level! Knowing now would only harm you, not help you!"
"Tch, fine then," Ryoji reluctantly nodded.
This legal loli might be a bit of a pervert, but she genuinely cared for him. Since she insisted, he decided to drop the matter.
"Still, Magic Control is so hard to train..."
His Magic Control was ranked F.
But that didn't mean his Magic Control was actually terrible. During previous tests, his Magic Power would drain completely the moment it left his body, making it impossible to conduct the test properly. That's why he'd been assigned the lowest rank, F.
In truth, it wasn't until his Magic Power reached D-Rank, allowing for proper testing, that his innate skill in Magic Control could be assessed.
And it seemed he was completely hopeless.
Ryoji stared at the lump of clay in his hand, now a mangled mess, and couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Time flowed swiftly.
Eight days had passed since Kurogane Ikki was taken away, and it was now late June.
Finally, on this day, the nineteenth round of the selection tournament came to an end.
"With this, only the final round remains."
Ryoji effortlessly pinned his opponent to the ground and pummeled him into submission. After being declared the victor, he turned and walked off the arena as if nothing had happened.
"He's so strong! Kirihara Shizuya didn't stand a chance!"
"Kirihara's ability is incredibly powerful—he can completely conceal his presence, scent, heat, and aura. Even cameras can't capture his image. He's only lost two matches so far, but Ryoji instantly saw through his concealment and completely dominated him, leaving him utterly helpless..."
"It seems the online rumors about Ryoji's extraordinary intuition are true."
"The nickname 'Broken-Winged Angel' really doesn't suit Angel-sama anymore. But what should we call him now?"
"I heard Angel-sama himself strongly insisted on being called 'Aurora Swordsman,' but it lacks any aesthetic appeal and doesn't suit him at all!"
"I think 'White Rose' isn't bad!"
"Then I have one too..."
After the battle ended, Ryoji returned to the preparation room and picked up his student handbook.
As soon as he opened it, an unread message popped up, sent by Rich Lady Kanata.
"The League Branch wants me to change my opponent!"
Ryoji's eyes flashed.
'So it's finally here!'
He left the arena and strode quickly toward the operations committee office.
(End Of This Chapter)
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