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"Kyomon Academy's representative contestant?" Toudou Touka stared in astonishment at the delicate-featured youth before her.
"But we've been in joint training for so long, how have we never seen you before?"
Come to think of it, Kyomon Academy had indeed been consistently short one member during their daytime training sessions. Could this boy, Shinomiya Amane, be the missing piece?
"Ahaha, I only arrived today, and I'm leaving right away too," Shinomiya Amane said, waving his hand awkwardly. "My strength is quite weak, I have no martial arts skills, and little physical strength. Plus, I have no interest in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, so I didn't participate in the joint training."
His reaction to the indiscriminate killing spree earlier certainly suggested that he couldn't even handle ordinary people.
In theory, with E-Rank Magic Power, dealing with an ordinary person should have been a piece of cake. Yet he had stumbled back several steps, as if he had rushed forward without thinking.
'So he really might be quite weak after all.'
"Then how did you become a representative contestant?" Ryoji asked, looking at the boy who was a head shorter than him, his eyes filled with confusion.
"I just got lucky," Shinomiya Amane said bashfully. "The others who were chosen with me were all delayed by various circumstances, and my ability is a bit special, so I was selected."
Kyomon Academy followed a Level-based system. As long as a Blazer's Rank was high enough and their special ability was strong enough, they could be chosen as a representative contestant.
Judging by his weak combat reflexes, his ability must be exceptionally powerful to have earned him one of the six coveted spots.
From this, it seemed Ryoji had also seen through the random killer due to his own ability.
Since it would be unethical to ask about the abilities of potential opponents at the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, Ryoji decided not to inquire.
"Um, this might seem sudden, but I actually brought a signed board because I had a feeling I might run into Ryoji-kun today!"
Shinomiya Amane suddenly remembered something, excitedly pulling a signed board from his backpack and looking at Ryoji with anticipation.
"Could you sign this for me?"
"No problem."
Even though he was a male fan, having signed one autograph already, another wouldn't make a difference. Ryoji readily agreed, writing a large, flamboyant signature on the proffered board.
"Yay!"
Shinomiya Amane jumped for joy, letting out a triumphant shout before carefully tucking the signed board into his backpack as if handling a precious treasure.
"But, little brother Shinomiya, if you don't have the means to subdue criminals, it's best not to stick your neck out. You might get hurt!"
Toudou Touka warned him sternly. She had almost rushed in during the earlier incident, but Junior Brother's reaction had been much faster.
"Mm, thank you for your concern, Big Sister. I can't believe I panicked so much I forgot to use my Magic Power. How foolish of me!"
Shinomiya Amane hung his head in remorse, but his mood quickly brightened.
"But precisely because of that, I got to meet Ryoji here! You were so cool just now! Subduing the criminal in an instant, just like a hero in a movie!"
His face radiated pure joy.
As if his body held no trace of darkness, he radiated an utterly pure and optimistic aura.
"He's truly Junior Brother's biggest fan," Toudou Touka murmured, her gaze softening considerably as she looked at the boy.
"I adore Ryoji! Especially after learning about his past, I was so deeply moved!"
The moment Shinomiya Amane started talking about his admiration for Ryoji, he couldn't stop.
"Imagine being bedridden as a child, so frail you could die at any moment, yet you persevered with such incredible strength! You even insisted on constant training! A psychic who never gives up is just... amazing!"
He gazed at Ryoji with eyes sparkling like stars.
'So that's how it is.'
This kid wasn't just a fan of Ryoji's looks, he was a fan of his character.
Ryoji, in turn, found himself viewing Amane with a newfound respect.
"Well, you're exaggerating a bit. I've had thoughts of giving up quite often..."
"Really? But the fact that you persevered in the end just proves how truly amazing you are!"
'Hmm.'
'That's the truth.'
'Nice to hear.'
'Tell me more!'
"Exactly, exactly! I think Junior Brother looks coolest like that too!"
Toudou Touka seemed to have found common ground with Shinomiya Amane, enthusiastically agreeing with her remarks and beaming with pride.
The two Ryoji fanboys ganged up, showering him with extravagant praise.
Hum hum.
Ryoji chuckled softly, almost starting to believe he was invincible.
Fortunately, he quickly suppressed this arrogant vanity. He was still far from reaching the world's elite.
Let alone the world's elite, he had no confidence in defeating someone like Yakushi Kiriko.
"Alrighty! Time for me to head out! I still need to buy the stuff everyone asked me to get!"
About ten minutes later, Shinomiya Amane stood up from the roadside bench, bidding farewell to the two.
He had come to this city after being commissioned by the school's senior commission to deliver supplies to the training grounds. Meeting Ryoji was purely accidental, but now he also had a quest to complete.
"Be careful on your way back, and don't be reckless!" Toudou Touka said reluctantly as she stood up to bid him farewell.
"Mm, I will," Shinomiya Amane replied with a smile, then turned to Ryoji.
"Thank you for signing the autograph. I hope you can overcome all the trials and stand at the pinnacle of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. I'll be cheering for you wholeheartedly!"
Though it was a bit odd to cheer for his opponent, Ryoji was already used to it.
"Your well wishes are appreciated," Ryoji said, rising to shake Shinomiya Amane's hand.
The moment their hands clasped, the smile on Ryoji's face faltered slightly. But he showed no outward sign of abnormality, maintaining his smile as he saw Shinomiya Amane off.
"We'll meet again soon!"
Shinomiya Amane, looking utterly satisfied, left with these words, strutting away under their watchful eyes.
After leaving the park, Shinomiya Amane turned into a narrow alley.
The alley, dimly lit by the night, echoed with the cries of stray cats. He was the only person there.
He pulled the autographed board from his backpack.
"What a truly remarkable person! That psychic who never gives up, that unwavering determination to constantly improve... It's all so worthy of destruction!"
In an instant, his face darkened to pitch-black, his eyes turned muddy and murky, and the smile on his lips became disturbingly manic.
Smash!
A flash of silver light erupted.
The autographed board shattered into pieces.
"We'll meet again soon! Hehe, Hahahahahaha...!"
An unearthly, bone-chilling laughter echoed through the alley, as if rising from the depths of hell itself.
"Such sloppy handwriting."
(End of Chapter)