During the intensive training period, the Student Council invited an active professional Mage-Knight to serve as a guest instructor.
It was a rare opportunity for the competitors.
Those who didn't participate would undoubtedly fall behind their peers before the main tournament even began.
For the talented Mage-Knights attending the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, ten days were enough to undergo a significant transformation in their abilities.
Originally, Hagun Academy's participants were supposed to go to Okutama's Training Camp for the intensive training.
"Why are we coming to Kyomon Academy this year instead?" Stella asked, puzzled.
Tohka replied, "Due to the incident at Okutama, the League deemed it unsafe. The Chairwoman entrusted the responsibility to Kyomon Academy."
"This is my first time here," Stella continued. "What about you, Tohka-senpai?"
"I've been here a few times for Student Council work, but this is my first time at this particular training ground."
Listening to their conversation, Noah sighed.
He'd wasted his time cleaning the Okutama camp earlier!
As a result, the Hagun contestants would train alongside the representatives from Kyomon Academy.
Since this was their opponents' home ground, the Hagun team, led by Tohka, divided the training grounds with Kyomon out of courtesy.
Unless instructed otherwise by the League's mentors, they deliberately avoided each other's practice sessions.
Of course, not everyone adhered to this tacit agreement.
Observing an opponent's capabilities before a match was like winning the lottery.
Although Blazers were educated in the Knightly System, not all of them considered themselves true knights.
Pre-match reconnaissance was considered part of one's strength.
For those who truly wanted to win, this level of preparation was basic.
Hagun's decision to maintain distance stemmed from Tohka's directive to avoid unnecessary risks.
Without her orders, Noah would have personally Appraised every enemy.
He had no interest in the Knightly System or its ideals. If it were just a competition, he'd hold back.
But if they were true enemies, he'd carry out any measure necessary—whether it meant ramming them with a bulldozer or planting C4 at a meeting place.
The real disappointment was the abysmal skill level of the League's so-called "special instructors."
Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that this year's roster of student contestants was just absurdly strong.
During the sparring match between the Crimson Princess and Raikiri, the League's professional Mage-Knights stood around like dazed wooden statues.
Forget about offering guidance—they struggled to even keep up with the pair's movements.
With the instructors' incompetence, the intensive training camp devolved into the student knights simply sparring among themselves.
If the intensive training ended like this, the League's reputation would suffer.
So, the League announced they would send new "instructors."
...
Ikki and Shizuku emerged from the distance, pushing shopping carts laden with water and beverages.
Ikki's return made him the savior of everyone present.
The weather in late July was scorching, compounded by the grueling training regimen. Every participant was drenched in sweat.
"Thank you so much, Kurogane-senpai!"
Kagami, a member of the news club, was present to gather material for a story.
Ikki and Shizuku accompanied Alice. Given Ikki's situation, returning to Hagun Academy during summer break was impossible.
"Alice, don't you need to practice? I could be your sparring partner," Ikki offered.
"Hehe, that's a tempting offer, but my abilities aren't suited for such a public display. I appreciate your kindness, but perhaps we could replace this sparring session with another type of training," Alice replied in his usual girlish tone.
Shizuku clung to Ikki's arm while protesting, "Alice, stop making advances on my brother! He belongs to me!"
'Nani?!'
The news club members from the other academy were shocked.
'Not only its a romance between siblings, but they're not even hiding it!'
Realizing they had misunderstood, Ikki hurriedly tried to clarify, but they had already backed away, keeping their distance.
...
"Um... Noah, right? Would you like to practice with us?" asked a pair of third-year twin sisters from the competition team, Kikyo and Botan.
"I understand," Noah nodded.
He found an empty practice area, stepped into the center, and summoned Raven Feather.
Kikyo, the elder sister, would be his first opponent.
"Please guide me!"
Her voice trembled slightly.
The young man before her rarely smiled at anyone other than the Crimson Princess.
Though she had seen him smile at Stella and found it adorable, facing him in combat felt different. He exuded an imposing, distant aura.
As a beautiful upperclassman, Kikyo usually enjoyed special treatment from the boys.
She could captivate juniors with a single word or glance, though she wasn't the type to toy with feelings.
But Noah's coldness was excessive.
'Is he really that different from when he's with Stella?'
Kikyo took a deep breath and summoned her Device.
Her weapon was a long spear.
Judging by her stance, her martial foundation was poor.
Her posture and hand movements were unrefined, leaving her riddled with vulnerabilities.
Noah's gaze sharpened as he materialized an Ice Crystal Battle Scythe.
"Huh?"
Kagami, noticing the situation, immediately began filming it.
But upon seeing Noah's weapon, she asked in confusion, "A scythe?"
Although he excelled in close combat, he usually used sword techniques.
'Could he be underestimating Kikyo-senpai and deliberately holding back? That's a possibility...'
"I'm going in!" Kikyo didn't dwell on such thoughts.
She found the massive scythe intimidating, and a hint of nervousness lingered in her heart.
The idea of being underestimated didn't even cross her mind. Gripping her spear, she charged.
Noah spin his enormous scythe, its razor-sharp blade sweeping directly toward Kikyo's head.
She ducked, evading the strike.
In a fluid motion, Noah seized the handle, pivoted, and adjusted his stance, maintaining his distance.
He dropped into a half-squat and swung the scythe horizontally at her.
Kikyo raised her spear vertically to block.
The scythe's blade struck the shaft, halting with a heavy thud.
'Blocked?' Noah was somewhat surprised.
From that angle, his opponent shouldn't have been able to react in time.
'So this must be Kikyo's innate Ability: Instant Acceleration.'
Activating her ability allowed Kikyo to propel her spear to subsonic speeds, instantly forming a Noble Art.
"Haa!"
Kikyo thrust her spear forward, channeling Instant Acceleration into her weapon.
The spearhead shot out like a shooting star, its subsonic velocity making it highly destructive.
Noah swung his scythe to block.
The clash was fierce.
At first glance, it seemed Noah was being overwhelmed, forced onto the defensive.
Suddenly, Noah kicked the base of his scythe.
The blunt end slammed into Kikyo's calf, causing her to gasp and freeze mid-strike.
"Ow!"
The girl cried out, collapsing to one knee. A bruise rapidly spread across her leg.
Seeing her unable to stand, Kagami stared in disbelief.
'Is... is that it?'
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