Haruki even went as far as pointing out the fws in the others' swordpy, deconstructing their movements with surgical precision.

  In Haruki's eyes, the techniques of Ikki Kurogane, Stel Vermillion, and Shizuku Kurogane were all incomplete—none had reached true mastery.

  He focused especially on Ikki. Ikki's style was a patchwork of stolen techniques, a massive library of moves synthesized into his own. While this made him versatile enough to counter almost anyone, it also meant his bde cked a "personal color."

  Against an opponent who could be outsmarted, "Bde Steal" was invincible. But against a truly peak warrior, a sword built on imitation would eventually hit an insurmountable wall—or worse, the ck of a core identity would cause Ikki's own bde to turn against him.

  Ikki was deeply moved by Haruki's insight. He had always felt that a sword built purely on imitation could never reach the true summit, but he hadn't known how to fix it. Since childhood, he had relied on watching others to survive; it was a path dependency he couldn't easily break.

  Haruki offered advice, but he knew that whether Ikki could transcend the limits of "imitation" was ultimately up to the boy himself.

  Shizuku Kurogane watched all of this unfold. Seeing Haruki's selfless attitude—his willingness to share everything he knew without reservation—she felt a storm of conflicting emotions.

  A person like Haruki simply didn't exist in the Kurogane family. Perhaps Ikki was like him, which was why the family had cast him out. Shizuku, however, was a "true" Kurogane. For years, she had been so immersed in her own desires and status that she hadn't even noticed the systematic abuse her brother suffered.

  Looking at Haruki—the literal incarnation of sword-talent, yet someone who radiated a "sunlight" that guided those around him—Shizuku felt her worldview trembling. Her original hostility and rejection of him were repced by a profound sense of self-loathing. She felt like a clown standing in front of a giant.

  As time passed, the first selection matches for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival officially began. The brackets were set.

  Haruki's first opponent was a man named Shizuya Kirihara.

  Kirihara was a celebrity at Hagun Academy. He had been a representative in the previous year's festival and held a C-Rank Bzer status. He was considered a formidable veteran. Consequently, most of the student body looked down on Haruki, assuming the transfer student would be knocked out in the very first round.

  Haruki didn't care about the gossip. He immediately researched Kirihara, even watching footage of his past matches. Haruki never underestimated an opponent. He didn't subscribe to the idea of "going easy" on anyone; he preferred to study a target thoroughly before dismantling them.

  During his investigation, he found a disturbing record.

  According to the academy's archives, Kirihara had been "commissioned" by the previous board of directors to systematically bully Ikki Kurogane. The goal had been to break Ikki's spirit and force him to drop out, stripping him of his status as a Bzer.

  Kirihara had spent the previous year relentlessly targeting Ikki, using his Device to humiliate and physically abuse him in public. It was only because Chairperson Kurono Shinguji took over that the harassment had officially stopped.

  Haruki's stance on bullying was icy and absolute. He knew that the weak aren't bullied because of their weakness, but because someone with power chooses to abuse it. Unchecked violence was the soil in which true evil grew.

  Haruki's bde would never ignore visible malice. If a swordsman turns a blind eye to such things, their sword becomes a mere prop, and their heart gathers dust. Since he now knew of Kirihara's history, Haruki decided he would show the "Hunter" exactly what it cost to cross the line.

  The w might have moved on, but Haruki's bde would not let a vilin go unpunished.

  Chapter 35 – Nene Saikyo

  The day of the selection match arrived. Haruki was waiting calmly when his opponent, Shizuya Kirihara, decided to pay him a visit before the match.

  Kirihara was a slender, effeminate youth with a permanent, shallow smile. He approached Haruki with a tone of mock politeness. "Hello, Aizawa-kun. First time meeting properly, isn't it?"

  "You're Shizuya Kirihara?"

  "That's right." Kirihara didn't seem bothered by Haruki's coldness. "I'm here to offer you a proposal. Something very beneficial for you."

  "A proposal?"

  "Yes. I'm hoping you'll forfeit the match voluntarily."

  "Oh?" Haruki actually smiled. He was genuinely impressed by the depth of the man's narcissism.

  Kirihara misinterpreted the smile and pressed on. "Think about it. You don't want to get thrashed in front of the whole school, do you? Forfeiting now saves you the humiliation. It's better for both of us."

  "You seem very certain that you can win."

  "Heh, why wouldn't I be?" Kirihara looked at Haruki through narrowed eyes, his gaze full of mockery. "I know you're C-Rank too, but there's a world of difference between us. Especially against a 'Mage-Killer' like me. A pure swordsman like you has zero chance."

  "A 'Mage-Killer'?"

  "Exactly. Surely you've heard the rumors... even that Ikki Kurogane was no match for me."

  Because of his recent victory over Stel, Ikki had become a symbol of hope for low-rank Bzers. Kirihara was using Ikki's past defeat at his hands as a measuring stick. Whether that past match had been fair was a different story, but Kirihara's ego was clearly infted to the bursting point.

  Haruki had heard enough. Wasting breath on a fool was more exhausting than training.

  "Leave, Kirihara. I'll see you in the ring."

  "Tch... fine. If you're determined to be humiliated in front of the whole school, so be it. I'll see you there."

  The atmosphere at Hagun Academy was electric. Csses were canceled, and every arena was booked for the selection matches. Ikki, Shizuku, and Stel had all finished their matches early, easily dispatching their opponents.

  Haruki's match was scheduled for the afternoon. Since both he and Kirihara were officially C-Rank, the academy had billed it as one of the highlight matches of the day.

  "Haruki, are you sure you're ready for Kirihara?" Ikki approached Haruki before the match, his eyes full of worry. He knew Kirihara's ability better than anyone, and he knew how cruel the man could be. Kirihara's power was the perfect embodiment of his twisted personality.

  "If I can't beat a guy like that, I have no business calling myself a swordsman," Haruki said ftly. He ignored the whispers of the crowd and walked toward the waiting area.

  As he reached the entrance, a peculiar woman blocked his path. She was tiny, wearing an oversized white kimono with cherry blossom patterns and a bright red haori. With her youthful face and ill-fitting clothes, she looked like a middle schooler pying dress-up.

  Haruki didn't recognize her. "And who are you?"

  "My, my... is there someone who doesn't know this one's name?" The girl turned around slowly. "Ah, I remember you. Kurono-chan said you were the transfer from the mainnd. It's only natural you wouldn't know me."

  "And?"

  "My name is Nene Saikyo. I suppose I'm a teacher here."

  "A teacher?" Haruki looked at her. She didn't have the air of an educator; she looked like a brat.

  But that was only on the surface. Within Haruki's Wave Perception, Nene Saikyo radiated a pressure that made Stel's A-Rank aura feel like a candle next to a bonfire. This woman was significantly stronger than the "Crimson Princess."

  The ceiling of this world is higher than I thought, Haruki realized.

  Nene Saikyo looked at Haruki with visible interest. She stared at him for a long time before muttering, "Not bad, kid. To think this school had someone of your caliber hiding in pin sight. Are you interested in a spar with this one?"

  "Sure," Haruki nodded immediately. He never turned down a fight with the strong.

  Nene blinked, surprised by his decisiveness. "Are you a battle maniac? I couldn't tell... Well, finish your little match first. This one will come find you afterward."

  She vanished as quickly as she had appeared.

  A moment ter, the intercom crackled to life.

  [First Year: Haruki Aizawa. Second Year: Shizuya Kirihara. Please enter the arena.]

  Haruki stood up and walked into the stadium. The stage was set.

  The training hall was packed with students and spectators.

  "The third match has concluded! Moving on to our fourth highlight of the day!" the announcer shouted into the mic. "I'm your host, Tsukuyomi from the Broadcasting Club, and joining me for commentary is Nene Saikyo-sensei!"

  "Let's introduce our combatants!"

  "On one side, we have the man who earned his spot in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival as a freshman! He defeated every rival in his path and has never been touched in an official match. Known as 'The Hunter,' he is a top candidate for this year's representative spot! Second Year—Shizuya Kirihara!"

  Kirihara walked onto the ptform to a roar of cheers, waving like a movie star. He basked in the attention of his many fans.

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