"Victory and Aftermath"
Simultaneously with Akatsuki Academy's attack on Hagun Academy, Kurono Shinguuji and Nene Saikyo realized they'd been manipulated.
It was a routine pre-Seven Star Sword Festival meeting; but when they returned, their flight back to Tokyo was canceled.
Flight cancellations are common; they weren't initially suspicious. But after receiving news of the attack from the academy, they realized something was amiss.
The attackers were representatives from various academies; such a large-scale attack had no prior warning. The flight cancellation made them suspect foul play.
They didn't delay; they ran towards Hagun Academy along the railway.
Both were top-tier sword masters; their running speed was comparable to a train. (Japanese trains are much slower than our high-speed rail!)
They quickly reached Hagun Academy.
But before they saw the school, they stopped.
Edelweiss was already fighting Drake; her sword ki alone prevented the two world-class sword masters from moving.
Kurono Shinguuji smiled wryly; she'd prepared for the worst, but it was worse than she imagined.
Kurono Shinguuji, not a demon, felt the danger acutely. The sharp sword ki stiffened her; every cell in her body seemed to scream in agony.
Nene Saikyo wasn't much better; even as a demon who'd transcended fate, she didn't believe she could surpass Hiyoku.
But another presence appeared—intense heat and a wild beast.
This presence held its own against Hiyoku's oppressive sword ki.
Nene Saikyo sighed. "I underestimated that kid from Shinryuu Temple! That old geezer really did send a monster!
Kurono, we can't stay here; are you alright?"
As a friend, Nene Saikyo worried about Kurono Shinguuji, who wasn't a demon, and her ability to withstand Hiyoku's influence.
Kurono Shinguuji shook her head. "I'm fine; I'm a teacher; I can't let my students fight alone!"
She moved towards the intense battle.
They arrived just as Drake drew 〈Martial Saint〉.
Drake wielded the long blade; the dragon's eyes on the blade glowed; a dragon's roar echoed through the night sky. Flames enveloped the blade, turning its silver-gray hue to crimson.
Opposite him, Edelweiss was serious, assuming a formal swordsmanship stance for the first time.
Drake didn't seem interested in showcasing his new Device; he poured all his strength into his next strike.
It would undoubtedly be earth-shattering.
The increasingly violent ki forced Edelweiss to become serious; her next strike would be made with the intent to kill.
Feeling Edelweiss's killing intent, Drake felt his heart constrict. But he laughed; this pressure was exactly what he needed to unleash his full potential!
Both finished charging almost simultaneously; flames formed a huge fire dragon around Drake, its jaws open to bite the incoming white flash.
The dragon bit the flash; Drake swung the Azure Dragon Crescent Moon Blade, striking Edelweiss's winged swords with immense force.
Kurono Shinguuji and Nene Saikyo couldn't get closer; the surging flames and sword ki leveled the surrounding area.
Hagun Academy's gate and all nearby buildings and plants vanished; even the ground was scraped clean.
Kurono Shinguuji and Nene Saikyo recovered to see the two combatants standing back-to-back.
Drake still held Martial Saint, but the blade extending from the dragon's mouth was cleanly severed in the middle.
The perfectly smooth cut was the result of Edelweiss's full-powered swordsmanship.
Drake bent, planting Martial Saint in the ground to support himself.
Blood splattered on the ground; Dragon Force and Spirit Assimilation had long since dissipated; the deep cut across his chest wouldn't heal itself.
Despite his severe injuries, Drake laughed happily.
Blood flowed down Edelweiss's blade, dripping onto the ground.
Although the sword had wounded Drake, the blood wasn't his.
Edelweiss, previously pristine white, now had a stark red mark on her shoulder.
It was a wound inflicted by Drake; the blood flowed from it, down her white arm, and onto her sword.
The world's strongest swordsman, Hiyoku… was injured!
Edelweiss turned to Drake, retracting her Device.
"This time, we didn't have a clear victor. I await your next challenge!"
Edelweiss said, then floated into the night sky and disappeared.
Drake leaned on the broken Martial Saint, a wry smile on his face.
What did she mean, no clear victor? The outcome was obvious! If the fight continued, he would have fallen to Edelweiss's blade.
As Ikki Kurogane had said, Edelweiss was kind and gentle. She didn't want to kill Drake, hence the ambiguous declaration.
However, she had also confirmed Drake's strength, hence her invitation for another challenge.
Drake wondered if he'd given Hiyoku a sense of urgency. Would she be even stronger next time? He didn't want to lose again; he needed to become far stronger.
Martial Saint was shattered; Drake closed his eyes and collapsed.
…
When Drake opened his eyes again, it was noon the next day. Thanks to the regeneration pod, the wound on his chest was completely healed. A full night's sleep had restored his stamina.
As soon as he opened his eyes, he heard a familiar voice.
"Drake! Drake! You're awake! We were so worried!"
Stella threw herself on him. "Stella, I'm injured!"
"Sorry!" Stella realized she'd been too impulsive. "It's your fault for being so reckless and fighting Hiyoku."
Drake sat up. "I couldn't help it; she appeared; I couldn't miss the opportunity."
Stella fell silent, then showed a determined expression. She'd decided to become Drake's strength, but she hadn't been able to do anything yet.
Although she hadn't seen Hiyoku, she knew from Kurono Shinguuji and Nene Saikyo how powerful the world's strongest swordsman was.
And Drake had directly challenged her; she had to become stronger so she wouldn't fall too far behind.
Drake said, "What happened after I lost consciousness?"
Stella replied, "Everyone else is fine! Ikki Kurogane wasn't seriously injured; he recovered this morning.
Shizuku and the President encountered the 〈One-Armed Swordsman〉; the Principal and Saikyo-sensei arrived in time to repel him, but he took all the attackers away."
Drake nodded; it was a good outcome; there were no fatalities.
But even Drake knew this attack had a deeper conspiracy; more troubles were to come.
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