"Fū Shaorī"
"Here! I, as the principal of the National Akatsuki Academy, declare that our academy will participate in this year's Seven Star Sword Festival as the eighth academy. Please witness our triumph.
They will show everyone that Akatsuki Academy, not the Alliance's lapdogs, the Seven Star Academies, will bear the future of Japan."
Drake turned off the TV, looking out the window.
He'd expected this, but it still surprised him.
The day after Akatsuki Academy's attack, it was on the news. Hagun Academy's destruction was clearly shown.
Akatsuki Academy was clearly a terrorist organization; the Seven Star Sword Festival's organizing committee considered stripping the students of their magic knight status.
But this changed after the announcement.
The speaker was Tsukuyomi Bakuya; he claimed to be Akatsuki Academy's principal and the attack's planner.
He was also a Japanese Cabinet Minister, one of the country's most powerful figures.
Akatsuki Academy's full name was National Akatsuki Academy; unlike the Alliance's Seven Star Academies, it was backed by the Japanese government.
He didn't apologize for the attack; he challenged the Alliance directly.
He aimed to end the International Magic Knight Alliance's control over Japan's sword master education system and reclaim Japan's sovereignty.
No judicial body pursued the "terrorist attack"; the incident was deemed an accident.
The Seven Star Academies and the Seven Star Sword Festival organizing committee disagreed; they were about to revoke Akatsuki Academy's participation when they received an order from Alliance headquarters.
The International Magic Knight Alliance would confront Akatsuki Academy at the Seven Star Sword Festival, proving their policies correct.
This was as Tsukuyomi Bakuya planned… except for Akatsuki Academy's defeat!
Drake had single-handedly defeated Akatsuki Academy.
This was Kurono Shinguuji's counterattack; Tsukuyomi Bakuya was troubled.
He'd planned for Akatsuki Academy to defeat Hagun Academy, proving the Alliance's educational system's failure. But Akatsuki Academy was defeated by Drake.
His goal failed; he used his influence to push Akatsuki Academy forward.
Kurono Shinguuji then released another piece of news—Drake's fight with Hiyoku after defeating Akatsuki Academy.
Hiyoku herself admitted they'd fought to a draw!
Public opinion, manipulated by Tsukuyomi Bakuya's patriotism, shifted.
The world's strongest swordsman, whom the Alliance and the opposing Alliance couldn't defeat, had fought to a draw!
People were more interested in this than national concerns.
Ikki Kurogane went into training; the fight with Edelweiss made him work harder.
Drake's most important concern was… he could travel again.
He'd accumulated enough magic to return to the Fairy Tail world.
His martial arts had improved after the fight with Edelweiss; there was no need to stay.
After completing the Elder's request, Drake would travel.
His only concern was Stella! His world magic couldn't take others with him; they'd have to separate temporarily.
Drake didn't know how to tell Stella.
He sensed a familiar ki.
Drake's eyebrows rose; he'd found his target.
Drake leaped from the window, flying towards the powerful ki.
Kurono Shinguuji in the principal's office sensed the powerful ki; after the Akatsuki Academy attack, she was vigilant; she was about to investigate when she sensed Drake heading there.
Drake's action told her something; she sat back down.
Drake flew through the forest behind the dorms, seeing a small girl.
She had dark skin and tattered prison clothes; she wore shackles connected to a large iron ball.
Drake stood before her. "Long time no see! Fū Shaorī-senpai!"
The prisoner was Drake's target—Fū Shaorī, Shinryuu Temple's most talented disciple in a century, who'd surpassed her limits at a young age and became one of the Four Sages, 〈Taotie〉.
Fū Shaorī approached, patting Drake's shoulder. "Long time no see! You fought Hiyoku before me; good job; you didn't disappoint the Elder.
I'm jealous! You can fight freely!"
Drake said, "Senpai, you're optimistic; you know my purpose!"
Fū Shaorī smiled. "Of course! I didn't expect the Elder to do this; he worried a lot!"
Drake said seriously, "Senpai, will you return to Shinryuu Temple?"
Fū Shaorī nodded. "I will! My goal is achieved."
Drake was puzzled. "Goal? I didn't ask; why were you imprisoned in Kyokkurou? Why did you escape?
You pursued Hiyoku; it wasn't for the title of strongest, right?"
Fū Shaorī smiled. "I violated the five precepts—boasting about my achievements—so I was imprisoned.
As for the reason… doesn't the outside world underestimate our country? We have the strongest martial arts, the purest will and spirit, yet they think we're weak!
I can't tolerate this humiliation; I must prove we're the pinnacle of martial arts. Even if I'm branded a heretic, I'll accept it."
Drake understood; the Elder's strange attitude was because of Fū Shaorī's beliefs.
Shinryuu Temple's most important precept was that martial arts couldn't be used for anything against righteousness! But who could say loving one's country wasn't righteous?
Drake didn't think Fū Shaorī was wrong; many at Shinryuu Temple likely felt the same.
Fū Shaorī became serious. "How strong is Hiyoku?"
Drake nodded. "Very strong; I'm not her match yet! But someday, I'll defeat her."
Fū Shaorī laughed. "Looks like I escaped for nothing; I'll wait for news of you defeating Hiyoku at Shinryuu Temple!"
Drake was surprised. "Senpai, you'll go back yourself?"
Fū Shaorī nodded. "I said my goal is achieved. I believe you'll defeat Hiyoku; then show everyone Shinryuu Temple's strength!"
Drake was surprised, then smiled. "That's a heavy burden of trust! But I'll do it!"
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