Fantasy Libary 35

Title: Ark vs Toudou Kirin

At the same time, in another contestant’s waiting room, Kirin sat alone on a long bench.

Wearing her middle school division uniform, with a real sword sheathed at her waist, she quietly awaited her turn while staring at the virtual interface open in front of her.

Detailed information about her opponent was displayed on the interface. Every note about his performance, achievements, and skill progression since enrollment up to now, down to trivial details like eating habits, was presented very clearly, leaving nothing out.

This report was meticulously prepared by her uncle, Kouichirou. Kirin had read it multiple times, memorizing the information as if it had become second nature.

Yet, every time she studied it, she couldn’t help but feel amazed.

“Just a month ago, he was still ordinary. But since becoming a user of Ser-Veresta, Ark-senpai has completely transformed...”

According to the intelligence gathered by Kouichirou, the change in Ark after obtaining Ser-Veresta could only be described as a complete rebirth.

In his previous match against former rank thirteen Arcadi Finken, Ark’s performance had stunned many. However, based on the data collected by Kouichirou, it seemed that Ark’s true strength far surpassed what he had shown in that match.

Although Ark hadn’t been involved in any matches since the last official ranking battle, there were reports of him training during morning sessions, where witnesses claimed to have seen him running at speeds far beyond his previous capabilities and performing sword techniques with astonishing precision.

Kouichirou had gathered all this intelligence and relayed it to Kirin, whose reaction to the report was one of repeated astonishment.

“...I’m really looking forward to it.”

Kirin murmured those words almost unconsciously, even surprising herself with the thought.

She had expected to feel complicated emotions, perhaps even a heavy burden as her challenger approached.

But now that the moment had arrived, her first reaction wasn’t tension or pressure—it was anticipation.

She knew exactly what this meant.

“Rather than thinking about all those complicated things, I guess I just want to compete with Ark-senpai... just like that?”

After all, she was a swordsman.

And as a swordsman, she couldn’t help but admire a formidable opponent.

Realizing that she still harbored the competitive spirit of a swordsman—the desire to face a strong challenger—Kirin couldn’t help but smile.

“Can the participants of the next match enter the stage?”

At that moment, the announcement echoed throughout the contestants’ waiting room, and the badge pinned to Kirin’s chest emitted a faint light.

Apart from Kirin, the waiting room was now empty, indicating that all other matches had concluded.

Her turn had come.

“...Alright!”

Kirin patted her cheeks and stood up.

The sword at her waist swayed gently, producing a soft metallic sound, as if it too was excited for the upcoming battle.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

“OOOOOOOOHHHHH!!”

The audience cheered excitedly in the Multipurpose Arena, their energy reaching its peak as the final match was about to begin.

The spectators, who had watched all the previous battles, were now at the height of their excitement as the two contestants emerged from the corridors, one male and one female, slowly walking towards each other.

“It’s finally starting.” said Ayato from the VIP box, where he and the others sat more upright, their expressions serious as they watched the duo approach each other.

In contrast to the surprise-filled atmosphere of the audience, both Ark and Kirin showed faint smiles on their faces as they walked onto the stage.

Soon, they reached the center of the stage, standing a certain distance apart and facing each other.

Ark’s gaze fell on the petite girl in front of him. Squinting his eyes slightly, he seemed to realize something.

“You seem to be in good condition, Toudou-san.” Ark said with a smile.

“Yes, I’m surprised myself.” Kirin replied, her expression very calm. “There are many things I want to say to you, many questions I hope you can answer. But now that I’m here, on this stage, I realize none of that matters.”

“That proves how great you are as a swordsman, doesn’t it?” Ark responded, meeting her calm gaze. “Even though you call yourself useless, standing here like this shows how great you truly are.”

“...Perhaps swordsmanship is my only strength. I’m useless at everything else.” After a brief pause, Kirin straightened her posture, her expression turning serious as she looked directly at Ark. “That’s why, through this duel, I want to find the answer I’ve been seeking—to uncover your true intentions with my sword.”

“No need to make it so complicated.” Ark said, shrugging. “After this match is over, I’ll tell you what I want to do.”

“Alright.” Kirin nodded firmly, her voice growing stronger. “Then, please show me what you can do, Senpai.”

With that, Kirin slowly drew her sword from her waist.

The blade rubbed against its sheath, producing a sharp, ringing sound as it was unsheathed.

“This sword is two shaku, three sun, and four bu long. It is a famous sword crafted by Inoue Shinkai. Its name is—Senbazuru (Cutter of a Thousand Cranes).”

Holding the sword with both hands, Kirin took a central stance, the tip of the blade pointing directly at Ark.

“Please guide me.”

At that moment, the air around Kirin changed dramatically.

The once soft and fragile aura around Kirin turned into something sharp and cold, her presence exuding a cold and authoritative intensity. It was as if a Valkyrie had descended to inhabit her body, sending shivers down the spines of everyone watching.

As her hand gripped the sword, the girl named Kirin seemed to disappear. In her place stood the swordsman known as the Lightning Blade, the undisputed strongest at the academy, currently holding the number one rank.

This was the real Toudou Kirin.

*ZHENG!*

A red light flashed from the pitch-black Orga Lux, causing the Urm Manadyte embedded within it to shine brightly under the arena lights.

A large amount of Mana gathered, releasing intense heat. The energy coalesced into a pure white blade, extending out from the Lux embedded with the shining Urm Manadyte.

*SHUA!*

Ark swung his sword casually and fluidly, the tip of the blade pointing naturally towards the ground.

“One of the Four Magic-Colored Swords, Orga Lux—Ser-Veresta.” he said, raising the weapon and pointing it towards Kirin.

“Please guide me.”

As Ark’s words echoed, the audience’s cheers grew louder, filling the arena with deafening excitement.

Meanwhile, in the VIP seats, Ayato pressed hard on the sheath at his waist, his expression full of surprise.

“This... it’s vibrating?!” Ayato exclaimed, clearly shocked.

“My, my.” Claudia said with a meaningful smile. “It seems the connection between Ser-Veresta is deeper than we imagined.”

“Feeling the power of Ser-Veresta... could it be that I’m also getting excited?”

Hearing this, Ayato calmed down, though his hand still pressed on the vibrating holster. His focus sharpened as he turned his gaze back to the stage below, where Ark and Kirin stood facing each other.

“It’s starting.” said Julis, her timing almost perfect, as if sensing the right moment.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

At the same time, the badges on Ark and Kirin’s chests began to emit a red light.

“Seidoukan Academy official ranking battle, final round: Ark vs Toudou Kirin.”

“Duel—Begin!”

The mechanical announcement came from their glowing badges. On the stage, the virtual interface lit up with the names Ark and Kirin, spinning like a lit signboard before splitting and moving to both sides, leaving the bodies of the two fighters framed in light.

*DING!*

The next moment, a loud bell sound reverberated throughout the arena.

*ZHENG!*

As Kirin held Senbazuru in her hand, star-like fragments began to swirl around her body, a visual manifestation of her surging Prana.

“I’m coming, Senpai!” Kirin announced loudly, her voice clear and firm.

“Bring it on.” Ark replied, his expression fearless.

And then, in the blink of an eye, Kirin dashed towards Ark.

Her speed... was incredible!