Fantasy Libary 34

Title: Rank One, I Come

The Multipurpose Arena—the grandest stage. At this moment, most of the audience had already taken their seats.

“Is this the third official ranked battle this year?”

“Yes, it’s been three months since the school year started. Honestly, the spotlight next month isn’t on our academy’s ranked battles, but on the Festa, right?”

“Speaking of which, the Festa is finally starting this season.”

“The first one is the Phoenix Festa. I wonder who from our academy has signed up to participate?”

“I heard the fifth-ranked Brilliant Flame Witch has registered for the Phoenix Festa.”

“What?! The Princess herself signed up?”

“Who’s her partner?”

“Not sure. It seems like some unknown person outside the rankings...”

“Let’s focus on the ranked battle for now. This should be a big event.”

“Yeah, I mean, who would’ve thought the Wandering Star Swordsman would challenge the Lightning Blade? He’s got guts.”

“Last time, even the tenth-ranked Mist Witch was easily defeated by the Lightning Blade. And now some unknown rank thirteen, who isn’t even one of the Two Page Ones, thinks he can beat the top rank? Really?”

“They say the Wandering Star Swordsman’s strength is on par with Page One. Let’s just wait and see!”

“Ha, I just hope the Wandering Star Swordsman doesn’t embarrass himself too badly...”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The audience chatted excitedly, their conversations inevitably revolving around the core of this official ranked battle: the duel between Ark and Kirin.

This ranked battle, like the last one, only featured two matches involving Page One. However, unlike before, both matches this time involved challengers from within the rankings facing off against Page One members.

Undoubtedly, Ark’s challenge against Kirin was the most prominent.

The other match was a challenge from the fifteenth-ranked contestant to the twelfth-ranked contestant. Compared to Ark, the thirteenth-ranked challenger facing the top-ranked Page One, the latter was far less significant in every aspect.

As such, Ark’s duel with Kirin was set as the closing match, to be held after all other matches were completed.

“Seriously, can’t the two of them be less dramatic?”

In the VIP box, Julis sat in the front row, arms crossed, her expression sour.

“Yeah.” Ayato Amagiri replied with a wry smile, sitting beside her. “Even now, I still can’t believe he actually challenged Toudou.”

Not long ago, the four of them had gone out together, enjoying delicious food in a friendly atmosphere. Their camaraderie seemed solid and enjoyable.

That was why Ayato was completely shocked when Ark suddenly issued his challenge to Kirin.

“There might be a reason behind it.” Claudia, sitting on the other side of Julis, said with a smile. “But regardless of the situation, the duel is bound to happen. All we can do is watch and see how it unfolds.”

Then, as if spontaneously, Claudia’s tone shifted.

“By the way, I heard you two have decided to team up for the Phoenix Festa. That’s quite unexpected, isn’t it?”

Hearing those words, Ayato laughed awkwardly, while Julis’s expression became slightly unnatural.

“...Well, a lot has happened on our end. It just kind of happened.” Julis replied, her cheeks red as if trying to justify herself.

Indeed, over the past few weeks, many things had happened between Ayato and Julis.

In particular, Julis had been the target of continuous attacks by the person who had ambushed her before. The assailant had caused her significant trouble during this time.

However, Ayato had inadvertently become involved in the incident and, after a series of developments, had helped Julis fend off the attacker.

As a result, all their past grievances were resolved, and they even began to open up to each other.

Thus, the two decided to team up for the upcoming Phoenix Festa.

“That’s good news.” Claudia said, her lips curving into a meaningful smile. As the student council president, she was well aware of what the two had been through recently. “I was a bit worried Julis might have trouble finding a partner. After all, her social circle at the academy isn’t exactly... extensive.”

“Mind your own business!” Julis grumbled, annoyed. “Instead of that, shouldn’t we be focusing on their battle?”

“Fair enough.” Ayato agreed, scratching his cheek. “Honestly, I don’t even know who to root for. It’s a bit complicated.”

“Ha.” Claudia chuckled softly, looking very calm. “As I said, all we can do is watch and see how it goes.”

“Let’s just stay here and see how this all unfolds.”

At Claudia’s suggestion, Julis and Ayato exchanged glances, each suppressing their own complicated thoughts.

“Who do you think will win?” Julis asked, finally shifting her attention to the matter at hand.

“Don’t know.” Claudia replied, shaking her head. “Logically, Toudou should have the upper hand.”

“Agreed.” Ayato nodded earnestly. “I’ve seen videos of Toudou’s duels. Honestly, her swordsmanship is incredible—almost unreal.”

As a swordsman himself, Ayato understood this better than most.

Although his own strength was undeniable, he hadn’t had the chance to showcase it. Still, after watching recordings of Kirin’s duels, Ayato had to admit that he couldn’t match her skill in swordsmanship.

For someone only thirteen years old, her abilities were truly impressive—even for someone as thick-skinned as Ayato.

But still...

“I don’t know, I can’t imagine Ark challenging her without knowing what he’s up against. If he’s challenging her, it means he’s confident he has a chance to win, right?”

That was Ayato’s honest assessment.

“That guy is hard to predict.” Julis said, frowning. “But even so, I can’t imagine Kirin losing.”

Claudia remained silent, instead reaching for something stored at her waist.

“...You’re going to surprise me, aren’t you?” she murmured, her lips curving into a satisfied smile as if anticipating something.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

With that, the official ranked battle began.

As the event progressed, the contestant waiting room gradually emptied as one by one, participants were called to the stage.

However, Ark remained as he had during the last battle, leaning against a corner wall with his eyes closed, resting calmly.

The few remaining contestants in the waiting room couldn’t help but glance at him, their eyes filled with curiosity or observation.

Last time, Ark had been an unknown, unnoticed by anyone.

This time, the situation was different—he was one of the most spotlighted figures in the event.

Still, Ark paid no attention to the others, instead focusing on his own thoughts.

He recalled the scene from his last encounter with Manadyte.

With Ser-Veresta’s help, he had absorbed all the Manadyte stored in the underground vault at once.

Yes, every last bit of the mountain of Manadyte had been consumed by him.

However, the results were disappointing.

“Even after absorbing so much Manadyte, the rate of my strength growth feels like it’s slowing down...” Ark muttered to himself.

“Is it because my strength has grown too far, making further progress more difficult? Or is it that ordinary Manadyte can no longer meet my needs, rendering it ineffective?”

Whatever the case, this development seemed to signal one thing:

Ark’s period of rapid strength growth appeared to be coming to an end.

“Still, it’s enough for now.”

Ark opened his eyes, a sharp glint shining in them.

“Rank one, here I come.”

At that moment, an immense wave of Prana flared around Ark, momentarily altering the very air itself.