-1272- Ashamed?

Afterwards, Shinguji Kurono, in her capacity as the board chairman, personally dispersed the crowd.

"No matter what, because of your reckless behavior, the surroundings have turned into this. I don't have the energy to lecture you, so just go back and don't cause any more trouble," Shinguji Kurono said, making everyone laugh awkwardly.

Especially Rozen and Stella, who both averted their eyes in embarrassment.

No matter how dangerous the fierce battle between Altera and Ikki was, it was just a sword combat and didn't cause much damage to the surroundings. In contrast, Rozen and Stella's fight left the area looking as if it had been struck by a meteor, leaving only a scorched crater.

In other words, the destruction of the surroundings was mainly caused by Rozen and Stella.

Thus, Rozen and his group said nothing more and left immediately.

"I'll also..." Saikyo Nene started to say, attempting to leave with them, but was caught by Shinguji Kurono.

"You stay and help me repair this place."

"How could you...!?" Saikyo Nene protested loudly at Shinguji Kurono's ruthless demand, but to no avail.

So, the two stayed behind to clean up the mess left by Rozen and his group.

With their abilities, repairing the area should be a very easy task, right?

Otherwise, Rozen and the others wouldn't be able to avoid responsibility for causing such a ruckus.

Moreover, if responsibility were truly pursued, Rozen and the others would have been severely punished long ago.

This is because the authority for student knights to use their abilities lies with the academy they belong to.

Apart from specified places and situations defined by the academy, school regulations prohibit students from casually using their Devices. This is a clearly written rule.

Such a regulation exists simply because student knights are still at a learning age. If they recklessly use their powers, causing damage or endangering lives, it would be a significant problem.

Therefore, the Seven Mage-Knight Academies have clear rules that forbid student knights from summoning their Devices outside permitted circumstances and locations. Violators can face penalties ranging from light punishment to expulsion, depending on the severity.

Rozen and the others have already recklessly used their Devices countless times since enrollment. If the academy pursued this, they would all be punished.

The reason it hasn't come to that is that this time it was recognized by Shinguji Kurono as part of training for Ikki and Stella. Even if responsibility were pursued, Rozen would have an excuse.

As for the previous disturbances caused by Stella and Shizuku, both had already been punished. Rozen wasn't held accountable because he had tried to stop them from summoning their Devices. Ikki had only summoned his Device for practice in designated areas until today.

In light of this, today was considered an exception.

Shinguji Kurono, taking this into account, personally stayed behind to repair the area with Saikyo Nene.

Rozen and his group then headed towards the dormitory.

"Are you sure you don't need to go to the infirmary, Onii-sama?" Shizuku asked, carefully supporting Ikki as they walked.

"You're badly injured; it's better to use the IPS regeneration capsule in the infirmary."

The so-called IPS regeneration capsule is a miracle box, a culmination of modern technology and medicine.

As its name suggests, it can heal any external injuries, with effects better than regeneration.

Under the effect of the regeneration capsule, severed limbs or crushed hearts can be healed in minutes, as long as the person isn't completely dead. Depending on the situation, it can even repair the head, unless the lost part is turned to mince or lost entirely.

Because Blazers' battles are extremely dangerous, often resulting in severed limbs, regeneration capsules are installed in key facilities related to Blazers, including the Seven Mage-Knight Academies.

Hagun Academy's infirmary is equipped with regeneration capsules. If Ikki were to lie in one for a few minutes, all his injuries would be healed without leaving a scar.

However, Ikki refused.

"Although the regeneration capsule's healing ability is strong, the cost is also prohibitively high. If the injuries aren't life-threatening or sustained in an official match, any injuries from private fights aren't allowed to be treated with the capsule," Ikki explained.

"Besides, using the regeneration capsule requires full anesthesia, which places a significant burden on the body. I can't use it casually, so it's better this way."

Ikki gave this explanation as the reason for not treating his injuries.

"It's fine. Thanks to Shizuku, my injuries are almost healed. Only the severe chest injury and the side effects of using Ittou Shura remain. A night's rest should be enough."

Ikki forced a smile as he said this.

However, seeing Ikki barely able to walk with Shizuku's support, his uniform in tatters and covered in blood, anyone would think he was forcing himself.

In fact, he was indeed forcing himself.

Everyone could tell that losing to Attila had affected Ikki, so they sensibly refrained from saying more.

Instead, Stella...

"Seriously, men always like to act tough. It's just one loss, what's there to mind?" Stella said, though she also looked exhausted, evidently not fully recovered from the magical and physical exertion of awakening her true power earlier.

Moreover...

"Don't forget, you also lost once. Don't you feel any frustration?" Rozen said nonchalantly.

"Ugh..." Stella was rendered speechless.

In other words...

"You feel frustrated too, don't you? And you still have the nerve to criticize others?"

Rozen said this playfully.

"Shut up!" Stella immediately retorted loudly.

But...

"I don't feel frustrated. Losing to such a strong swordsman, I'm convinced," Ikki murmured.

"However, I never knew that there were so many challenges ahead of the sword. I thought I was just proficient in swordsmanship and felt proud of it. Now that I think about it, it makes me feel a bit ashamed."

Ikki's confession sounded like self-mockery.

This proved just how much Altera's sword had impacted Ikki.

"Onii-sama..."

Shizuku, seemingly understanding Ikki, opened her mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.

The atmosphere among the group became somewhat awkward.

Until...

"Oh? Isn't this Kurogane?"

A voice suddenly called out from ahead.