-1287- Transformation?

"Won't be easily injured anymore..."

When these words came from Shizuku's mouth, Rozen and Stella exchanged glances.

In that glance, both saw what the other was thinking.

Especially Rozen.

"You mean Altera can't easily injure Kurogane anymore?"

Rozen pondered for a moment, then calmly asked this question.

In response...

"I don't know," Shizuku said frankly. "After all, I don't know Altera-san's true strength, but from what I've seen, except for the first few days, in the past few days, Onii-sama has been getting less and less injured. Today, before I returned to the academy, he fought with Altera-san for an hour and a half, and he wasn't injured at all."

Shizuku's unremarkable words were enough to stir up a storm.

"Fought with that woman for an hour and a half without getting hurt?"

Stella was completely astonished.

"Oh?"

Rozen suddenly smiled, his expression becoming more intrigued.

Rozen knew very well how strong Altera was.

To fight with Altera for an hour and a half without getting hurt, that meant something significant.

Even Stella, who had faced Altera directly, although not seeing Altera's full strength, hadn't forgotten the terrifying feeling Altera exuded when they first met. She understood that Altera was not a simple character.

In fact, even Shinguji Kurono and Saikyo Nene, who were the former and current ranked third in the world in the League of Mage-Knight Nations, were so wary of Altera's presence. This shows just how powerful Altera was.

To be able to fight such a powerful person for an hour and a half without getting injured?

Then...

"His strength..."

How much stronger has he become now?

Thinking of this, Stella felt both shocked and her fighting spirit surged.

"Has he become that strong?"

For Stella, this was definitely not a bad thing.

At least, in this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, maybe she would finally encounter a truly formidable opponent and rival.

On the other hand, Rozen was equally curious about Ikki's current strength.

"To reach such a level in less than seven days, he truly is a genius who has attained the Mind's Eye through swordsmanship."

Although Rozen didn't know how much strength Altera had used against Ikki, even if Altera fought like a week ago, without using magical power and only relying on her superior abilities, for Ikki to withstand for an hour and a half without getting injured was an extraordinary improvement.

After all, a week ago, Ikki was barely able to defend himself under Altera's fierce attack and ended up severely injured, even after using Ittou Shura, he was easily defeated by Altera.

And now, Ikki could fight Altera for an hour and a half. How much had his strength improved? It was unimaginable.

Even Shizuku said so.

"As an observer, I must say, in these few days, I have been repeatedly amazed by Onii-sama's performance."

Shizuku spoke candidly.

"The change he has undergone is truly astonishing."

Hearing this, Rozen and Stella were both intrigued.

"Such a change?"

Stella looked at Shizuku.

"Did Kurogane undergo some kind of transformation?"

Rozen was also surprised.

In this situation, Shizuku said nothing more, only showing a meaningful smile.

That smile contained pain, admiration, but mostly confidence and pride.

"You'll see tomorrow."

Shizuku said.

"When Onii-sama returns, and you see him with your own eyes, you will understand what kind of transformation he has undergone."

Yes.

Transformation.

In this short seven days of life-and-death struggle, Ikki had undergone a transformative change.

What this change was, only Shizuku knew for now.

Seeing Shizuku's confident and proud expression, Rozen and Stella understood that the change Ikki had undergone would definitely shock everyone.

This made them both look forward to it.

"Tomorrow?"

Stella smiled.

"Tomorrow..."

Rozen looked out the window at the evening glow, a smile appearing on his face.

Don't disappoint me, Kurogane.

I, too, am looking forward to seeing what new form you will take.

...

That night.

When everyone was still abuzz with excitement from the first day's selection battle and finally fell into a deep sleep, in room 406 of the first student dormitory, Rozen, lying in bed asleep, suddenly twitched his eyelids and then opened his eyes.

It was already late at night outside, with the full moon hanging high in the sky. The lights in every building of Hagun Academy had dimmed, presenting a scene of silent darkness.

Rozen's room was the same, the lights were out, and both Rozen and Stella were already in bed.

Rozen suddenly woke up, and unlike usual, he didn't feel groggy or tired but was instantly wide awake, his eyes clear, and he let out a slow sigh.

"Such a hassle..."

Muttering this, Rozen gently got up.

As he did, he looked up at the top bunk.

There, Stella lay in her tracksuit, snug in her bedding, sleeping comfortably.

Uncertain if Rozen's movements had slightly disturbed Stella, she furrowed her brows and murmured dreamily.

"No night attacks... beast... I'm not ready yet..."

Stella was muttering such words in her sleep.

"...What kind of dream is this girl having?"

Rozen almost couldn't resist waking Stella up.

But now wasn't the time for that.

"Sigh, you just keep sleeping, it's fine if you don't wake up, just sleep until morning."

Rozen whispered softly in Stella's ear.

His soft whisper carried a subtle power, making Stella's furrowed brows relax and her sleep even more sound.

Seeing this...

"With this, she won't suddenly wake up in the middle of the night and find I'm not here."

Rozen smiled slightly, then turned and opened the window.

In the next moment...

"Whoosh—"

A gust of night wind blew in from outside, lifting a jet-black coat.

Unbeknownst to him, Rozen's body, with a flutter of black feathers, was clad in a magnificent coat.

At the same time, Rozen's magical power surged, making his appearance blurry and unrecognizable.

"Let's go, Kinu, time to meet an old friend."

Smiling, Rozen turned into a three-legged crow and flew into the moonlit night.

He flew out of the campus.