-1319- Both go together?
"Don't use 'Ittou Shura'...?"
"Don't use 'Dragon Spirit'...?"
Rozen's suggestion left Ikki and Stella with stunned expressions.
Seeing their reactions, Rozen knew that both of them had indeed planned to use 'Ittou Shura' and 'Dragon Spirit' in their fight against Todo Touka.
That was understandable, right?
"The student council president is indeed a formidable opponent, and I understand your desire to give it your all in this fight," Rozen said.
"But I must tell you, this sparring session is more about training. I want you to improve by fighting Todo Touka, not simply overpower her."
This was why Rozen suggested that they refrain from using 'Ittou Shura' and 'Dragon Spirit.'
As Ikki and Stella mentioned, Todo Touka is a highly worthy opponent. For students at Hagun Academy and even those outside, anyone striving to excel has dreamed of facing the family sword technique 'Raikiri' and challenging its undefeated legend.
Even Ikki and Stella were eager to challenge 'Raikiri,' which is why they came here without hesitation when the opportunity arose, abandoning their plans to go out.
However, the challenge is relative.
"Certainly, the student council president's 'Raikiri' is almost invincible, but that's at the level of ordinary people. You two are beyond that."
Rozen stated this very plainly.
"Todo Touka is indeed strong, but both of you have transformed and are now much stronger than her."
This was a fact.
At least, from Rozen's perspective, while Todo Touka's strength makes her a rising star in the League of Mage-Knight Nations, that's about it.
With 'Raikiri,' Todo Touka might carve out a name for herself in the League, but she still falls short of the highest level of the League's A-Rank knights (KOK).
The A-Rank knights consist of powerful Blazers from various countries, elite individuals renowned in their own nations and capable of deciding the outcomes of wars. Despite Todo Touka's strength, she is still a student. She is much stronger than the average knight but still has a significant gap compared to the top fighters worldwide.
Previously, if Ikki and Stella faced Todo Touka, they would likely have lost more than 90% of the time.
However, after awakening their dragon power and undergoing a soul transformation, both Ikki and Stella's abilities far surpass Todo Touka's. It's not impossible for them to enter the A-Rank league, and they might even outclass some of its lower-ranked members.
This shows the extent of their current strength.
Therefore...
"If you both use your true trump cards, 'Ittou Shura' and 'Dragon Spirit,' the threat 'Raikiri' poses to you will be minimal, and your chances of winning will exceed 90%."
This was Rozen's belief.
"However, if you don't use 'Ittou Shura' and 'Dragon Spirit,' the outcome becomes uncertain."
That's why Rozen advised Ikki and Stella not to use those powers.
Both 'Ittou Shura' and 'Dragon Spirit' can greatly enhance the user's strength, not by one or two times, nor four or five times, but by dozens of times.
Though these powers have limitations—one requiring the user to exert all their strength and collapse after the time limit, the other consuming vast amounts of mana and heat with its own restrictions—Ikki and Stella's current strength means Todo Touka wouldn't last long if they used these powers.
Thus, the challenge would be lessened, and they wouldn't benefit much from it.
"I want you two to challenge Todo Touka in your normal state, without relying on these costly trump cards. That would be a true challenge."
Rozen spoke calmly, like a teacher.
In fact, these two were indeed Rozen's disciples.
Stella was an obvious case. Since enrolling, Rozen had been her trainer and mentor. Even though she never said it outright, Stella considered Rozen her roommate, friend, and teacher. When it came to training, she almost always followed Rozen's words to the letter.
Ikki, although not directly trained by Rozen, was a disciple of Altera's, who was Rozen's contracted Servant. Therefore, he was effectively Rozen's disciple too. Even though Rozen might want to see a competition between his own disciple and Altera's disciple, he didn't mind giving Ikki some advice at times like this.
This was why, when Rozen learned that Todo Touka wanted to challenge them, he proposed to act as a mediator for their match.
The reason was to incorporate this as part of their training.
Naturally, Ikki and Stella understood Rozen's intentions.
"...I understand."
After pondering for a while, Ikki smiled and nodded.
"Since it's a rare chance to face 'Raikiri,' it would be a shame to limit the fight to just a minute. Let's make it a real challenge."
Ikki was the first to agree.
"Alright!"
Stella clenched her fist and nodded.
"I have no interest in crushing opponents. I want to challenge strong foes. Since this is training, I agree!"
Stella also consented.
"Very good," Rozen said with a satisfied smile. "In that case, your match will be much more interesting."
Without using their trump cards, could Ikki and Stella still defeat 'Raikiri'?
"We'll see," Rozen concluded.
Shizuku silently watched from the side, not intervening but adjusting her own state as if to solidify her determination.
With that, ten minutes passed.
Both sides made their preparations during this time and stepped forward.
"To save time, let's make it a mixed battle," Rozen suggested to Todo Touka.
"The battleground is large enough. As long as no one goes overboard, it should suffice. How about having all three duels simultaneously?"
Rozen proposed.
"No problem," Todo Touka thought for a moment and then nodded.
Thus, everyone spread out across the battleground for their challenges, while Misogi Utakata ran to the stands to watch with great interest.
Rozen, naturally, joined Tomaru Renren and Saijou Ikazuchi on one side.
Then...
"Let me go first!"
"No, a man should go first in times like this."
"Isn't it ladies first?"
"That's etiquette. In direct challenges, men should go first."
"No! I'll go first!"
"No! I'll go first!"
"No! I'll go first!"
"No! I'll go first!"
Tomaru Renren and Saijou Ikazuchi started arguing.
Seeing this...
"Alright, senpai," Rozen said, scratching his head and then speaking up in a tone of mild annoyance.
"How about you both go together?"