-1332- The figure at the peak

"..."

Recalling what had happened, Todo Touka fell into silence.

"Touka..."

"President..."

The student council members looked at Todo Touka, their eyes full of concern.

Clearly, they were worried that Todo Touka would be devastated and fall into despair.

Although Todo Touka was not someone with a fragile spirit or mind, it was understandable for Ikki and Stella to have fought with all their might, taking risks to counter Todo Touka's ultimate move, and eventually succeeding. Rozen, however, was different.

A single finger.

He had used only a single finger.

With just a single finger, Rozen had blocked the full-powered Raikiri, without taking any risks or exerting himself, making it look effortless.

In such a situation, the more aware a person is of their own strength and status, the harder it is to accept such a result, and the greater the blow to their pride.

Imagine pouring your heart and soul into attacking an opponent, only for them to defeat you with a single finger. How humiliating would that be?

Even if Todo Touka was generous and forgiving, it was impossible for her not to be affected by such a scenario.

In fact, she was indeed shaken.

The outcome of challenging Rozen left even Todo Touka feeling lost.

Todo Touka couldn't help but ask herself.

"Am I really strong?"

The strongest in Hagun Academy?

One of the top four in last year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival?

The invincible sword technique?

These accomplishments all testified to Todo Touka's strength.

Yet, this strength had been mercilessly shattered, causing Todo Touka to doubt herself.

"Could it be that I've always been a frog in a well?"

This was indeed the truth.

Hadn't Rozen said it?

"This is the peak you cannot reach."

Yes, that was a level that Todo Touka currently could not reach.

But Rozen had also said this.

"If you want to become stronger, then try to climb up."

That sentence was the true crux of the matter.

So, Todo Touka understood why someone of Rozen's caliber would accept her challenge.

The reason was simply to show Todo Touka where her goal should lie.

"The peak..."

That was the peak.

The peak of this world.

If she could climb up, then...

"At that time, you will be the strongest."

This was what Rozen wanted to convey to Todo Touka.

Through a duel, Rozen had made Todo Touka fully aware of her limits and where she should aim, what kind of strength she should pursue.

It might have been just a whim for Rozen.

It might have been simply to repay Todo Touka, Ikki, and Stella for their earnest battle.

But there was no denying that Rozen's display of power had indeed shown Todo Touka what the peak was and what true strength was.

If it had been anyone else, holding Todo Touka's reputation and being defeated in such a manner, only managing to make the opponent use a single finger, they would likely have been utterly crushed and fallen into despair.

But Rozen knew that Todo Touka was not such a fragile person.

She would instead use this as a goal, striving to improve herself and turning failure into motivation.

Therefore, Rozen had slightly used his real strength, employing a part of the Beast Vassal's power.

He did this to show Todo Touka not to be confined to being the strongest in an academy, or even in a country, but to broaden her horizons and pursue greater and more distant goals.

Her place should not be in the academy, or even in this country, but in the world.

With the world as her goal, she would not waste her talent.

Rozen recognized Todo Touka's potential and believed she had the right to stand on the world stage.

At that moment, an unwavering determination shone in Todo Touka's eyes.

In that instant, Todo Touka made a decision.

"I will become stronger."

Moreover, she aimed to become as strong as Rozen, or even stronger.

"Wait and see."

Todo Touka silently vowed.

"I will climb to the top."

On this day, the renowned Raikiri truly witnessed the peak of the world and began to strive towards it.

...

At the same time, on a street far from the training ground...

"Stare..."

Three pairs of eyes were fixed on Rozen's back as he walked, causing Rozen to half-close his eyes.

Behind him, Ikki, Stella, and Shizuku were all staring at Rozen with extremely complicated expressions.

Ever since they left the training ground, the three had maintained this demeanor.

This annoyed Rozen.

"I say, why are you all looking at me like that?"

Rozen expressed his displeasure.

In response...

"Monster..."

Stella whispered this evaluation.

"Haha..."

Ikki gave a wry smile, equally helpless.

Clearly, Ikki and Stella were also somewhat shaken by the fact that Rozen had neutralized Raikiri with just a single finger.

After all, they had taken considerable risks and made significant efforts to counter Raikiri's ultimate move.

But Rozen...

"You're a monster. Even though I already knew you were strong, I never imagined you could achieve this level. Really... monster!"

Stella thought hard but couldn't find any other words to express her feelings and repeated this evaluation.

"As expected, Rozen has always been stronger than me. Although I had some inkling before, I never imagined the gap would be this wide."

Ikki sighed, his face troubled.

Shizuku, on the other hand, began to question.

"Who exactly are you?"

Shizuku directly asked this question.

"I never paid much attention to you before. Even when the school talked about you being low-profile and mysterious, it didn't concern me. But now, it's clear you're not an ordinary student. That level of strength shouldn't exist in a student knight, or even within the league. You must be someone extraordinary, right?"

Shizuku finally began to suspect Rozen's identity.

This made Ikki and Stella look at Rozen as well.

They were both curious about Rozen's identity.

Especially Stella, who, despite having some vague guesses before, still wanted to know the truth.

Unfortunately...

"Want to know?"

Rozen raised an eyebrow and spoke with a smile.

"Then climb up together."

That's right.

Climb up together.

"Then you will naturally find out."

Leaving these words, Rozen said no more, as if his mood had improved, and continued walking while whistling.

"What the heck?"

Stella and Shizuku naturally expressed their dissatisfaction.

"Forget it. Someday, we will definitely find out."

Ikki quickly accepted it.

Yes.

Someday, they would definitely find out what kind of existence Rorelai Arneet really was.

By then, perhaps it would be the time when they could truly stand on equal footing with Rozen.

The three exchanged glances and smiled.

Then, without further thought, they started to run.

They ran towards the figure standing at the peak.