-1363- A year of talent explosion

"W... what...?"

Upon hearing Rozen's words, everyone looked at each other in astonishment.

Seeing this, Rozen didn't keep them in suspense and explained directly.

"Indeed, if the level of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival is the same as last year, then your biggest enemies would be the three champions from Bukyoku Academy. Knocking them down and dominating the award podium isn't impossible for you."

However, this is on the premise that this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival is of the same level as last year's.

"This year, including our Hagun Academy, there's a common phenomenon among the Seven Mage-Knight Academies."

Rozen began.

"And that is a talent explosion."

For example, at Hagun Academy, even without counting the repeating Kurogane Ikki or Rozen, who doesn't plan to participate, many promising newcomers have emerged this year.

Stella Vermillion, an A-rank knight.

Kurogane Shizuku, a B-rank knight.

Arisuin Nagi, a D-rank knight.

These three freshmen account for half of the six representative candidates, making Hagun Academy highly talented this year, with the understanding that first-year students are exceptionally strong deeply ingrained.

Similar situations are happening in other academies as well.

"Donrou Academy's first-year freshman—Unturning, Tatara Yui."

"Kyomon Academy's first-year freshman—Bad Luck, Shinomiya Amane."

"Rokuson Academy's first-year freshman—Bloody Da Vinci, Sara Bloodlily."

"Rentei Academy's first-year freshman—Beast Master, Kazamatsuri Rinna."

Rozen mentioned these four freshmen from the other academies.

"This year, most of the Seven Mage-Knight Academies have first-year freshmen as representative candidates, with Hagun Academy having three. Thus, this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival is highly anticipated for its talent explosion."

Rozen's explanation caused everyone to start discussing and exchanging opinions.

No wonder, it was quite unexpected that so many first-year freshmen would become representative candidates in this year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.

In previous years, while it wasn't unheard of for first-year freshmen to become representative candidates, it was rare.

First-year students becoming representatives were extremely few, otherwise, Kirihara Shizuya wouldn't have caused such a sensation when he became a representative in his first year, despite his poor character receiving praise.

But this year, the number of first-year freshmen in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival is too many to ignore, and it's no wonder this year's event is being hailed as a talent explosion.

"Moreover, many previously unknown or highly reputable students who never participated in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival before are now becoming representatives and preparing to attend this year's event."

"For example, Bunkyoku Academy has a previously unknown third-year student who suddenly became a representative."

"His title is Pierrot, and his name is Hiraga Reisen."

At this point, Rozen paused slightly and looked at the crowd.

More specifically, he looked at Ikki and Shizuku.

Because...

"Of course, Bukyoku Academy also has a true ace appearing, whose strength might surpass Moroboshi Yuudai."

Rozen's words made everyone's expressions change drastically.

"Someone stronger than the Seven Stars Sword King...!?"

Stella and others exclaimed in shock.

"Could it be...!?"

Ikki and Shizuku seemed to have thought of something and held their breath.

After a while, Stella spoke first.

"How could Bukyoku have a student stronger than the Seven Stars Sword King?"

Stella was incredulous.

What is the Seven Stars Sword King?

It's the title given to the student knight who wins the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, held by the Seven Mage-Knight Academies.

The holder of this title is the strongest student knight of that year.

Given this, how could Bukyoku have a student stronger than the Seven Stars Sword King?

Thinking this, Stella forgot something.

"Have you forgotten already?"

Rozen spoke with a faint smile.

"From the day we entered as A-rank knights, many people have been saying that before we enrolled, there was only one A-rank student knight in all of Japan."

These words made Stella's eyes widen.

Indeed.

It had been mentioned countless times that before Rozen and Stella enrolled, there was only one A-rank student knight in all of Japan.

And both the Seven Stars Sword King Yuudai Moroboshi and Touka Todo were only B-rank knights.

So, where is this A-rank knight?

The answer is simple.

"He is at Bukyoku Academy."

Rozen's voice rang out clearly.

"However, this person has never attended classes at the academy and rarely sets foot on campus. Even if he occasionally contacts the school, it's very infrequent. He only appears in public places occasionally, but usually disappears within a day or two. This has been the case even after he advanced to his third year, so he hasn't appeared in public for two years."

"Moreover, not only in Bukyoku Academy but also during his three years of middle school, he was in this state. So, in fact, he has been missing for five years."

"However, he once won the national championship in the elementary school league, becoming the youngest and strongest student in the nation at that time. After entering middle school, he disappeared and hasn't participated in any public competitions in these five years."

"After enrolling in Bukyoku Academy, he never participated in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival during his first and second years. Until this third year, he suddenly appeared, easily defeating one of Bukyoku Academy's representative, declaring himself as Bukyoku's true representative."

"He is the only A-rank student knight in Japan, known as the Sword Emperor of Wind."

Rozen shifted his gaze directly to Ikki and Shizuku.

"And his name is Kurogane Ouma."

As his words fell, the room fell silent.

"Kuro... gane...?"

Stella looked at Ikki and Shizuku in extreme shock.

Everyone else had similar expressions.

Only Ikki and Shizuku, who seemed to have anticipated who Rozen was talking about, wore grim expressions.

After a while, Ikki smiled bitterly and spoke.

"Just as everyone guessed, he is a member of the Kurogane family, and also the biological older brother of Shizuku and me, one year older than me."

The only A-rank student knight in Japan is actually the descendant of Kurogane Ryoma, who once led the country to victory in World War II and was hailed as a hero.

"... I didn't expect that our elder brother would suddenly appear to compete."

Shizuku said this with a cold and hostile expression, unlike Ikki's bitter and helpless look.

The atmosphere in the room immediately became heavy.

////It took me so long finding all these names....////