[71] The Second Match of the Selection Battles

Titles aren't something you give yourself—they're recognized by others. No matter who coins it, as long as it spreads widely enough, it becomes a Blazer's title. 

At Hagun Academy, only the most exceptional figures might earn a title, and once obtained, it signifies their status as one of the academy's elite. 

For example, Senior Tohka's Noble Art, 'Raikiri,' became so famous that it turned into her title, symbolizing her position as the strongest in the academy. 

Then there are titles like Kanata's 'Scharlach Frau' and Stella's 'Crimson Princess,' all symbols of status and reputation. 

It's no surprise that Eiji earned a title, but instead of something cool like 'Aurora Swordsman,' he got the visually themed 'Fallen Angel'—which was strange. 

He was certain some girl had coined it, spreading it rapidly across campus and gaining approval from most female students. 

Sigh. When you're popular, many things slip beyond your control. 

"Now, emerging from the blue gate is another fan-favorite! From the stands, we hear cheers for the top-ten ranked student known as 'Heavy Tank'—Takeshi Momotani! With his rare armor-type Device 'Goliath,' he's crushed countless opponents off the field using gravity charges! Will we witness his signature move today?" 

"Go, Momotani! Don't lose to that pretty boy!" 

A jealous shout erupted from the audience, but it was quickly drowned out by a swarm of girls' rebukes. 

The girls united under the "Fallen Angel Fan Club" banner, dooming the heckler to three years of romantic drought. 

Eiji's Charm stat of 46 already bordered on transcendent—no ordinary human could rival him. But since it wasn't the max 50, he couldn't enchant everyone, leaving room for petty envy. 

Human hearts are fickle, after all. 

Eiji shook his head and focused on his opponent. 

Twenty meters away stood a hulking man over 1.9 meters tall, clad in layered armor of formidable defense. 

Each step he took rumbled the ground, as though he weighed hundreds of kilograms. 

"First-year rookie, I've heard of you!" 

Momotani crouched at the starting line, ready to charge. 

"You've beaten the chairman and the academy's No. 2, but you can't win against me! My ability counters you harder than 'Scharlach Frau's'!" 

True enough. 

His armor's defense was likely impervious even to sonic strikes, rendering Eiji's Absolute GodSpeed useless. Kanata's ability had countered him too, but there'd been openings. Momotani's power, however, nullified his skills entirely. With Eiji's pitiful magic reserves, even his strongest strike would barely scratch Momotani. 

In this world of failed knights, all Blazer abilities consume magic. Only sufficient magic can maximize an ability's power. 

Thus, total magic reserves define a Blazer's strength, earning the moniker "fate's power." 

If Eiji's magic weren't F-rank—if it were even average E or D—his Blazer rank would soar to C or higher. 

Then, his full-powered 'Lightning Flash' could reach multiple times the speed of sound, leaving even Tohka's 'Raikiri' in the dust. 

But against Momotani, raw magic wasn't necessary. 

"—Let's go ahead!" 

The buzzer blared, signaling the match's start. 

"Hraaaagh—!" 

Momotani roared, stomped the ground, and charged like a bullet. 

His armor's weight suggested sluggishness, but reality defied expectations. 

By detonating magic underfoot as thrusters, he lunged forward with cheetah-like speed. 

His charge rivaled a speeding truck's force, securing his place among the academy's top ten C-rank knights. 

'So envious.' 

With that much magic, Eiji would've been B-rank by now. 

While musing, Eiji casually sidestepped the charge, his hair and clothes fluttering dramatically in the gust—igniting another wave of screams. 

He swung his sword backward, striking Momotani's flank with surgical precision. 

The timing was so flawless, it seemed Momotani had offered himself to the blade.

But this wasn't precognition. 

Eiji's eyes possessed terrifying analytical power. Even unfamiliar moves could be dissected instantly. For swordsmanship, he could replicate techniques on sight. 

The moment Momotani moved, Eiji had calculated his trajectory—angle, timing, force. With that knowledge, evasion and counterattacks became trivial. 

"Useless! Useless!" 

Momotani halted, unharmed, and laughed. 

"Your sword's too weak to pierce my armor! Surrender—you can't win!" 

He was confident. With such incompatible abilities, Eiji's strikes left no marks. 

"Mortal intellect." 

Eiji smirked. 

Catchphrase deployed—style points +1! 

Fangirls screeched, some already jotting down his quote in their student handbooks. 

"To defeat you, I don't even need my ability." 

He struck the same spot as Momotani charged again. 

Three repetitions later, Momotani's momentum faltered. Blood seeped from his mask. 

***

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