[80] Just Shaming Swordsmen

The gate of the Ayatsuji Kendo Dojo was almost completely decayed, looking as if it could collapse at any moment.

Two or three students from Donrou Academy were squatting at the entrance, cigarettes dangling from their fingers, the glowing embers flickering in the darkness, occasionally accompanied by lewd bursts of laughter.

These were the same guys who had been at the family restaurant earlier.

It seemed they had already forgotten the humiliation they suffered an hour ago and were back to their usual sloppy behavior.

"Hey, you lowlifes."

Eiji walked up to them, his expression as warm and friendly as before.

"Gah... ugh—!"

The thugs, hearing the insult, instinctively turned their heads to intimidate.

But the moment they saw Eiji's face, their expressions turned to one of sheer terror, like rabbits caught in the gaze of a leopard. Sweat poured down their faces as they shrank back in fear.

"Take me to Kuraudo Kurashiki."

Eiji approached them with a smile.

"You all seem like very kind people. You wouldn't refuse to help, would you?"

Even though one of them had tattoos, another was bald, and the third wore brass knuckles, they all forced smiles onto their faces, looking as kind as could be.

If they weren't kind, Eiji would help them become kind.

"Eek!"

"Right this way!"

The thugs were startled again and quickly assumed a respectful posture.

"I-I'll go inform Claude!"

The last one quickly scurried off, running toward the center of the mansion.

Eiji didn't pay it any mind. With Kanata and Ayase in tow, he strode straight into the central building under the fearful gazes of the Donrou students in the courtyard.

Having witnessed Eiji's confrontation with Kuraudo Kurashiki and knowing his powerful background and Kanata's strength, no one dared to step forward and block their way.

Inside the dojo.

Kuraudo Kurashiki was sitting alone on a sofa that had been brought in from outside. He was staring at the sky, exhaling impatient sighs along with cigarette smoke.

The companions who admired him had all been sent away because he was deep in thought.

"Such a powerful swordsman, yet we can't fight each other... How boring!"

Kuraudo Kurashiki was pondering.

He was thinking about how to force that swordsman named Eiji Nangou to duel him.

Two years ago, he had beaten all of Kaito Ayatsuji's disciples into abandoning kendo, forcing Kaito Ayatsuji to duel him. But that method couldn't be replicated with this guy.

If he really was the disciple, or even the direct descendant, of the God of War, then he would undoubtedly have a group of terrifying Blazers around him.

The "Yaksha Princess" was a given, and "Raikiri" and the "Scharlach Frau" were also troublesome figures. None of them were easy to deal with.

"If only Donrou had a selection battle system like Bukyoku Academy or Hagun Academy. That way, every day would be thrilling..."

The selection battle system had first started at Bukyoku Academy.

That's why Bukyoku Academy had consistently taken the top three spots in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival over the past five years. The school was entirely merit-based, while other schools were still stuck on judging by rank alone.

After Kurono Shinguuji took office, she simply followed in the footsteps of Bukyoku Academy, implementing a similar selection battle system at Hagun Academy.

"Claude, that..."

"I thought I told you not to disturb me when I'm thinking."

"That's true, but that guy we ran into tonight, he's come knocking on our door!"

"What?"

For a moment, Kuraudo Kurashiki thought he had misheard.

Wasn't that guy the one who claimed to be a model student and didn't fight outside?

How much time had passed since then?   

He hadn't even figured out how to force him into a duel, and now the guy was coming to him on his own?

"Hahaha! What the hell, this is interesting!"

Kuraudo Kurashiki jumped up from the sofa, his face filled with excitement at the prospect of a fight.

At that moment.

Creak—!

As the wooden door was forcefully pushed open, the figures of three people entered his line of sight.

The two women were immediately ignored, and his gaze locked onto the young man in the middle, his shark-like teeth bared in a grin.

Ayase was weak. She hadn't been a match for him two years ago, and after two years of no progress, she was even less of a threat.

The Kanata was strong, but she wasn't a swordsman. She relied on her powerful abilities, and his abilities were countered by hers. Fighting her would be no fun at all.

What he loved most was fighting swordsmen!

He was hopelessly addicted to the thrill of dancing on the edge of a blade. Every clash of swords made his heart race, and every injury fueled his ferocity, leaving him trembling with excitement.

"It seems you're still a swordsman at heart, unable to resist the joy of battle!"

Kuraudo Kurashiki flashed a reckless smile.

He looked at Eiji with near-fanatical excitement, knowing full well that this was an incredibly powerful swordsman. He had long been itching to cross blades with him.

"I have no interest in you whatsoever. I didn't come here for you."

But in response to his fervent gaze, Eiji spat out a dismissive remark.

"In fact, I find your actions utterly repulsive. Don't act like we're the same."

"Huh?"

Kuraudo Kurashiki scoffed, unimpressed.

"What's wrong with enjoying battle? Isn't that the fate a swordsman should embrace?"

"Whether you enjoy battle or not is your business. It has nothing to do with me."

Eiji smirked, his face full of disdain.

"It's normal to want to fight strong opponents. It's a swordsman's instinct. I often feel the same way. But if the other person isn't willing to fight, I'll just ask for guidance or learn from them. I wouldn't resort to underhanded methods like you. What you're doing is just shaming swordsmen."

"...Are you done?"

"I'm done."

"Then let's fight!"

Kuraudo Kurashiki filtered out his words like background noise, his grin returning.

"Fine!"

Eiji agreed without hesitation.

He hadn't planned to lecture Kuraudo Kurashiki anyway. He had only said those things to vent his frustration with people like him. He was the type to speak his mind openly and never hold back.

In short, he was straightforward and never let himself be wronged.

Of course, if he couldn't win, he could swallow his pride and not vent. That was fine too.

The Donrou students cleaned up the dojo, moving all the clutter out of the way and leaving the space for the two of them.

Eiji and Kuraudo Kurashiki stood at opposite ends of the dojo, about ten meters apart.

This would be a real fight.

Eiji summoned his Device, the Bling Blade, while Kuraudo Kurashiki summoned his own, the White Bone Greatsword, Orochimaru.

Kanata stood in the corner, opening her student handbook to start recording.

Ayase shot a hateful glare at Kuraudo Kurashiki, then raised her hand between the two and swung it down.

"Begin the match!"

***

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