[Final Chapter (First Part): The Promised Time Part 2]

But it wouldn't be possible to do so if his whole body stiffened even slightly. If it stiffened, the shock of impact that entered would explode there.

All of his muscles would have to be relaxed without end like almost liquid.

Much softer than they would be even during sleep. -In the midst of their raging battle, that is. At the man in front of her eyes who could do that, Stella looked with horror.

'What a guy. Unbelievable.'

But at the same time, flames rose up within her chest. As if she would just sit back and lose. If the other person was going to get stronger, then she too...

'I'll just smash the blow that can't be parried!'

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!"

The moment Ikki's 'Madoka' evolved, the way they fought changed severely. It was no longer a trade of attack and defense, but a clashing of two head-on assaults. Neither one spared any defense, relying entirely on their own attack to drive each other back.

Ikki was trying to overcome her with speed. Stella was trying to overcome him with power. They gave everything they had. Steels of souls clashing. The sparks filled the air, shining more radiantly than the night lights and the ring

of their blades echoed all the way to the highest seats. Every person watching could see it clearly.

Both were wielding their sword with the intent to kill. In the exchange of slashes, there was no hesitation at all.

Whoever was falling behind even slightly would be killed. Even though they were supposed to be a couple in love. But not a single person who saw the scene doubted their love. It's because…

"It's beautiful…"

Those two who were fixed entirely on each other, improving each other – looked like dancing hand in hand.

Seeing their appearance, Shizuku muttered, "I'm envious of Stella-san…"

"Shizuku?"

"If the opponent was me, Onii-sama would never be so heated up. I'm certain he would hold back to stop from hurting or breaking his opponent. But… it's different with Stella-san. He's hitting everything he has against

Stella-san. Because he believes… if it's her she can take everything that he has to offer…"

What a truly awful woman, Shizuku thought. Getting upset and sulky every time I dabble a little with my own brother. But what's the problem.

"Even like this, in Onii-sama's eyes there was no one else but you…"

"Shizuku…"

"How amazing. Vermillion and Kurogane both."

The one amazed was Kurono Shinguuji who was watching over the fight in a place not far from Shizuku and the others.

"Every time they're exchanging attacks, they are

improving at terrifying speed."

Skill, power, speed, everything was. The scene was like two gems grind against each other. The shine was increasing

the beauty as their speed increased. But Nene Saikyo who was of course nearby spoke.

"Well of course. Those two are rivals, after all."

"…I see. That is true."

Kurono agreed with Saikyo's words. They could remember it again. At just about the same age as Stella and Ikki. An opponent that it was worth dying to win against was there. The Seven Stars Sword Art Festival final match where they ruthlessly facing such opponent. Both Saikyo and Kurono

remembered every minute of it. It was a fulfilling time. The tens of minutes where they didn't want to lose to just the other person, showing all kinds of deadly power. A fight that tested their ability more than any other fight ever had or ever would. The passionate moment to the degree of the feeling of wanting to embrace the opponent they hate enough to kill. Right now Ikki and Stella were the same as them from that day, in the middle of a glorious time. No, they had gone beyond that. Because they were not only strongest rivals, but also beloved lovers. The feelings they felt towards their strongest rival and the feelings they felt towards their most beloved lover. Whichever irreplaceable passion it was, they're filling it into the same person. It was...

"For knights like us, there's nothing better…"

"Well, that's obvious from their expressions."

Saikyo said so while pointing her folding fan at where Ikki and Stella were showing smiles as if bearing fangs.

There was no telling how many times their blades had crossed. How many times the steels had crash into each other. How many times they struck each other with all their might. But still the enemy before them would not go down. The blade of their souls struck each other back faster and harder without a step back. To defeat such an opponent would require becoming even faster, even stronger – endlessly improving each other. They are going to the top. It's likely that if they had not met this person, it would have taken years, decades for it to reach this level – their own potential. In this moment they both definitely felt it.

That's why they should go. Together. To the pinnacle of knighthood.

It was the promise they made that day being carried out here. …But, no matter how wonderful the time was, the end was coming. And when everything ended, only one person would be left as victor. The one at the top would only be one person. Both who were living in the world of battle knew

that. Therefore, they accelerate much more, racing for the top.

"!!!!!!"

The crowd shivered with excitement as the huge sound of the weapons echoed. It was as if the passion of the two was spreading, stimulating the crowd's mind, with passion in their eyes. In this vessel filled with enthusiasm – there was just one person, as if bearing pain, a woman staring at the ring with sorrowful expression. It was 'Twin-Wings' Edelweiss.

'So it ended up like this after all.'

She looked down at their battle sadly. It was certainly a beautiful battle.

They were forcing each other to improve, driving each other to greater heights. It was… truly a spectacular sight. It was the ultimate battle, just what they had each wanted. But Edelweiss knew. Once they had reached this point, there was only one outcome. And that outcome would be cruel beyond belief.

The result would soon appear to be obvious to everyone watching. The struggle for supremacy ended as the 'Crownless Sword King' retreated far behind.

"They've finally separated! Kurogane has staggered back from the fight!"

It was a battle where even one step back meant losing. That condition had just become clear. Having been pushed back, Ikki's eyes were shaken with shock. Being forced back in this battle with spirits – was not the cause of his surprise.

'…This is…'

Ikki could see it. For just a moment it had suddenly appeared, black iron rings – steel chains wrapped around his limbs like snakes, binding his movements. Stella charged at the retreated Ikki, clearly aiming for the win.

Her blade sliced through the air towards him. Ikki needed to use back Madoka to counter it, but…

*CLANG!*

The chains around his body were tight, the weight desperately preventing his movements as if being connected to a mountain.

「K-Kurogane can't attack back! Can't reach back! He's entirely on the defensive!」

"O-Onii-sama?!"

Shizuku screamed at the sight of her brother being suddenly forced back. Next to her, Arisuin was similarly perplexed.

"Why?! It looks like Ikki's movements suddenly became dull…"

"Could it be, 'Ittōu Shura's' limit..."

But...

"That's not it."

Moroboshi refuted their thoughts. Being one of the strongest people in the country, he could see far more than the other two.

"Ittōu Shura is still active. His movements hadn't dulled. It just relatively looked that way."

"Relatively, you mean…"

"Kurogane suddenly can't keep up with the Princess's movements any more…!"

And at this development, "Finally, it came," Edelweiss let out her voice as if sighing. That's right, this was definitely the result that she had foreseen.

"Do you know, the reason the rivalry stopped?"

As Sara's hand stopped sketching those two fighting, Edelweiss replied. "You could call it fate."

"F-Fate…?"

"The magical power that a Blazer possesses is decided upon birth. For those carrying great destinies in this world, that power is big. After all, magical power grants the ability to change the world by defying reasons. But that also means that upon birth what you are capable of doing in this world is already decided. Just now the two of them have been improving themselves at a rapid pace. The journey that would have taken decades to reach from now, they had gone through it in an instant. And then, as a result the 'Crownless Sword King' has just reached it. The furthest he himself could possible go."

"…!"

That's right. That was definitely the reason the rivalry stopped. In this one minute, Kurogane Ikki had completely exhausted all the possibilities that he was allowed to have in this world. There was nowhere left for Kurogane Ikki to go. The fate that decided his life in this world would not allow him to progress any further. But it's different for Stella Vermillion. Since birth she was an existence that was allowed to greater heights than any other.

Therefore, she had further yet to go. She was still growing. She was different from Ikki who was chained to the bottom of the earth. Stella had been born with wings that would carry her as high as the heavens. So it became clear which of the two was superior.

"It's a pity, but… he can't keep up with the 'Crimson Princess' anymore."

It was no longer a matter of skill or effort, but a despairing limit to their existence. Just as Edelweiss said, this limit parameter decided their match. As Stella continued to grow at a rapid pace, Ikki could no longer follow. He was

extremely already at the pinnacle of his possibilities. Thus he couldn't do anything against Stella's continued attack.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"

"!!!"

Her blade struck 'Intetsu', which shuddered from the blow. His posture crumbled. Stella stepped into the gap and launched an upper body blow. It was the same sword and fist combination as before. But this time it was not a direct attack. Ikki had managed to move 'Intetsu' back to block her fist. Since the blade wouldn't make it in time, he blocked with the hilt. Even if he was clearly fated to be outmatched, he wouldn't allow good blows to reach him.

His high clever defense spoke volumes about his skill. But it was useless. The moment he received her fist, Ikki's feet left the ground. Before the power of a dragon, Ikki's body was in the air like a scrap of paper. In that instant...

"Pierce through the heavens, flames of purgatory."

The 'Crimson Princess' would decide the match with her finishing blow.

Burning flame gushed from Laevateinn as she swung it up. The rampaging flame in an instant caused the temperature and light intensity to go up. Her sword was soon wreathed not in flame, but in light that burned shadows into oblivion. It shaped itself into a sword of light and heat large enough to strike the heavens. Stella took that blade and…

"Burn to ash! 'Katharterio Salamandra'!!!!"

Ikki looked down from his position in midair. Ikki couldn't dodge. He couldn't. It was obvious because his legs were nowhere near anything to push off from. The only thing he could do was place his device in front of his body to block the sword was coming towards him while splitting the heavens in two and. But, obviously he couldn't even do that. His ability to think had been swallowed by the sword of light that burned everything. A moment later his world turned from pure white to pitch black.

「Stella's greatest move 'Katharterio Salamandra' hit directly! Her blade has sliced through Kurogane who couldn't move in the air and the giant LCD monitor as well! Beyond the sea of magma, the batter's eye seats are left in

black rubble! I can't see Kurogane anywhere in that rubble! I think he's likely buried underneath it!」

"Th-This is bad… Kurogane has been hit with the worst possible ability."

"Ikki-kun…"

"Anyone would expect this to be the end…"

The crowd stirred as they looked at the caved in section of seats. It had clearly been a fatal blow to anyone watching. Among the commotion, the referee's out-of-bounds countdown began.

「The referee's out-of-bounds countdown has begun! Stella will be named the winner if Kurogane is unable to get back into the ring within the count of ten! But I'm not sure. It seems to me that they should be rushing into rescue him instead of doing a countdown. After all, he just got hit with the 'Crimson Princess' finishing move…」

But Kaieda did not agree with Iida's comment.

「…No, he wasn't hit directly.」

「Is that so?!」

「Well, he wasn't fully hit directly, is what I mean. …Stella used a fairly quick motion this time so that she could hit him in midair with 'Katharterio Salamandra'. That attack works by focusing the power of flame into one place, which means that it requires a build-up period. However, the build-up

period this time was unusually short. That's why it didn't have the same power that we saw in her fight with the 'Sword Emperor of Wind'. With 'Ittōu Shura's' magic increasing his defense against magic attack, I wouldn't say he won't regain consciousness within the ten second count.」

「So he still has a chance?」

But toward the question, Kaieda shook his head.

「…No. Unfortunately, even if he regains consciousness, a minute has passed since he activated 'Ittōu Shura'. He's already used up everything. …I can't think of anything he

could do if he did wake up.」

Thus, Kaieda thought so. That this countdown was the referee's way of showing sincerity to the two fighters.

"O-Ohhh!! Stella has just turned her gaze away from the rubble where Kurogane is buried! She's certain of it! Her victory! That the 'Crownless Sword King' won't get up!"

Stella was sure from the condition. There was nothing more to this fight.

What's left was just the countdown completing. Once the referee counted to ten, she would finally have overcome Ikki. –When that happened, she'd raise her blade to the heavens. She'd show them all that she was at the top.

"Three! Four! Five!"

And, Stella wasn't the only one certain of the outcome of this fight.

'…It's fine already, Onii-sama…'

Even Shizuku, a relative of Ikki, understood that there was nothing more to this fight. Ikki had lost to Stella. It was an unshakable truth. But it wasn't sad, she thought. She didn't think it was frustrating either. –In fact, she was proud. Of course. Her brother that she was proud of had fought bravely until the end. Normally, it would have likely taken him decades to become this skilled. By watching this fight, nobody would think that her brother was weak.

'Onii-sama, you're already a fine hero…'

Nobody would be ashamed to give him the title of Great Hero that had belonged to Ryouma Kurogane. The rest of the crowd shared Shizuku's emotions as they looked at the pile of rubble. Their gaze was not pitying, but admiring. The spectators, friends, teachers, fellow Seven Stars rivals, all of

them. Not one of them could say, "Don't give up," or "Keep trying." Having seen the fight first-hand, they all knew – Ikki had given the fight everything he had. That's why they could not speak.

*Clank… Clink…*

The sound of metal on metal could be heard in everyone's ears.

"…"

When Ikki came too he was surrounded by darkness. He was laying on his stomach above what felt like wet cold rocks in a limestone cavern. His limbs were bound by black chains that extended into the darkness around him as expected. –From that time. The black chains that had suddenly appeared during his fight against Stella. Ikki understood what they were.

These chains were his fate.

It was obvious, since it was about none other than him. He knew all too well. This was as far as he could go in this cave-like place where light could not reach. It was the bottom of the earth which was certainly a fitting place for an F-rank like himself. He had no right to go beyond this point. The chains of fate would not allow it. Well it didn't matter, he had no strength left in his body to even take a step. He was well and truly used up. His emotional, physical and magical energy – every last one of it. They had all been thrown into that one minute gamble. And so he was empty. So empty that a breeze could carry him away. But that was okay. It was already enough. He'd truly given his very best. He'd put his life into it, exploited all of his potential – even so he couldn't win.

So there was no helping it now. He'd probably gone too far already. After all, he had fought the 'Crimson Princess' head-on even if it was a minute.

The memory would remain in the hearts of many people. It would be written in history. Sure, he hadn't managed to win, but nobody could fault him for that. Who would blame him if he couldn't obtain victory? It was a loss no need to be ashamed to show anyone and had satisfactory end. It was a

satisfactory loss.

That satisfaction…, that cheap satisfaction was nowhere to be found in Ikki's heart even a little.

"…!"

In the darkness, the chains ground against each other, making clanking sounds. Ikki who was lying on his stomach, the man without the strength to take even a single step, reached out with his right hand. Then, his nails were clawing the damp stone.

"…"

He strongly put strength into his fingers and tried to crawl himself forward. But obviously he could not move forward. His body was bound by the chains of fate. Those clinking chains bound his body that was like dragging mountain. His hand slipped. His fingernails ripped off. Pain. Blood.

He was only hurting himself, which was futile. But…

"…ooh…"

Ikki continued to claw at the stone, even without fingernails to grip with.

Using more strength than before, he gripped and pulled, dragging his empty, weak body slightly forward.

Why? Why would he do this?

Why? Why could he do this?

Why would he still drive his battered and used up body forward?

Was it his pride as a knight? No. That had long turned to ash.

Was it admiration for Ryouma Kurogane? No. That had been burned away.

There was only one reason for Ikki to keep going. The feeling that would not be exhausted even when kept burning. The one that could not be used up in about one minute.

The limitless passion that he felt towards just one girl.

"Oooohh…!"

Ikki thought so. Had he not met Stella, had she just been a stranger to him, he would have been satisfied to be where he was. He would have been satisfied to reach the end of his ability. But they had met.

They had met, experienced each other – fell in love.

The time they had spent together, slowly growing closer, even fighting sometimes, their feelings deepened every time of it. Every minute – every second – spent with her was more precious than any jewel to Ikki.

'I love Stella. I love her more than anything or anyone else in the world. Which is why… I can't stay here!'

"OOOOOOOHHHH…!!!"

He rose to his knees, raising his upper body, dragging the chains with him.

The chains were tight against him, squeezing his entire body. Splitting his skin, bursting his muscles, cracking his bones. The pain and the weight like dragging a mountain behind him – seemed to speak to him.

'Stop doing the impossible. There is nothing left ahead for a man like you.'

'This is the end of the road for you.'

In reply to all of this Ikki gave a 'so what'.

Fate would not allow him to go any further. Who cared about that? It was not his concern. Something like that was no reason for him to stop. It was obvious, since Stella was getting further ahead of him while he remained like that. She was using the wings she had been born with to fly anywhere ahead and above. And someday, she would come across them. Someone with the same wings, her new rival.

That… he didn't want that.

He wouldn't allow that. Stella's heart, body, greatest love – her strongest, everything that she had…

'I will not let anyone else have them, not even one!!'

So let it burn! The one burning was the limitless feeling in his chest. With the power of that feeling, he took one more step forward.

It shouldn't be impossible. Ikki, who had been fighting against fate his more than anyone, understood. It's true that fate is probably defined by talent, but he wouldn't be able move forward without his feelings.

...His feelings that wouldn't be crushed even if his body is burned and charred.

...His feelings that wouldn't give up even if he's beyond recovery.

...His feelings that would not falter even if the bitterness of defeat made his entire body shake.

These feelings are what made people move forward. These feelings are what made them stronger than they were before. In that case, those should be the power could cut through fate!

Now go.

Take hold of the power that endlessly fills your heart. Even if this is the bottom of the earth, cut free of the chains and go forward. Even if this body has no wings, go up to the sky, to the one beside you. For always and forever, before the one you love most in this world,

"You better always be your coolest self for me, YOU DUMMYYYY!!"

It's because you want to be the coolest you could be…!

"OOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

In an instant, as his right leg made one step forward, the chains snapped apart, –Light filled the world of darkness.

It happened when the countdown had reached nine. Every spectator in the dome had their sight fixed on the pile of rubble at the batter's eye seats. A sharp blade seemed to slice the rubble into pieces as it exploded upward.

"WHA..."

Then, a flash of light from among the charred black rubble shot towards the large island where Stella stood and stabbed into the surface. But of course it wasn't an arrow. The one bathed in blue light that looked like flame was

none other than the Worst One, Ikki Kurogane.

The match that everyone thought was decided, had been overturned. At this situation, the dome was filled with surprise and shock.

「WHAT IS THIS?!? I… I can't believe it! From that state, at the count of nine Kurogane came back into the ring! A-And this is…! Magic is overflowing from his whole body! Magic that is clearly more powerful than before! He should have used up all of his magic from using 'Ittōu Shura'! Just what could this possibly mean?!」

Iida was looking to Kaieda for some explanation. However, like the other audience and Iida, he could only become stunned towards the unbelievable reality unfolding before them.

「I… I don't know…! I've never seen this situation before!」

But, it was a reasonable reaction. It was not possible for magic to just increase. Magic is a power that changes the world beyond reason. It is the power of fate itself guided by the wielder's own will. Which is why the amount given to each person was determined upon birth. The fate of each person was decided long before they came into the world. That is humanity's common belief regarding magic. It is common sense for a knight. And yet…

「But, this is…! Other than magic is increasing, I can't explain it!」

The reality unfolding before their eyes right now was in clear violation of that belief. Inexplicable, confusion, bewilderment. Anyone in that place was showing the same reactions as Kaieda. Even that Edelweiss had stood from

her seat staring in shock. It was natural. His magic's maximum limit was increasing. The phenomenon that was said to be impossible, Ikki Kurogane trampling over fate by turning his feelings into power, and the theory that had

been said to be common sense all had been flipped over its basis. But the one most troubled by what was happening was of course – the Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion.

"H… How…?!"

It was just as Kaieda had said – Katharterio Salamandra had not been charged properly. It was not impossible that Ikki would get back up. But the one minute of 'Ittōu Shura' had already ended. Ikki should have used up every ounce of his power in his body already. Since the human body has a

system that could consume itself to produce energy, it was possible to muster up physical strength. But how was it possible to the extent of recovering his magic? As Stella is puzzled over this…

"Stella."

Ikki began to move. His blade swayed as he lifted it. "I won't

lose." He seemed to be smiling while saying it.

"…!!"

From those words, Stella felt shiver ran through her body into her bones. Was it fear? No. It was delight.

...Ah, that's right. This man is always like this. He would not lose no matter how absurd it is, He would not yield no matter how impossible it is. He would never give up on himself, continue to move forward, always ripping common

sense into shreds. In that case it is just him kicking away common sense once again. If it's him he would succeed in something of this degree. He would kick away common sense, overcome even fate, and then stand in front of me

as the strongest opponent. It is natural. After all, he is, Ikki Kurogane is...

'The man I love…! As I thought there is nothing wrong in front of me. Right now I will make sure of it from my heart. If it's with him I can do it. No matter how high, no matter where, we will go together.'

"…"

:But that is why… I don't want to lose. No–, I definitely won't lose. Because I want to be worthy to stand alongside this amazing man!'

"■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■…!!!!"

The moment the referee gave the signal for the match to renew, a dragon's roar drowned it out. At the same time, a change had occurred in Stella's body which was visible to the eyes.

The shine produced from her flickering and beating body grew more intense. The outline of the existence named Stella began to blur into the light itself. The shine and waves of heat released from it was not the same amount as before. Her shine filled the surrounding area like midday to the extent of the stadium lighting having no purpose now, and the sea of magma boiled even more.

But more than the changing heat and light, the people in the venue felt it– The feeling of being drawn to Stella. It was not their imagination. Any small scrap of trash or rubble was being pulled towards Stella who had become light. A gravity-user like Nene Saikyo quickly understood what was happening. It was magnetism.

'She's created huge concentration of heat energy that she's throwing the magnetic fields out of order, generating a gravitational force…!'

The moment any of the debris and rubbish that were being pulled came near Stella, light was flashing like lightning, leaving none of the trashes behind. The powerful heat made all objects touching it go through liquid and gas phases, turning them into plasma. At this point it was like a star. It was a crimson star shooting out light and creating magnetism on its own.

'What a woman…'

Towards Stella's power, Kurono was also speechless. That's right. Ikki had certainly overcome his limit. Overcoming limit, triumphing over the common sense, …it was the moment she felt that the match would come to an end. Yet Stella had sent such light expectations flying. In order to surpass Ikki who had overcome his limit, she had to evolve herself further. She realized it. This girl was born outside of common sense. In fact, she was a 'demon'.

'This is… Stella Vermillion…!'

Facing the 'Crownless Sword King', who had overcome his own limits, the 'Crimson Princess' readied all of her strength as she raised her blade. She put her body into a stance like her opponent, raising her sword of light next to her face. Her arms were tucked in close against her body, the tip of her blade aiming directly at her opponent's life, in a stance that did not hide that the next attack would be a thrust. During that stance, "Ikki. The next one will probably going to be our last duel. So I'll swear it now." Stella was staring straight at Ikki.

"Even if your life ends from this, I will continue to love you and only you for the rest of my life."

Her most beloved feelings in her would never waver. Ikki smiled at those words.

"…In that case, I really can't lose now."

Of course. What man would leave his most beloved girl in such unhappiness? He could not let her be widowed. Then what should he do? The answer had been decided.

"With my strongest, I will destroy your strongest!"

And so the final match of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival that had continued long, the last fight had begun.

The 'Crownless Sword King' and the 'Crimson Princess'. The final crossing of their blades. The one that started to charge, –it was Stella. She had already abandoned long-ranged battle using 'Katharterio Salamandra'.

The reason was simple. If 'Ittōu Rasetsu' is activated, he would be inside her swing and striking her down before 'Katharterio Salamandra' could even land the strike. Even if she tried to distance herself from him, the result would be the same. With the speed of Ikki using 'Ittōu Rasetsu', he could charge across the sea of magma before the bottoms of his shoes would burn down.

There is no victory at backing away. Then forward it is.

Having decided it in her mind, Stella increased the heat on her body with almost no limit, creating an armor of light. The heat would cause anything attempting to strike her to simply cease to exist the moment it touched. Ikki's blade could no longer reach her. The moment the blade of 'Intetsu' touched Stella's radiance, its existence would vanish. Her defense was impenetrable.

All that remained to be done was to impale him with the tip of her blade.

Then,—

It would be victory.

"…!!"

She firmed her resolve and charged. She became a red shooting star like her name.

'Amazing…'

It was the thought that went through Ikki's mind as he stared at her approaching brilliance with his eyes wide open. They were certainly different. Even after overcoming his limits once or twice, he could not possibly shake her off. There was no end to her talent. And right now Stella was fully devoted to her talent.

'She's planning to use the heat that was throwing the magnetic field out of order to blow away 'Intetsu' once it touches.'

With the power that only she could produce, Stella covered her entire body with it. Something like 'Intetsu' wouldn't be a problem to her if it came in contact with that light. So what could he do?

...He had decided. He would just have to get his blade in fast enough before it could be destroyed. There was nothing else. After all, his body had already used up all of its energy once. By breaking down some of the proteins inside his own body to gain energy, it would only be enough for one swing.

But Ikki determined that it was enough. Just one thing left. To strike. His entire life had brought him to just this. There was nothing he could do now but trust in that one thing. That's why Ikki would show in front of everyone what the man named Ikki Kurogane was capable of.

'Well… let's do it then.'

In an instant, Ikki activated 'Ittōu Rasetsu' using the magical energy he summoned with his burning feelings. His body's strength was amplified a hundred times and his entire soul was invested into this next one strike. His body was aware of how to release that one strike. How his own body should

move, how he should swing his sword, how to reach the fastest. Thus, his body naturally settled into a stance without thinking. His body was at an angle as he twisted his back and hips around. The blade was held with his right hand. He moved it across to his left side behind and his left hand grabbed onto the base of his blade. Though he did not have a scabbard, It was the stance of an Iai sword-drawing. One glance at that stance,– Stella understood Ikki's intention.

Ikki would strike her down with his fastest attack before her heat could destroy his blade. His stance, though without a scabbard, revealed it as Iai sword-draw. His left hand held the blade part of the sword. His right hand on the handle pushing while his left hand on the blade pulling. By pressing down on the arc-shaped blade as if there was a sheath, a powerful force would be produced from the conflicting force vectors. The speed produced from releasing that force in that moment would be of a different level from when holding the sword normally. The sword slash of the 'Crownless Sword King' was already difficult to see even when he held his sword normally. The speed achieved from the Iai sword-draw would be something Stella could not even imagine. Which means it was possible that his blade would strike down Stella before it got destroyed. But,—

Stella had already decided that was not an issue. Even if his sword should breach through the shield of light, even if Ikki had chosen more than just a sword slash, it wouldn't be a threat. It was obvious. No matter how fast he swung his sword, there was still a difference in their reaches. Regardless of his method, she would be the one to strike first. In that case…

'I'm going to win…!!!!'

Being convinced of it, Stella stepped boldly forward and swung her blade of light towards Ikki. It was time to end this. But in that instant Stella's focus reached its limit. The view of the surrounding began to disappear from her mind and what reflected in her eyes was only a white world and certainly a figure of Ikki striking her with his sword swing. In that world of white with only Ikki's figure in it…

"…?"

Stella remembered something was off. Something,–

There was absolutely something strange. It was as if she had woken up in the morning to find the sky was pink. It was a horrible discomfort that can be said to be ridiculous. But what? What was strange? Where was the source of

this discomfort? When she focused her mind further tens of times in that moment stretching towards infinity, Stella finally realized it. The source of her discomfort. It was Ikki who swung down his sword – the shadow under his feet.

The shadow did not move.

Ikki had swung his sword and yet his shadow remained still. No. It did move but it was as if it was trying to pursue his movements badly. Stella had guessed what that meant. His shadow could not keep up with his movements.

Was that even possible? It couldn't be. It shouldn't' be possible for that to happen.

But after this, this impossible occurrence became known to many people. Many people had witnessed the scene. Lived by the sword, trusted in it, and broke through all limits...

A godly attack that even his shadow could not keep up. This was the ultimate form of 'sword cutting' completed by one person. A height that one day countless individuals would seek to achieve. Based on the significance of both the occurence and respect it earned, that attack was named to many people.

The Final Secret Sword – Oikage (Seeking Shadow).

"Kah… Ha…!"

It was only a moment after their shadows crossed. The one that spilled blood was Stella.

「Th-The 'Crimson Princess' body is spilling blood!! It was a moment of crimson and blue lights clashing! The one who won from it was the 'Crownless Sword King', Ikki Kurogane!!!」

"I… I absolutely don't know what happened…"

"Kyaaaa! Ikki-kun, you're amazing!!"

"No way! He really turned the match around from that?!"

It was immediately after everyone had given up on him when 'Ittōu Shura' was defeated. The betrayal of expectations of everyone in this place had the entire crowd boiling with energy.

But most of them could not understand what had actually taken place during the clash. A member of the student council, Saijou Ikazuchi, who was watching the battle with Touka was no different.

"H, hey, Tomaru, what just happened?"

But Renren also shook her head on this.

"No, even if you ask me… it was too fast for me to see it."

Even to the eyes of two strong people from Hagun, the fight between the 'Crimson Princess' and the 'Crownless Sword King' had reached a different level. Tohka answered those two.

"It was a sword-drawing art."

She had just barely been able to see what took place within that moment of clashing.

"You mean like your 'Raikiri', Touka?"

Touka rebutted at Utakata's query.

"No, while my 'Raikiri' is also a sword-drawing art, the method of movement is different. 'Raikiri' works by depending on electromagnetic force to draw the blade from the sheath at high speed, but what Kurogane just did is the opposite. By gripping the sword tightly with both hands he was able to build up power into the blade so that when he released the strike it could move at much greater speeds than normal. To put it simply, it's the same as snapping your fingers."

"Oh, I get it."

Utakata understood from the explanation.

No matter how fast you tried to move your fingers on their own, they wouldn't produce any sound in the air. But by building power against the resistance of your thumb you can create the sharp sound in the air. Ikki had just used that same idea on slashing.

"But President, even though he could swing his blade faster, Stella-san's sword should have hit him first if there's still a difference in reach between their devices. How did he manage to bridge the gap between their reaches?"

"Kana-chan. You would know the answer if you look at the grip on 'Intetsu'."

As told, Kanata looked at Ikki who is in the ring. Then she realized it. The black sword he held in his hand. The grip was unusually short, which part of the handle up to where his right ring finger held was missing.

"Could it be… it melted?!"

"That's right. Before Stella's sword could reach him, Kurogane-kun drew 'Intetsu'. But with the difference in the reach, he would have received a blow from her first. So Kurogane-kun swung the handle of his sword instead of the

blade, and the butt of 'Intetsu's' handle struck Laevateinn' on the side."

"So he altered the trajectory of the thrust…!!"

"He pulled off such strategy during that moment where our eyes couldn't even follow…what an amazing man?!"

"He really is an outrageous person…"

In the blink of an eye, he was able to combine attack and defense into a single concept and skill during that instant. His sword skill, the way he used it was on a different level.

'You really made me learn something new...'

…Then, beside the amazed Touka, "But, can't Stella just recover from such injury?" As a reasonable question

came out of Utakata's mouth after watching the match so far, there was a movement in the ring.

"Geho…! Goho…!"

Stella coughed up blood and at the same time her body was shaky.

「The blood coming out from Stella's abdomen won't stop! Her wound isn't healing! Though she is refusing to collapse and keeping up by using her sword as support, as you can see the damage is deep! The healing from the dragon's life force is not working!!」

Looking closely, Stella's spilled blood was not burning. That's right, Stella's 'Dragon Spirit' at this point had faded away. What was the reason for that? Kurono who was in the audience seat had guessed it.

"I see… so Kurogane wasn't the only one at his limit in that fight."

"What do you mean, Kuu-chan?"

"It means 'Dragon Spirit' has a major weakness. It's obvious if you think about it. Just saying things like 'a dragon's physical strength' or 'a dragon's life force' is a bit too convenient as an explanation. Her power is the embodiment of a dragon. Vermillion was aware of it as well and so last night, –she had that much meal."

Saikyo understood as well from those words.

"Oh I see, so the weak point is the calorie consumption."

That was exactly the case. Every time that Stella uses her abilities like 'dragon's physical strength' or 'dragon's life force', magical energy and calories at the same time were being consumed. Right now she was using herv'dragon's life-force' to forcibly heal her nearly fatal wound. At the time her 'dragon metabolism' had already consumed large amounts of calories. Stella was completely out of fuel now. As remaining conscious was already difficult at this point let alone healing her wounds,—

A moment later there was a large sound and the 'Laevateinn' she leaned on cracked and shattered.

「Aaaahhh!!! The 'Laevateinn' she used to support herself had shattered!!」

Stella's body who had lost its support was about to collapse on the ring.

Or it should have.

"…!!"

Stella would not accept it.

'My legs… can't give out…', Stella told herself as her body tried to maintain its support.

Her energy or core was exhausted, her device had shattered, but as long as she had even a scrap of consciousness remaining.

'Keep… my head… up…'

No matter what others thought of her, or how pitiful she was, or how badly they laughed at her for not giving up…

'Don't… lose sight… of the goal…'

That was… the least she should do as the challenger.

As Stella stumbled she faced Ikki and thrust her fist towards him. Ikki, who was watching her quietly, did not dodge her fist that was approaching his chest slowly. He knew that she didn't have the strength to defeat him.

Also, he knew the importance of what was clenched in her fist. So Ikki took it with his chest. He accepted it.

"I will… definitely… not lose… next time…!"

While her face became strained from frustration, the words she said had some pride in them. A moment later when her willpower had been exhausted, Stella's body collapsed. But her body didn't hit the hard surface of the ring. It was because Ikki took one step forward and embraced Stella's body. Then, he said it. Strongly, while hugging Stella's body with all of his strength.

"No… I will win again for sure."

Soon after the referee crossed his arms. The buzzer to signal the end of the match sounded, –the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival had ended.

"THE MATCH IS OVERRRR…!!!!"

Just as Stella finally lost her strength, the referee called out the name of the winner!

"It was filled with reversals! It was a fight to the death with them gave their all! The one left standing at the end of this deadly match is… Hagun Academy 1st year! F-ranked! IKKI KUROGANE—!!!!"

"OOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

At the result below them, the hands of anyone in the audience made thundering applause with as much strength as possible. Those who had cheered for Ikki, those who had cheered for Stella, with no difference between them were congratulating the victor. Among them, the figures of

those who lost to Ikki and whose dreams had been destroyed were also present.

"A… Amazing! He really did it! He really defeated that A-rank monster!"

"It was so brilliant… I… I can't even describe it."

Moroboshi was delighted while jumping up like a kid. Even the calm Jougasaki's white skin was flushed with excitement all the way to his ears.

Beside them, Ikki's friend Arisuin was wiping tears from the corner of his eyes. Arisuin knew how much sacrificies he made to reach the top of this place. He even knew about the screams he couldn't hear himself, the impossible things he went through repeatedly. That is why he was glad of his

victory like it was his own. But as expected she was probably the one who would be even far more overjoyed, Arisuin then turned his sight at her.

"You must be so happy, Shizuku."

But,

"…!!"

Shizuku did not even reply to Arisuin, and with her expression changed she leapt over the fence and towards the magma sea. Instantly, the body of Ikki who was embracing Stella was shaking violently, toppling towards the

ground from his back.

"Toudo Heigen!!"

"W-What?! The sea of magma has… frozen…!"

"Isn't that the Worst One and the Sword Emperor of Wind's little sister's…?"

"It's Lorelei!"

The audience was shocked at the sudden intrusion. But Shizuku ignored all of them, dashed across the frozen field towards the pair, and yelled with her expression changed.

"Hurry and get a stretcher! Please get Onii-sama and Stella-san to the infirmary!"

At those words, men dashed out from each gate carrying stretchers. They then loaded the two ragged knights into the stretchers. Had they completely lost consciousness? Both didn't even twitch.

"Did they both pass out?"

"…They gave it their all."

"Yeah. …They were amazing. They were so strong…"

「Right now, thunderous applause with no sign of stopping is pouring down on the two who are leaving the ring! Both the winner and loser are unable to stand on their own! That's how far these two knights competedVwith each other with everything they had! Anyone in attendance today will probably never forget the jewel-like shine of these two! Even if the era has changed, even if showing their pride with their power ends up being called foolish, even if the tradition of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival becomes

buried deep in history, we will…definitely never forget it…! True strength definitely exists in them!!!」

Thunderous applauses were pouring down on the two unconscious knights that were being carried off. The former opponents they faced, Akatsuki Academy's Sara and Kazamatsuri, were also present in the middle of it.

"Ikki… congratulations…"

"Ku ku ku! I knew that my Demon Eye of Twilight could not be wrong! That man is suitable to be my butler when I have conquered the worldVevetually…! He backs down from nothing…! Right, Charlotte!"

"Grrrrrrr!"

Charlotte growled while her face was still expressionless.

Behind her, in the middle of all the applause ringing to the ears, Edelweiss was watching Ikki being carried out of the ring.

"…He is truly an amazing boy. He always manages to surpass my expectations."

She made a voice filled with admiration.

"Who would have thought…he could have achieved 'Brute Soul (Awakening)' at such a young age."

It wasn't clear if that was a good thing or not. Existing within fate meant that you were a prisoner of that fate and at the same time being protected by fate. There was always some measure of happiness to be found there. It was

an area where anyone seeking a peaceful life would not step outside of.

Consequently, she knew knights who had reached that point and stepped back on their own will. But, –Ikki did not stop. He had stepped towards it. He ignored god's warning. Outside of fate, towards the 'domain of demonic beings'.

'With that one step the 'Crownless Sword King' became an existence outside of this world's karma.'

Rather than following fate, he would become an existence that writes theCfuture of this world. In other words...

"Those two may just have the power needed to avoid that 'future of despair' that you saw – Your devotion was not in vain."

Edelweiss said as she smiled at Tsukikage.

Tsukikage slightly smiled wryly at those words.

"…You think so? Ede"

"Yes. Of course I do. And so do the 'Desperados (Demon)' other than myself."

As she replied, Edelweiss' eyes swept over the venue. Right now in the crowd, those who possessed great powers to lead have gathered from around the world.

Others like Edelweiss wouldn't be spoken of publicly even by one person, but they were imposing. Those who had surpassed being human, and would fight against each other one day to decide the future of the world.

Then, "Every single one of them should be certain of it. A new possible future has just been born."

Tsukikage closed his eyes at Edelweiss' words. He remembered… the sight he saw when he visited the Kurogane household back when he had been running for the House of Representatives. The figure of a boy who while

sweating kept swinging his sword in solitary despite not asked to be anyone's opponent and was ignored by everyone, and did not waste away or give up.

"…It is reassuring then."

It was because it would probably be a world with full of hope and kindness far more than the one he had 'seen' before.