kingnovel Chapter 690 - 690
Chapter 690 - 690
On the podium, the host roared with all his might.From the spectator stands, countless audience members erupted in a tidal wave of applause and shouts.
With this as the beginning, the Seven Star Sword Art Festival officially commenced!
"Due to Akatsuki Academy's involvement, this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival can be said to be full of hidden talents! To provide more accurate live commentary and broadcasting, the committee has specially prepared ultra-high-magnification HD cameras for full coverage and has invited the 'Judgment Thunder' old gentleman Kaieda to serve as commentator!"
"Pleased to meet you all!"
"Without further ado, please look at the big screen!"
At the host's excited call, the large screen embedded in the northern wall of the arena suddenly lit up.
"This year's tournament bracket has been released, following a single-elimination format throughout! Thirty-two competitors will engage in five rounds of battles in total, ultimately deciding the throne of the Seven Star Sword King!"
"Today will feature the first round of battles for this tournament! The match schedule for today is now displayed on the screen. We invite the first match's competitors—Hagun Academy's 〈Uncrowned Sword King〉 Kurogane Ikki and Donrou Academy's 〈Swordsman Killer〉 Kuraudo Kurashiki—to proceed to the preparation room. Their match will commence in ten minutes!"
On the massive screen, an electronic tournament bracket was clearly visible.
The thirty-two competitors were divided into four groups: A, B, C, and D, with eight competitors in each group.
Sixteen matches in total, with four matches per group.
"I'll head out first."
Kurogane Ikki announced before leaving the spectator stands.
"No wonder that expired loli said I had bad luck with the draw."
Eiji stared intently at the tournament bracket on the screen.
What kind of monsters and demons were gathered in Group D?
Setting himself aside, both Kurogane Ouma and Amane Shinomiya from Akatsuki Academy were in this group, Kiriko Yakushi was also here, along with several other quarterfinal-level competitors from last year.
Counting them up, excluding Eiji himself, Group D actually had three A-rank level knights!
It could be called hell difficulty!
"For those who encounter me, it's truly hell difficulty!"
Eiji sighed with emotion.
"When did you become so narcissistic?"
Saikyo Nene kicked at him.
Her kick connected with his shin, but the sensation was terrible, as if she had kicked steel.
"This kid?"
Saikyo Nene was secretly shocked.
"The first match is starting!"
Kurogane Shizuku leaned against the railing, showing slight traces of nervousness.
On the circular battlefield with a hundred-meter diameter, Kurogane Ikki and Kuraudo Kurashiki emerged from the red and blue gates respectively.
The two stood facing each other, expressions serious or fierce, each materializing their Device.
"First match!—Let's go ahead!"
The referee was a beautiful black-haired woman.
With a wave of her hand, the two swordsmen immediately engaged in fierce combat.
Faced with the first match, the audience outside the arena was highly enthusiastic, with cheers and shouts of support continuously heard.
"Isn't that the school director?"
"She's serving as referee while also handling emergency situations."
I see.
Nothing was more suitable for emergency response than time suspension.
"Has that Swordsman Killer's strength increased?"
Kurogane Shizuku showed a doubtful expression.
"He has indeed become much stronger."
Eiji glanced at the arena.
"He actually mastered Flawless Garment—did he learn it from Ayatsuri? Combined with Godlike Reflexes, this move is truly formidable. Ikki's facing an incredible opponent right from his first match..."
In the arena.
Kuraudo Kurashiki's assault was like a wild wolf's—all offense, no defense.
As Kurogane Ikki's blade descended upon him, he let out a sinister laugh, his body sliding past the sword like a catfish, catching Ikki completely off guard.
That was the secret technique of the Ayatsuri One-Sword Style, Flawless Garment, capable of nullifying any attack. Paired with Kurashiki's Godlike Reflexes, he could probably dodge even submachine gun bullets with ease.
"His nuisance level might not be inferior to Yuudai Moroboshi's."
"That strong?"
Eiji's assessment made the cheer squad members, including Renren Tomaru, change their expressions.
"Almost certainly."
Saikyo Nene also nodded, agreeing with his judgment.
"But Ikki won't lose."
Eiji added casually.
No one understood better than him just how obsessed Kurogane Ikki was with victory.
In the arena, Ikki exhausted all his techniques—continuously unleashing sword skills like Lightning and Mirage—but he actually couldn't even touch a single hair on Kurashiki's body!
"Itto Shura!"
Kurogane Ikki made a decisive move, activating his Blazer technique!
"Fool! This victory is mine!"
Kuraudo Kurashiki roared rudely, confident of his win.
Before his Godlike Reflexes, Itto Shura's speed was useless, and all its power would be dodged by his Flawless Garment. As long as he lasted one minute, the victory would be his!
But Kurogane Ikki seemed completely unaware, slashing forward one strike after another.
"He's won."
Eiji nodded slightly.
"Really?"
Touka was astonished.
She hadn't even figured out Ikki's tactics yet, but her junior brother had already predicted his victory?
"Ugh...!"
At that moment, Kurashiki grunted, staring in shock at the wound on his body.
In that instant of opening, Kurogane Ikki closed in and swung his blade.
Kuraudo Kurashiki fell down in disbelief.
"Match decided! Winner: Kurogane Ikki!"
"What happened?"
"That was a Delayed Slash."
Facing everyone's confusion, Eiji took on the role of commentator.
When the slash landed on the opponent, the force didn't instantly erupt but remained stored within their body. This action was extremely subtle—each strike covertly transferred force, only erupting all at once when the opponent exerted significant effort.
This move shared remarkable similarities with the "Rippling Light" technique Eiji had created in the past.
"I see!"
"Little junior brother, have you considered becoming a commentator at the announcer's booth?"
"Kurogane Ikki has evolved again."
Ignoring the expired loli's teasing, Eiji nodded to himself.
His vision was exceptionally sharp, so he could tell this move was improvised under the immense pressure Kurashiki exerted.
Truly worthy of being the original protagonist.
The fierce competition in this Seven Star Sword Art Festival would likely be even more intense than he had imagined.
Another ten minutes later.
The announcer's booth had just finished explaining Kurogane Ikki's sword technique, and the second match began.
Followed by the third and fourth matches.
Kurogane Shizuku quickly defeated her opponent, advancing to the second round.
Around 9 a.m.
All first-round matches in Block A were completed.
"Round 1 in Block B begins now! Please welcome Hagun Academy's 'Crimson Princess' Stella Vermillion and Kyomon Academy's 'Frosty Sneer' Mikoto Tsuruya to the stage!"
As the host's enthusiastic voice rang out, the audience erupted in a wave of excitement.
"Finally, it's the Crimson Princess!"
"I've been looking forward to this all day!"
"The holder of the world's strongest magical power—let's see how far she can go this time!"
Heated discussions broke out among the crowd.
"Uh... unfortunately, I have some bad news to share with everyone... As of now, the committee still hasn't received any report of the Crimson Princess arriving at the venue."
"That is to say... she is absent."
The entire venue erupted in uproar.