This was an unfinished technique, not yet practical for actual use, and extremely dangerous for Touka herself. If misused, it could even endanger her own life.
Yet the impact and penetrating power unleashed by this move far surpassed anything Raikiri could achieve!
A tremendous roar echoed across Hagun Academy.
Blood sprayed through the air.
Not a single drop belonged to Kurogane Ouma.
All of it gushed from Touka's right hand, now shattered by the recoil.
The sheer force of this strike was terrifying—Touka even felt confident it could rival Ikki's Ittou Rasetsu.
Yet Kurogane Ouma remained unmoved, not even taking a single step back.
He lowered his gaze.
A thin trail of blood marked his chest.
"To pierce my skin... that's worthy of praise."
He raised his odachi, admiration flashing in his eyes.
"In that case, I shall offer you some respect in return!"
"...We're not even in the same league."
Touka forced a bitter smile.
Her right arm hung limp, drenched in blood.
As Hagun's strongest student, her skills were exceptional—even the God of War saw great potential in her.
But it wasn't enough.
Kurogane Ouma was simply too strong.
Though her peer in age, he had long surpassed the level of a student knight. Even among professional knights, ninety-nine out of a hundred would stand no chance against him.
He might already be on par with the Sword Saint or the academy chairman.
The gap between them was immeasurable.
"Dangetsu Tenryuu Sou!"
A gale gathered, condensing into the colossal claw of a dragon.
A fifty-meter stormblade manifested once more, descending upon Touka like a guillotine.
Her body, paralyzed from the backlash, couldn't evade—she could only watch as the blade closed in.
A single moment was all it would take to crush her consciousness—
BAM!
At the last second, a shadowy figure dashed in and caught her.
The stormblade struck, hurling both of them away.
The raging winds transformed into countless scythe-wielding weasels, their razor-sharp blades slashing relentlessly. The gale's force blasted them into the collapsed faculty building, sending debris flying.
"That should settle it."
Amane Shinomiya stepped forward.
"My side's done too."
Sara emerged from the opposite direction.
Behind her, the Kurogane siblings lay defeated in the rubble.
With Touka and Shizuku both in peril, the two had rushed in without hesitation, taking the blows meant for them.
"Hagun's representatives are all down. Our plan is a success."
Amane surveyed the wreckage on both sides, nodding in satisfaction.
Just as he had wished from the start.
"Not quite."
Ouma suddenly spoke up.
"What do you mean?"
"Look there."
Under their gazes, he tilted his chin toward the faculty building.
Amid the settling dust, a figure rose—step by step, emerging from the ruins before the three of them.
His clothes were torn to shreds, revealing well-defined muscles that made Sara's breath hitch, her eyes locked onto him without blinking.
"Don't get tempted by his looks, alright?"
Amane Shinomiya rolled his eyes at her.
"Knocking you down would take quite some effort."
"...I know."
Sara's expression clearly showed reluctance, but this obviously wasn't the right moment.
"What's wrong?"
Emerging from the ruins, Eiji coldly stared at the three opponents before him.
"Weren't you just saying you'd take me down? You didn't manage it!"
Not a single wound marred his body either.
In terms of defensive capabilities, with his form-changing speed comparable to an inherent device, he wouldn't lose to Kurogane Ouma.
"...That does seem to be the case."
Amane Shinomiya nodded slightly, but the smile on his face didn't fade in the slightest.
"But now you're the only one left. What kind of waves can you make against the three of us? What can you possibly do?"
Exactly.
Touka had already fallen.
Eiji couldn't protect her completely—she had lost consciousness, though fortunately, her injuries didn't appear too severe.
In the distance, Ikki and Shizuku lay motionless among the ruins, showing no signs of recovery.
On Hagun Academy's side, only he remained standing.
He was now Hagun Academy's last remaining face. If he lost, it would mean Hagun Academy's complete defeat.
Yet he had to face three overpowered opponents: Kurogane Ouma, Amane Shinomiya, and Sara.
Any one of them would be a tough fight for him, let alone all three together—this was practically a lineup from hell.
"Sorry, but I'm used to being stubborn."
Eiji raised his Bling Blade, a defiant grin spreading across his face.
"Either you knock me down, or I knock you down. There's no third option!"
This was just another loss, nothing more.
The first half of his life had been nothing but defeats, a daily struggle against fate.
He knew full well he wasn't invincible.
Truth be told, his training time had been far too short. Even if he could travel to another world, adventurers in the DanMachi world couldn't compare to Blazers. What could a mere few months accomplish?
Of course, he wanted to win. But if reality refused to bend, he wouldn't complain.
He'd engrave this frustration in his heart—next time, he'd settle the score!
Anything that didn't kill him would only make him stronger.
"Good eyes."
Kurogane Ouma praised, stepping forward from the group.
"Unlike Raikiri, you have the eyes of a true warrior. The God of War took on a fine disciple—stand back, both of you. I'll be the one to defeat him."
"Kurogane Ouma."
Eiji took a deep breath, adjusting his condition to its peak.
This man was undoubtedly a formidable foe. Right now, he couldn't even find a way to break through his impenetrable defense.
But that wasn't a reason to refuse the fight. If there were no openings, he'd just have to create them!
Eiji took his stance, standing twenty meters apart from Kurogane Ouma.
Kurogane Ouma's gaze was razor-sharp, likely intending to end this quickly.
But suddenly—
Tiny points of light began floating from Eiji's body.
"Hm?"
Kurogane Ouma let out a sound of surprise.
"What's happening?"
Amane Shinomiya and Sara's attention was drawn as well, staring at Eiji in disbelief.
No wonder—
Eiji's figure was gradually turning transparent, as though he might vanish at any moment.
"Looks like I've reached my limit."
Eiji looked down at his own body and let out a faint sigh, the fighting spirit gradually fading from his demeanor.
"There's no helping it. We'll settle our match at the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. This time, your Akatsuki Academy has indeed won."
"Wait, what's wrong with your body?"
Amane Shinomiya sensed something amiss and quickly called out to question him.
"Who knows?"
Eiji shrugged his shoulders, then flashed a mocking smile.
"Aren't you supposed to be all-powerful? Figure it out yourself!"
***
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