As Eiji reached the gates of Akatsuki Academy, just as he was about to step through—
A sudden, overwhelming pressure descended upon him.
This pressure felt as though it could freeze time and space itself, violently compressing his internal organs and causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
Arisuin Nagi, whose martial skills were relatively average, remained unaware.
Within this academy, as silent as a haunted mountain lodge, an utterly terrifying aura loomed.
And it was the aura of a swordsman.
Far surpassing any swordsman Eiji had encountered thus far—one whom no one could hope to rival.
If there was a single person whose martial presence could compare, it would only be the Queen of the Land of Shadows.
His heart was in turmoil.
Was it fear?
He didn't know.
He had no time to dwell on that now.
Lifting his head, his fierce gaze fixed on the rooftop of the school building.
A woman in pure white stood there, as if merged with the world itself. No trace of her presence could be felt, and no one would notice her existence.
Yet Eiji saw her in an instant.
Nagi, however, had instinctively overlooked her. Only after noticing Eiji's strange reaction and following his line of sight did he finally spot the Valkyrie-like woman.
And then—
Nagi's face turned deathly pale.
All colour drained from his features, and unmistakable terror surfaced in his eyes, as though he had realized something unthinkable.
"Impossible… How could… Why is she here!?"
Fear shook him to his core, forcing out a disbelieving scream.
Having been treated as a traitor, he naturally hadn't been informed of her presence here.
The Valkyrie took a step forward.
She stepped off the rooftop, her figure drifting down like a willow catkin, landing without a sound. Her movements were utterly silent.
"An impressive strategy."
Her captivating eyes ignored Nagi entirely, focusing solely on Eiji.
"To devise such a countermeasure even under Shinomiya's ability suppression—even I must commend your brilliance."
A hint of admiration colored her gaze as she praised his tactics in a light, ethereal voice.
She had overheard their conversation at the school gates.
"If I weren't here, you could have reduced this place to ruins. Even the One-Armed Swordsman wouldn't have been able to stop you. A pity your luck was just slightly off."
A pity, indeed, that she was here.
Her words carried that unspoken meaning.
"We have to run, Eiji!"
Watching her approach, Nagi's expression twisted in alarm.
Without hesitation, he summoned his dagger-type Device, Darkness Hermit, and plunged it into the ground.
"Run if you want. I won't."
But then—
A trembling voice reached his ears, making him turn in disbelief.
What was he saying?
If they submerged into the shadow realm now, even that woman wouldn't be able to catch them. They still had a chance to escape!
Yet in that instant, Eiji's expression burned into his vision.
"He's… smiling?"
Yes.
Eiji's entire body trembled—his limbs, his organs, every cell screamed at him to flee under the terrifying pressure of her sword aura.
Otherwise, he would surely die!
Yet.
His heart had never burned with such exhilaration!
That's right.
He was indeed trembling.
But it wasn't from fear—it was excitement!
"Aren't you going to run?"
The Valkyrie had closed the distance between them to just twenty meters.
"At your level, you should understand the gap in our strength. So why not flee?"
Nagi recoiled like a mouse spotting a cat, stumbling back several steps.
But Eiji's eyes blazed with an unprecedented intensity.
"Why should I run?"
Instead, he threw the question back at her.
"Your talent is remarkable. It would be a waste for you to die here."
She didn't mince words, laying out her thoughts plainly.
"If you leave now, I won't pursue you."
"Is that so?"
Eiji nodded in understanding. "You're a good person!"
"..."
The Valkyrie's eyes flickered faintly.
No one had called her "good" since her hands had been stained with blood over a decade ago.
"Your unwillingness to snatch away a junior's potential and life proves you're a good person."
Eiji closed his eyes.
Yet at the same time, he slowly raised his Device.
Then he opened them again.
As if gathering his resolve, his gaze became unwavering—filled only with scorching battle intent, not a trace of retreat in sight.
"But with the world's strongest swordsman right before me, how could I possibly run?!"
The target of his fighting spirit.
Was none other than the Valkyrie-like swordswoman before him.
—The world's strongest swordsman!
That was the title she bore.
The undisputed number one!
And at the same time.
She was the very goal Eiji had sworn to surpass in this lifetime!
Now that he stood before her, how could he possibly retreat?
If he fled now, how could he ever hope to surpass her?
The pinnacle he'd chased all his life was right here—if he ran, everything he'd fought for would become meaningless!
Of course, these were just pretty words.
At its core, the reason was simple.
—He wanted to cross blades with this woman!
No matter what, he had to fight her!
Nothing in the world could stop him today—his craving for this battle was that overwhelming.
Nagi could only sigh in resignation.
Fair enough.
In the end, wasn't this what swordsmen were?
Whether Eiji, Ikki, or countless others worldwide—all who wielded swords aimed for the summit!
And with that summit standing before them, how could they not seek to conquer it?
"...My apologies."
The Valkyrie fell silent for a brief moment.
Then, for the second time, admiration surfaced in her eyes.
"You truly are an exceptional swordsman. I shouldn't have doubted your resolve."
As she spoke, she raised her sword in her right hand.
Simultaneously, the calm in her eyes vanished, replaced by razor-sharp focus.
Suddenly, an immense pressure bore down upon Eiji.
That was the oppressive aura emanating from the world's strongest swordsman, the crystallization of her entire being's sword energy and momentum.
With just a shift in thought, she naturally released an intimidating presence strong enough to paralyze ordinary people.
"So next, I'll cross swords with you using this blade!"
Her attitude had changed.
Battle intent surfaced in her eyes.
It was respect for her opponent.
"Wouldn't have it any other way!"
Eiji resisted the world's strongest sword aura with his own presence, gripping his device tightly with both hands. His eyes shone with excitement yet solemn determination.
***
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