Shirou and Ikki Kurogane were treading different paths in swordsmanship. Ikki Kurogane, weak in body and relying solely on the way of the sword, took the path of incorporating all martial arts techniques into himself and then forging his own path. But Shirou was different; he didn't need to forge his own swordsmanship.
His strength was an all-encompassing strength, and weapon techniques were merely one of his countless strengths.
Therefore, the core of his swordsmanship was himself. Regardless of the sword art, it ultimately boiled down to speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness.
Thus, Shirou only needed to make himself faster, more accurate, and more ruthless, then the sword in his hand would be invincible. Based on this, swordsmanship was merely one of countless techniques to enrich his offensive repertoire.
The weapon in his hand could be a spear, a bow, an axe. It could be anything and everything that could be used for attack. Ikki Kurogane knew very well that the person before him was more akin to a warrior who attacked with a sword, rather than a swordsman. Not everyone who wielded a sword was a swordsman.
The difference in swordsmanship between Ikki Kurogane and Shirou at this moment was just like the difference between Ikki Kurogane and Stella in the original story.
Shirou overwhelmed with power, the grand and righteous sword of the strong. Whereas Ikki Kurogane out maneuvered with skill, the unorthodox sword of the weak.
These were two completely opposing paths. It wasn't that the strong couldn't embody both, but no matter how much they did, the core philosophy of their swordsmanship would not change. It was just that Shirou had progressed further down this path than Stella.
The battle under the night sky intensified. Shirou and Ikki Kurogane's swords clashed incessantly. At this moment, Shirou was no longer fixated on specific moves from a particular sword style; standing firm in his own domain, every one of his strikes was a different move.
No history, no lineage. A completely illogical sword.
Such a sword completely countered Ikki Kurogane; at this moment, Ikki Kurogane simply couldn't read through this man before him. Because he simply didn't know how many different moves were still hidden in his mind.
But even so, his defense remained impenetrable. Obsessed with defense, he constantly sought out Shirou's openings and counterattacked. From the very beginning, he had already seen that Shirou's skill in swordsmanship wasn't particularly refined. Especially his current dual-wielding, it couldn't reach a state of seamless integration.
Therefore, there were still quite a few openings in his movements. But now, as their battle continuously escalated, Shirou's openings became fewer and fewer.
Any opening that Ikki Kurogane had exploited never
appeared a second time; the opponent's sword art was visibly improving. Moreover, his dual-wielding became increasingly refined, and its power grew stronger.
But Ikki Kurogane was not without improvement either.
The power of his sword art had also increased, but what improved the most was his technique for deflecting and parrying. As his swordsmanship style was confirmed, Shirou's offensive grew stronger. His sword became heavier, faster, and more unpredictable. If his defensive techniques hadn't also been continuously improving, he would probably have already been defeated. But how could he let this battle end now!
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Under the night, sword light flowed, and figures shifted. Witnessing the clash of the two swordsmen, all the onlookers felt a sense of terror. A chilling killing intent continuously stimulated their skin, spreading through their bodies. And this was merely the residual effect. At the center of the battlefield, this very killing intent enveloped the two locked in a deadly struggle. Although they weren't using magic, it was precisely the collision of sword against sword that made it feel even colder.
The promise of it just being practice had long been forgotten. The two now only wanted to thoroughly experience this exhilarating moment.
"Should we stop them, Kuro?" Looking at the increasing number of students around them, Nene Saikyo quietly asked Kurono Shinguuji beside her. Glancing at the crowd, Kurono Shinguuji lit a cigarette and shook her head.
"No need. This battle will be beneficial for them." After personally witnessing Shirou and Ikki Kurogane's battle, one could understand the importance and charm of martial arts. This was exactly what Kurono Shinguuji needed. During their student phase, because they hadn't yet been exposed to the world of true Blazers, these students always naively believed that magic power was everything. While this wasn't entirely wrong, truly powerful Blazers were all masters of martial arts.
If they couldn't develop comprehensively, they wouldn't become true strong individuals. She expected that after today, Hagun Academy would see a surge of enthusiasm for practicing martial arts.
While Kurono Shinguuji was planning her intentions in her mind, Shizuku Kurogane and Stella on the side were also greatly shocked. Although she adored her brother, Shizuku Kurogane didn't truly understand his specific strength.
But now, looking at Ikki Kurogane, who had become a master of the sword, Shizuku Kurogane felt more heartache. How much hardship must her brother, who had been away from home for four years, have endured to become so strong? Only four years, just four years. How many hardships, how much tempering, how many life-and-death situations must he have overcome to reach his current realm!
Just thinking about this, Shizuku Kurogane felt pain throughout her entire body. She wished she could immediately rush over, fiercely hug Ikki Kurogane, and let him feel her emotions. But she couldn't.
Her brother didn't need her now. After all, his face at this moment was filled with such a beautiful smile. (In reality, both of them had grim smiles like demons.) He must be happier than ever before right now.
Unlike Shizuku Kurogane, who was empathizing with her brother, Stella on the side was more excited. At this moment, she deeply realized that her choice was not wrong. Here, she would definitely be able to grow.
As the princess of a small country, Stella, who was born with the world's strongest magic power, wanted to become the strongest knight. Not for anything else, but only to protect her country. After all, this world with Blazers was so dangerous. As the strongest genius in the Vermillion Kingdom, she believed that to become stronger, she had to leave that place.
Otherwise, amidst countless praises, she would quickly lose herself. She wanted to go to a bigger place to meet more geniuses. To fight against more strong individuals to make herself stronger. Only then could she protect her country. This was why she left Vermillion and came to Japan. And today, on this very first day of school, she saw it.
Two beings who surpassed her in swordsmanship. How dazzling their figures were. These were true strong individuals.
And amidst everyone's shock, Shirou and Ikki Kurogane's battle had already reached a fever pitch. Shirou, focused on offense but never neglecting defense. Ikki Kurogane, focused on defense but never lacking in offense. Both were continuously growing. But their growth rates were such that neither could shake off the other. Shirou's sword couldn't break through Ikki Kurogane's defense. Ikki Kurogane's sword likewise couldn't break through Shirou's defense.
Thus, the two, continuously fighting, reached a stalemate for a moment. But neither had any intention of breaking the deadlock.
Fight, fight, fight.
Swing, swing, swing.
Defeat him/Win against him!
Both individuals, with unwavering resolve, had no intention of losing. They absolutely had to suppress the other. To achieve victory.
--------More Bonus Chapters!!!!
Every 300 power stones = 1 Bonus Chapter