Japan, Tokyo – Underground Level B10 of the Magic Knights Alliance Japan Branch Headquarters.
Those summoned by the Ethics Committee were never treated kindly.
The room where Ikki Kurogane was held was narrow and dark, like a coffin. And he had been here for…
He used to gauge the passage of ti from the shifting light in the tiny window, just large enough to fit a human head. But as his condition worsened, he had completely lost track of ti.
Ikki was certain it wasn't just a sumr cold that had left him this weak.
He was barely being given any food or water each day. And the reactions in his body… they were probably from so kind of drug, similar to those used to break prisoners during interrogations.
But what truly broke Ikki wasn't physical tornt. Coughing violently, he gave a bitter smile.
The most crushing blow hadn't co from torture or starvation, but from the words of his own father, Kurogane Gensai.
Ikki could still hear those cold, heartless words echoing in his mind.
Even the strongest person is still human. Even he longed for the recognition of others—especially that of his own parent.
But Gensai had shattered that last, fragile hope lingering deep in his heart.
As a father, Gensai felt nothing for him. Not even disappointnt born of failed expectations—just complete emotional detachnt. And that was what devastated Ikki the most.
As the head of the Kurogane family and leader of Japan's Blazers, Gensai ruled his organization by a philosophy of \\[hierarchy].
"To avoid undue ambition, and live within one's ans—that is the path to happiness for most people."
That was Gensai's creed. And Ikki's rise to prominence directly challenged that belief.
Not everyone was like Ikki—able to transcend their diocrity. Holding onto empty dreams and unwarranted confidence, Gensai believed, only hard the individual and the organization.
But to Ikki, that cold logic ant nothing. All he felt was the hopelessness of being cast into an abyss.
He had once believed that, even if his father never said it aloud, there was still so bond between them—that one day, they would understand each other.
But Gensai had made it clear. Even the idea of caring for him was, in his eyes, foolish. Ikki's ntal foundation had crumbled, and he was left a broken man.
He had considered giving up—letting himself sink into a bottomless pit of despair.
But in that darkness… a voice ca to him.
"Then I guess we're rivals now!"
Yes—even if his own father didn't believe in him, there was still soone who recognized him as a worthy rival.
"If you lose to anyone else, I won't forgive you!"
He couldn't lose. Not to this kind of conspiracy. He had no right to face soone who acknowledged him if he gave in to this.
"No matter what happens, don't forget—you're the rival I've accepted!"
Ikki opened his bloodshot eyes, but his lips curled into a faint smile.
He couldn't give up. He wouldn't forget. Soone was still waiting to settle things with him.
The door opened. Akaishi Mamoru walked in wearing his red Ethics Committee uniform.
"Well, well. Congratulations. You, you worthless failure, have passed the Ethics Committee's questioning. You're free to go!"
Ikki stared at Akaishi's grinning face. He wasn't about to believe this pig would so willingly let him go. There had to be another trap hidden behind that saccharine smile.
Sure enough, Akaishi continued, "I hear your goal is the title of Seven Star Sword King at this year's tournant. Congrats—you're one step closer."
"Your final match in the Hagun Academy selection tournant is coming up. Win it, and you'll qualify to represent the academy."
Ikki could guess it. If Akaishi was smiling like that even while setting him free, then his final opponent had to be monstrous.
"For a final match, it has to be soone special. The president of the student council—last year's fourth-place finisher in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival—'Raikiri' Toudou Touka."
"What's the matter? Afraid now? Thinking of forfeiting, you failure?"
So that was the final blow Akaishi had prepared—to use "Raikiri" as the blade to sever Ikki's path as a Blazer once and for all.
Ikki had already seen the student council president's power at Shizuku's match.
To be honest, even if he were in top form, the outco against Toudou Touka would be uncertain. And in his current state—barely standing—it seed hopeless.
But…
Ikki stood, steadying his trembling body by leaning against the wall.
"I understand. Can I go now?"
His voice was calm, unshaken by the looming battle.
Akaishi, stunned that Ikki wasn't reacting as expected, dropped his fake smile.
In anger, he snapped, "Let's see how you beat 'Raikiri.' Still dreaming of becoming the Seven Star Sword King? You're done. You won't even graduate, much less beco a Magic Knight…"
Ikki ignored his babbling completely and staggered out of that prison cell.
No matter who the opponent was, he had made a promise not to lose. So he would defeat every enemy in his path—until he stood before the rival who had acknowledged him.
…
Hagun Academy – Principal's Office.
Charles, Stella, and the student council executives had all gathered after being briefed by Principal Shinomiya on Ikki's final opponent.
Shizuku slamd her hands on the desk.
"No! My brother's in terrible shape. How could he possibly beat the student council president?!"
She'd heard the audio Charles had brought back. And aside from her rage toward Akaishi, her heart was filled with concern for Ikki.
Just listening to his voice in the recording, she could tell how badly his body had deteriorated.
Having fought Touka herself, Shizuku knew better than anyone just how strong "Raikiri" was. This wasn't just another match—Ikki's future was at stake. Of course she couldn't stay calm.
Shinomiya frowned. "I must apologize. I never imagined they'd go this far."
Charles could sense that even Shinomiya was on the verge of exploding with anger.
According to the match chart, Ikki wasn't even supposed to face Touka. But the published schedule said otherwise.
Clearly, her purging hadn't been thorough enough—there were still people loyal to the branch leadership embedded in Hagun. This was their doing.
She couldn't shift the bla. Because of her oversight, Ikki was now cornered.
Shizuku turned to Touka. "President, are you really going to accept this unfair match?"
Touka lowered her head. "I'm sorry. As the student council president, I can't refuse a match that's already been published."
"Then maybe—"
Just as Shizuku was about to say sothing else, Charles cut in.
"Shizuku! Don't say it. The president has her reasons for fighting."
She knew asking Touka to throw the match would be selfish. But it pained her deeply to just stand by.
Seeing Shizuku bite her lip in frustration, Charles said gently, "It might be rude to say this in front of the president, but—I believe in Ikki. That man will not lose here."
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