Chapter 52

In the first battle, I defeated Mr. Rays, and riding that wave, I continued to win the second and third battles smoothly.

And finally, I advanced to the best four—semi-finals.

"Alright, the one-year war is finally reaching its climax! Ladies and gentlemen, please give a big round of applause to the swordsmen who have overcome countless fierce battles!"

As the commentator said this, thunderous applause was sent to us standing on the stage.

The four of us who advanced to the semi-finals were me, Rea, Rose, and Tessa.

"Allen, it's finally here...!"

"From here on, it's the real deal...!"

"Yeah, let's have a good match!"

As we were discussing this,

"Hey, hey, don't forget about me, okay?"

Tessa said, shrugging her shoulders.

With his razor-sharp Iron Cutting Style and robust physique, he is one of the top students in Class A, and it's impossible to forget him.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to fighting Tessa too."

"Hehe, thanks."

And just as our conversation came to a pause,

"Then, I will now determine the semi-final match-ups!"

The female student commentator loudly announced this and reached into a transparent box containing small balls.

"Now, the first semi-finalist is—here it is! The star of evil who has advanced almost unscathed, Allen Rodell!"

At that moment, the audience erupted.

(The star of evil, huh...)

I understand the need to hype up the audience from the commentator's perspective, but I wish they could come up with a more proper name...

"And the opponent is—the legendary secret technique said to be invincible! The legitimate successor of the one-to-one inherited Sakura Hana Itto-ryu, Rose Valencia!"

As the commentator introduced Rose in a very proper manner,

"Kyaa, Rose-san!"

"Over here, over here, please look this way!"

"Please do your best! I'm cheering for you...!"

A wave of cheers erupted.

Looking at the audience, many female students were waving at Rose.

It seems she is quite popular among her own gender.

(Well, Rose is cool...)

Her dignified face with distinctive red eyes.

Her silver hair tinged with pink, reaching down to her back.

Although she is incredibly weak in the morning... but that could also be seen as a charming weakness.

As I was thinking this, Rose smiled with a combative look.

"I've been looking forward to this moment ever since I lost in the Sword Festival."

"I've also been looking forward to crossing swords with Rose. Let's go all out today!"

As I extended my right hand,

"Of course, that's my intention!"

Rose firmly gripped my hand.

"Alright, are both of you ready? Then, the first semi-final match—begin!"

At the signal to start the match, Rose and I drew our swords.

Our stances were exactly the same—holding the sword in front of our navels, the orthodox seigan stance.

Our gazes met, and a tense atmosphere filled the venue.

(Standing against Rose like this is the first time in a long while...)

The last time we crossed swords in the Sword Festival was over half a year ago.

Back then, I never imagined we would end up attending the same swordsmanship academy.

"...Let's go, Allen."

"Yeah."

The moment I nodded,

"..."

Rose was already right in front of me.

Reading my breathing and moving through the gaps in my consciousness—her specialty in movement techniques.

(Even though I knew she was coming, my reaction was still a beat late...)

As always, her body control is incredibly advanced.

"Sakura Hana Itto-ryu—Sakura Flash!"

Without slowing down at all, Rose launched a sharp thrust with her full weight behind it.

In response to the straight thrust aimed at my torso, I countered with a thrust at the exact same angle.

"—Ha!"

Our sword tips collided at the very tip, creating a deadlock.

This sequence of events was exactly the same as last time.

(Now, I'll attack...!)

As I lowered my center of gravity and dove into Rose's guard,

"The same move won't work...!"

She had already read my movement and was transitioning to her next attack.

"Sakura Hana Itto-ryu—Night Sakura!"

A diagonal slash so fast it was almost invisible.

(Fast...!?)

A perfect timing for a slash, released simultaneously with her approach.

If it were the old me, I wouldn't have been able to react and would have been hit.

But with the current me, who has overcome many life-threatening situations, it's not at a level where I can't dodge!

"—Too slow!"

I narrowly avoided the attack,

"Wha...!?"

And delivered a powerful kick to her exposed torso.

"Ugh...!?"

Rose's feet left the stage, and she was blown away.

(As expected of Rose, she's reacting well...)

She defended her sternum with her left arm in an instant.

The damage to her internal organs is likely minimal—there should be no hindrance to continuing the fight.

Rose rotated in mid-air to absorb the impact and immediately resumed the seigan stance.

"Ugh, you're... really strong..."

"Rose, that last attack was dangerous... Your speed and body control are far beyond what they were during the Sword Festival..."

"Thank you... but it's not over yet."

After that, intense sword exchanges continued.

"Roar!"

"Ha!"

The high-pitched sound of metal clashing and numerous sparks flying filled the air.

As the match progressed, the flow of the battle gradually but surely tilted in my favor.

"Sakura Hana Itto-ryu—Thunder Sakura!"

I countered her lightning-fast iai strike with a powerful downward slash.

"Ugh...!?"

As her defense faltered,

"First Blade—Flying Shadow!"

"...Ugh"

I delivered a quick, close-range Flying Shadow, inflicting damage with certainty.

"..."

"Ha ha...!"

I maintained the seigan stance without a scratch, while Rose, bearing considerable damage, was breathing heavily.

The reason I could maintain such an advantageous position is not only due to the simple difference in strength but also because I had identified her habits.

(Rose unconsciously dislikes using the same technique consecutively...)

The techniques used in this battle are Sakura Flash, Night Sakura, and Thunder Sakura.

(The next move is probably...)

To turn this disadvantageous situation around—she will likely use that great technique she hasn't used yet.

Sure enough,

"Sakura Hana Itto-ryu Secret Technique—Mirror Sakura Slash!"

As expected, Rose unleashed the secret technique of Sakura Hana Itto-ryu.

In response,

"Sakura Hana Itto-ryu Secret Technique—Mirror Sakura Slash!"

I countered with the exact same technique.

Like a mirror, four strikes from each side—eight rapid slashes collided intensely.

The result was one-sided.

"Ugh... Kyaa!?"

My Mirror Sakura Slash easily broke through Rose's and inflicted significant damage on her.

"Why... How...?"

She muttered in disbelief.

"The difference in strength and direction..."

Between Rose and me, there is a significant difference in the base strength required for swordsmanship.

Furthermore, I had foreseen that she would use Mirror Sakura Slash next and released my own at an angle to counter her momentum.

Strength and direction.

It was only natural that my Mirror Sakura Slash, which had the advantage in both, would win.

"..."

"..."

After a moment of deadlock, the commentator spoke up.

"Who could have predicted such a one-sided match!? And if I'm not mistaken, the technique Allen just used was the one-to-one inherited Sakura Hana Itto-ryu! Truly, the Emperor of Evil! Does he even steal his opponent's techniques!?"

Ah, the Emperor of Evil...

(Haa... I don't care what you say...)

As I sighed inwardly, Rose spoke softly.

"Allen is really strong... I'm disappointed, but in a pure swordsmanship match, I lost..."

Despite her words of defeat, her eyes burned with a strong fighting spirit.

(Finally, here it comes...)

I heightened my vigilance and closely watched her every move.

"But, I won't lose this match—absolutely not!"

As she declared this forcefully, a piercing pressure was released.

(As expected, Rose has already—manifested...)

And in the next moment,

"Stain—<Crimson Cold Sakura>!"

A giant cherry tree appeared behind her.

A strong, impressive trunk.

Fully blooming—glossy, crimson petals.

(Beautiful...)

The cherry tree was so magnificent that I almost lost track of time.

"—Gather."

As Rose whispered, the cherry petals concentrated in her hand and formed a sword.

A beautiful, crimson blade.

Vivid ripples.

An indescribable pressure emanating from the entire sword.

It was clear that this was no ordinary sword.

"—Allen, are you ready?"

"...Yeah, come on!"

The semi-final of the one-year war—the fierce battle with Rose entered its final phase.