Absolute Duo:Volume 1 Chapter 1

Chapter 1 『To this 《Shield》———』

Part 1

The moment the silver girl showed herself, the sound disappeared from the auditorium similar to the time when the sea waves draw in.

Likewise, the moment I saw her, I also took a breath and became speechless.

You definitely won’t forget her once you have seen her —— a girl with such appearance was standing at the entrance of the Kouryou academy ceremony hall.

Her silver blonde hair came down to her hips, her snow white skin looked like it was transparent, and her ruby coloured eyes, certainly made it obvious that she was a foreigner with a single look.

(She’s basically like a bisque doll……)

The reason I felt that about her, wasn’t just because of her appearance which was giving off the feeling that she was an illusion.

Despite the multiple stares, I couldn’t catch a single expression cross her slightly childish face.

The silver girl, her every move attracting attention — Ring.... walked ahead as the bell rang.

Step.... step.... in a situation where the sound of her shoes echoed within the quiet atmosphere, and while having everyone stare at her, her actions and demeanor made me feel as if I was watching a scene from a film. This girl was walking ahead with complete disregard for the countless number stares, watching her every move.

She walked past me and when she sat down three rows in front of my position, the chain of silence was finally broken, and chatter could be hard mixed with some sighs of relief.

“Haa…… I guess that’s what you would call a beautiful girl……”

The girl with a pony-tail who is sitting beside me said this with a sigh.

“………… Hey, can you at least reply back to me?”

While my shoulder is being poked by her fingers, I face the girl.

“Were you perhaps talking to me?”

“Is there anyone else?”

When I looked around, the seat diagonally front of me and the seat behind me were empty. There was a girl reading through the school entrance pamphlet diagonally behind me.

“……Sorry, I didn’t realize it.”

When I apologized, the girl smiled.

“Fufu, looks like you are the type of person who can talk normally.”

“Huh?”

“You had a frown on your face this whole time. For me, who was sitting beside you, I wanted to do something about this awkward atmosphere.”

“Ah…… I apologise again. I was concerned about something.”

“And you are telling me that your concerns wasn’t a serious issue compared to that beautiful girl from a foreign country?”

“Haha, looks like it.”

I ended up making a bitter smile to her comment which she said while putting on a meaningful smile.

“Ahaha, I can understand that feeling despite being a girl. She is such a beautiful girl, so it would be natural for you to have your eyes taken by her. ……But I wonder why she came all the way to a school like this?”

A school like this. — There was a reason why the girl with the pony-tail said it like that.

The Kouryou academy, the school I will be attending from today onward, unlike the average high school, is know for being a special technique training school.

The special technique we will be learning at this school is — battle techniques.

For harmonious Japan, it’s an extremely special school that teaches techniques which are not needed in our daily lives.

“She must have her own reasons.”

She came all the way from overseas to learn battle techniques, so that silver girl must have her own reasons.

“……There is also the possibility that she has been living in Japan from the start.”

“Ahaha, there certainly is. ……But she sure is a cute and beautiful girl. Oh my, I’m so jealous of her.”

“I agree with you, but I think you are quite the beauty yourself.”

“Am I? Fufu, thank you… wait, what!? W-W-Why did you suddenly say something embarrassing like that!?”

“I just said what came to my mind……”

The girl sitting beside me had her light coloured hair tied up, so I had an impression that she was a lively girl. Her face looked both beautiful and cute, and she possessed the atmosphere of a girl blossoming into a woman. I understood that she is sociable since she initiated the conversation , and judging by her ability to casually discuss difficult topics with out making me feel bad, I suspect she might have been popular during her middle school years.

“N-Normally, people won’t say that even if it comes to mind……!!”

“It is?”

“Of course it is—”

“……I’m sorry, but can you quiet down a bit?”

The cold voice which came from behind us belonged to the girl who was reading through the pamphlet.

“Ah…… I-I’m very sorry!”

“Sorry for making a ruckus.”

“It’s alright…… If you are going to quiet down, then I won’t say any more.”

Both the pony-tail girl and I faced forward after apologising.

“Cough. A-Anyway…… don’t say anything like that again, so suddenly. Depending on the person, they can get the wrong idea……”

“Y-Yeah, I got it……”

Even though I nodded—

(What does she mean by wrong idea……?)

I made a big “?” mark inside my head.

The pony-tail hair girl put her hand to her chest to calm herself down, and she asked me once again after taking a breath.

“Umm, it kind of become an awkward situation, but let’s start by introducing ourselves. I am Imari Nagakura, let’s get along.”

“I am Tooru Kokonoe. Let’s get along, Nagakura.”

“Call me Imari, Tooru.”

Imari winks at me with a smile.

After we told each other our names, Imari began the conversation anew by bringing up what must have been the most discussed topic within the auditorium.

“Hey, Tooru, what was it like for you when you sublimated with 《Luciful》?”

“I thought I was going to burn to death.”

“Pu, ahahahaha.”

Imari laughed at my reply—

“……Cough.”

Because of the cough from the girl behind us, she put her hand onto her mouth immediately, and lowered her tone.

“I felt the same, I thought I was going to burn to death.”

Imari nodded while giggling.

“Even though it was explained to us beforehand, I sure was shocked. But with this we are…… no, everyone in this auditorium can no longer be considered a normal human anymore.”

“Yeah…… Though I said that, I still don’t feel like we have changed.”

“You mean as in having become an 《Exceed》……?”

“Yeah……”

《Exceed》——

Refers to those who were given the biological enhancement nanomachine called 《Luciful》 which was made by the organisation called Doon institute several years ago.

By injecting it to those who are 《Adapt》(one in every one-thousand people), they will be able to attain a body which surpasses the limit of a human, and also due to their enhanced mentality, they will also attain the ability to materialise their 《Soul》 into the weapon called《Blaze》.

However, this issue was told to us for the first time right before receiving 《Luciful》 today, that’s why just like how I replied to Imari despite seeing 《Blaze》 with my own eyes, I still don’t have the feeling that I have sublimated to become a 《Exceed》.

(Though I would realise it when I move my body……)

It might have been faster if I did that right after having it given to me, but because of the listless feeling I had due to the burning feeling, I came to the auditorium while having doubts about having my 《Soul》 materialise into a 《Shield》.

……However, I don’t feel like moving around my body in here.

When I was having such discussion with Imari, I heard the sound of the switch of the speaker turned on.

“Ah, looks like the entrance ceremony will begin.”

Right after that, the sound of the microphone test, [Ah……test, test] echoed through the auditorium.

[Everyone, silence. We will be starting the entrance ceremony shortly. I, Mikuni, will be in charge of the ceremony.]

When the person who seemed to be a male teacher in his late 20’s said [Silence] again while standing at the stage, the noise within the auditorium settled down.

[The entrance ceremony for the high school division of Kouryou academy will now commence. First, the chairman of our academy will be giving her words to all of you, the new students.]

The next moment when the ceremony began, I was in shock.

That was because I saw the person wearing a gothic dress walking up to the stage.

(—! That’s the girl from before……!?)

The person on the stage is no doubt the girl who gave me the 《Luciful》.

[Welcome to Kouryou academy, I am the chairman, Sakuya Tsukumo.]

Chairman. She doesn’t have the image of someone with that role, and the girl who has or hasn’t reached the age of ten starts her speech magnificently. Her abyss-black hair which was tied into two, and her appearance which is wrapped in black dress makes me feel she has some ominous thing in her just like the time I saw her for the first time.

(I was already shocked at the giving……)

Even back then, when I was thinking why was a girl here in a place like this……she gave me 《Luciful》 while I was in shock, and she disappeared while I was panicking by having received 《Blaze》.

(I never expected that girl would be the chairman of this academy…… But why did a person in such position went through the bother of giving it to me……?)

It’s certain that she wasn’t helping me.

Then there must be a reason behind it, but I can’t think up of those reasons.

I was in blank of amazement after being shocked about this, so I wasn’t able to listen to the chairman’s speech.

“Looks like you are shocked about this.”

“Y-Yeah. Of course I would. She’s that small, yet……”

“There was a photo and the profile about her on the pamphlet. Didn’t’ you read it?”

“The school fee is free of charge and the system of being a boarding school. On top of coming with three meals, I also have checked that they would be giving out daily expenses.”

“Other than that?”

I looked away silently.

“Read through them properly……”

“……I agree with that woman. Geez, why are you always like that?”

The one who entered our discussion while sighing was the male student who was sleeping at the seat front of me.

“——! T-Tora!? Why are you here!?”

[You, sitting over there. Please refrain from talking.]

I accidently said it out loud due to this familiar face, and I had the speaker warn me.

Despite closing my mouth immediately, I can hear laughter around me.

(Ugh, I stood out in a bad way……)

When I looked down with my red face, Imari asked me.

“Is he your friend?”

“Yeah.”

The boy that talked to me just before is my friend called Tora.

Even if the school we went to was different, I came to know him when both the doujo we attend to started affiliated with each other for martial arts. Also since we are the same age, we had sparring many times since junior school. Since he has a small built boy with glasses, he may look quiet, but the truth is he has a big attitude and he also has bad mouth. But there is a part of him where he is good to others, and he is someone who you can have a liking to——.

(But I never expected to meet him here……)

I didn’t see him at the latter half of middle school due to my own reasons, and since I didn’t have the chance to know where he would be going to, meeting him here was totally unexpected.

“Who are you calling your friend? We just happen to know each other, and we only happen to have met quite often.”

“……Isn’t that what you call a friend?”

“S-Shut up. To begin with, you are always——.”

Then there was a cough from behind me, and it came from the girl from before.

“~~~~~~! E-Either way at least read the pamphlet, you fool!”

Tora faced forward after shouting with a low tone.

(His self-important way of talking sure hasn’t changed.)

At the same time I felt nostalgic about his way of speech, I also felt a bit relived that there is someone I know here.

“……Oh, my bad. Continue from where you were, Imari.”

“Okay. ……Well, chairman Tsukumo originally belonged to Doon institute, the organisation that build Kouryou academy, and I heard that she was involved with the research as genetic scientist.”

“That’s amazing that she is a scientist despite being so small…… Ah, if she is a genetic scientist, then is she involved in 《Luciful》 in some way?”

“Not sure. I don’t know that much about it……”

“……Hmph, she most likely was. The enhancement with《Luciful》is due to alteration of genetics after all.”

The one who answered instead of Imari who tilted her head in doubt was Tora that was supposed to have been facing forward.

“Kouryou academy is a laboratory institute that was solely made for her, and the guinea pig that was gathered for that experiment is us.”

“Ugh…… You sure do say it in a disturbing way……”

To Tora’s words who decided to join back into our discussion, Imari made a stern face.

(——Guinea pig, huh……)

If Tora’s hypothesis is right, then this special technique training school which is an irregular little garden not only has the abnormal existence of 《Exceed》 and 《Blaze》, but it seems like the reason for making this place isn’t normal either.

(Well, as long as I can fulfil my aim, I don’t care what kind of place this is.)

When I thought about it like that, I naturally had myself gripping tightly.

On the other hand, it seemed like the chairman’s speech was about to end for this entrance ceremony.

From the chairman who was acting magnificently which was far off from her age appearance, she was about to end the ceremony with a voice which gave me chills.

[All of you would be acquiring different kind of techniques and knowledge within this Kouryou academy. But please remember that all of these are to make all of you go even higher. That will serve as the school’s policy, which would be absolute. ……Lastly, I will end this ceremony by sending this word to you all.]

The chairman stopped her speech there, and looked around the new students—

and she spoke that words again.

[I pray, that you would reach to become the 《Absolute Duo》one day.]

“Huh……?”

“What’s wrong, Tooru?”

“No, just now the chairman……”

Since the ceremony has finished she should be getting off the stage, but the chairman remained at the spot.

As if she was answering my suspicions, the chairman spoke again.

[Now, we will have the new students start the traditional event of our school, the 《Qualification Ceremony》.]

“Traditional event?”

“There’s nothing written about something like that in the pamphlet……”

Looking at the schedules put on the walls, the event which would follow after the chairman’s speech should be the warm welcome from the student representative of the current students……

[Before beginning the 《Qualification Ceremony》, there is something you must do. Please confirm the person sitting next to you. The person next you will be your partner for the ceremony you would be partaking in.]

I looked at Imari, and Imari looked at me.

“So what are we going to do with the partner?”

I obviously tilted my head with questions, but I understood the answer for that immediately from the words the chairman would say next.

[From here, we will have you battle with your partner.]

“What……!?”

The moment we were told about event, I—no, not just me, but there were several gasps from various part of the hall.

[The traditional event, 《Qualification Ceremony》 that is about to start now will be the entrance test to enter the Kouryou academy. The winner will be permitted to enter the school, while the loser would be asked to leave immediately after having 《Luciful》 retrieved back from them.]

Unlike us who are in shock, the chairman said an outrageous thing with a calm face.

After her words, the auditorium was in silence—.

Eventually, when they started to understand the meaning of her words, the new students started to panic.

(An entrance test during the entrance ceremony……!?)

Just like me, Imari wasn’t able to hide being shocked about this, and she started to mutter it while staring at the chairman with wonder.

“You are joking, right……? Even if this is a special technique training school, you can’t just make us do this on our first day…… B-Besides, what do you mean by entrance test!? Wasn’t it that anyone can enter this school as long they have the 《Adapt》!?”

“I’m curious about that as well, so I want an answer. Besides, if there were such traditional events like that, won’t it be weird that we didn’t hear about this from those who failed the test?”

Tora throws the question to the stage while putting on a rough attitude that made you think that they don’t have the relationship of a teacher and student.

But the one who answered that wasn’t the chairman, but the speaker, the man called Mikuni.

[I don’t remember saying that there wasn’t any entrance test. Though it is true that I did say you have the right to enrol the school if you have the 《Adapt》. And there is a simple reason why there wasn’t a leaked information regarding about the entrance test. In terms of the things going on in our school, we have ourselves restrain the information about us in many different ways.]

To Mikuni’s shallow smirk, I realised that the things he told us is the truth.

The auditorium gets noisy due to the panic and disturbance.

[Since all of you have understood this, I will be moving onto the explanation.]

But the girl in black dress seems like she wasn’t even concerned about it that much, started to explain the rules without hesitation.

[You are basically free to do whatever you want in this battle, — in other words there isn’t a restriction on using weapons. Of course we will permit you to use your 《Blaze》. The battle would be decided by forfeiting, or if we determine that you are no longer able to fight. Also, if the result isn’t determined within ten minutes, we will make both students fail——]

“P-Please hold on!”

[What is it?]

Even if she was interrupted from her explanation, the chairman looked towards the girl who said that without changing her expression.

“Isn’t it too much for you to reject us from enrolling just because we lose in a match!!?”

“Y-Yeah, she’s right!!”

Having that girl’s word as a start, there are many yells from various parts of the hall.

“What will happen to the future of those who lose!?” “Don’t screw around!!” “Are you going to take responsibility about this!?”

However—

[……This is just an entrance test which is present everywhere. To survive by kicking off others, a simple rule obeying the competition to survive, this is just a simple war to enrol. Though the time and detail are different.]

The chairman didn’t even flinch at the yells, and she gave a cold eyes and words where her atmosphere made the new students silent.

(Competition to survive, huh……)

To have yourself survive, you have to steal the future of those you face.

Even if it isn’t actually related to our life, it would still have your path closed if you lose, so there isn’t any mistake on what the chairman said.

“B-But why is it battling……!? Can’t we just have a normal test……?”

One of the person who can’t agree with this, Imari, asked her.

You can say that it’s the justification of the majority of those within this hall, and I also agree with her opinion.

[A day will definitely come when you would have to fight. After you are dispatched to the security maintenance squad of the Doon organisation as a 《Exceed》, there will be a time when you are placed into a battle where you have to risk your life, definitely. ……But a time like that won’t stop just because of your preference. ——You should all know that by now after hearing that much.]

“……So the 《Qualification Ceremony》 is the first decision the academy is giving us, huh.”

[That’s exactly right.]

The chairman smiled at my comment.

[If you don’t agree with the way this academy does thing, then you are free to leave this auditorium. Except, in that case, we will obviously come to the decision that you have gave up on enrolling into Kouryou academy.]

The atmosphere within the auditorium froze.

Of course. We were suddenly told about the entrance test out of the blue, and then they told us to fight, so there was no way we could nod our head and say yes.

And if there are no restrictions to this battle in terms of using weapons, not only will you have the fear of being hurt, but you will also have the fear of hurting your opponent. If it goes wrong, there is a chance that it won’t just remain being wounded, so there was no way you can decide about this so easily.

However—having us do that while understanding what’s go through our mind is what you would call the whisper of a devil.

[Now, just before you begin, there is one extra information regarding 《Blaze》 that I will explain in order to make it easier for all of you to fight. 《Blaze》 is a weapon that was created by materialising your 《Soul》 due to enhanced will power——and also for that reason it has the trait of being able to damage only 《Soul》. So it means that you would only wear down the spirit of the opponent you have attacked, and it doesn’t hurt physically and take the life of others, so it’s a special weapon that is for oppressing.]

I wonder just how much her words had made the new students present here feel relieved and blow away their hesitation.

I can tell just by looking that there a commotion.

One by one, there are those that have made up their mind.

(It sure did become troublesome……)

My decision isn’t about whether I agree to this test or not, and it also isn’t about battling, hurting, or being hurt.

It’s about the fact that I have to take down Imari if the test was to start.

She is someone that I only met this morning.

We just talked for less than an hour.

(But I……)

This feeling naturally moved to my hand where I asked the chairman a question.

“……I’m sorry, can I ask you one thing?”

[What is it?]

“Our partners—, is it possible to change the opponent we have to face?”

Even though I asked her while having a faint hope—

[……Are you able to ask for the examiner to rate you by English that you are good at since you are bad at Mathematics during the test? Do you think such wish would be allowed?]

“That is……”

To the ruthless words that returned to me, I wasn’t able to continue my words.

There most likely have been someone in the past who asked the same question.

“Tooru, it’s okay. Your feeling alone is enough for me.”

Imari smiled sadly.

“Ku……!”

(Do I only have the choice to accept such an idiotic test……!?)

Even though I’m biting down my teeth hard, I can’t come up with a method to evade this.

I even felt like turning back by saying that I can’t cope with such crap.

But I can’t do that.

I came to this Kouryou academy craving for an existence that is out of normal bounds.

To obtain the 《Power》 in order to fulfil my desire.

(Damn……!)

Even so, I’m hesitant.

I shouldn’t even be thinking about this.

But, in order to do that I have to defeat Imari.

“Imari……”

I said Imari’s name.

Just that.

I can’t say the next word.

I know that I have to say something.

……But what?

I don’t know.

I can’t think up of anything.

While I was lost in finding the right words, and right before I was able to find what to say—

The chairman moves on without any mercy.

[Fight, El Seed(Children chosen by heaven)!! And grasp hold off your own future with your own hands!!]

Her sharp words. At the same time the sound of the bell rings throughout not only the auditorium, but the whole school.

After a pause—

“Uwaaaaaaaah!”

The shout from someone became the actual signal for the start of this.

After finally realising the situation they are in, several of them ran to the exit while screaming.

There are also those who are standing there because they still haven’t realised it.

And those who are willing to fight that has accepted this test and this battle shouted out the 《word that carried strength》, and there are blue-white 《Flame》 released from various places.

Sword, spear, bow, and the many weapons that has appeared within my sight. When they take it to their hand, they swung it towards their opponents.

The sound of the battle and weapons colliding echoed throughout the auditorium.

Under that situation, we were the only ones that were standing silently while looking at each other—.

And the one who finally spoke was Imari.

“I don’t like the sentence “It can’t be helped” but—there is something I must accomplish. In other to reach that goal, I want to enrol to this academy at all cost. So—.”

Imari looked sharply and straight into my eyes, and then shouted.

“I can’t give up on this path!”

She puts her hand to her chest, and 《Astar》 appeared due to 《word that carried strength》.

The 《Flame》 that was glowing in blue-white is Imari’s 《Soul》 and her 《Will》 to fight.

Imari grabbed it without hesitation.

The 《Flame》 changes into a long stick like shape, and then—right after giving out a strong glow, a 《Blade》 that has a beautiful curve was within Imari’s hand.

“Tooru, you bring out your 《Blaze》 too………!”

“……………”

Imari made her decision. But i…….

“………….there is no time. If you have no will to fight, then I will end this!! Iaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!”

At the same time with her making a spirited shout to encourage herself, Imari jumped at me.

(----------uh! Fast!!)

Thanks to explosive power powered up by the <<Lucifull>>, the distance of a few meters disappeared in an instant.

“Kuh!”

When he suddenly took a back step to dodge it, the swung down <<Blade>> graze his clothes and slashed the floor.

The deep slash mark left on the floor was not something could be thought of from a girl’s physical strength.

(This is a <<Exceed>>………….! The talk about crossing the boundaries of humans wasn’t exaggerated at all)

“You have a nice body. Are you perhaps doing something?”

“A little martial arts”

“Yes. For me it’s Kendo”

“No wonder it was a nice strike”

I returned back a slight smile back to Imari who was making a sword stance.

“Fufu, thank you. Although it is offensive to say that after dodging. ………….but I won’t miss next time”

Imari’s eyes turned serious again.

“Tooru, I’ll say this once more. Bring out your 《Blaze》………..!”

“Imari………”

I was still hesitant.

However, I know there was nothing I can do-------and the only way I have was to accept this exam.

But even if I materialize my tool, how should I fight.

My 《Blaza》 is a 《Shield》----a defense tool.

Instead of defeating, it was something to protect.

That is why in order to defeat Imari, I would need a direct attack---------I have no choice but to swing my fist, but if that’s the case then the chances of getting injured is high.

(I would want to avoid that. If that’s the case then…………)

“I am okay with this”

“Eh?”

“I am saying I won’t use my 《Blaze》”

“------------uh! What is the meaning of that, Tooru!?”

“If I have a need to use it then I will materialize it but, it means I have no use for it”

“Do,don’t be stupid!! Although I look like this but I am a top ranker in national kendo competitions!!”

“…………….I am not stupid. I’m saying it for real”

“---------uh! Don’t regret this!! Seyaaaaaaaaaa!!”

Imari howled and once again took a step.

Even when I avoid the slashed, the flow did not stop at there.

Immediately, the 2nd and 3rd slash was released------

But, I safely avoided all of those slashes.

“Kuh…………! Looks like you dodge well……..!”

Showing her the difference in ability and make her give up.

That was the fight I chose.

It’s true that <<Lucifull>> turns humans to <<Exceed>>.

If turning into that would make a power up in physical abilities then I also have the same condition.

If that’s the case then, I can say in the present point my ability, skills and experience has become bigger.

Imari’s sword skill is quite something

However, that’s was not something outside the zone from matches.

---But, I’m different.

Ever since that day, I have been walking every day to get stronger.

The path we walk is different---------and that right now has turned into this overwhelming difference in ability.

“Wh,y………….!”

The <<Blade>> was fruitlessly continued cutting the sky innumerable times.

No matter how much spirit she has, it will never fill in the difference in ability.

Immediately, Imari noticed that too and started showing impatience in her eyes.

“I can’t lose! i…………I have a goal………..!”

She clenched her teeth and said her determinations of not giving up before swinging down her <<Blade>>.

I dodged that attack in a paper thin margin, Imari missed and I took that chance to grab Imari’s wrist.

“………you should know this already. Imari can’t win against me. Any further--------is useless”

“Uh!”

“So please give up. I want you to admit defeat……….I don’t want to hurt Imari”

There was nothing harsher than the sentence I put in my mouth.

I am telling her to admit the overwhelming difference in ability and defeat.

And the moment she accepts that, Imari will have to leave Kouryo academy.

In order not to hurt Imari, I have to hurt Imari’s heart and that inconsistently hurts my chest.

Just like Imari, I also have a goal.

I have the intention to accomplish my goal.

But even so, I swing my fist and to that girl---------I avoided hurting Imari.

That is why I planned to crush Imari’s determination and make her heart into a broken shape to end this but-----

“Don’t joke! I won’t admit defeat by. Definitely……….!”

Imari enraged.

“Most of all, there is no way I can raise the white flag knowing I was taken lightly against!!”

“Imari……………”

When I called over to her, Imari slacken her expression with a *fuu* and made a smile.

“If you want me to admit defeat then, you have to fight properly Tooru. That is what manners are”

At that smiling face, at that eyes that has strong determination in it, I was convinced.

Just as she claimed, she would never admit defeat on her own volition.

I’m really an idiot.

There is no way I can break the heart of an opponent that has such a strong determination and smiling face.

---Then what should I do?

That’s obvious.

There is only one skill that can respond to Imari’s heartdetermination.

“Sorry about that”

I put an apology in my mouth and let go of Imari’s hands before taking a few steps back to take some distance.

By ability difference, it was not essential to use it.

But Imari wishes for me to bring out my full strength.

I have to respond to that wish.

That is why I will shout-------the <<word that carries strength>>.

“《Blaze》!!”

<<Flame>> was flowing out from my chest-----

The same time with me holding it, it entangled on my arm and released a flash.

“That is Tooru’s………..”

Called as a <<Irregular>> and the only defensive type 《Blaze》 in this world------she put the <<Shield>> in her eyes and Imari could not hide her surprise.

“Just as what you can see. That’s why sorry but, in order to win I am going to use----this guy”

As if to show it to Imari, I grasped my fist strongly.

I pulled back that fist as if to shoot a bow and-----took a stance.

“Come at me at full strength! I will stop Imari’s 《Blaze》 attack-----and win!”

“Looks like you are getting serious now. ………….but! no matter how despair-like is the difference, I will not give up!!”

Imari shouted and took preparation stance.

It was extremely hard to avoid and it looks like she was planning to challenge me to a final match with that high-offensive power thrust technique.

“This is regretful………… I really wanted to talk more with Tooru. But there is no time for that, as a swordsman I will use this <<Sword>> to------!”

“Tell that to this----<<Shield>>!!”

Responding to my words, Imari made a loud spirited shout.

“SEYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!”

Piercing through the empty space, that sword’s point approached me.

“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!”

I roared and after an instant.

GaKiiiiiiin………..! The <<Shield>> stopped the blade and the <<Blade>> bounced out from Imari’s hands being unable to withstand the collision impact.

“That just now----------was a good attack”

“I can’t act cool being told that after getting stopped but---------thank you for now”

Imari made a small smile, i------

“It’s the end”

He released his fist.

Just like shooting an arrow, he released the accumulated power.

And just as he claimed-------that became the match’s last attack.

“Are you okay, Imari? It didn’t hit, so I think you won’t get wounded though……..”

I approached Imari who was still down, and kneeled down.

“U,un. I think I’m not hurt………….but, what was that just now……………?”

“It’s an impact wave”

It’s a technique that can easily take one or two bones away if it hits but, the power was not simple now that I gained <<Lucifull>>.

That’s why by stopping before-------originally it was a wind pressure level to stagger someone-------and would end at there but, it was out of his imagination to think the power turned into something that can send one flying.

But even so she did not get hurt, and I made a relieved sigh.

“Seriously, you have something that amazing…………… haaa, It’s my complete lost………..”

“I’m sorry…………”

I borrowed my hands and helped Imari to stand up.

“It’s okay. Even If I can’t become an <<Exceed>>, it’s not like all the paths have been closed off. I just have to find another path. …………….that’s why, don’t make that face”

Imari *pan* hit my butt to tell me to put in some spirit.

“Congratulations for entering, Tooru”

“……………Thank you, Imari”

Although I felt sorry I made smile, Imari also send back a smiling face and immediately--------

*Chirin*.

Inside the auditorium filled with loud noises, there was a clear sound of bells grazing my ears.

When I looked over to that sound, over there was------

“Ah………………”

That silver girl was standing there.

Towards us------no, she was looking towards me.

Her ruby eyes filled with a certain amount of strong determination was clearly looking at me.

But, that event only happened for an instant.

A guy came from behind of the silver girl---------in order to attack his examination opponent.

“----------uh!”

The moment he swung down his sword, the guy was certain of his victory.

---but, that attack cut the sky.

That’s because that silver girl that was supposed to be there just before was not there anymore.

“Wha!? Di-disappeared………?”

It was not strange for the guy to open his eyes wide dumbfounded.

In an instant, the silver girl danced up to the sky.

Primarily, the movement of up and down with the human eye was weak.

She jumped up the instant the attack was about to close into her sights what’s more that was done in close-distance, if I was in his place then I might have lost her-------to make me think of it like that was how fast she was.

“Pretty…………..”

Gazing at the silver girl in midair, Imari muttered.

The silver girl, holding that black bladed sword----<<Double>> in each hand looks like jet black wings and our hearts were taken away by that scene.

After a while of thinking the advancement of time has slow down-----

The Angel holding those dark colored wing, crossed the path of her swords together and fell down to the ground.

*Chirin*, towards the sound of a bell echoing, we got back ourselves who was looking over the matter.

“She’s amazing……….”

“Aah………….”

That way how she carries her body, her sword handling was not something learned in on day but rather it was clearly the movement of training piled up.

(Who on earth was, that girl…………..)

“Seriously, whether it’s Tooru or that girl, only incredible people gather here sheesh……………”

Imari made a wry smile while looking at me.

“Well then, if I were to stay like this then regrets will suddenly start to appear, so it’s about time I go”

The pain on my chest from hearing that was something I can’t do anything about.

“Let’s work hard together, Tooru. It’s a promise”

“Aah, I promise”

Imari nodded to my reply satisfied and was about to leave the auditorium but------she looked back.

“Ah, I have one more last thing I want to ask. Just now you said it didn’t hit right? Although in reality it you want it to hit, but if that did not happened then it means you were holding back?”

“Uh. Tha-that is……….”

Imari puffed up her cheeks a little.

“I’m ashamed……..”

“Well it’s okay. I’ll just make it as a debt”

“Debt?”

“Yes, one debt. That’s why, if there is a time were we will meet after this, then something-------let’s see, I’ll have you treat me to a cake”

“Aah, I get it. ………………it turned into something annoying for unskillfully holding back”

“Fufu, you get what you deserved ♪”

I made a nod while making a wry smile towards Imari’s lively words with one eye closed.

“Well then,------Bye-bye, Tooru”

At the end her words filled with various feelings, Imari left the auditorium.

(I definitely have to get stronger………….)

While looking at her back, I made a vow again.

However, that was not all.

That vow was something I decided to do when I determine my goal.

In order to achieve my goal, I need <<Power>>.

Seeking <<Power>> is my road, and there were no other choices.

(I just have to find another path, huh………)

Imari said that.

But, those are words that can be said to the living.

I remembered that day.

The day that made me started to seek for <<Power>>.

Finding another path------

It is impossible for the dead.

There is no other path. I can’t bear to find a new path.

“Otoha………”

I muttered my sister’s name.

I couldn’t protect her, The name of my deceased sister.

“Why did you have to die…………”

My sister who was still young, I want to know why she has to be relieved of her life.

Yes, I am living for someone dead.

Part 2

Her eyes saw the instant of the battle of a certain group concluded, and the silver girl opened her eyes wide.

Even though it didn’t hit, she knows it was a fist strike with tremendous power.

The moment she was learning about that impact technique, the examination opponent who has only a though physical strength came from behind and attacked.

But, that also ended immediately.

She easily avoided the examination opponents attack and won easily, and the silver girl once again towards that group-------looked towards Tooru’s group, they were talking together peacefully.

That kind of group in this auditorium--------doesn’t look like the opponents that was fighting just a while ago, but rather it looked like close friends---------since there were no one else other Tooru and his group, the girl was interested to him and the technique just now.

“Well then------Bye-bye, Tooru”

Soon, both of them made smiles and exchanged their farewells, and Imari left the auditorium.

Tooru who was left there, brought down his sights to his fist that ended the match, and was thinking of something.

Staring at that back, the silver girl slightly raised her eyebrows and muttered.

“Tooru……..”

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