Chapter 10 - Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival third round - Begins

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Part 1

The time is now 6pm, brought to you by Nippon Telegraph Public Corporation.

*Pi. Pi. Pi.* A special alarm that rang once at every three seconds.

At the same time that alarm sounded from all the speakers in the dome, the night lights were switched on.

After the long daytime of the summer had passed, they lit up the dome which had begun to be covered in a thin veil of darkness.

And then...

Everyone, thank you for waiting! I hereby announce that the third round of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival is about to begin!

The live broadcast of the cue for the start of the third round had been given.

The audience sitting at their seats raised an earth-trembling cheer.

The best eight of this event will be pitted against each other in the third rounds battle.

The expectations for the fierce upcoming battles has already made the event venues excitement reach the boiling point!

Continuing with the live broadcast, I am Iida! Yaotome-pro will be the commentator!

Then without further ado, lets welcome the first pair of the third rounds battle!

First, from the blue gate enters Contender Kaga Renji!

In response to that call, a big shadow appeared from the darkness in the blue gate.

The figure that appeared on the dazzling stage, brightly lit by the spotlights, was that of a huge rock-like man whose height surpassed two meters. That was exactly

Oo! Im Kaga! Kaga has arrived!

As always, hes so biiig!

He was the hero of Hokkaido, Kaga Renji.

Coming from the land in the North, from Rokuson Academy, the Panzer Grizzly!

Whats more eye-catching than anything is his huge body that doesnt put shame to the name of a Grizzly!

236 centimeters in height! 370 kilograms in weight!

He uses his Herculean strength with a body no different than that of a brown bear as a weapon to fight, one of the best super power fighters in Japan.

The prominent Contenders have been eliminated one after another in a wave of turbulence, now there is only one left from last years best eight who has managed to advance into the third round!

Will he be able to show the spirit of the seniors before the new Contenders, who are riding on this wave!?

Contender Kaga is a balanced player with a very high level of offense and defense. His excellent physique allows him to exert bulldozer-level arm strength. And his Blazer ability, Steel Skin, is an original one. He is simply strong, simply hard. As such, regardless of how he uses it, the situation or the compatibility with his opponents ability, it will not influence his pure strength. In this event with many unique ability users, such Contenders may be the ones who can display their true value.

Then, Kaga stepped onto the ring for the third round battle after receiving the cheers from the audience.

In that instant, he took an action that he had never taken before.

He grabbed his own clothes with his huge hand, and then threw them off after tearing them apart.

Woooaah!? Contender Kaga! He threw off his special size uniform after tearing it apart, leaving him with only one piece of loincloth! What kind of performance is this!?

The announcer and the audience were confused.

In regards to that, commentator Yaotome cut in.

Just like Ring, Braceletand Glasses, a Blazers Device does not necessarily need to take on the form of a weapon. And Contender Kagas Device Raiden is that loincloth Mawashi. Its usually worn underneath his clothes so it could not be seen, but......he stood onto the stage that made him throw away his clothes, and fight with only his mawashi. He probably considers the outcome of this match to be very important, so hes displayed his fighting spirit like that.

Yaotomes explanation was spot on.

He challenged that important match with only his Device.

That was Kagas style of gathering his fighting spirit from praying for his victory.

Then, after undressing, Kaga bent his knees and dropped his waist on the spot.

After that, he raised his left leg up straight facing towards the sky, and slammed it down onto the ring.

Accompanied by a tremor immediately after, the left side of the ring sank into the ground.

Every person in the dome opened their eyes wide in shock.

A-Amaziiiing! The moment Contender Kaga stepped down from shiko, the 100m diameter ring slanted and sank into the grouuuund!!!! And then he raised his right leg on the opposite side straight up dosukooooi!

The tremor shook the ring again and the right side also sank into the ground just like the left.

The slanted ring returned to horizontal level after the second step, but it has clearly sunk into the ground as a whole after being stepped by his shiko, for about 10cm into the ground! What power!

Thats also quite impressive, but take a look at his feet.

Feet, is it? Wha, th-this is!

As Yaotome pointed out, they looked towards Kagas feet.

At there was

Footprints! On the ring made with special stone material that can withstand a direct impact from napalm missile for Blazer use, as if he had stepped on a muddy beach, a pair of clear footprints with even his toe shape has been carved into it!

Even though the shape of his feet has been carved into the ring, there are no cracks around it......It is the evidence that his power has been concentrated without dispersing. Contender Kaga is not just about power, he also possesses the detailed control on the flow of his power. As expected.

Uoooo! As expected, incredible! Not just for being big!

Kyaa! Kuma-chan so cool!

Cheers rose from the audience seats at Kagas performance.

Kaga used his tough body as a weapon, taking the unique battle technique of the sumo style; along with a personality not losing out to his well-built body, he had gathered a passionate fan base from all over the country.

There were also many fans chasing after him to that venue.

Kaga would usually return a smile back at them, but he was different at that moment.

He did not respond back to them. Instead, Panzer Grizzly looked towards the gate where his opponent would appear from with a serious expression.

Contender Kagas performance imbued with his fighting spirit has stirred up the venue!

However, Contender Kagas eyes are as calm as still water, focusing on a single spot!

Thats right, they are focused on the red gate where his opponent will show up from!

Then, lets not waste time and introduce the other man of valor who will be fighting in this decisive battle in A-Block!

In accordance to the announcers words, the spotlights focused onto the red gate.

In the midst of the light, a swordsman clad in black kimono walked out.

Prestigious Kurogane households eldest son, the genius who made an impact in the whole country as the Kirin Child in his childhood.

The moment he shone as the world champion in the U-12 (Elementary level) International Tournament, anybody would have thought so!

Great Hero, Ryoma Kuroganes rightful successor has been born right there!

However! As the surrounding is still indulged in excitement, the genius has gotten sick of it!

He is hopelessly sick of the Leagues rule of not allowing real blades in battles!

He has been seeking!

A real battle! A fight with life on the line!

Aiming for a higher goal!

As such, he disappeared from our sights!

Every person grieved over this loss!

But! That genius has returned to Japan!

In his last year of high school, he steps onto the ring of this Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival!

Possessing overwhelming strength to the point of blurring that figure of his within our memories!

Newcomer Akatsuki Academy third year! Contender Sword Emperor of Wind, Ouma Kurogane!

With his long hair and hem of the kimono swaying, step by step, Ouma shortened the distance between him and Kaga.

The audiences at their seats swallowed their breaths at his appearance.

......I-Incredible............

He hasnt changed......what pressure......!

Even though he was just walking, they felt like his sword pressure was splitting their skin from just a touch.

That pressure felt just like an unsheathed katana.

Yaotome-pro. The last time Contender Sword Emperor of Wind, Ouma Kurogane appeared in official battle was already five years ago, how about it? Contender Ouma seen from a pros point of view, that is.

He is strong.

......I-Is that all?

Honestly speaking, I cannot give any further explanation at this point of time.

Is that so?

Yaotome nodded.

Since in all of the matches until now, he has never once gotten serious.

Be it the first or second round battles, Ouma won in the same manner.

Against the opponents who challenged him with long distance magic battle, because they knew they were at a disadvantage against the Wind Emperor in sword clashing, he just walked straight towards them and cut them down.

It was just that.

Ouma did not evade nor defend against his opponents long distance shooting.

He really just walked straight.

His body just taking on the attacks from his opponent.

Even so, he did not receive a single injury, neither did he stop in his tracks.

It was so one-sided that it could not even be called a match.

There was not a shred of technique. Nor was there any leeway to intervene.

The only thing left was the difference in the level of their performances.

Hence it was understood that he was strong.

However, there was no concrete understanding beyond that.

If it could not be understood, then it could not be explained, was what Yaotome was trying to say.

......However, the opponent of Wind Emperor in the third round is Panzer Grizzly, someone who had fought him many times when they were young. He was not the type to play trickeries, not to mention from seeing the performance just now, his extraordinary offensive power could be said to be a threat even to the A-Rank knight Wind Emperor......I believe that we will be able to see the true growth of Contender Ouma from the five years gap.

I see! Thats something to look forward to! Oops, and now, the two Contenders have stepped onto the starting line.

The two people faced each other on the ring.

Ouma. Its been six years since the last time I faced you on the ring. So nostalgic!

......Im not that close to you to feel nostalgic upon meeting again.

Gahaha. Youre still such an unsociable guy. Well, fine. Regardless of what you think, I am glad! I have always been praying! To have a serious fight against you with our lives on the line! I have always been waiting for this day to pay you back for the time when we were little! I have been training my body for that purpose!

Kaga beat his muscular chest as he said so.

When they were still elementary students, Kaga had never once won against that genius of the same age.

However, as Kaga grew up, he had obtained a huge, out of the norm body.

He was already different from back then.

Kaga did not know where and what Ouma had been doing in that five years, but he was confident that he had certainly caught up to Ouma.

Hence, he was not intimidated by the A-Rank knight before him, and declared.

Im different from your opponents in the first and second match. I wont run away from your seriousness! So, face me with your seriousness! Ouma!!!!

To that, Ouma replied with a cold look.

That depends on you. Renji.

Gahaha! Thats true! Then, I will make you serious immediately!

The warriors facing each other on the ring are exchanging their friendship. Contender Panzer Grizzly, Renji Kaga has just declared that he wont run away from the frontal confrontation against the A-Rank knight, Wind Emperor! That would only be recklessness for ordinary Blazers. But Contender Kaga has the actual power to achieve it! Just like Yaotome-pro said, we may be able to witness Contender Oumas real strength in this match!

Now. The referee is about to give signal the start of the match

Begin!

Part 2

The instant the referee announced the start of the match, Kaga was the first to move.

OOOOOOOoOoOooOoOoOOoOoooo!!!!!!

He roared with a voice that resonated in the whole dome, and boiled up the magic power in his whole body.

At the same time, his body began to change.

Losing the organic skin color, it changed into shiny steel.

That was the reason for the Panzer Grizzly nickname.

Renji Kagas Noble Art that changed his whole body into steel Steel Skin.

Contender Kaga made the first move! He literally changed his whole body into steel!

It is a process necessary to utilize his ability. Thats only obvious.

Just like Yaotome said, Kaga had to go through that process for his battle or he wouldnt be able to begin.

His huge brown bear size body, and the arm strength enhanced by his weight increased several times.

And then the hardness that could repel his opponents attacks with his guard.

With the strength of those two parts, the attack-specialized battle style utilizing sumos rush power and superior handling technique, he would overwhelm his opponent. That was the battle style of Panzer Grizzly.

However

Gahaha! Thats wrong! Commentator-san!

Thats right, that was only up to that moment.

Eh......?

This is different from the Steel Skin until now. This is my secret trump card for fighting against Ouma!

As he said so, at the same time Kaga completed transforming his whole body into steel, a different magic power from Steel Skin ran across his whole body. Immediately after

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Along with his roar, Renji Kagas body began to change in a way never seen before.

On the steeled lump that was Kagas shoulders, two new arms on each side, in total four arms grew out from both sides.

W-What! T-This is! His arms have multiplieeeed!?

The announcer and audience raised surprised shouts at the strange transformation.

On the other hand, Yaotome in charge of commentary analyzed the situation calmly.

I see. Not just hardening, thats also shape-shifting. With this increase in number of arms, its obvious that the offensive and defensive power will increase threefold......! He must have thought this through.

Gahaha! Just as commentator-san said! My Device Raidens ability is steelifying of my body! Thus it is reasonable for me to be able to change the form of said steel freely! This is what I was hiding! Its name is Steel Asura Form! Ouma! I have spent five years developing this technique to win against you! Receive it gratefully!!

After completing his transformation, Kaga sank his huge body down and took a squatting stance.

Then, using the recoil from knocking his tight fist onto the ground to lift his upper half torso, with the leg power that sank the enormous ring into the earth, he propelled his huge body forward.

That figure was just like a cannonball.

F-Fast! Contender Kaga! He is rushing towards Contender Ouma with a speed one wouldnt imagine possible with his huge body! How will Contender Ouma handle it!?

However, Oumas response to Kagas assault was the same as in the first and second round.

............

Whaaat!? T-This is!? Contender Ouma! He is neither defending nor dodging! He is walking straight towards Contender Kagas assault! He doesnt seem to be afraid of that arm strength and huge body!

Thats some big confidence......However, thats being reckless.

As Yaotome said, Oumas response was a foolish decision in anyones eyes.

He was different from the opponent in the first and second match. Kagas offensive power was at a level that even using Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillions overwhelming magic power would not be able to stop. A direct hit would not end well.

Even so, he did not take up any defense.

Kaga felt a strong fury towards Oumas response.

He was belittling him to the point of not even trying to evade. To that extent.

However, that probably could not be helped.

He had never once won against Ouma.

Being looked down upon was obvious.

In that case

(With this one strike, I will wake you up!)

UOOoOoOoOOooOOryaaAAA!!!!

In an instant, Kagas opened palm hit Oumas face with all of his arm strength and body weight.

At the moment of the impact, the atmosphere shook as if a large truck crashed in a frontal collision

It was undoubtedly a direct hit.

Ouma really did not use any defense or evasion against Kagas attack.

However He would obviously not come out unscathed after doing that.

Oumas body greatly inclined and sank down.

And then, Kaga decided he would not let go of the decisive opening created by that overconfidence!

In that moment, Kaga saw his chance for victory.

Panzer Grizzly executed the prided secret move combining attack and defense in one.

Using hundreds of open palm strikes, while warding off the opponents attacks, at the same time, showering him with super heavy continuous strikes,

That was a new sure-kill technique executed against Ouma with his six arms the Hundred Lotus Palm.

Asura Hundred Lotus Palm ooOoOOOOO!!!!

Contender Kaga is dealing a decisive blow to Contender Ouma who has broken his posture! Rush Rush Rush! He is using his steel palm to strike continuously at his opponent with speed that our eyes cant even catch up wiiiith!

Receiving that earlier strike squarely, Ouma would not be able to evade the rush.

He was completely caught in that storm with the steel palms raining on him.

Kaga trembled from the response that his sure-kill technique had hit in the best way possible.

He could do it.

Oumas body was about to collapse on the ring.

He could win if he just continued attacking like that!

The premonition of victory that he continued to seek in the past five years let his strength explode beyond his limit.

However

(............!?)

Kagas excited expectation was gradually thinning away.

Anxiety welled up to replace that.

Why?

Even though he was attacking so one-sidedly.

Even though all of Kagas steel palm strikes had a clean hit on his target.

Why did he feel anxious?

The reason was exactly because of what was happening.

Kagas attacks had all hit their target with clear feedbacks.

In spite of that

(Why wont he fall!?)

That question was...

......A technique developed to defeat me............huh.

Along with the muttering spilled by Ouma, who was taking on his Asura Hundred Lotus Palm, it was resolved.

After Oumas body had sank at a certain angle, the response coming from Kagas hand changed.

The image projected in his brain was as if his palm strikes were hitting a rock mountain towering above the skies a desperate waste of effort.

(Hes completely, not budging even a tiny bit......!)

Ouma did not budge or tremble at all after receiving those steel palm strikes.

Thats right, Oumas posture was not broken by Kagas palm strikes

He had lowered his posture in order to swing his sword!

Those five years were meaningless. Renji.

!?!?

Together with an air-splitting noise, Kaga lost his feeling on the majority of his right half of the body.

Oumas diagonal slash from below to above had severed the three right arms executing Asura Hundred Lotus Palm.

Kaga felt a chill at Wind Emperors sword arm that treated the hardness of steel as if it was nothing.

However...

OOoOOOOOOOoOOAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!

Kaga raised a roar to forcefully suppress that chill and continued to attack with his remaining three arms.

He did not retreat.

He was a fighter at his core.

He could only choose to fight.

He did not have a choice of pulling away and attacking.

Hence, he attacked furiously with his life on the line.

However, there was no reason for an opponent who would not be shaken by six arms to be affected by three.

A flash.

The blade that swung up was swung back down, Ouma severed Kagas left arms.

The swung down blade immediately changed its trajectory and did a horizontal sweep, severing two legs.

The attack and defense of steel that he continued to train up to that day was totally useless.

Losing his support, Kagas body collapsed.

His pupils only reflected the despair from their cruel difference in battle strength and a trace of question.

That much, huh?

The difference in battle strength between him and Ouma was probably just that huge.

The answer was no.

They had faced each other many times before. Kaga understood.

Ouma Kurogane was not a knight of that level.

He was certainly a talented knight, but that growth was abnormal.

Be it offensive or defensive power, he was obviously......out of the norm.

It could not be explained with just magic power and magic ability.

There had to be something abnormal involved!

You......just what!?

However, Kagas question could not form into words.

Gafu!?

In replacement, fresh blood flowed out from his mouth.

After he lost his support from his two legs, it was when he was about to collapse.

Oumas off-hand thrusted out at Kaga and pierced through his steel chest out through his back.

And then, in the hand that Ouma pierced through to the back, he was holding a beating heart

Sto

Before the referee could call for a stop, Ouma crushed it without any hesitation.

Part 3

The moment it was concluded in a way that couldnt be any worse, sorrowful cries came from the audience seats.

K-KYAAAAaaa!!!!

Youre kidding, right......!? Oi!

He k-killed him! That bastard!

W-What happened!? The moment we thought that the outcome has been decided when both arms and legs were severed! Wind Emperor made follow-up! T-The heart! Contender Kagas heart was gripped and crusheddd! T-This was a dangerous strike with a great killing intent!

The referee immediately announced the end of the match due to that situation.

The medic team rushed into the ring.

Amongst them was the figure of Hagun Academys director, Kurono Shinguuji.

Clock Lock!

Kurono leapt over the fence surrounding the audience seats and landed onto the ring just like that.

Then her Device Ennoia a white silver handgun manifested, and she shot towards the fallen Kaga.

The bullet that hit Kaga contained the magic of temporarily stopping the time on his whole body.

That would completely prevent the deterioration of his physical body from oxygen deficiency due to blood loss.

After executing the most appropriate first-aid, Kurono ordered the medic team carrying a stretcher.

Hurry up with the stretcher! Carry him into the capsule before my techniques effect run out!

Y-Yes!

A mortal injury......no, Kaga received an injury that would probably kill him if not for Kurono, was carried out of the ring by others.

On the other hand, Ouma did not even see him off, and was about to leave the ring.

Contender Ouma, he did not even spare a glance at Contender Kaga who is being carried away! There is not a shred of feeling towards his rival of the same era! His casually leaving back profile is saying that you are not even reflected in my eyes!

Hii............

S-Scary......

As the victor was leaving, there was no applause for him.

The duels between mature knights were literally about crossing swords.

Bloodshed was only natural. They might even lose their lives, if they were unlucky.

Thats why the schools would not force students to participate in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.

Those participating were all warriors who had such resolve.

Hence, there was no reason to criticize Ouma.

Although there wasnt ......the feeling of whether it was necessary to go that far could not be dispelled.

The difference in strength between the two was clearly evident.

In that case, would it be going too far to take away the life, something like that.

However, in the frozen atmosphere of the venue from that tragedy...

*Clap clap clap......*

There was one person clapping hands to congratulate him.

This applause is......ah!

Who exactly was that person?

The announcer followed to the source of the sound and raised a shocked voice.

The person who applauded for Ouma was......a girl with burning red hair...

Contender Stella! Only Contender Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion is applauding for the leaving Contender Ouma!

The venue was confused by that fact.

However, Stella did not mind any of that, looked downwards at Ouma, and praised him.

It was quite a good fight. Ouma.

A one-sided massacre. To a battle that could only be thought of an overkill, Stella praised it as a good fight.

That was because, different from the audiences, she was able to see much deeper into the match.

Thats right. The audiences misunderstood something from seeing Oumas overwhelming victory.

It was Panzer Grizzlys strength.

Kaga has proficiently used his Noble Art to increase the number of his arms. Against such an opponent, just cutting away his limbs may not be enough to decide the outcome. One must end his life in order to achieve victory with certainty.

Of course, with Oumas strength, he could avoid a fatal injury and use a method to crush Kagas spirits.

If Kaga was like the opponents in the first and second match who employed trickeries, Ouma might have taken such measure.

However, he did not do so.

Stella could understand.

That fight, Ouma......although he did not show his true power, he faced it seriously.

Because Kaga would not be afraid of him and run away, challenging him straightforwardly, Ouma saw value in that victory.

That man was a knight that would go that far in order to obtain that valuable victory.

......Putting it negatively, he was a man that would even kill people for victory.

However, even though he was such a man

......However, you did not kill me that time.

That time was obviously referring to the first time Ouma and Stella faced off each other.

Ouma could have killed Stella if he had felt like it.

The two of them had just that much difference at that time.

You paid a lot of attention to me. Treating me carefully so that I dont break.

Towards her, who was above Kaga in rank, the same A-Rank as him.

Stella did not know what intention he had.

However, there wasnt any seriousness in that careful treatment.

Regardless of what intention he had, being treated carefully, in other words, winning against Stella at that time, held no value to Ouma.

There was no greater humiliation than that.

Therefore, Stella stared at Ouma with her burning pupils and declared.

I feel sorry for my behavior back then. But......I wont do that anymore. Tomorrow, I will make you get serious. I will draw out all of your strength from your core. And then on top of that............I will kill you.

She let out a definite killing intent, releasing a pressure that could burn the skin with just a touch.

Although Ouma received it with his whole body...

What a coincidence. I was also thinking about the same thing.

Showed a smile revealing his fangs.

Part 4

After the declaration to Ouma, the venue returned to its clamors with the announcement of Kagas life being saved.

There were people who were simply relieved. There were people who were excited. There were people who criticized him for going too far.

Despite being amongst those hustling and bustling, Stella looked at the ring that was undergoing cleaning and sighed.

(......What are you doing, Alice.)

Nagi Arisuin, who should have been back before her, could not be seen in the audience seats.

Shizuku had a match so it couldnt be helped, she believed that Arisuin would come and watch the match, but

(......Well, Shizukus match is more important.)

He probably wanted to stay next to her until the last minute.

As she was thinking about such matter...

Kukuku! As expected of the woman whos called The Queen who subdued a flame dragon! There isnt a second person who could say such caustic words to that man as his opponent.

A young high-pitched voice filled with arrogance came from behind her.

Stella remembered the owner of that voice.

......I dont remember being called by that nickname.

As she turned back, it was exactly the person she had expected.

A girl wearing a pink dress and an eye patch.

A member of the Akatsuki Academy Stella had eliminated in the first round battle.

It was the Beast Tamer, Rinna Kazamatsuri.

Waiting behind her was, as expected, or rather as usual, the maid with a cold expression, Charlotte Cord.

Fuu, I have just arrived! You may rejoice!

What do you want? Even if we are acquainted, I dont think we are close enough to be speaking like this though? Kazamatsuri.

Stellas response towards Rinnas intimate conversation was refusal.

Well, it was be obvious considering their relationship, but

Kuku. Hear that, my servant. This woman has beaten us to a pulp, chopped us up, then roasted us whole in the end, and yet she still wants to beat us up more?

Yes, I have heard that, my lady. The country with such a violent imperial princess will soon be in ruins.

Gu......

Just as those two said, it was a fact that she had beaten them to a pulp, so Stella felt guilty when she mentioned it.

Its not like I havent beaten you enough! Im asking what do you want!

Of course its to watch the next match. Since Bloody Da Vinci, the one who has formed a contract of blood and soul with me is in the next match!

Contract of soul?

What my lady said is that because Sara-sama became old master......Kouzou Kazamatsuri-samas adopted child, my lady, who is danna-samas daughter, became a step-sister to her.

Thats how it is!

Your words are meaningless and incomprehensible as always......

You dont think about it. You feel it. Do that and you will understand.

I dont really want to understand it......Well, basically, you came to watch the fight, huh.

Umu. But watching it alone is boring, and I coincidentally saw the Crimson Princess, so I came to talk with you. You can feel honored.

Youre extremely annoying.

......Something like that, but before that...

Alone you say, isnt the maid with you?

M-Me and Charl are one in heart and body, so it doesnt count.

Aah......my lady, its a waste to say such words to a useless bitch like me......

Charlottes cheeks were dyed red at Rinnas words.

However, on the other hand, Rinnas expression twitched.

Rinna got near to Stellas ear and whispered the reason.

......To tell you the truth. Ever since losing to you, Charl has felt responsible for failing to protect me......When the two of us are alone, she holds things that can only be seen as torture tools and asks me to punish the useless her, so Im troubled over it. So please stay with me!

Y-You also have it hard......

Umu......I said that I dont mind it though. Being too loyal is also troubling......