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"Pretty amazing, right? Quite astonishing! The academy under the League is completely no match for us!"
On television, a middle-aged man with a full beard let out a hearty laugh.
"This is the strength of National Akatsuki Academy! They will replace the Seven Stars Academies, those lackeys of the League, and shoulder Japan's future!"
That man was none other than Japan's current Prime Minister, Tsukikage Bakuga, and his words were nothing short of shocking.
With this televised speech, the incident finally began to spiral completely out of control, developing in a direction no one could predict.
His objective was practically obvious. He intended to use the National Akatsuki Academy's victory in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival to bring an end to the Blazer education system dominated by the League of Mage-Knight Nations and reclaim Japan's sovereignty over its Blazers.
Neither the police nor the judiciary made any moves whatsoever regarding Akatsuki Academy's violent actions.
Not only that, they even claimed that "the Hagun Academy attack was merely a false report, nothing more than an accident that occurred with both parties' consent," attempting to muddy the waters.
In theory, such a claim should have been impossible to make stick.
But with state power intervening, turning black into white was all too easy.
Under pressure from government agencies, the media began an overwhelming propaganda campaign, effortlessly whitewashing Akatsuki Academy into Japan's hope, while portraying the Seven Stars Academies as the League's lackeys. In an instant, the narrative was completely reversed.
"Can't we prove they're terrorists?"
"It's useless." Shinguuji Kurono shook her head. "The only evidence we have is Arisuin Nagi's testimony. It isn't very persuasive. If they refuse to admit anything, there's nothing we can do. And even if we had conclusive proof, with the nation itself as our enemy, it probably wouldn't matter in the slightest."
This time, their enemy was the country itself.
With the state overwhelmingly favoring Akatsuki Academy, there was simply no way to bring them down.
"What about the League's response?"
"Of course, the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival's organizing committee was furious. They originally planned to ban Akatsuki Academy from participating, but then an order came down from League headquarters…"
The order from League headquarters was… Defeat Akatsuki Academy in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival.
Attacking Hagun Academy so openly was essentially a slap in the League's face. No matter what, to prove that the League was still as powerful as ever, they had to crush Akatsuki Academy in full public view and make them submit completely.
Everything had gone exactly as Hiraga Reisen predicted.
Using Hagun Academy as a stepping stone, Akatsuki Academy had successfully entered the stage of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival… as the eighth school.
"There's one more thing." As if recalling something, Shinguuji Kurono continued. "Arisuin Nagi has already decided to withdraw from this year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival. Not only that, but this attack has also shaken the contestants from the other Seven Stars Academies. A lot of them have chosen to drop out as well."
It couldn't be helped.
After all, according to rumors, Akatsuki Academy was very likely composed of terrorists.
If it were merely matches between the Seven Stars Academies, everyone would normally exercise restraint, and the level of danger wouldn't be too high.
But if terrorists got involved… people could actually die.
Quite a few participants withdrew from the tournament out of fear.
Every academy had one or several representative contestants choose to drop out.
As for Arisuin Nagi, he felt that he should take responsibility for this defeat, and withdrew out of guilt.
"…When will Senior Sister wake up?"
Ryoji glanced at Toudou Touka, who was still sleeping on the bed beside him.
Back then, he had helped block a lot of damage for Senior Sister, so she shouldn't have remained unconscious for too many days. But at this moment, he instead hoped that Toudou Touka would stay asleep for a few more days.
The Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival would begin in ten days.
If they were to face Akatsuki Academy in this year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, especially Kurogane Ryouma and the other two, even with Toudou Touka's strength, she would probably stand no chance.
"In two or three days, probably."
Shinguuji Kurono gave the timeframe the doctors had estimated.
"So for this year's Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, Hagun Academy will be represented by the five of you... To be honest, there's still time to withdraw now."
Akatsuki Academy was simply too strong.
Every single one of them was an elite from the underworld. Even professional knights would have a hard time dealing with them, let alone Student Knights at their current level.
For safety reasons, Shinguuji Kurono had even considered advising them to forfeit.
The League's orders certainly couldn't be ignored, but what was more important than the students' lives?
"No, I'm participating."
Ryoji clenched his fist, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"I've got to get payback for what happened this time!"
If he didn't beat the hell out of them, how could he make up for how badly he got beaten before?
Well, actually, he hadn't really gotten beaten up that much.
He'd only been knocked unconscious during his final clash with the Twin Wings. Before that, he had been completely unharmed the whole time. His defensive power was still absurdly high, even Kurogane Ouma couldn't break through his defenses.
Since that was the case, then he had to restore his pride.
And he also had to avenge Senior Sister!
Basically, he was just pissed off.
"Be careful."
Shinguuji Kurono didn't stop him. She respected each student's own decision and only gave him a brief warning.
"Oh right, before the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival begins, I'm planning to go out and train for a while."
As if suddenly remembering, Ryoji informed the two of them.
"For how long?"
"No idea."
"Here you go again?"
Saikyou Nene rolled her eyes dramatically.
"The last time you went out, you disappeared for an entire month. What if you miss the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival this time?"
"I'll try to get back before then." Ryoji answered noncommittally.
If he couldn't make it back in time, then he'd just go knock on their doors one by one and beat up everyone in Akatsuki Academy himself. Anyway, his only reason for participating in the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival was revenge against Akatsuki Academy.
He had zero interest in becoming the Seven Stars Sword King. If he could make it back in time, great. If not, then so be it.
"When are you leaving?"
"Right now!"
"That fast?"
"I can't stay here another second!"
Ryoji threw off his blanket and instantly became energized.
That mysterious pitch-black gate had actually lit up two days ago, but because of the Akatsuki Academy incident, Ryoji had held himself back from departing. After leaving the infirmary, he returned to the dormitory and repacked his luggage onto his back.
Then he specifically went to say goodbye to Rich Lady Kanata.
"You're not going to wait for Touka to wake up before leaving?"
"No. The sooner I leave, the sooner I return."
"Alright. Be careful out there."
Rich Lady Kanata reluctantly leaned in and kissed him.
"Where are Kurogane Ikki and the others?"
"They're all training. This incident hit them pretty hard too."
"I see. I'm off, then!"
With his backpack on, Ryoji quietly left Hagun Academy without drawing anyone's attention and headed into the deep mountains.
With a mere thought, the pitch-black gate reappeared before his eyes.
He steadied himself and stepped through it in a single stride!
(End of Chapter)