The continuously accelerating empty swings suddenly seemed to hit an indestructible barrier at one point. No matter how close he got to the limit, he couldn't advance any further.
"What's going on?"
Eiji was startled.
He quickly tested it several more times.
The acceleration process was flawless, but every time he tried to push his sword speed beyond the limit, it felt like he had suddenly fallen from the wind into a swamp, with an overwhelming sense of stagnation throughout his body.
No matter how hard he tried, it was as if he couldn't take another step forward!
It was as if the maximum speed of his sword had been fixed at a certain limit!
"It's not an illusion!"
Eiji's expression tightened.
Was this a bottleneck?
Because after reaching the Twin Wings Style, swordsmanship entered a superhuman realm, making further progress extremely difficult?
"I don't get it."
He couldn't understand at all what this sudden limitation was about.
Eiji sighed deeply, feeling a headache coming on.
Did this mean he would never be able to improve in the future?
"Could this be a side effect of the Twin Wings Style?"
The thought suddenly occurred to him.
He had never felt this way before, but it appeared right after he mastered the Twin Wings Style.
"To untie the bell, you need the one who tied it. I must visit Edelwiss when I return to the Rakudai world!"
Eiji made up his mind.
For someone striving to become the strongest in the world, the most unbearable thing was "being unable to improve"!
No matter what stood in his way, it had better be prepared to be torn apart!
Calming his emotions, Eiji continued practicing his swordsmanship.
Although there was an upper limit, it didn't mean he couldn't continue honing himself.
If this limit was caused by the Twin Wings Style, then the physical and magical enhancements from the Falna should still be within the realm of possible improvement.
By the way, a new world had already appeared.
Unfortunately, it wasn't the Rakudai world but an unfamiliar one. He just hadn't had time to deal with it earlier because he was busy fighting the Dark Faction.
The large bell tolled six times.
Normally, this would be the time when noise and commotion started, but perhaps because many people were already drunk, the Loki Familia remained silent even after the bell rang.
Eiji returned to the dormitory.
Originally planning to bring breakfast back to the room to eat with Ais, he was surprised to find her already awake when he returned.
"...You don't seem happy?"
Ais had put on her clothes and was looking at Eiji with some unease.
"Did I ask for too much last night?"
"Not at all."
Eiji's lips twitched.
Her phrasing made it sound like he couldn't handle her demands.
"I'm just troubled about how to get stronger from here on out."
"Oh... It seems like we always have this kind of worry when we hit a bottleneck."
Ais nodded in understanding, visibly relieved.
"But you shouldn't rush it. That's what you told me before."
"Don't worry, I understand."
Eiji smiled and nodded.
Rolling up the messy bedding and stuffing it into a large backpack, Eiji planned to take it to the laundry mat in the morning. Washing it within the Familia might lead to social death.
The two left the room side by side and headed to the cafeteria.
Ais glanced at her empty arms, then looked at Eiji ahead of her.
After a moment of contemplation, she seemed to have an epiphany and walked forward, naturally wrapping her arms around Eiji's.
"?"
"We've already stamped our seal."
Ais emphasized, declaring her claim over Eiji.
"Eh? Isn't that Lady Ais and Prince Eiji?"
"Since when were they so intimate?!"
Two elves passing by the cafeteria entrance stared at them in shock.
Was this about asserting ownership?
Eiji could read Ais's thoughts from the tension in her delicate face.
There were many within the Familia who coveted Eiji, and even more outside of it.
Especially recently, with Freya constantly pulling him this way and that, Ais had been feeling insecure.
That's why she had abruptly come to him last night, eager to "stamp her seal" on Eiji.
In her misguided understanding, once the seal was stamped, Eiji would belong to her alone.
"Ahhh! What are you two doing?!"
A loud voice rang out.
Tiona, rubbing her throbbing head, entered the cafeteria and widened her eyes in disbelief at the sight before her.
"Ais, why are you clinging to Eiji?!"
"Because we're a couple."
Ais replied earnestly.
"What?!"
"Lady Ais actually said that?!"
"Are those two really together now?"
The cafeteria erupted instantly, with the elven girls staring at them in shock and heartbreak.
"That's so unfair, Ais! I thought you were the one who wouldn't betray me!"
Tiona pointed at Ais, her face full of grievance.
"I don't care! I'm the only one who should be with Eiji!"
With eyes brimming with tears, she rushed over and grabbed Eiji's other arm.
Slap!
But Ais immediately reached out and smacked her hand away.
"!"
Tiona was stunned.
What happened to sisterly bonds?
Was their friendship so easily capsized?
"He's mine!"
Ais glared at Tiona.
"We've already fired our cannons!"
Complete shock!
Pfft—!
Eiji couldn't help but spit out in disbelief.
Without realizing it, what had she just said?!
Ais had no understanding of such matters and thus no sense of shame, calmly uttering those words in public. She even looked around in confusion at the shocked elves, not understanding why they were making such a fuss.
"...Huh?"
Tiona was dumbfounded.
Fired cannons?
What cannons?
Siege cannons? Fireworks? Magic?
Tiona refused to let her mind wander to anything inappropriate.
"What?!"
Lefiya, who had just stepped into the cafeteria, froze in place.
As if struck by a fallen spirit's lightning magic, she stood paralyzed, unable to move for the longest time.
"I-I don't care! I won't give up either! Eiji, let's fire cannons too!"
Tiona, unable to hold back any longer, tearfully tugged at Eiji's arm.
"No!"
Ais's expression tightened.
"I will!"
Tiona wailed loudly, completely ignoring the stares around her.
"U-um!"
Lefiya trembled all over, her face bright red, but she mustered all her courage.
"I-I've always admired Eiji-san too! I won't give up either!"
This can't go on!
Miss Ais and Miss Tiona were arguing so fiercely that if she didn't make her feelings clear, she might not even get a chance to enter the race!
"Huh? Is this really allowed?"
Alicia stepped forward in surprise.
"In that case, then I want to chase after the prince... no, I mean chase after Eiji. That should be fine too, right?"
"Then I can't fall behind either!"
"Eh? If it's such a good opportunity, count me in too!"
The entire cafeteria instantly descended into chaos.
Even Loki had somehow slipped into the crowd at some point.
She looked absolutely delighted, showing no trace of sorrow over her harem being stolen by Eiji.