"Kasugano Ikki"
"You're both getting a little too arrogant!"
A boy who had been sitting to the side, along with his four lackeys, shoved their way through the surrounding girls to stand before Drake and Ikki Kurogane.
To be honest, the five students' appearances perfectly matched their behavior—the quintessential image of villains and their henchmen.
Of course, this was likely why they weren't popular with the girls and were reduced to jealously watching Drake and Ikki.
Drake and Ikki had become famous due to their previous mock battle, but their good looks also contributed to the girls surrounding them.
Drake, with his handsome face and complex aura reminiscent of a mythical beast, possessed a captivating, contrasting charm.
Ikki was also the type that was very popular. He had an exceptionally delicate face, and despite his strong and resolute personality, he had, in Kagami's words, an air that evoked maternal instincts in girls.
Honestly, Drake was displeased at being envied for such a reason, especially since the other party was hardly concealing their jealousy and was actively seeking a confrontation.
All student knights in Japan would enter one of the seven-star academies located in their respective regions, so someone in the class recognized the troublemaker.
"Manabe," a girl said, "aren't you just jealous of them? How pathetic!"
The leader's name was Manabe; perhaps his exceptionally large build was why he'd become the leader of this group.
His lackeys were adept at flattery. "What did you say? You , how dare you talk to Manabe like that!"
Seeing this lackey threaten the girls, both Drake and Ikki couldn't stand it anymore.
Ikki tried to restrain himself, hoping for a peaceful resolution, but Drake had no such patience.
In an instant, Drake closed the distance to the lackey, grabbing his wrist as he threatened to strike a girl.
"Hey! Aren't you looking for trouble with me? Then don't bother others!"
Drake said coldly, his eyes like a beast's, radiating an aura that seemed to threaten to incinerate the boy.
The lackey felt like his wrist was being crushed by a red-hot iron clamp, but even more terrifying was Drake's gaze.
Terrified, the boy went limp; Drake released him, and he collapsed to the floor, speechless.
The girl who had almost been hit blushed. "Drake-sama saved me! So cool!"
Drake was taken aback. "I appreciate your gratitude, but 'sama' is excessive. And Stella, don't randomly turn evil!"
Perhaps embarrassed by his lackey's behavior, Manabe stepped forward. "So impressive, exchange student. A-rank, huh? Just a reputation gained by bullying that F-rank!"
Drake instantly realized Manabe was not only ugly but also an idiot.
The Alliance couldn't be unaware that ability values didn't represent everything, yet they still used them to determine sword master rank. This was because ability values were the easiest and most reliable data to obtain.
This man, to belittle Drake, had uttered something utterly illogical.
"And that senior over there, so pitiful! An F-rank used as a stepping stone!
But a stepping stone should act like one; why are you shamelessly getting cozy with girls in class?!
One of you, come out and prove why you're so arrogant!"
He and his three remaining lackeys materialized their spiritual armor. They weren't using the fantasy form; they intended to teach Drake and Ikki a lesson.
Manabe was only looking at Drake. Ikki, being F-rank, wasn't a threat; he was wary of Drake, whose ability values were even higher than Stella's.
Was he foolish or overconfident? Manabe believed he could win. He bet Drake wouldn't use full power in the classroom, given the rules against using spiritual armor.
He was confident he could launch a surprise attack. He'd be the one who defeated the A-rank exchange student.
Drake stepped forward; the air grew hotter.
"You're pointing weapons at me; you're prepared to clash with me, then?"
Manabe regretted this, but he had to continue.
Drake smirked; Manabe wouldn't get his chance; Drake wouldn't use spiritual armor against these lackeys.
As Drake was about to move, Ikki stopped him. "Leave it to me."
Drake looked at him. "I understand. Ikki, you're so kind."
Drake didn't mean Ikki would treat them kindly. Ikki would fight to prove his strength, thus highlighting Drake's power. Ikki's kindness stemmed from not wanting Drake to be questioned because of him.
Manabe's group was intimidated by Drake, but they felt disrespected by Ikki.
"Just an F-rank repeater! Attack!"
Manabe's lackeys charged. Ikki's focus intensified; in a movie, this would be slow motion. In a life-or-death situation, focus intensifies; awareness and perception speed up.
Ikki could enter this state willingly; this was natural for someone who mastered Martial Arts.
Ikki blocked the fastest attacker, tripping another with a kick. He then approached the last attacker.
Ikki easily dealt with the attacker, then faced Manabe, who pointed his spiritual armor—a large-caliber revolver—at Ikki.
Ikki, somehow holding an eraser, flicked it; it struck the ceiling, jamming the revolver.
Manabe froze; he hadn't noticed Ikki approaching. Ikki didn't attack.
"Now you know how strong Drake-san is!"
Silence fell; most hadn't fought before. Ikki had defeated four opponents without spiritual armor; they were speechless.
Then, applause. A small girl with silver-gray hair clapped.
"Amazing! Overwhelming strength! The common folk can't touch you… brother!"
"You're…?" Ikki recognized her. "Shizuku? You've grown! I didn't recognize you."
"It's been four years; no change would be strange," the girl said.
Drake remembered Ikki mentioning his sister enrolling at Hagun Academy. This was Kurogane Shizuku.
"I… always wanted to see you!"
Shizuku hug Ikki .
Drake was confused. Something was wrong?
Could it be…? Don't lie to me, Ikki! Your real name is Kasugano Ikki?!
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