Although they had identified the root of the issue, that didn't mean it could be resolved right away. Even Charles couldn't help Ikki with this one—it was something Ikki had to handle on his own.

After training with Ikki, Charles had a brief sparring session with Stella.

She had already mastered her true power—the conceptual force of the mythical dragon beast.

Though she didn't unleash her full strength, Charles could clearly tell that Stella's power now far surpassed even the top-tier Blazers like Yūdai Moroboshi and Kurogane Ouma.

In this world, not everyone could overcome the gap in magic and supernatural ability through sheer effort like Ikki. Strong magic and abilities were the true key to opening the door to strength.

Still, Charles didn't deny Stella's effort. He had witnessed firsthand how hard she had worked to master her power.

Afterward, everyone returned to their rooms to rest. Even though Charles wasn't a tournament participant, Shinguuji Kurono had arranged a room for him.

But when they parted ways, Stella's mood seemed off—she even gave Kurono a look that clearly said, "You're meddling too much."

And so, with eager anticipation from all, the Seven Star Sword Art Festival officially began.

The tournament format consisted of four divisions holding elimination matches to determine the final four. Then the semifinals and finals would decide the Seven Star Sword King.

After the matchups were announced, the organizers wasted no time and launched the A-Block matches.

The Hagun Academy roster this year was different from before. After Charles withdrew, Toudou Touka took his spot, and Arisuin Nagi gave up his to Kurogane Shizuku.

Only two of Hagun's members were in A-Block: Touka and a girl named Yoruha Kikyō.

But everyone knew Hagun's core team this year was Touka, Stella, and Ikki—each of them had been placed into different blocks: A, B, and C, effectively avoiding internal conflict.

While the other members had some chance of advancing, unless they had extraordinary luck, they were unlikely to win the title of Seven Star Sword King.

The first match featured two relatively unknown competitors. Even the audience wasn't particularly excited.

What people were really waiting for was the clash of A-Block's three seeded contenders:

〈Thunder God〉 Toudou Touka from Hagun Academy, 〈Storm Blade Emperor〉 Kurogane Ouma from Akatsuki Academy, and 〈Iron Mad Bear〉 Gamo Renji from Rokuzon Academy.

But instead of watching the matches, Charles was more interested in the spectators.

The Seven Star Sword Art Festival was a domestic competition for Japan, more of a performance than a true international event. So Charles was puzzled by the number of powerful presences among the audience.

Some were familiar, like Nishinomiya Neine and Shinguuji Kurono. Others he didn't know, but left a deep impression.

For example, the refined and polished aura belonging to the 〈Battle God〉 Nangō Injiro, and an incredibly sharp presence that made Charles turn sharply toward its source.

To his surprise, she was here too. But for the Alliance's most-wanted criminal, wasn't Edelweiss being a little too bold?

Then again, upon further reflection, even if Edelweiss blatantly revealed herself, Japan would probably turn a blind eye.

Her homeland had once given up its own territory for her—Japan certainly wouldn't go looking for trouble. And even if they lost their minds and tried to capture her, it was doubtful they'd succeed. Not even with all their forces combined.

After all, no one had forgotten how Edelweiss earned her title as the world's strongest swordsman.

Charles frowned slightly. Besides the familiar faces, several other powerful auras were completely unknown to him.

Most concerning were the ones that carried clear malice—the kind of chaotic energy that only Rebellion's lunatics would radiate.

That brought to mind what Tsukikage had told him.

If the 〈Tyrant〉 was nearing the end of his life, surely Rebellion knew it better than anyone.

Tsukikage had speculated that the remnants of Rebellion would seek alignment with the Union—but who could really predict the thoughts of madmen?

While Charles was deep in thought, the buzzer sounded—the match on the field, which to Charles looked like a "fight between weaklings," had finally ended.

Maybe the organizers were deliberately extending the excitement, because the three seeded contenders in A-Block were carefully arranged not to meet in the first round.

Next up: Kurogane Ouma vs. a student knight from Jumon Academy.

A complete annihilation—exactly what everyone expected.

As soon as Ouma entered the field, he summoned his Device and swung his sword. The opponent's entire defense was sliced apart by a wind blade, leaving no room for resistance.

Yet the audience didn't seem to mind such a one-sided battle. In fact, they responded with enthusiastic applause.

But Ouma himself showed no emotion in response to the crowd's praise. After winning, he didn't leave the field right away, nor did he put away his massive nōdachi.

Instead, he turned his gaze to Charles in the audience and stared at him for over ten seconds before walking off.

To be honest, Charles had seen many people pursue power to fulfill dreams or ambitions. But people like Kurogane Ouma—who chased power purely for its own sake—were rare.

Soon the next matches began, with both Touka and Renji securing victories as expected.

Unlike Ouma's cold efficiency, they gave their opponents a little face—exchanging a few rounds before ending the matches.

But Charles knew that both of them had the ability to end the fights in a single instant.

Before long, A-Block's first round was over, and B-Block began. Stella's first match was up—her opponent: Tsuruhaya Mikoto from Akatsuki Academy.

Once the two fighters entered the arena, Stella looked straight at her opponent, brimming with fighting spirit.

Though Mikoto had placed in the top eight last year, she was surprisingly timid and instantly cowed by Stella's overwhelming aura.

Stella summoned her Queen Dragon Blade, pointing its tip at Mikoto. "You people attacked our academy. Time to start paying for that—with you!"

Mikoto's face was blank, but inside she was already panicking.

Flames wrapped around Stella's body as she charged at her opponent.

Mikoto fought the urge to scream and activated her Blazer Technique—〈Death Eye〉.

Her gaze could produce absolute-zero frost, freezing anything it touched. But the moment her icy vision made contact with Stella, the flames melted everything instantly.

Mikoto's pupils dilated. Stella's current posture was identical to the one who had once effortlessly crushed her—triggering a deep, buried fear.

Her body wouldn't respond. She could only watch helplessly as Stella's greatsword came down.

But Stella, merciful as ever, turned the blade sideways and swung it like a baseball bat—sending Mikoto flying.

With Stella's strength, that hit against a defenseless opponent left Mikoto seriously injured and unable to continue.

And just like that, the second one-hit knockout of the tournament occurred.

But Stella herself didn't look satisfied. This kind of battle wasn't exactly the best way to showcase her growth to the man she loved.

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