readytorunbook Chapter 700 - 700
Chapter 700 - 700
"Congratulations, junior!"As soon as he returned to the spectator stands, a fragrant breeze enveloped him.
An overjoyed Touka immediately leaped into Eiji's embrace, hugging him tightly with a radiant smile.
Though she had firmly believed her junior would win, the actual process had been far more terrifying than she imagined.
The fact that his casual normal attacks could rival her ultimate moves was something she hadn't even dared to contemplate!
And that final ultimate move clash had been incredibly romantic.
Where he learned that ultimate move, Touka didn't want to ask.
Because if her junior wanted to tell her, he would definitely share it with her.
"Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
After their senior sister, the rest of Hagun Academy's members came forward one after another to offer their congratulations.
Kanata Totokubara glanced at Touka in Eiji's arms, feeling a sour, jealous pang in her heart.
At times like these, only Touka could openly stay by his side, while she could only offer distant congratulations from afar.
It felt like being the losing dog.
Just wait - once the surprise is properly prepared, I definitely won't continue being the losing dog like this!
"We're still Touka's friends, you're not going to immediately turn your back on us now that you're famous, are you, Sword God?""
Renren Tomaru poked her fingers together as she approached.
Just earlier she had been completely withdrawn due to being controlled by the Puppeteer, yet now she dared to joke with him.
"I won't turn my back on people, but non-human creatures are an exception."
Eiji looked at her with an amused smile.
"What do you mean by that? Don't be like that! I was just joking! When you become successful, please don't forget about me! I've been your dedicated fan since before I was born, exclusively supporting you!"
Renren Tomaru panicked and immediately rushed over to cling to his leg.
"Everyone, show some decorum!"
Saikyo Nene tapped with her fan, knocking Renren away.
"You've really become something, haven't you!"
She looked up at Eiji, her tone filled with unwillingness.
"Hahaha! From now on, I'll be the only one bullying you, expired loli!"
Eiji chuckled gleefully.
There was none of that invincible aura he had displayed on the battlefield.
"What did you say!"
Saikyo Nene flew into a rage, swinging her fan at him.
Smack - she hit nothing but air.
Eiji reached out a hand and ruffled her beautiful black straight hair into a complete mess.
Enraged again, Saikyo Nene swung her fan once more.
"Hundredfold Gravity!"
But she still didn't hit him.
Eiji stood within the hundredfold gravity field, looking as comfortable as if facing a gentle breeze.
A mere hundred times? Child's play!
"That kid's current strength places him among the very top tier, even when looking worldwide."
Nangou Torajirou watched silently from the side, a kindly smile on his face.
"However, without becoming a Demon, one remains ultimately insignificant... He still needs that crucial opportunity!"
Demon.
That was the realm of transcendence.
Transcending the limitations of fate, even the planet itself could no longer control their future, possessing unimaginable power.
Eiji had not yet stepped into the Demon realm.
Even if he possessed power comparable to a Demon, if he faced a true Demon, he would likely still be at a significant disadvantage!
Demons were simply that powerful.
Nangou Torajirou lowered his head, lost in thought about something.
"Huh? Where did little Ai go?"
His gaze swept across the spectator stands on the other side, noticing the silver-haired figure had vanished without a trace, and he couldn't help feeling a pang of regret.
"What a shame. I was hoping to play matchmaker for her and that kid!"
On this entire planet, aside from that kid, who else could possibly be worthy of her?
They were two of the only Sword God-level swordsmen in the world!
Standing together, the man handsome and the woman beautiful—they were the picture of perfect compatibility!
Nangou Torajirou felt completely justified in playing matchmaker.
...
"This match was far more spectacular than anyone could have imagined! Witnessing such scenes usually only seen on television truly made this trip worthwhile! This must be the highest-level battle seen at the Seven Star Sword Art Festival in the past decade, right?"
"Quite right. This old man believes this battle can completely rival the famous debut match between World Clock and Yasha Princess from ten years ago that shook the world. In terms of pure swordsmanship display, it might even surpass it!"
"The old gentleman rates it that highly?"
"Naturally. Even this old man feels he's gained new insights. Seeing such swordsmanship with my own eyes has been truly enlightening!"
Whether it was the audience's imagination or not, Kaieda's voice seemed to carry a new note of reverence.
That reverence could only be directed toward that student who wasn't even twenty yet.
It was simply unbelievable!
"In that case, the Sword God should be this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival champion... uh, the strongest competitor, right?"
The host glanced at the arena below.
Shinguuji Kurono was still busy working, and the director had signaled him to stall for time. He had to rack his brains for something to say, and nearly offended the other present competitors with his careless wording.
Although the other competitors probably wouldn't dare voice any objections, he quickly corrected himself.
Truth be told, he had also considered the doubts about the second ability, but to avoid offending the world's strongest swordsman, he chose to follow his heart and ignore this doubt.
It would be laughable—if he exposed such a thing publicly, his career would probably be over.
"This old man thinks so too. Look carefully—after defeating the Storm Sword Emperor, the Sword God doesn't even have a speck of dust on him. His strength is overwhelmingly powerful! That level of power is far beyond what any student knight can match, unless..."
"Unless what?"
"No, it's nothing."
After some thought, Kaieda shook his head with a bitter smile.
Unless this Seven Star Sword Art Festival could produce a Demon!
Only a Demon could possibly match god-like swordsmanship, and even that was merely a possibility!
But counting across all of Japan today, there were only two Demons. How could such a terrifying existence possibly emerge on a stage reserved only for student knights?
It was pure fantasy.
Moreover, if Japan really could produce a third Demon now, the most likely candidate would undoubtedly be this newly crowned Sword God himself!
"The battle arena has been restored! The ten-minute break has passed. Please welcome the next group of competitors!"
Finally having stalled enough time, the host immediately perked up.
The next group of competitors entered the newly restored battle arena as announced and began their match.
However, with Eiji and Kurogane Ouma's spectacular performance setting such a high standard, the audience found it difficult to muster much enthusiasm for this ordinary-level combat. The cheers became sparse and scattered.
Before anyone realized it, as morning approached eleven o'clock, the four matches in Block D had concluded.
"With this, only the Crimson Princess' battle remains."
The first round was nearing its conclusion.
"Hasn't Stella arrived yet?"
Eiji asked the person beside him.
"She's already near the arena and will enter soon!"
Kanata Totokubara hung up the phone, a hint of joy appearing in her expression.
"That's good!"
Eiji also breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately after, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a figure.
"I'll step away for a moment, I'll be right back!"