-1239- A bit rash

"It's getting dark huh..."

After leaving the chairman's office, Rozen realized that it was already dusk and it was almost dark.

"It seems like we talked unexpectedly long."

But...

"Both the former world's third-ranked and current world's third-ranked appearing together in this academy, it's really interesting."

Strong individuals like them are rare to find even if you search the whole world. Now, both of them appearing together in this Hagun Academy, and even appearing in front of him, Rozen wonders whether it's a coincidence or destiny.

Rozen just hopes...

"If possible, don't make enemies with them."

After all, Rozen has fought many strong opponents in this world, and now he just wants to settle down for a while and think about things carefully.

"Even I should be allowed to rest, right?"

With such a trivial thought in mind, Rozen ended up in this academy.

But...

"It really is a somewhat troublesome task entrusted to me."

Muttering to himself, Rozen recalled the commission given to him by Shinguji Kurono in the chairman's office.

...

"Train Kurogane Ikki and Stella Vermillion?"

Hearing Shinguji Kurono's words, Rozen's face showed only one expression.

That is surprise.

Very surprised.

However, Shinguji Kurono obviously wasn't joking.

"Although it's just my own idea, since you don't plan to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, in my opinion, Hagun Academy's ace for winning the festival should be these two."

Shinguji Kurono said as she smoked, addressing Rozen.

"So, I hope you can train Kurogane and Vermillion to stand on their own and ultimately win in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival."

That was Shinguji Kurono's request.

After understanding that Shinguji Kurono wasn't joking, Rozen frowned directly.

There's no choice.

"I have two questions."

Rozen said to Shinguji Kurono.

"Go ahead."

Shinguji Kurono responded without hesitation.

In this situation, Rozen's first question was this.

"Leaving aside the Crimson Princess, why Kurogane?"

Rozen asked with confusion.

Indeed, to win in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, Hagun Academy must play its trump card.

And Stella, as the world's strongest mage, has talent, effort, and potential. With proper training, she could surpass many powerful Blazers in the future and even reach the highest level of the three major forces. Otherwise, she wouldn't be said to bear the greatest fate of this planet and possess the strongest magical power.

Therefore, training Stella to rapidly increase her strength is a very feasible way for Hagun Academy to win in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.

But what about Ikki?

Isn't he an F-Rank Blazer? Doesn't he only have one-tenth of the average mana quantity? Why does Shinguji Kurono value him so much and even believe that he has the ability to win in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival?

Rozen was puzzled by this.

Moreover, there are more suitable candidates for training than Ikki.

Such as...

"The student council president of Hagun Academy is said to be an extraordinary Blazer. She reached the top four in last year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. She is currently the strongest Blazer in the academy. Even the immature Crimson Princess, according to your words, wouldn't be her match. If you want to train someone, shouldn't it be someone like her?"

This was Rozen's doubt.

Believe it or not, many people think the same way. Compared to an F-Rank Blazer with no potential, it's more reasonable to train someone like the student council president.

However...

"The student council president doesn't need our training because she has an extraordinary master of her own." Shinguji Kurono said, "As for Kurogane, it's because I personally have high expectations for him and believe that he has a good chance of winning in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival."

"Oh?" Rozen asked curiously, "Why do you have such confidence in Kurogane?"

"It's simple." Shinguji Kurono said without changing her expression, "Because he once defeated me, even though I was holding back a lot at the time."

One sentence made Rozen's eyebrows raise instantly, and his surprise couldn't be hidden.

Could it be...

"Are you the examiner who was defeated by Kurogane?"

Rozen had such a thought for a moment.

Unfortunately...

"No, it was just a coincidence that I fought him afterwards."

Shinguji Kurono said somewhat nostalgically, without further explanation.

This made Rozen refrain from asking further.

However, Shinguji Kurono has high expectations for Ikki, which Rozen now understands.

"I didn't expect that guy to have even defeated the World Clock..."

Even though Shinguji Kurono claimed to have held back a lot, the fact that Ikki defeated the former world third-ranked A-Rank Blazer of the previous KOK league, even during his student days, speaks volumes about his strength.

At least...

"If he only relied on the strength he showed when sparring with me, he wouldn't have been able to achieve that."

Rozen understood this.

"That guy Kurogane probably still has some ace up his sleeve that could turn the tables."

Otherwise, it's impossible to defeat a renowned A-Rank Blazer with such low magical power.

Perhaps Shinguji Kurono's high expectations for Ikki stem from her thorough understanding of his potential?

This expectation even surpasses that for Stella Vermillion.

It's conceivable that in Shinguji Kurono's eyes, Ikki's ability is definitely not low.

"It's quite intriguing..."

Rozen thought so.

But Rozen had a second question.

"Why me?"

Rozen asked.

In other words, why should he be the one to train Ikki and Stella?

After all, currently, Rozen has only shown exceptional ability and fleeting prowess. Shinguji Kurono couldn't possibly know his specific strength.

In that case...

"Instead of entrusting students like me, wouldn't it be better for you, as the chairman, to personally mentor them, or let Yaksha Princess handle the training? That would be more reliable, wouldn't it?"

Rozen expressed his doubt.

But it wasn't Shinguji Kurono who answered this question.

"Kuro might be the chairman, but she can't personally mentor students. As for my abilities, they've already been fully developed. If I were to teach students who haven't fully determined their development path, it might unconsciously limit their abilities, which would be counterproductive."

Saikyo Nene chuckled as she drank, looking slightly intoxicated.

"So, it's better to let someone like you, whose strength is not yet determined and who doesn't seem like they would deceive others, handle their training. That might yield unexpected results."

Just because of that?

Just because of such a reason, they want him to train Kurogane and the Crimson Princess?

Seems a bit rash, doesn't it?