Start of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival

"Everyone can see it!"

Touka shrugged her shoulders and looked at him curiously.

Kiriko was similar.

"You're still restrained before, right? How strong are you now? Can you defeat Edelweiss now?"

They knew that he had fought the strongest swordsman in the world, Edelweiss, so they wondered how strong he was now.

"You don't need to be in a hurry. Be patient. You will be able to see my performance tomorrow."

Tsukasa smiled, then h looked at the two, thinking for a moment, and said, "Hey, do you want me to teach you something?"

"Hmm?" 2x

On the other hand, there were few people that talked to each other.

"Do you mean that momentum was just now coming from him?"

There was no light in the room, and it seemed the owner didn't want to turn it on.

What was the purpose, no one was sure, but it might be for fashion or some related reason.

In this dim room, Amane and the man with a strong body talked and laughed.

"That's right! You want to fight me, right? So I arranged it specially~."

"Hmph! Don't do an unnecessary thing."

However, his tone didn't seem displeased.

The man wore a black kimono, holding a meter-long white Nodachi that never left his side.

"If he's strong enough, we'll definitely meet each other. Don't use your tricks in this game."

Even though he was kicked by Tsukasa before, he still maintained his arrogant attitude, showing that he believed all the representatives in this event below him.

Even if Amane's ability was powerful, there was no fear in his tone.

Amane choked lightly. "I just hope that you don't hold back when you fight him."

"Shut up, don't order me."

The man stared at Amane condescendingly and didn't seem to care about Amane's reaction.

"I will do it in my own way."

Amane snorted secretly.

Ouma wasn't someone who was easy to compromise with. He was so stubborn that he would only back down until he was almost killed.

Amane sighed, wondering whether those swordsmen were all so hard-headed. However, he didn't care.

If Tsukasa couldn't even defeat Ouma, he would find other opportunities to "get along" with him.

Ouma didn't say any longer and sat beside the bed while closing his eyes. The sound of his breathing became heavier and heavier, as if he was accumulating something.

The previous momentum was weird, and subconsciously, he put all of his power into preparing for tomorrow's battle.

---

The next day.

In the early morning, the number of people walking toward the direction of the bay was almost overflowing, almost uncountable.

Countless spectators entered the dome-shaped arena built by the sea from all directions. Millions of tourists made this city which was located at the bay, full of life and energy.

This dome-shaped arena was the venue for the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival this year!

Even if the heat of the summer was almost unbearable, it couldn't stop everyone's enthusiasm.

"Wow, there are so many people!"

Renren Tomaru was holding a box of popcorn, eating while looking around in amazement.

There were tens of thousands of seats in the entire venue, but none of those seats were empty at this moment.

"Fortunately, Kanata-senpai bought us tickets in advance, or else we can only sit on the street and watch the live broadcast on the big screen outside under the scorching sun!"

This year's Seven Stars Sword Art Festival was so popular, and the tickers were hard to buy. There were many people who resold their tickets at a "very" high price online. Fortunately, their friend was the heir of the second richest conglomerate in this country.

Katana smiled and said nothing.

"They are coming!"

At a certain moment, she looked in the direction where the person she had been waiting for came out.

After a while, the four representatives of the Hagun Academy, led by Tsukasa, came to the stage.

When he appeared, he directly became the center of attention.

However, those gazes were ignored.

The four of them were all ready to go, full of fighting spirit and in the best condition.

At the same time, from the entrances in various directions, everyone could see the representatives of each school enter the stage.

"Tsukasa!"

Suddenly, a delicate shout sounded above the stage.

"This voice..."

As soon as he heard this voice, he knew who this person was. In front of him, a figure floated and slowly fell from the sky.

With the bright red kimono, the iron fan in her hand, and an appearance that wasn't much different from an elementary school student, there was no need to explain who this person was.

While he didn't really want to hug her in public, he could only helplessly let Nene hug him as if trying to tell everyone that he was hers.

"......." Everyone.

"Why are you here?"

Tsukasa was helpless.

"When the match is over, come to my room!"

If this wasn't public, she might have done something lewder. Fortunately, they were in public, so she only whispered in his ear before she parted since she was afraid she couldn't hold on.

"Let's talk later..." His expression was subtle before he asked, "Where is Stella?" He was looking around, but he didn't see the figure of that crimson-haired girl. After all, Stella trained under Nene, so shouldn't they come together?

"That little girl didn't come with me, but she should be on her way now."

Nene shook her iron fan in her hand twice and looked at the people around him meaningfully.

"That little girl really surprised me, and maybe she will become your toughest opponent."

Tsukasa wondered how strong Stella was after she trained under Nene. He looked at Nene and asked, "Has she reached that state?"

"Hehe... you don't need to be in a hurry. You will see her soon."

Nene didn't give any details before she left since she had something to do. She might want to stay with him, but she knew the time and occasion.

Then, when she was gone, a loud sound from the microphone was heard from the speakers.

Hearing this signal, the tens of thousands of people in the venue quickly quieted down and looked at the podium, eagerly waiting for the start of the event.

Tsukasa and the other representatives also became solemn, waiting for the start of the opening of this event.

"It is said, conflict is evil, for from it is born hatred;

Peace is good, for from it is born kindness;

Violence is a sin, for, by it, we harm our fellow man;

Conciliation is a virtue, for we care for them;

If mankind were sensible, we would surely think this way.

But, despite this, humankind nonetheless yearns for strength!

Be stronger than all others! Be bolder than all others!

Overwhelming power, before which no one can stand! Absolute power, with which you shall do as you please!

Let them speak, who have never longed for this. Let them open their mouths, who have never desired it.

All who were born into this world had dreamed—and gave some up when they lost their way.

Now, those who dream of putting their lives to challenge themselves and their peers have gathered here at this festival!

For Hokkaido—Rokuzon Academy.

For Tohoku—Kyomon Academy.

For North Kanto—Donrou Academy.

For South Kanto—Hagun Academy.

For Kinki—Bukyoku Academy.

For Chugoku-Shikoku—Rentei Academy.

For Kyushu-Okinawa—Bunkyoku Academy.

And last but not least—our debutant, Akatsuki Academy.

Thirty-two have been chosen from among the eight schools, each one a magnificent knight.

Even so, only one may claim the title of 'Seven Stars Sword King'—the name of Japan's number one student knight!

Therefore, we shall decide the better man with a sword in hand, for is that not the chivalric tradition?

…Our thirty-two young, noble champions.

It's time now! If only at this time, no one shall reproach you!

Fight as you wish, as you will—fight with everything you have!

With this, I declare that the sixty-second Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival… has begun!"