Ch.84 Individual Matches Begin

Day two of the Tokyo-Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event, individual battles.

The exhilarating and intense one-on-one matches.

"Participants will draw lots to determine the order of appearance, and, based on the order, send out one person each for a solo battle."

"The battle arena is limited to the training grounds. Leaving the area results in a loss. Loss of consciousness results in a loss. Voluntary surrender results in a loss. Attacking vital areas or delivering potentially crippling blows will result in an immediate loss, along with appropriate disciplinary measures."

"After a match concludes, the next participant from the losing side will rotate in, continuing until one side is out of participants."

The reason for these rules is the issue with student availability, as the number of participants can't always be even, with one or two extra people being a frequent occurrence.

While there are solutions like bringing in first-year students, not every first-year has the caliber of Akira's cohort. If their level isn't high enough, it's better not to bring them at all.

"Aside from that, there are no other restrictions. The purpose of the Exchange Event has already been explained yesterday, so I won't repeat it. Please remember your identity as sorcerers, and freely demonstrate your abilities. That's all."

The address was once again given by Kyoto Jujutsu High's principal, Gakuganji Yoshinobu.

However, compared to yesterday, the old man's voice seemed weaker. Maybe he hadn't rested well, or perhaps he already foresaw Kyoto's fate.

Interestingly, Tokyo seemed similarly disinterested, with a lackluster atmosphere.

The reason—

"Same old thing. If Akira or Yuta draws first, the other side will just get wiped out again."

Maki pointed out the biggest flaw in the tournament rules.

The cost of balancing the participant numbers is amplifying individual power even more.

If an overpowered participant leads off, sweeping the entire opposing team isn't impossible, and Tokyo had two such individuals.

"I thought they might change it this year."

"If we were hosting, we probably would," said the principal's son. "But this is Kyoto, and Principal Gakuganji is in charge, so tradition comes first."

"Salmon," Inumaki nodded. Without tradition, how could they call themselves conservatives?

Hakari Kinji snorted, "If they want it to be an exciting match, they should swap people around, like having Akira or Yuta switch sides, and bring someone weaker over here."

The one who had once singlehandedly held Tokyo's banner thought this Exchange Event would be the perfect stage for him, only to be overshadowed by two even bigger monsters.

It wasn't jealousy – a bet is a bet, and if you're outmatched, you're outmatched – but the gap between expectations and reality was so wide that some resentment was inevitable.

"Probably not possible."

Yuta Okkotsu echoed innocently. Off the battlefield, he always kept a low profile, giving Hakari plenty of face.

"If Akira is willing to come over, we'd gladly welcome him." Surprisingly, Gakuganji actually replied.

The atmosphere in Tokyo shifted instantly. More than one person's face darkened, and Gojo Satoru directly countered:

"Trying to poach people in front of me, after failing during admissions? I've heard that skin gets thicker after dehydration, but it turns out it's true."

"Giving the young the right to choose their future – wasn't that what you said?"

Judging by Gojo's reaction, it was clear he'd really said that.

The critical moment required Akira:

"Thank you for the kind invitation, Principal Gakuganji, but I'm used to Tokyo and have no plans to move."

This calmed Tokyo's side slightly, though only just. Maki and Hakari were already considering how to make Kyoto lose even more decisively.

On the other hand, Kyoto's side was surprisingly composed.

Todo Aoi sought only exhilarating battles, unconcerned with victory or defeat.

The remaining five reached a consensus under Kamo Noritoshi's leadership.

"I think everyone knows our chances of winning this Exchange Event are slim. Yesterday, due to my misjudgment, we missed an opportunity. Today, we cannot repeat the same mistake. As Principal Gakuganji said, our goal is to demonstrate ourselves, and the outcome is not important.

The relevant intel has been distributed. Please prepare according to your sequence, and fight in a way that honors yourselves and Kyoto High."

Well said, with clear recognition and logic.

But battles are unpredictable – nothing ever goes strictly according to plan. What if they still fail to demonstrate their skills?

Could the young master of the Kamo family, the team's commander, handle the pressure?

Was his resolve truly strong, or merely a facade? Akira was eager to see.

It seemed Kamo could feel the pressure, as his eyes narrowed, and Akira matched the expression.

And so, with both brothers of the Akira family squinting, the lottery began.

For Kyoto, Todo Aoi drew first, Kamo Noritoshi last.

Tokyo was similar, with elder brother Hakari Kinji drawing first.

"God, please bless me."

Big brother made a sincere wish to test his luck today.

If luck was bad, a small bet would do.

If luck was good, bet big and thrive.

And the result—

"I must have run into a disaster star."

His luck was terrible, drawing fifth, just before Yuta, who was sixth.

But Yuta had already put on quite a show yesterday, almost stealing the entire spotlight. The individual matches had little meaning for him now.

They couldn't win a group fight, and now they'd send him out solo?

What made it worse for Hakari was that the other monster, Akira, drew last, and actually got first place. Was there no justice?

Even Akira himself was stunned.

How could he draw the red lot without even trying?

But this could affect Tokyo's demonstration.

To put on a proper show, the opponent had to cooperate. If the gap between them was too wide, it wouldn't work.

And Kyoto... well, third-year student #1 went first, followed by Nishimiya Momo, then Todo Aoi, Kamo Noritoshi fourth, and the other third-years bringing up the rear.

In terms of lineup, it wasn't bad.

But Akira also had a hidden mission to test Kamo Noritoshi.

After thinking for a moment, he quietly said to his companions:

"Sorry, I'm going to mess things up a bit. I won't leave you enough chances to demonstrate."

"What are you talking about? The draw is about luck," Maki shrugged.

"Exactly, luck is also a kind of skill," Panda added.

"We wouldn't be winning this easily without your training," Yuta said.

"Salmon," Inumaki repeated.

Even Hakari said, "You're overthinking it. You've had the fewest chances to show off. Listen, if you miss the chance the gods give you, you'll be cursed."

"You guys—"

Though Akira knew his friends were good people, hearing it from them still moved him.

Attending Tokyo Jujutsu High was definitely one of the best decisions of his life.

"I won't say thanks. Just watch my performance."

With that, Akira strode confidently into the training ground arena, calling out to all of Kyoto High.

"All of you, come at me. I'll take you all on alone!"