-1283- Would not easily lose

"Boom—!"

In a corner of Hagun Academy, at the top of a training ground, a massive, scorching pillar of fire shot skyward with an explosive roar, shattering the training ground's ceiling and ascending straight into the clouds.

The sudden fire pillar dispersed the clouds in the sky, dyeing the entire sky a fiery red as if the pillar itself was reaching towards the sun, creating an exceptionally shocking and magnificent scene.

Such a shocking and magnificent scene naturally did not go unnoticed by the entire student body of Hagun Academy.

"Again...? It's happening again...!?"

"How many times has this happened already...!?"

"Doesn't that princess know how to hold back...!?"

The students, who were excitedly preparing to watch the selection battles, were initially startled by the sudden roar and phenomenon. However, they quickly recovered and started complaining as if they were used to it.

Apparently, this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.

In the span of about a week, similar grandiose scenes had appeared frequently, causing significant damage and becoming a familiar occurrence for the students.

Moreover, even without knowing what exactly had happened, all the students were well aware of who was responsible for such destruction.

"Does that princess's magical power have no limit?"

"An attack of this scale, we don't even know if an ordinary Blazer could use it. Even if they could, their magical power would be drained instantly, and they wouldn't be able to use magic easily for some time. But that princess, she causes such a commotion every single day."

"If you say she's the world's strongest, then her magical power indeed seems the strongest."

"Does she have a grudge against this academy? Or against us? Is she not satisfied unless she causes massive destruction or gives us a scare every day?"

"Exactly."

The students continued to complain like this.

Perhaps, in the past, the students might have been astonished and awed by such destructive power, but after a week of continuous shock and awe, they could no longer be amazed and were left with only complaints.

Even Shinguji Kurono and Saikyo Nene were drawn to the commotion, feeling helpless.

"Should we apply to the league to have the princess's techniques classified as forbidden arts, so she can't use them anymore?"

Saikyo Nene, who usually didn't care about such matters, lay sunbathing on the school rooftop, muttering as she watched the spectacular pillar of fire rise from the training ground.

"...At least consider the trouble I go through cleaning up after you two idiots."

Shinguji Kurono sighed deeply as she looked out the window of the chairman's office towards the training ground, watching the towering pillar of fire and the severely damaged training ground.

Though they were used to it, it couldn't be denied that due to Stella's power, Hagun Academy had once again plunged into chaos and heated discussions.

From this perspective, Stella had certainly made a name for herself at the academy, to the point where students preparing to attend the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival would all share the same thought.

That was...

"Please don't let me face that princess in the selection battles."

This was the heartfelt wish of every student preparing for the selection battles.

Of course, there were those who, after witnessing Stella's power, felt not disheartened but rather excited.

And all these people were among the top-tier fighters within Hagun Academy.

They all silently watched the direction of the rising fire pillar, not speaking for a long time.

The confrontation had already begun at this moment.

...

No one knew how much time had passed before the pillar of fire, which had reached the sky, slowly dissipated, allowing sunlight to shine through the broken ceiling of the training ground, illuminating the entire wrecked spectator area and the battlefield that had turned into a lava pool.

"Did... did it work?"

The light and heat surrounding Stella Vermillion dimmed as she panted heavily, yet she didn't dare to relax, still anxiously watching the sky, unsure if her recent attack had succeeded in defeating her opponent.

It was no wonder Stella was so tense.

In the past week, Rozen and Stella had already fought each other over a hundred times.

To help Stella quickly master the power of the dragon within her, Rozen not only guided her on controlling the dragon blood and power inside her, as seen through his Mind's Eye, but also engaged in continuous combat with her, allowing Stella to gradually learn the techniques of controlling her power and body through actual combat.

Under such circumstances, Stella's control over her abilities became increasingly refined. However, at the same time, she had yet to win even once against Rozen.

Initially, Stella had thought that since she had awakened her true power, which was so strong, she wouldn't lose to Rozen as long as she was careful not to get caught by his Injunction Shackles.

But Stella was too naive. Even though her power had increased, Rozen still perfectly saw through all her attacks with his Mind's Eye, and even exploited her lack of proficiency in controlling the dragon's power, using Injunction Shackles to capture her repeatedly, leading to her inevitable defeat.

However, as Stella's control over her abilities became more adept, this princess grew stronger, making it increasingly difficult for Rozen to fend her off, until today, when she finally seized an opportunity and launched a decisive attack.

Therefore, Stella couldn't help but hold some hope.

"Please let me win this time...."

Stella mumbled to herself.

Unfortunately...

"Sorry, but no master would easily lose to their disciple, especially one who's only been training for less than a week."

This voice came from behind Stella.

"Wha—!?"

Stella was startled, a thought immediately rising in her mind.

It was...

"This is bad...!"

Stella tried to break the lava pool beneath her feet to escape as quickly as possible.

However, it was too late.

"Swish, swish, swish...!"

With the sound of something slicing through the air, countless chains swept from behind Stella, wrapping around her and binding her.

"Ugh...!"

With a muffled groan, the chains tightened, lifting Stella into the air.

Stella, like prey caught in a spider's web, was suspended midair, tightly bound.

And in the place where Stella had stood, a figure silently appeared.

Who else could it be but Rozen?

Seeing this...

"I... I lost again..."

Stella hung her head dejectedly.

How could she know?

(I didn't expect to be forced to use Space Manipulation Magic...)

Rozen looked at the dejected Stella, feeling a bit helpless.

Yes.

In the end, to avoid Stella's strongest Noble Art, Rozen used Space Manipulation Magic, instantly teleporting behind her to secure his victory.

What did this imply?

(Just using Injunction Shackles alone, I'm no longer a match for this princess.)

This was Stella's current strength.