-1285- The selection battles

Afterwards, Rozen and Stella left the training ground together, took a short break, and had lunch before they parted ways.

Because Stella had to head to the designated competition venue to face her designated opponent.

This match was one of the two most anticipated matches of the day's selection battles.

The reasons for its popularity were obvious. An A-Rank Knight, a rarity seen only once in ten years at the academy, was competing. This alone was enough to attract a large number of students to watch.

Furthermore, Stella had caused quite a stir at the academy recently. Despite their complaints, people were very interested in this rare opportunity to witness Stella's strength.

Moreover, Stella's first opponent in the selection battle was not an ordinary student.

"Remember, your opponent is a third-year senior with a very rare armor-type Device. Not only is his defense extremely strong, but his brute force is also impressive. He can send numerous opponents flying just by charging at them. He's ranked in the top ten in the academy."

Rozen had seen the notification message on Stella's student handbook and thus knew exactly who Stella's opponent was.

An A-Rank Knight, rare in a decade, and a top-ten ranked student in the academy—such a match was bound to be popular.

But facing such an opponent…

"Give me ten minutes."

Stella didn't even invite Rozen to watch the match. As if dealing with a mere formality, she left these words and walked away without looking back.

Less than ten minutes later, Rozen heard the sound from the live broadcast on the school screens.

"The… the match is over! One of the most anticipated and popular matches of the first day of the selection battles! The match between first-year Stella Vermillion and third-year Momotani Takeshi ended in less than three seconds! Momotani, who had just summoned his Device, was blasted away along with his armor and knocked out! The winner is one of Hagun Academy's only two A-Rank Knights! First-year Stella Vermillion!"

When such a broadcast voice came from the live screen, Rozen raised an eyebrow and then smirked.

"To blow away an opponent of that level without a second thought… it seems she's accumulated quite a bit of frustration…"

A student knight ranked in the top ten of the academy was referred to by Rozen as "an opponent of that level."

Even for Stella, such a so-called top-ten in the academy was merely a small fry.

After all, even last year's representative for the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, Kirihara Shizuya, wasn't taken seriously by Stella. So, a student knight who didn't even qualify as a representative would naturally be no match for Stella's current power.

For an opponent of this level, Stella shouldn't have felt any enthusiasm. Normally, she wouldn't be so serious. But this time, she knocked her opponent away in less than three seconds after the match started. Such violence likely stemmed from the frustration accumulated from being trained harshly by Rozen.

"That poor senior became the princess's punching bag."

Rozen felt a bit sympathetic towards the third-year senior.

In others' eyes, this instant victory was incredibly spectacular, making the live commentator shout excitedly.

"Really… too strong! Is this the power of an A-Rank Knight? If this knight competes, perhaps our Hagun Academy has a chance to win the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival this year. With such a strong first-year and last year's top-four student council president, this year's performance in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival is highly anticipated!

Unfortunately, according to the latest news, our academy's other A-Rank Knight has given up their spot in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. Otherwise, this year's competition would be even more exciting. As for why this A-Rank Knight gave up, we have not received confirmation yet. Our school's news club promises to follow up on this, so stay tuned!"

This kind of report voice came from the live screen's speakers, making Rozen's mouth twitch.

"The news club's follow-up…"

Could they be referring to Kusakabe Kagami?

During this period, Rozen had been training Stella, and along with Ikki and Shizuku, they had all taken leave from the academy. Therefore, Rozen hadn't attended classes or gone to the classroom during this time.

So, Rozen didn't know if that self-proclaimed classmate journalist had given up her curiosity about him.

If she hadn't…

"This matter could very well be advocated by that girl…"

Rozen felt somewhat speechless.

This made the trouble-averse Rozen decide immediately.

"I'll continue taking leave."

Rozen made this decision.

A while later…

"Thanks for waiting."

Stella quickly ran over, looking refreshed, as if she hadn't just faced a top-ten opponent but rather had just gone to the restroom, making Rozen even more speechless.

But neither of them mentioned this trivial match, and they directly changed the topic.

"Next is Shizuku's match, right?"

Stella confirmed with Rozen.

"Correct, the match venue is at the fifteenth training ground, and the match time is in ten minutes."

Rozen confirmed this.

With this, the two of them arrived at the entrance of the fifteenth training ground together.

Then…

"Thanks for waiting! The last of the two most anticipated and popular matches of the first day of the selection battles is about to begin! The match between first-year Kurogane Shizuku and third-year Shigenobu Suga is about to start!"

"Although Kurogane Shizuku is a first-year, she's ranked third among the new students this year, and her Blazer rank is B. In previous years, this would undoubtedly make her the top freshman. Unfortunately, this year, Hagun Academy has two A-Rank Knights, relegating Shizuku to third place. However, she's not only a B-Rank Knight but also a descendant of the great hero Kurogane Ryoma, making her strength highly anticipated!"

"Shigenobu Suga, on the other hand, triumphed over Yamamichiyuki Azuchi, the representative of Donrou Academy in last year's winter exchange tournament. The academy holds him in high regard!"

"As a third-year C-Rank Knight, can Shigenobu Suga, with his rich combat experience, teach the young knight a lesson?"

"Or will the new generation's rising star show her strength and topple her senior?"

"Everyone, stay tuned!"

As the commentator's voice echoed from the training ground, the cheers of the spectators also resounded.

Shizuku's match was about to start.

This made Stella somewhat anxious.

"Shizuku won't be late, will she? Or won't she come at all?"

Stella worried about this.

However…

"Your concern is unnecessary."

With this voice, Rozen and Stella turned their heads simultaneously towards the source of the voice.

"Shizuku!"

Stella called out her name.

The person who arrived was indeed Kurogane Shizuku.