Regardless of Altera's mystery, Ikki's progress is truly astonishing.
In just a week, this F-rank Blazer, who was almost killed by Altera previously, can now fight against Altera for several hours without using "Ittou Shura" and remain undefeated. Although Altera held back significantly, this level of improvement is still quite shocking.
Stella watched Ikki, feeling the terrifying sword energy subtly emanating from this gentle boy, and clenched her fist involuntarily.
Previously, Ikki claimed that if he encountered Kirihara Shizuya, their compatibility would likely result in a one-sided, tricky situation, with a very low chance of victory.
But now, Ikki can defeat Kirihara Shizuya with just one sword.
What kind of strength would Ikki reach if he used the Noble Art "Ittou Shura" to increase his abilities by dozens of times?
Even if Stella used her "Dragon Spirit" power, it would be highly uncertain if she could defeat such an Ikki.
Originally, Stella thought that even if Ikki grew, there would still be a significant gap between them after she mastered "Dragon Spirit."
This wasn't because Stella looked down on Ikki, but because, after truly experiencing the power of the dragon within her, Stella understood how overwhelming her abilities were.
Frankly speaking, if Stella used "Dragon Spirit," her strength would be enough to qualify for the A-rank alliance of the KOK.
That is the highest level of competition on a world scale, featuring terrifyingly flawless strong individuals, each with the power to decide a nation's status. All of them are A-rank knights, and worldwide, only the God of War League held at China's "Shinryuu Temple" can compare to them.
Stella securing a position there proves her strength is world-class.
In Rozen's view, Stella's strength has reached the tactical level, easily able to defeat an army and comparable to a true dragon species.
With such strength, it's not easy for even other A-rank knights to catch up to Stella.
Given this, how could Stella believe there was still a peer among students who could match her?
Ikki is undoubtedly respectable, and Stella has high hopes for him, believing he would not lose to other A-rank knights.
Such an evaluation is incredibly high.
However, Stella is an exception among exceptions, with magical power at the world's strongest level, destined to climb to the peak of the world, allowed by the world to become the strongest. Ordinary A-rank knights can't compare to her.
In this context, it seemed too far-fetched for Ikki to challenge the position of the world's strongest.
However, Stella still underestimated Ikki.
When Stella awakened her true abilities, Ikki, for his ideal, also transcended himself, abandoned his past, allowed his soul to transform, and ultimately acquired a sword that could rival the world's strongest.
If it's the current Ikki, his skills, realm, experience, and mindset all surpass Stella, reaching a state of complete harmony of mind, technique, and body.
Stella is no longer confident that she can definitely defeat Ikki.
In other words, Ikki now has strength comparable to Stella, possibly even beyond her.
This leaves Stella both shocked and delighted.
After all, Stella finally found the opponent she wanted to fight.
Thinking of this, Stella turned her head and looked at Rozen, who was sipping his drink thoughtfully.
In fact, the person Stella most wanted to defeat was Rozen.
Through numerous battles over this period, Stella had come to know that Rozen's strength was on another dimension entirely. Even with her awakened dragon power or Ikki, who had surpassed his soul's limits, neither could be his match.
This was Stella's personal experience, leaving no room for dispute.
If Stella and Ikki's strength had already surpassed the level of students, then Rozen's extraordinary power surpassed even the level of Blazers.
(Maybe even the chairwoman and Saikyo Sensei might not be his match.)
Such an incredible thought arose in Stella's mind.
What did this imply?
It suggested that Rozen's strength might have already surpassed the world's third-ranked existence!
(Could it be that he really is...)
Stella thought of something that only made her fighting spirit soar even higher.
After all, if this were true, it meant that the world's strongest barrier was right in front of her, waiting for her to overcome it.
Nothing could be more exciting than this.
And then...
(Before that, I must defeat Ikki.)
Only then could Stella become stronger and finally reach the barrier of the world's strongest.
Thinking of this, Stella looked at Ikki.
At that moment, Stella realized that Ikki was also looking at her, his eyes filled with the same high fighting spirit and surging battle intent.
This made Stella stunned for a moment, but then she understood.
Ikki was just like her.
This F-rank Blazer, who had undergone a baptism, had also witnessed the barrier of the world's strongest in the past week.
Thus, Ikki said that Altera's strength was on the same level as the world's strongest swordsman.
In other words, Altera also had the capability to contend for the title of the world's strongest.
Witnessing Altera's extraordinary power, Ikki, like Stella, developed the determination to surpass her.
To achieve this ideal, Ikki needed to become stronger and fight against more powerful opponents.
Having seen Stella's true abilities, Ikki knew clearly who his true opponent was.
Yes.
Ikki and Stella were the same.
Both possessed unexpected strength yet remained unsatisfied, continuously seeking worthy opponents to challenge and become stronger.
Both had witnessed the strongest existence in their lives and ambitiously aimed to surpass this peak.
At the same time, both had decided.
Before challenging the world's strongest, the opponent they must first surpass was the person right in front of them.
At this moment, both Ikki and Stella ignited an unprecedented excitement.
Seeing this, Shizuku looked at Ikki with a mix of relief and complexity, remaining silent.
Rozen, observing the two, suddenly smiled as if seeing through their thoughts.
As he thought...
"Me and Altera's disciple... huh?"
Which side is stronger?
Rozen couldn't help but feel a bit excited.