-1232- Is a mistake

"Wha... What?"

When Rozen's words simultaneously reached Ikki and Stella's ears, both of them were stunned.

And not just any kind of stunned, but extremely so.

"You... you're not going to participate?"

Stella was completely taken aback by this possibility.

"Is this true?"

Ikki also appeared quite astonished.

You see, the so-called <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival> is the most important event among student knights. Countless people aim to win this competition in order to pave the way for a smoother career after graduation, whether it be for fame, status, or wealth. As long as they participate in and win the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival>, their chances of achieving their desires will greatly increase.

For those aspiring to become Mage-Knights in the future, there is no such thing as not wanting to participate in the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival> and become the <Seven Stars Sword King>.

In the academy, there are many students like Ikki, who have lower ability values but still strive to earn the title of <Seven Stars Sword King>.

So, it's rare for students with the ability to participate in this stage not to want to do so.

And Rozen, as a bona fide A-rank knight and the second-ranked Blazer in the magical world, would definitely have the ability to participate in the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival>.

It's more accurate to say that, generally speaking, as long as one is an A-rank knight, there is almost a hundred percent chance of winning the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival>. Most of the past winners of the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival> were B-rank or C-rank knights, and the number of knights who received an A-rank evaluation during their student days is extremely rare. Once they participate, they have an eighty percent chance of winning.

Therefore, as an A-rank knight, others have already assumed that Rozen would participate in the competition.

Including Ikki and Stella, it's the same.

However, now, Rozen claims he won't participate?

"Are you serious?"

Stella seemed somewhat taken aback.

But...

"Is it strange for me not to participate in the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival>?"

Rozen sighed.

To be honest, Rozen isn't really interested in the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival> competition.

The reasons are simple.

One: Rozen doesn't need the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival> to build his reputation and thus seek a better future path. Unlike in the past world, Rozen basically has no ties in this world. If he achieves his goals at any time and leaves this world, it's very likely he will never come back, so there's no need to leave a way out for anything, just living freely and casually is enough.

Two: This competition for student knights seems a bit too easy for Rozen.

Ten years of wandering has made Rozen very aware of the strength of people in this world.

Frankly speaking, this world is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

Blazers come in different strengths; let's not talk about the weak ones. Those truly powerful Blazers can almost be said to have the ability to change the course of the world, even affecting the terrain at will.

Some of their abilities are even extremely fierce, almost no different from moving disasters. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to change the course of a war with just one person, or make a large country retreat with just one person's power.

Rozen has faced this kind of existence more than once, and has fought them several times.

Precisely because of this, when it comes to student-level battles, Rozen can't really participate seriously, can he?

In short, Rozen's strength far exceeds that of student knights.

Those truly powerful Blazers are no different from moving disasters, but Rozen has long been a true moving disaster. His blood even contains beasts and truly eruptive forces that can destroy entire nations overnight.

Such power is too much compared to the student knights.

As a result, even if Rozen is interested in playing with a group of student knights, he has to think carefully about whether he will play too aggressively and cause a group of future stars to perish.

Rozen doesn't want to harm the rising stars of this country.

Given this, Rozen has no reason to participate in the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival> held by the seven schools.

So...

"You guys go ahead and participate in this <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival>. If I have time, I'll cheer for you from the audience."

Rozen said casually, without explaining his reasons.

"This..."

Ikki hesitated somewhat.

As for Stella...

"What about our competition!?"

Stella's voice raised somewhat.

Clearly, Stella couldn't quite accept this.

"But..."

"Why are you so fixated on me?" Rozen rolled his eyes. "There are so many strong students in this academy, not to mention the strong students from other academies. If you participate in the <Seven Stars Sword Art Festival>, what kind of formidable opponents won't you encounter?"

With so many students of the same level competing together, Stella doesn't need to pursue the outcome between her and Rozen.

Rather...

"Being fixated on our competition is a mistake. I'm not the opponent you should be aiming to surpass at this stage."

Rozen also decided to tell Stella the truth for her sake.

"Don't worry about me anymore. Just continue to improve at your own pace."

With that said...

"Don't joke around!"

Stella suddenly stood up, making her words resonate throughout the entire cafeteria.

"————"

The previously noisy cafeteria suddenly became quiet, and all the students' gazes focused on Stella.

"Um, please calm down..."

Ikki tried to persuade Stella, but to no avail.

"You were the first opponent I tasted defeat against since I came here. I've already decided that you're the first person I want to surpass. But now, you...!"

Stella's emotions became somewhat agitated, making herself more and more conspicuous.

At this moment, Rozen's brows finally furrowed.

The atmosphere suddenly became extremely tense and dangerous.

Just then...

"Alright! That's enough! Both sides, please calm down!"

A very lively and cheerful voice suddenly sounded from the side, attracting everyone's attention.