-1263- Can I ask for your help

When such words came out of Ikki's mouth, everyone present exchanged glances, and then all eyes gathered on Rozen.

Obviously, whether it was Kurono, Nene, or Shizuku, none of them showed any surprise at Ikki's request. Instead, there was a feeling of 'just as expected,' suggesting that they had somewhat sensed Ikki's intentions beforehand.

"You..."

Only Stella Vermillion, exhausted, was slightly stunned and somewhat surprised.

As for Rozen, his eyebrows were raised, and he looked at Ikki.

Ikki's expression was extremely serious, facing Rozen's gaze with determination and determination shining in his eyes.

Seeing Ikki like this, Rozen knew why his former roommate chose to make such a request at this time.

Considering Ikki's dream and seeing Stella's true power, the Worst One would definitely not choose to sit idly by.

Although Kurono had already said that, under her holding back, Ikki could defeat her. And Ikki even defeated the examiner of the Hagun Academy entrance exam a year ago. His strength should not be as simple as Rozen had seen.

But even if Ikki had hidden cards, his strength was enough to compete for the winner of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. If compared with the previous Stella Vermillion, it would be fine, but compared with the awakened Stella Vermillion with the power of the dragon, it would be far from enough.

Bluntly speaking, once she mastered her true power, Stella's strength would rise to the level of the world.

In other words, even on a global scale, she would be more than qualified.

And waiting for Stella's abilities to grow, the future was limitless.

Compared to such Stella, even the strongest student knights were just futile.

Of course, now that Stella's power had increased significantly due to the dragon's blood, the difficulty of mastering this power had also skyrocketed. It was impossible to use this power so easily.

If by the time the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival began, Stella had not fully mastered this power, then Ikki might not necessarily have no chance of winning.

However...

"Seeing Stella Vermillion's talents, I do not believe that such a lucky idea can be realized, and I do not believe that I, who harbors such thoughts, can win the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival and become the next successor to the Seven Stars Sword King."

Ikki looked directly at Rozen and spoke up.

"So, I want you to teach me, just like awakening Stella Vermillion's true power."

This was Ikki's request.

The most direct request.

There was no need to feel embarrassed, nor did he need to consider too much. Faced with the power of the dragon in mythology, Ikki couldn't afford to consider too much, so he directly made such a request to Rozen.

"Onii-sama..."

Looking at Ikki like this, Shizuku Kurogane seemed somewhat heartbroken.

Because Shizuku knew why Ikki was working so hard and desperately.

There was no other reason than to resist his own fate, to prove that even without talent, he could become an outstanding Mage-Knight.

Even Shinguji Kurono and Saikyo Nene chose to silently watch and observe the progress of this request.

As for Rozen...

"I was planning to train you along with Stella."

Rozen directly stated his thoughts.

That's right.

Originally, because of Kurono's commission, Rozen was not only going to train Stella but also planned to train Ikki.

However...

"If you want to accept my training, you must first recognize one fact."

Without waiting for Ikki to react, Rozen bluntly said the most cruel words.

"If you're expecting me to awaken some hidden ability in you just because you saw me awaken Stella Vermillion's true power and make you quickly stronger, and that's why you're asking me to teach you, then let me tell you, you'd better get rid of that idea now."

"Unlike Stella Vermillion, you have no talent, and there's no hidden ability in your body. Besides the sword in your hand, you have nothing."

"Therefore, if you have such naive thoughts, you'd better give up now."

Rozen laid out these thoughts without missing a word on the spot.

Causing Ikki to hold his breath for a moment, followed by a bitter expression.

"You...!"

Seeing Ikki being spoken of so harshly by Rozen, Shizuku couldn't help but feel angry and stepped forward.

However, Saikyo Nene grabbed her.

"Calm down, little girl," Saikyo Nene said as if it didn't matter, "Basically, what that kid said is not wrong. Compared to the princess, his talent is really bad, that's a fact. If you expect to become strong quickly like the princess, it's simply unrealistic. If you have such thoughts, it's better to give up early."

"This is the reality and fate that Kurogane must bear," Shinguji Kurono also lit a cigarette and said dreamily, "Bearing these battles, this is the path he chose."

Indeed.

So, Ikki actually understood better than anyone else.

"I have a deeper understanding than anyone else that I have no talent."

Ikki put away his bitter expression, took a deep breath, and muttered to himself.

"To be honest, after seeing Stella's condition, I couldn't help but have some expectations, hoping that there might be some power in me that I haven't discovered yet, some talent that others don't have."

This was inevitable.

After all, as a Mage-Knight, Ikki's talent was really terrible, with only one-tenth of the average magical power. Converted to Stella's body, it was three hundred times less, a hopeless gap.

Ikki had already endured too much unfairness, too much torment and suffering. After seeing Stella's condition, it was inevitable to have hope, thinking that he might have some undiscovered power, only then could it be considered fair.

But, fairness was something that was impossible for Ikki.

Ikki indeed did not have the talent to become a Mage-Knight, this was absolutely true.

He had to admit this fact.

"Don't harbor any illusions. If you want to become strong, you must pay a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand times more than ordinary people. Isn't that what you want to tell me?"

Ikki finally faced himself, facing Rozen.

"I understand."

"I am also mentally prepared."

"Can I ask you to teach me as well?"

Ikki made the request again, and this time, he even bowed deeply.

Seeing this, everyone present fell silent.

Only Rozen suddenly smiled.

Then...

"Even if you say that, I don't know how to teach you."

Rozen changed his tone and scratched his head as he spoke.

"Your only reliance is swordsmanship, but my proficiency in swordsmanship is not high at all, far worse than yours. My strength mainly lies in magic, but you happen to lack talent in this aspect. Even if I teach you, you won't be able to achieve much in this area."

This was also Rozen's dilemma.

Compared to Stella Vermillion, Ikki was really difficult to teach, too picky about teachers, Rozen was simply not suitable to be his mentor.

Therefore...

"I am not suitable to be your teacher. So I can only find someone who is suitable to be your teacher to teach you, but I don't know if she is willing to come out."

Rozen sighed softly.

Then...

"Can I ask for your help?"

Rozen spoke to a direction as if there was no one else around.

Everyone was stunned, almost subconsciously turning their heads to look at the direction Rozen was facing.

There...

"—!"

With a tremor of air, a figure like mist appeared in front of everyone.

In its eyes, ruby-like eyes emitted a cold light.