The Absolute Speed of a Certain Comic'

The Hagun Academy Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival Battle Selection officially began in the second week.

'To say I drew a bad lot would be an understatement. My luck seemed to be playing tricks on me, as I ended up facing the second-strongest student in the academy, Totokubara Kanata, in my first match.'

'Thankfully, perhaps it was my usual luck again, that I didn't encounter Senior Sister in the first match... maybe it really was good luck?'

'So, my luck seemed to always be in a Schrödinger state – whether good or bad was really hard to tell.'

"But Kanata is probably really strong too, so I can't afford to be careless."

I reminded myself quietly, making sure not to get overconfident.

My special ability was strong, but it was limited by Magic Power and physical stamina, so many of the tricks in Absolute Divine Speed couldn't be used. My regular combat abilities were limited, and while I had potential, it often required pushing myself to the brink of death.

However, the rules of the Battle Selection were more favorable for me.

To prevent students from dying in accidents, each arena was equipped with several healing capsules, and Senseis were always overseeing the matches. If anything went wrong, the match would stop immediately, and any near-death students would be placed in the healing capsules.

This meant I could use Lightning Flint on the battlefield without worrying about whether I would survive if I passed out from near-death exhaustion.

In a wild battle, I couldn't use Lightning Flint so freely, but there were no such restrictions in official events.

However, I couldn't underestimate anyone just because of that. It was crucial to maintain a humble attitude at all times.

After all, a Blazer's essence was like a treasure chest – you never know what incredible special abilities your opponent might possess until it's opened.

If my opponent's ability countered mine overwhelmingly, and the compatibility was shockingly bad, I could still easily lose.

Absolute Divine Speed wasn't an invincible ability. Just thinking about it, I could come up with many abilities that could counter it, like super regeneration or absolute defense.

Abilities like those inherently countered my Absolute Divine Speed. No matter how fast I was, against an undying opponent or one who couldn't be pierced, speed wouldn't matter much.

…

Monday arrived.

There was originally a required class in the morning – a Magic Power control course – but I skipped it. I only rushed to the arena just before the afternoon matches were about to begin.

During the Battle Selection period, there were only classes in the morning at Hagun Academy. The afternoons and evenings were reserved for the Battle Selection matches, and students who weren't competing could freely do as they pleased.

Today, I didn't have a match.

My battle against Totokubara Kanata was on Wednesday, but the matches of Senior Sister, Stella, Arisuin Nagi, and Kurogane Shizuku were all happening today.

Other people's matches didn't concern me, but I absolutely had to watch Senior Sister's match.

"Good thing I'm not late."

I jogged to Training Ground No. 9, breathing a sigh of relief when I saw the match hadn't started yet.

My dark, ink-like hair still had some water droplets on it, and my body smelled faintly of shampoo, clearly having just taken a shower. I rushed over without even drying my hair.

I rolled my shoulders, feeling the soreness from my body, and couldn't help but wince slightly.

"That damn legal loli, can't she just show some restraint?"

Even though I had gone to the infirmary and had the school nurse use healing magic to clear the bruises, the fatigue and soreness from overexertion still lingered in my body.

I muttered to myself as I walked into the spacious training ground.

In truth, this kind of pain was nothing new for me, but I just wanted to complain a little to express my displeasure with the legal loli.

It was noon at that moment.

Sunlight filtered through the narrow steel gaps into the arena. The overhead lights surrounding the battle ring illuminated the area, and the stadium, with its bowl-shaped seating that could accommodate thousands of people, was now filled with hundreds of spectators.

"The second match has ended, and now we move on to the third match of the day! A large crowd has poured in, and as expected, the popularity of the Student President is incredibly high!"

"Hello, everyone! I'm Tsukuyomi from the Broadcasting Club, and with me is Saikyou Nene-sensei, who will be providing the commentary for the upcoming match! Please say a few words, Nene-sensei!"

"Ossu~"

"Not much energy there, huh… Well, let me introduce the highly anticipated contestants! First up, from the third year, a C-rank knight and one of the top ten experts in the academy! He defeated Donrou Academy's representative in a match last year and is extremely skilled with dual swords—please welcome Azuchiyama Michiyuki-senpai!"

"Very strong~"

"Stop reading it like that! Can you show a little more emotion, please?"

Excited commentary from the announcer and the bored-sounding commentary of the legal loli filled the stadium.

"The match is just starting, so it looks like we're right on time."

I appeared from the hallway and walked towards the seating area.

The arena was vast, so even if all the students from Hagun Academy gathered here, they would only fill a small fraction of the seats. With everyone focused on the battle ring, I slipped into a dimly lit corner without attracting attention.

Inside the battle ring, a third-year Senpai emerged from the red gate, his face tense, sweat dripping down his forehead. He was clearly under immense pressure, feeling extremely nervous.

"And now, from the blue gate, our very own Student President, who is also ranked number one in the academy! She has finally appeared!"

Though the announcer was a young girl, her voice was filled with enthusiasm, her tone fervent, as if she herself took pride in the presence of the girl she was describing.

"Last year, she made it to the semifinals of the Seven Stars Sword-Art Festival, but unfortunately lost to last year's Seven Stars Sword King, Moroboshi Yuudai. Just shy of reaching the top! But this year, she's back to challenge for the ultimate victory! Has the legendary sword in her hand been sharpened even further? Let's wait and see!"

As the announcer's voice echoed, the blue gate on the opposite side of the battle ring slowly opened.

A girl with chestnut-colored long hair stepped out from the gate.

In contrast to her usual gentle Big Sister persona, Toudou Touka now shed all traces of softness. Her large glasses disappeared from her nose, and her eyes became sharp and intense, sparkling with electric energy.

She fully displayed the imposing aura of a swordsman, surrounded by a chilling presence. To her opponent, she appeared fierce and powerful, almost like a demon or ghost.

Imposing Senior Sister.jpg

"Senior Sister is so handsome!"

I had to admit, I was definitely impressed.

(End of Chapter)

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