The sun rose on the third day of the sixty-second Seven Stars Battle Festival. It burned brighter than ever, making it the hottest day of the year. But the heated passion coming from the crowd in the arena made even the summer heat feel like a cool autumn breeze.
“It’s thirty-five degrees today, with seventy percent humidity! Thank you for coming out to watch today’s matches despite the blistering heat, everyone! At long last, it’s time for the semifinals! This year’s top four are all veteran fighters with a unique spread of abilities. But which two will win a ticket to the final match?! I hope you all have enough hydration with you, folks, because the action will leave you glued to your seats! And now, it’s time to bring in the two fighters for our first semifinal match of the day!”
The crowd burst into cheers when the announcer finished speaking. Stella walked into the ring, her flaming hair splaying out behind her in the wind.
“Coming from the red gate, we have the Crimson Princess, Stella Vermillion! She’s the second daughter of the Vermillion royal family and a true prodigy who boasts the greatest mana pool of all the Blazers registered with the Mage-Knight Federation. Due to train delays, she was nearly disqualified before her first match, but then she thrashed all of her opponents in the B block at once, climbing all the way to the semifinals in one fell swoop! Her strength is so overwhelming, it’s enough to destroy the arena everyone fights on! She’s without a doubt one of the favorites to win the whole tournament! A dazzling star who’s made quite the impact on friend and foe alike! Will she be able to climb to the top?! Or will she burn up in a blaze of dying glory?!”
“Princess Stella! We’re rooting for youuu!”
“Look over here, Stella-sama!”
“We’ve got two matches today, so don’t blow up the arena again, you hear?!”
The crowd roared encouragement at Stella as she took her place in the ring. She was popular with both men and women. It was hardly surprising considering she was the knight with the largest mana pool in the world, as well as royalty. She was an unparalleled beauty to boot.
Ikki was more captivated by her than anyone else, naturally, and he clapped as loudly as he could as he stared at her profile. But while many others were drawn to her status and beauty, it was her strength that charmed Ikki so. While he was cheering her on, he suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him.
“Stella-san looks like she’s ready for this.”
“Hmm?” He turned around to see Touka and Kanata walking over to him. “T-Toudou-san! Toutokubara-san!”
The famed Thunderbolt had her brown hair in braids and a gentle smile on her face, while Scharlach Frau was carrying a parasol and looked like a dainty lady.
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“Heh heh, long time no see, Kurogane-san.”
“I-It really has been too long. I didn’t know you two had come to Osaka.”
“We came by bullet train this morning with Saikyou-sensei. We’d like to see the semifinals onward with our own eyes rather than through the TV screen.”
“Are your injuries all healed?”
Until just a few days ago, Touka and Kanata had been unconscious.
“Yep. We’re fit as fiddles,” Touka answered with a nod. “In fact, I’ve been asleep for so long that I need to do something with all this excess energy. Uta-kun said he’s still groggy, though, so he’s watching back at the dorms.”
“Is he feeling unwell?”
“You don’t need to worry about him. It’s his own fault for spending every day playing games instead of building up his stamina.”
“Heh, I guess the vice president is pretty weak, physically.”
Ikki smiled softly, relieved to know that everyone was doing well.
“Would it be all right if we sat with you, Kurogane-kun?”
“Of course, feel free.”
Ikki scooted a little to the side to make room for the two of them. As they sat down, Stella’s opponent walked into the arena.
“And from the blue gate, we have the Gale Emperor, Kurogane Ouma! He crushed every one of his opponents in the A block with consummate ease, showing us all just how strong he is! We’ve heard reports that he defeated Stella in an unofficial duel as well! If there’s anyone more favored to win the tournament than her, it’s him! How will Stella fare against Japan’s own Rank A Blazer?! This will be a battle for the ages, folks!”
Ouma’s sharp glare was like a drawn blade, and everyone in the audience couldn’t help but hold their breath as his gaze swept over them.
“It feels like...you’re going to get cut just looking at him...”
“He’s scary as hell...”
“I know, but the Seven Stars Battle Festival is a Japanese tournament, so I’d like one of our own to win.”
Ouma got far fewer cheers than Stella had. The crowd was probably still repulsed by how he’d crushed Panzer Grizzly Kaga Renji in his previous match. Of course, the Seven Stars Battle Festival was a harsh tournament where fighters had to be prepared to lose their lives. But while the knights fighting knew that was how things went and had long since steeled themselves for it, the civilians watching were disgusted by the brutality Ouma had shown.
“Joining me for today’s commentary is the lady ranked third in the world, Demon Princess Saikyou Nene-sensei! Thank you for coming out here, Saikyou-sensei.”
“Mmm, thanks for having me.”
“As the strongest Japanese Blazer, what do you make of the two fighters down there?”
“They’re both in top condition, that’s for sure. You can tell they’re raring to go, but at the same time, they’re not too tense. We’ll get to see them both fight at their full potential.”
“I see. They’re both Rank A Blazers, but who do you think is stronger?”
“Heh heh, don’t be in such a rush to spoil the show, mister.” Saikyou snapped her fan shut and added, “We’ll know for sure once the match is over.” She then spread her fan open again to hide a grin.
All right, Stella-chan, he won’t go down as easily as those chumps in the first round. You’ll have to go all out against him. Show everyone the new power you gained during your training with me.
Ouma took his place in the ring as well, and the spectators fell silent. As they waited with bated breath, Iida announced the start of the match.
“Both fighters are in position! It’s time for the first semifinal match of the Seven Stars Battle Festival! Let’s go ahead!”