A second later, Amane slumped to his knees. Point-Blank was a technique Ikki had developed to reverse an unfavorable situation. By using his lower body like a spring, he was able to generate enough force to unleash a slash at zero range after blocking an attack. It was similar to a one-inch punch, but with a sword instead.
That slash was how he’d batted aside the Azure in Amane’s right hand and cut him down in time. And it had been powerful enough to put Amane out of commission for good. The black hands of death faded away into mist, and Amane didn’t even try to struggle back to his feet. They both knew that he wouldn’t be getting back up.
I almost had him, and yet he still seems so far away...
Though he’d done everything he possibly could, he’d still been unable to scratch Ikki. He let his knees buckle completely and fell to a sitting position.
“I...lost...”
This time, he had no choice but to accept reality.
“It’s galling, isn’t it?” Ikki asked.
“Yeah. I never realized how much it sucks to lose,” Amane replied after a short silence. The taste of defeat was even more bitter than the taste of the blood welling up in his throat.
“Never let go of that feeling, Amane-kun. That bitterness is proof that you haven’t given up on yourself.”
“...Huh?”
Amane looked up, stunned that Ikki had seen through him so completely. As he did so, the clouds parted to shine a single ray of light down on him.
“A long time ago, when I was the same as you and ready to give up on myself, someone told me that,” Ikki said, smiling gently. “You can’t ever throw away that bitterness you feel. That’s what’ll let you keep going. After all, it’s because humans never gave up that they were able to make it to the moon. So now, I gift those same words to you. If you can’t stand losing to me, then come back and challenge me whenever. I’ll take you on as many times as you like. And you’ll know that if you beat me, it’ll be because of your own strength, because not even that power that can grant all your wishes was able to do that. If you can win, that glory will be all yours.”
“Ah...”
“I promise to become a worthy goal for you, so I’ll be waiting.”
With that, Ikki turned on his heel and strode out of the ring. It was a clear message to Amane: “Chase after me.”
I see...
It was then that Amane finally realized why Ikki had ignored Kurono’s warning and continued fighting by himself. Unlike everyone else in the world, Ikki had actually been looking at Amamiya Shion, not at the goddess behind him.
I really am no match for him...
He’d tricked Ikki and hurt his sister. Despite that, Ikki had still tried to save him.
What does it take to become that strong? To become that kind?
He had no idea. He wasn’t even capable of being kind to himself. But if, by chasing after him, he could become even a little bit more like Ikki, then it was worth devoting his life to that goal.
Using the last of his strength, Amane stretched a hand out toward Ikki’s receding figure. He then curled his trembling fingers into a fist. Naturally, he grasped only air. Ikki was too far away for him to reach—but only for now. One day for sure, he’d catch up to him.
With the bitter taste of defeat lingering in his mouth, Amane fell to the ground, unconscious.
✦ ✦ ✦
“It looks like the medical team is carting Shinomiya away. There were many twists and turns during that match, but thanks to the efforts of our talented Mage-Knights, we didn’t see any casualties. It’s a good thing we handpick the best of the best to guard the audience during the tournament! Of course, it’s Kurogane Ikki who deserves the biggest thanks. Even though he had no obligation to fight after the match ended, he subdued Shinomiya without getting so much as a scratch on him. What an overwhelming difference in strength! I’m looking forward to seeing how he fares against Crimson Princess Stella Vermillion tomorrow. Will a Rank F Blazer truly manage to overcome a Rank A beast?”
Shizuku rushed to where Ikki was while the announcer sang his praises.
“Slow down, Shizuku! You’ll trip if you don’t watch where you’re going!” Alisuin shouted, chasing after her.
Onii-sama won! He’s finally made it to the finals!
She’d been watching him since they were children, so she knew how much this meant to him. And she wanted to be the first one to congratulate him. That was why she was running full speed toward the waiting room.
“Onii-sama!”
But as she flung open the waiting room door, she came to a halt. Ikki was there, but he was leaning against the far door, his eyes closed. He didn’t react at all to Shizuku and Alisuin entering.
“Is he sleeping?” Alisuin asked. “He didn’t get hurt, but he did use Ittou Shura. That might have exhausted him.”
Ittou Shura completely drained Ikki of strength, so it was pretty normal for him to fall asleep after his minute was up. But something felt off to Shizuku.
Wait...
Gripped by an inexplicable worry, she walked forward and touched Ikki’s face. She then broke out in a cold sweat as she realized what the problem was. Her brother, Kurogane Ikki, was no longer breathing.