The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

Reports about the final selection match were being heavily promoted everywhere.

On the internet, in newspapers—every type of media rushed to cover the news without needing any prompting.

Kurogane vs. Nangou.

A showdown between two legendary bloodlines!

That alone was a huge draw. For Blazer enthusiasts, it was needless to say, but even ordinary people were stirred into excitement. As the news spread, it sparked massive interest and triggered a tidal wave of public discourse.

On one side was a direct descendant of Ryouma Kurogane. Though known for his poor talent, he had risen like a comet. Recently, he'd also been caught up in a scandalous romance with a foreign princess, and the media had painted him as a total scumbag.

As a result, Ikki Kurogane's public support had hit rock bottom. Countless media-brainwashed citizens condemned his actions loudly, personally attacking him and calling him a disgrace to the legend, even siding with his opponent.

In contrast, the other side was far more appealing—Nangou Eiji, with an otherworldly appearance and suffocating charm that outshone even celebrities. Not even the most popular idols could hold a candle to him. Though not a high-ranked Blazer, his strength was undeniable.

Eiji's popularity overwhelmingly outstripped Ikki's, and with the media push, he became a national sensation.

His fame reached such a fever pitch that even showbiz stars were jealous. If he debuted now, he'd be a nationwide hit in no time.

In this looks-driven world, his very existence was a cheat code.

But Eiji paid no attention to the noise outside.

Right now, he was completely immersed in his own world, preparing for his duel against Ikki.

***

At Hagun Academy.

In the usual forest clearing.

Boom!

A strike from Nene.

It looked light and airy, but as her fan snapped forward, it produced a sharp sonic boom. The speed caught Eiji completely off guard.

Despite being unprepared, his maxed-out evasion instincts let him react instinctively.

Still, he didn't move. He stood there straight and unmoving.

He took the hit head-on.

BOOM!

An overwhelming force exploded from the impact.

For a moment, Eiji felt the despair of death. His body shot through the air like a cannonball, crashing into the forest. Trees were snapped in half along the way, and he flew dozens of meters before finally coming to a stop.

"How was that?"

Nene closed her folding fan and leisurely ran over, asking with a bright smile.

"Cough… You really don't hold back, huh!"

Eiji spat out a mouthful of blood. Blood seeped out from all over his body.

"That was me holding back. I only used about ten percent of my power!"

Nene chuckled.

"Your mom—!"

Fine.

Eiji knew better than anyone how massive the gap still was between him and the true top-tier fighters of the world. If Nene got serious, she could easily one-shot him.

Right now, he was at best "better than some, worse than others"—far from top-level, and unable to handle abilities that hard-countered him, like reflection-based powers.

Even while trying to convince himself of that reality, Eiji couldn't suppress the deep unwillingness in his heart.

"Again!"

"Again? You sure you don't need to visit the infirmary first?"

"Don't underestimate me!"

Eiji gave a cold laugh, forced himself up from the ground, and hopped on the spot a couple of times.

Aside from the blood streaks all over his body, there were no signs of broken bones or internal injuries.

"Oh?"

Nene covered her mouth playfully, her eyes narrowing in amusement.

"Looks like these past few days of training have paid off."

"Again!"

BOOM!

Nene obliged without hesitation.

The deafening explosion echoed like spring thunder, shaking half the academy grounds.

"You two are way too noisy!"

Shinguuji Kurono couldn't take it anymore and stormed over to scold them both.

Later that evening, back at the dorms.

"You're going to duel Ikki?"

Touka rushed up to him in a panic.

"Senpai, you just found out?"

The injuries on Eiji's body had already been healed by the school nurse, but his expression still showed signs of exhaustion. Hearing the question, though, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"I've been busy, okay? And you guys didn't even tell me— I only found out from the news reports!"

Touka puffed out her cheeks, clearly displeased.

"And I tried calling you this afternoon, but you didn't answer. I didn't go looking for you because I was worried I'd interrupt your training!"

"My bad, my bad. These past two days, I've been bombarded with prank calls from a bunch of toads dreaming about eating swan meat—saying they want to sponsor me or keep me as some kind of plaything. Seriously, do they even know who I am? I got so fed up I just turned off my student handbook."

As he spoke, Eiji pulled out his student handbook to prove he wasn't making it up.

"So… you and Ikki are really going to fight?"

"There's no reason to avoid it."

Eiji shook his head.

"Things have blown up far too much. At this point, there's no backing down. I need to take this chance to settle everything in one go."

"Senpai, just watch me."

Seeing his confident expression, Touka didn't say anything more.

No matter what happened, she would unwaveringly support her junior.

No matter when, she would always be his strongest shield.

That's right.

Her junior was no longer the weakling who needed her protection.

He had grown—was still growing—into a true powerhouse.

She believed in him.

As time passed, the final round of the selection matches drew near, and the tense atmosphere at Hagun Academy steadily reached its peak.

And finally—

The day of the academy's final selection match arrived.

Today, the fighter who would earn the right to represent the school in the national tournament—the stage of glory and dreams—would be decided.

Eiji got up early that morning.

He was full of energy.

His mood was electric.

Knowing how much one night's sleep could affect the entire day, he had, for once, skipped his usual intimate session with his senpai the night before. As a result, he woke up in peak condition.

"The selection match is in the afternoon. So this morning…"

Eiji paused in thought.

Then, he left the dorm and made his way toward the third dormitory building.

"Did you come to see me for something?"

Shizuku looked calmly at Eiji. Her expression, as usual, was unreadable.

She didn't lash out or curse at him, even though he was about to stand in the way of her beloved brother's dream.

"Today's the day of the final match."

Eiji said, pausing briefly.

For a moment, Shizuku's expression subtly changed.

"I'm going to bring myself to peak condition for the match. But your brother, Ikki, he's gone through hell lately. It's just not fair to him."

"...You want my brother to forfeit?"

A hint of hostility flashed in Shizuku's eyes.

"If that were the case, I wouldn't have come here myself."

Eiji didn't flinch in the face of the overprotective little sister's reaction. Instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a crystal vial filled with a swirling, colorful liquid.

"Give this to him. Have him drink it before the match."

***

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