The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

A second sword appeared in Eiji's hand!

Had his Device always been a dual-blade type? No, that couldn't be—otherwise he would have used it earlier... So this was an on-the-spot evolution?

Broken blade reforged, Device transformation, a second Device... He'd achieved so many evolutions in such a short time?

Wielding the second Device, Eiji charged forward.

Edelweiss watched him, her eyes flickering with momentary hesitation.

Yet she ultimately swung her sword.

Clang!

After a brief clash.

The two passed each other.

Like an exchange of light.

There were no earth-shattering displays of power.

Only stillness following an instant of explosive movement.

Edelweiss withdrew her twin blades, letting them dissolve into light as they returned to her soul.

"You there," she said without turning to look at the two behind her. "When he wakes up, deliver a message for me."

"Next time we meet, I hope we can have a truly exhilarating duel."

Under the moonlight.

The silver-haired woman, like a valkyrie, gradually melted into the darkness.

Only after Edelweiss had left did Arisuin Nagi snap out of his daze.

He hurried over to Eiji.

Eiji stood silently, completely unharmed.

But the sword in his hand and the one he'd thrown were already gone.

His eyes had long since closed.

He'd clearly lost consciousness.

"Fainting while standing... His pride as a swordsman is too strong."

Arisuin sighed with both exasperation and admiration before storing Eiji in his shadow space.

The operation to attack Akatsuki Academy had ended in complete failure due to Twin-Wings' appearance.

Meanwhile.

Cough...!

After leaving the school gates, Edelweiss suddenly began coughing violently.

She covered her mouth, trying to suppress the sound.

When she lowered her hand.

Bright red blood trickled from the corner of her lips.

"Heh heh heh, who would've thought little Edel would get hurt!"

In the empty plaza, a hoarse voice suddenly rang out.

A sparsely white-haired old man emerged, leaning on a cane, his face full of frivolity.

"It's been a while, Nangou-sensei."

Edelweiss wiped the blood from her mouth and bowed slightly to Nangou Torajirou.

"As expected of you, escaping Amane Shinomiya's ability so easily. You must have been watching from the shadows for quite some time?"

"Hahaha, this old man is a senior! How could I be led astray by some mere fate interference diversion tactic?"

Nangou Torajirou stroked his nearly bald head, a smug grin on his face.

When he'd first set out at noon yesterday, he'd sensed the power of fate interference wrapping around him.

But there had indeed been trouble at the prison, and with Shinguuji Kurono and Saikyo Nene busy with the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, he'd gone to handle it—only to return by this afternoon.

In other words, he'd witnessed nearly the entire conflict between Akatsuki Academy and Hagun Academy, including Eiji and Edelweiss's battle.

"Children must face their own trials. Since there was no life-threatening danger, I left them to it. It's good training for them."

Nangou Torajirou spoke without a care in the world.

If everything was left for him to solve, then what purpose did their existence serve?

Hadn't everyone emerged from countless defeats? Failure itself was the best kind of tempering.

"Enough about that. What do you think?"

Nangou Torajirou grinned with a frivolous expression.

"What do you mean?"

Edelweiss asked in confusion.

"Of course, I'm talking about my disciple!"

His wrinkled old face nearly blossomed into a chrysanthemum from sheer delight.

"Weren't you just injured by him?"

Triumphant.

No word could better describe his current mood.

"He's strong!"

At his words, Edelweiss recalled the young man's final move and couldn't help but sigh regretfully.

"It's just a shame the last strike was still too raw. It left an opening for me to counter. If that move had been perfected… I might have lost by now."

Her words were utterly sincere.

Nangou Torajirou had watched her grow up—to her, he was like a grandfather. There was no need for her to hide anything.

Eiji's final strike had been incredibly powerful, unreasonably locking her within space itself. Had he not been so inexperienced in using it, her current condition would have been hard to predict.

Even so, she had still suffered some injuries, coughing up a bit of blood.

That move was likely incomplete—or perhaps he hadn't fully mastered it yet.

Once he perfected it, the outcome would truly be uncertain.

Of course, this battle had still been her overwhelming victory.

"That impressive?"

Nangou Torajirou was startled by her high praise.

He knew Edelweiss was straightforward—there was no deception in her words—which was why he was genuinely surprised.

He had always believed Eiji would surpass Edelweiss one day, but he hadn't expected him to already be nipping at her heels!

"Heheh, listen, little Edel, you're not getting any younger. How come you still don't have a partner?"

Nangou Torajirou's eyes rolled mischievously as he plastered on an enthusiastic smile.

"Take my disciple—handsome, talented, a master swordsman, the perfect match for you! Why not give it some thought?"

What?

What about Touka?

The brat could figure that out himself!

"Hoho, Nangou-sensei, you're as fond of jokes as ever."

Edelweiss' lips twitched.

Her face formed a smile devoid of amusement as she brushed past Nangou Torajirou with clear disinterest, heading deeper into Akatsuki Academy.

Eiji was the God of War's disciple.

In other words, he was something like her junior.

Over twenty years ago, when she had apprenticed under Kurogane Ryouma, Nangou-sensei had taken great care of her. That was why she had repeatedly held back against Eiji.

"But… love, huh…"

The mention of her age by Nangou-sensei suddenly cast a shadow over Edelweiss' mood.

Having become the world's strongest at a young age and living atop the world's highest peak, she had almost no friends—let alone romantic prospects.

So even though she was nearing forty, she was still a complete novice when it came to love.

Though she didn't show it, she was actually quite anxious about it.

Whenever she saw couples around her, an inexplicable restlessness would rise in her heart.

Sometimes, she even felt the urge to tear them apart.

She didn't understand why.

Society generally refers to this as the "older single woman's desperation syndrome."

"Maybe I really should find a partner... but who would dare to be with me?"

Edelweiss was feeling melancholic.

As the world's strongest, most people's first reaction upon meeting her was either fear or a desire to conquer her.

Suddenly, she recalled Teacher Nangou's words.

"My disciple is indeed outstanding—it's only a matter of time before he surpasses me. If it's him, it might not be unsuitable..."

Most importantly, his devotion to the sword gave her an extraordinary flutter of emotion.

"No, no! I'm more than a decade older than him — what would people say if an old lady like me went chasing after a young buck!"

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹