Multiverse: Library

As the Rank #1 Challenge Match concluded, this round of Official Ranking Battles came to an official end.

One by one, spectators filed out of the Comprehensive Arena, still engaged in heated discussions about the battles that had taken place.

While the results showed some shifts in rankings—some students rising, others successfully defending their spots—there were only two truly noteworthy events that dominated the conversation.

The first was the successful defense of Rank #1.

Her duel had made it clear to everyone that, despite being a thirteen-year-old middle schooler who had only been enrolled for two months, her strength was undeniable. She deserved her place as Seidoukan Academy's strongest student. This was no fleeting miracle.

It was certain that her name would soon spread across all six academies. Before long, the entire world of Asterisk would know that Seidoukan had produced a prodigy.

The second major topic was Kaiser's victory over Rank #13, Arkadi Fankenn.

A previously unknown student—someone completely unranked—had not only displayed extraordinary skill but had also fully controlled a Four-Colored Magic Sword with ease, decisively defeating the strongest non-Page One duelist.

This, too, sent a message.

Kaiser wasn't stopping here.

Many students were already anticipating next month's Official Ranking Battle.

Would Kaiser challenge a member of the Page One?

Now that he had taken the Rank #13 spot, he was officially eligible to challenge the elite twelve—the Page One.

The question was: Who would he challenge?

And how far would he climb?

It was an exciting prospect.

At this moment, Kaiser's name had become one of the most frequently spoken words in Seidoukan Academy.

Second only to the Rank #1, Toudou Kirin.

—

Seidoukan Academy, Arena Corridor

Of course, Toudou Kirin herself was completely unaware of this.

The silver-haired girl who had already ascended to the academy's peak was currently hurrying through one of the arena's corridors.

Despite having successfully defended her Rank #1 title, proving her strength once again, her expression lacked any hint of joy.

In fact—there wasn't even a smile.

Instead, she carried a heavy, burdened look—her head lowered as she walked briskly, her footsteps oddly heavy.

Suddenly—

"Be careful."

A voice appeared in front of her.

"Walking with your head down like that… you might end up crashing into someone."

The unexpected voice startled Toudou Kirin. She flinched in surprise, immediately halting in place.

Thanks to that, she narrowly avoided colliding head-first into the person standing before her, stopping just a few centimeters away.

"Ah—I'm so sorry!"

Due to their close distance, Kirin could only see up to the person's upper torso, prompting her to instinctively step back and bow in apology.

Then, she heard a chuckle.

"No need to apologize. You didn't bump into me, did you?" The voice was lighthearted. "Though, I guess suddenly appearing in your way is my fault too. But seriously—you should watch where you're going. If you're not careful, you might end up crashing into some recently transferred special student, leading to the start of a harem-building romance."

…What kind of light novel protagonist nonsense was that?

And why did it sound so specific?

Kirin blinked in confusion before finally looking up—

And recognizing the person before her.

"Ah…!"

Her expression shifted to surprise.

"Y-You're Kaiser-senpai! The one who just defeated Rank #13!"

Kaiser raised an eyebrow.

"You know me?"

There was genuine surprise in his tone.

"Y-Yes." Kirin nodded rapidly, a little nervous, her voice softer than before. "I wasn't in the audience, but I watched the live broadcast from the player's lounge."

"I see." Kaiser nodded in understanding before offering a smile. "To think that Seidoukan's Number One actually remembers my name. I should be honored."

"N-No, it's nothing like that!" Kirin waved her hands frantically, visibly flustered. "You were amazing, Senpai! Especially your swordsmanship—it was truly incredible!"

As she said this, her timid gaze brightened ever so slightly.

It was clear—this had left a strong impression on her.

"My swordsmanship, huh?"

Kaiser, on the other hand, didn't quite feel the same way.

"Yes!" Kirin nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling like an excited child seeing a new toy. "I've never seen anything like it before! It doesn't seem to belong to any sword style I know—it was so unique and eye-catching!"

But then—

She hesitated.

Her excitement dimmed slightly.

"But…"

She seemed unsure if she should continue.

"But what?"

Noticing her hesitation, Kaiser grew curious.

Kirin hesitated for a moment longer before gathering her courage.

"It's just… it felt less like swordsmanship meant to bring out your full potential… and more like techniques meant to fully optimize your weapon's abilities."

For a brief moment—

Kaiser's eyes flashed with intrigue.

This girl… she had remarkable insight.

She had immediately identified his true nature.

Kaiser had never trained in a specific sword school or martial art.

His techniques—his combat instincts—came directly from his Authority.

He never needed to learn fighting techniques. He never needed to train his reflexes or decision-making.

The moment he touched a weapon, his Authority told him exactly how to use it to its full potential.

So Kirin's observation was completely correct.

"I'm impressed." Kaiser chuckled. "You saw through me right away."

Then, he tilted his head slightly.

"But if we're talking about true swordsmanship, you're the stronger one, aren't you?"

Kaiser recalled what he had just witnessed during her match.

Toudou Kirin had not displayed immense physical prowess.

She hadn't even actively used her Prana.

She had simply drawn her sword—

And attacked.

Yet, in that single offensive sequence—

The battle had already been decided.

Every single strike had been flawless.

Every movement had been precise.

Every motion had seamlessly connected, forming an endless chain of attacks.

The Rank #10 opponent—a fellow Page One student—had barely been able to react before they were completely overwhelmed.

One slash, then another, and another, and another—

It was an infinite cascade of sword strikes.

Razor-sharp. Fluid. Relentless.

This was Toudou Kirin's blade.

"N-No, I'm not that strong…"

Kirin was clearly not used to praise. Her entire face turned red, making her seem even younger than she already was.

The sight was—

Dangerous.

For a split second, Kaiser felt something stir.

Then—he snapped back to reality, internally scolding himself.

"What the hell am I thinking?"

"She's thirteen! THIRTEEN!"

But then—

His gaze flickered toward one particular aspect of Kirin's appearance.

Her physique.

Her absolutely-not-thirteen-year-old physique.

And suddenly—

He barely stopped himself from facepalming.

"What kind of twisted reality lets a thirteen-year-old look like THAT?!"

It was unfair.

Unnatural.

A crime against logic itself.

—

At that moment—

"Beep!"

A holographic display suddenly opened in front of Kirin.

"What's taking you so long, Kirin?!"

A strict, scolding voice echoed through the channel.

"A-Ah! I'm sorry!"

Kirin's face paled instantly—her nervous panic returning in full force.

"Get over here! Now!"

The transmission cut off abruptly.

An awkward silence filled the air.

"…I have to go now, Senpai." Kirin bowed slightly, her expression unreadable.

Then, as she walked past him—

Kaiser's voice rang out behind her.

"Next month, in the Official Ranking Battle…"

"I will challenge you."