A sudden announcement at Hagun Academy.
All Blazers ranked B or above are to gather at the dueling grounds. This includes Stella, Kurogane Shizuku, Toudou Touka and even Kurogane Ikki, among others.
"What's going on now?"
Stella's eyes showed confusion.
They had been in the middle of class, and no one knew why this had popped up out of nowhere.
Kurogane Shizuku glanced over at Toudou Touka. "President, do you know what's happening?"
Pushing up her glasses, Touka shook her head. "Sorry, I don't."
"All right, guess we'll just have to see."
Before long, a woman appeared at the center of the dueling ground.
Touka's gaze sharpened. She fixed her stare on that woman.
"That person… is really strong."
Even though she was just standing there, Touka could feel a fierce aura emanating toward her—and…killing intent.
[Everyone take note: this will be a special lesson. Each of you will challenge the special-instruction teacher in turn!]
Right then, the broadcast rang out with Shinguuji Kurono's voice.
Hearing it was a special lesson, everyone set aside their confusion and started to get excited.
In a separate vantage area:
Saikyo Nene narrowed her eyes.
"Heh, Kurono, are you trying to send them off to die?"
Though no one else knew who stood in the center of the dueling ground, she certainly did.
"… …"
Shinguuji Kurono's brow furrowed, likewise helpless. In a cold tone, she said, "This is the best arrangement I could negotiate with Twin Wings. If we don't do it this way, even we can't stop her from doing anything."
"… …"
It sounded pathetic, but Saikyo Nene had to concede it was the truth. That woman was just that terrifying.
"Tch, guess we just have to pray my students get through it. Let's hope I haven't just taught them a few days only for them to drop dead."
Nene lightly shook her folding fan. Her words sounded casual, but her gaze has not budged from Edelweiss's movements out on the dueling ground. She was fully prepared to act at any moment.
Even as a temporary instructor, Saikyo Nene still had her professional ethics as a teacher. She wouldn't just stand idle if her own students were about to be killed right in front of her.
"… …"
Shinguuji Kurono likewise would not allow anything of the sort. She still had a trump card: she could make a trade request to Rei Ao.
This could serve as a trial for the students—after all, it's not every day one gets to spar against the world's strongest.
…
Meanwhile…
Kasumigaoka Utaha received a phone call from her editor, Machida Sonoko.
"Utaha, I read your new manuscript. It's really well written."
"Is that so?"
Hearing that, Kasumigaoka's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Not long ago, she'd finished her work, Love Metronome. But Utaha hadn't stopped—she'd decided to write a brand-new piece.
It was titled The Fourfold Romance in Another World. It basically told the story of a young woman meeting a boy who holds the secret to linking with another world. They travel on a fantastical journey together, and during that journey, sparks of romance fly.
Indeed, that outline had a strong sense of déjà vu. Even Machida Sonoko could smell something off.
"Utaha, tell me: this heroine of yours isn't based on you, is she? A black-haired, sharp-tongued beauty?"
"Uh…"
Kasumigaoka was at a loss for words. Was it that obvious?
"And the male lead…you're sure he isn't Rei Ao, right? Utaha, you're not being honest."
"Ahem, I have no idea what you're talking about. I just happened to get some inspiration."
Utaha tried to sound righteous.
She wasn't being "dishonest," exactly. She'd simply drawn her inspiration from real life, that's all.
"Oh, really now?"
Machida Sonoko switched to 'breakdown' mode.
"Well, Utaha, could you explain how, in your new book, you're describing the male lead with black, somewhat messy hair, sapphire-blue eyes, a perfectly sculpted eight-pack…?"
She recited every detail of the male lead's appearance that Utaha had written, then added: "Don't you think that all precisely matches my darling Rei Ao? Even down to the shape of his collarbones. Don't tell me that every time Rei Ao does a livestream, you secretly watch it, then…mess around with yourself under the covers?"
"S—Stop spouting nonsense!!!"
Utaha frantically cut her off. If this went on, all her secrets would be exposed! It felt like she was being monitored by a hidden camera or something, making her extremely uneasy.
"All right, all right, I won't say more."
"But c'mon, Utaha, you're obviously in heat, and the target is Rei Ao."
"I'm just saying, if you like him, why not confess? Rei Ao is basically open to all."
"And even if you won't confess, you could be his…sex partner. Better that than messing around alone in bed, right?"
"???"
Machida Sonoko rattled off words that left Utaha dumbfounded. Talk about scandalous language!
Still, there was one thing Machida said that wasn't wrong: Utaha did have a special feeling for Rei Ao. But she had no good timing, no clue how to express herself, and it was driving her crazy.
"All right, that's enough from me. Your new book is definitely signed."
"As for Rei Ao, you'd better think hard. Otherwise, in the future you might be the one tasting that perfect 'excalibur' after who knows how many others."
"???"
Utaha felt like murdering someone. Her editor was getting ever more outrageous, with zero filter.
"Oh, right, I'll send you some of my prized collection to help relieve your worries."
Very soon, Kasumigaoka received, in the chat group's private messages, a batch of photos from Machida Sonoko. She clicked them open and was startled by the imposing presence of that "excalibur." Not only that, there were images of a perfect eight-pack, chest muscles, etc.—all pictures of Rei Ao. It made Utaha's face crimson.
"These are my treasures, so no need to thank me~ Bye-bye," said Machida as she hung up.
"… …"
Staring at that crystal-clear photo of a certain imposing region, Utaha's mouth fell open, heart pounding. She mustered some stubborn disdain, "Like I'd ever need stuff like this."
But even as she said so, she casually saved them.
"That's enough writing for one day, I suppose."
Utaha forcibly suppressed a certain heated sensation, awkwardly heading toward the bathroom.
~~~
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