Chapter 281: Kagami’s Help

"Which one?"

Hearing Roy’s words, Kagami leaned over the railing, scanning the massive crowd below.

The venue for Hagun Academy’s practical combat classes wasn’t an ordinary classroom but a colossal, dome-shaped training arena.

The central ring was incredibly spacious, over a hundred meters in diameter.

As long as the combatants didn’t unleash massive AOE spells, the space was more than enough for twenty pairs of students to spar simultaneously.

Normally, participation in the initial combat practice was voluntary and the instructors didn’t force everyone into the ring on the very first day.

Roy and Kagami were among the students who had opted out of the first rotation.

They stood in the spectator stands on the second floor, granting them a clear view of their classmates battling below.

"Ikki Kurogane," Roy pointed toward the arena floor.

"As an aspiring journalist, you should be familiar with that name."

"Him?" Kagami’s gaze landed on the lone swordsman.

She nodded thoughtfully. "I do know a bit about him."

If Ikki hadn’t been held back, he would be a second year right now.

As the only student forced to repeat a grade, he was naturally a focal point among the first year class.

Of course, this attention was almost entirely negative. However, as a dedicated reporter, Kagami gathered any information that could generate buzz whether positive or negative.

Thus, her understanding of Ikki’s situation was relatively thorough compared to the average freshman.

"According to my investigation, you and Ikki are actually good friends," Kagami’s tone laced with confusion.

"I don’t mean to exaggerate but it’s genuinely rare to see a Student Knight with scores as abysmal as his."

"If you are a once in a century prodigy, Roy-kun then Ikki is a once in a century failure."

She pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

"It’s fascinating that two people with such a massive disparity in strength became friends right after enrollment. I’m very curious about that."

"What if I told you that he is going to shine brilliantly in these upcoming selection battles?" Roy smiled faintly.

"What if I told you he has a massive chance of fighting his way to the top and becoming an official representative for Hagun Academy at the Seven Star Sword Art Festival?"

"Would you believe me?"

"Impossible." Kagami’s eyes widened in disbelief.

It was impossible to imagine someone with Ikki’s track record surviving a brutal tournament.

The school’s database had his stats publicly listed:

Ikki Kurogane

Class: First Year, 1A

Blazer Rank: F-Rank

Noble Art: Physical Enhancement

Title: The Worst One

Offense: F

Defense: F

Magic Capacity: F

Magic Control: E

Physical Fitness: A

Luck: F

At a glance, with the sole exception of his physical fitness, his parameters were utterly appalling.

For a Blazer, where magical power dictated everything, anyone in the academy could theoretically crush him.

He was the veritable Worst One... dead last in the school rankings.

With such stats, it was highly debatable if he could survive even the first round of the selection battles, let alone represent the academy on the national stage.

It sounded like a complete joke.

"Think about it," Roy chuckled softly.

"If you frame your reports like that an absolute underdog, the worst in the school, clawing his way to the top against impossible odds...won’t it attract insane attention?"

"It will instantly hook the reader’s curiosity."

’Plus, I have no desire to be hounded by reporters every single day.’

’Best to throw Ikki to the wolves.’

"Well... if an F-Rank knight actually managed to dominate the selection battles, it would definitely be the biggest headline of the year," Kagami nodded, admitting the journalistic goldmine Roy was proposing.

But the risk was massive.

If Roy was wrong, her newly founded newspaper would become the laughingstock of the academy.

Claiming the Worst One could win the tournament sounded like the ravings of a lunatic.

"Just watch," Roy gestured toward the arena.

Down below, Ikki had just stepped onto one of the sparring rings.

His opponent, assigned by the instructor was a D-Rank student.

"Seriously? The instructor must be looking down on me, assigning me an opponent like this."

"How am I supposed to get any real training done against the Worst One?"

The D-Rank student complained loudly, openly displaying his contempt for Ikki’s status.

"Please, let’s begin," Ikki’s expression remained perfectly calm, completely unaffected by the blatant disrespect.

He silently summoned his Device, Intetsu.

"Tsk, are you actually serious?" The D-Rank student muttered, summoning his own broadsword Device.

"Whatever. It’s the first practical lesson; I’ll just use you as a quick warm up."

He charged forward, swinging his blade with a burst of magical energy.

However, the outcome was decided in an instant.

"An... instant knockout?!"

Kagami stared at the ring in astonishment.

She hadn’t even processed the movement.

The arrogant D-Rank student had charged, and in the blink of an eye...he was disarmed and lying flat on his back, Ikki’s device resting calmly against his throat.

The D-Rank hadn’t been able to block or even perceive a single strike from the F-Rank.

"Is this... is this Ikki Kurogane’s true strength?!"

The flames of journalistic ignited in Kagami’s eyes.

The scene below had thoroughly hooked her. Ikki’s practical combat ability was lightyears beyond his miserable paper rank!

What Roy said might actually be true!

He really could shock the entire school and dominate the selection battles!

"Roy-kun! Please, tell me everything you know about him!" Kagami embraced Roy again, pressing her boobs against him to coax the exclusive scoop out of him.

"Also, I could help you with things." With that said, she hinted towards her boobs.

"Well..." Roy looked down at Kagami especially her boobs, a highly mischievous smirk curving the corner of his lips.

"Have you ever heard the legend of the legendary failed knight...?"

Prepared to spin a heavily dramatized, meme filled underdog backstory for his best friend and getting Kagami’s help, Roy gladly took the bait.

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