"To break through to beco a Demon, one must not know of the Demon's existence!"
"Once you beco aware of this realm, the difficulty increases exponentially. The deeper your understanding of this realm, the harder it becos to break through. Take Kaieda for example—his difficulty in breaking through to beco a Demon is at least ten tis greater than that of other Blazers!"
Nangou Torajirou kept shaking his head.
Such a promising future Demon had been ruined by his own actions.
What a pity!
"The conditions are just too harsh!"
Kurogane Ikki couldn't help but feel deeply troubled.
Fortunately, he had opened the Stone Gate through his own will. If he had known about the Demon's existence earlier, he might never have been able to make any progress in his lifeti!
"So, regarding matters of the Demon, Ikki boy, you must not reveal even a single word to the brat!"
Nangou Torajirou looked at Kurogane Ikki with an unprecedented seriousness.
His gaze was so sharp it seed that if Ikki dared utter even half a word of refusal, he would draw his sword and cut him down on the spot.
"The brat already knows in advance that such a realm exists and is consciously pursuing it. This ans his difficulty in breaking through is higher than that of ordinary people. If he learns any more about the Demon, his life will be ruined!"
That's right.
In Nangou Torajirou's view, this was precisely why Eiji hadn't broken through to beco a Demon.
Willpower?
How many people in this world possessed willpower stronger than the brat who had struggled on the brink of death since childhood?
His obsessive desire to grow stronger, once ignited, could have opened the Stone Gate right then and there!
The fact that he still hadn't broken through to the Demon realm and remained stagnant before the Stone Gate was, in his eyes, already a strange phenonon!
It was only after asking that damn girl that he found out.
It turned out she had once revealed the existence of such a realm to the brat. This led the brat, after reaching his limit, to think not about how to break through his limits, but about how to break through to that realm!
This was already a fatal mistake!
It caused his breakthrough difficulty to double out of thin air!
That damn girl probably thought it was no big deal to just tell him about the existence of such a mysterious realm. To even entertain such a thought was far too careless!
To break through to beco a Demon, one's will must not contain even the slightest impurity.
Only by being completely unaware can one break the chains of fate in the most efficient and powerful way!
"Don't worry, senior. I'd rather die than reveal even half a word!"
Pressed by his imposing aura, Kurogane Ikki shuddered.
He imdiately patted his chest and made the promise, his expression filled with determination.
"Old man can trust your guarantee, boy."
Nangou Torajirou laughed heartily.
Kurogane Ikki's nature was inherently simple and honest. To clear the false accusations against himself and Stella, he had even willingly walked into the trap set by Akaza, despite Eiji being able to help resolve the situation.
Perhaps this seed foolish, but this was precisely what made him most valuable.
As a friend, he was absolutely flawless.
Even without his pressure, for the sake of his friendship with Eiji, he would never reveal even half a word.
"Alright, that's about all that needs to be said."
Nangou Torajirou stretched lazily, multiple joints in his body cracking like popping beans.
"It's been a long ti since this old man has fought at full strength. Let enjoy myself for a bit!"
With that, he gave a slight twist of his wrist.
The handle of his cane suddenly split open, revealing a slender yet sharp sword hidden within.
"Senior?"
Kurogane Ikki was caught off guard.
"You should understand what this old man ans, right?"
Nangou Torajirou slowly raised the concealed sword, his eyes flashing with sharp intensity.
"Having a well-matched opponent is the best way to stimulate one's will to the utmost. This is the best thod this old man could think of to help that little brat break through!"
That's right.
This was precisely why he had co here specifically!
To explain the existence of Demon Swordsn to Kurogane Ikki in detail.
And to conduct special training with him.
"This old man will make you master the power of a Demon Swordsman in the shortest ti possible."
Nangou Torajirou declared: "In return, I want you to go all out and defeat that little brat in tomorrow's match!"
Without hesitation.
Even ruthlessly.
Completely disregarding Eiji's victory or defeat.
"Having a master like you must make him very happy!"
Understanding Nangou Torajirou's intentions, Kurogane Ikki let out a bitter sigh.
Nangou Torajirou had worn himself out with worry for his young disciple.
Both Touka and Saikyo Nene adored their little junior brother imnsely.
This made him feel genuinely envious from the bottom of his heart.
In contrast, what had his own family ever given him?
Coldness, despair.
Nothing more.
"Is this really alright?"
Just as Kurogane Ikki settled into his starting stance.
A cold voice ca from the side.
The voice appeared so abruptly that even Kurogane Ikki hadn't detected it, startling him slightly.
He turned to look, and the mont the other's figure entered his vision, he instinctively tensed all his muscles and spirit, intense tension flooding his heart.
A silver-haired beauty was leaning against the wall.
Her eyes, which seed to perceive everything, were staring straight in their direction.
Slender legs, a delicate waist, exquisite features... Except for her attire, this woman was identical to the "Twin-Wings" who had appeared in Eiji's match earlier that morning!
Moreover, her gaze was much more vivid!
Twin-Wings!
The real Twin-Wings herself!
The world's strongest swordsman!
Intense fighting spirit instantly ignited in Kurogane Ikki's heart!
Anyone who aspired in the way of the sword dread of surpassing her!
"This is the best thod this old man could think of!"
Nangou Torajirou shouted sternly.
"Don't let your eyes wander, Kurogane boy!"
Hearing this, Kurogane Ikki thought it was a pity in his heart.
He had no choice but to suppress his fighting spirit, forcing himself to ignore Twin-Wings and focus all his attention on the training with Nangou Torajirou.
Soon, the sounds of clashing blades, like a flowing stream and then a vast ocean, began to echo incessantly throughout the gymnasium.
Edelweiss leaned against the wall.
Her eyes reflected the two figures training in the arena.
After a while, as if bored, she turned and left the gymnasium.
...
In contrast.
Several kiloters away, another gymnasium had also been reserved by another person.
To prepare for tomorrow's finals with his full effort, he had cut off all communications, refused everyone's help, and was training alone in solitude.
"Not good enough."
In the center of the arena, Eiji slowly opened his eyes, his expression carrying a trace of long-lost powerlessness.
No matter how fiercely he burned his will, even if he actively imrsed himself in past mories, he could not break through that stone gate and step into the realm where Kurogane Ikki resided.
It had been a long ti since he last tasted the bitterness of striving yet failing to attain.
"!"
Suddenly, he shuddered.
A terrifying sense of crisis surged from the depths of his heart, his instincts screaming warnings as if fighting for their life!
Abruptly, a flash of silver light assaulted him from behind!
"It's you?!"
Staring at the unmistakable killing intent in the newcor's eyes, Eiji exclaid in shock.
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