Anime, Girlfriend Shokuhou Misaki.

The match will take place tomorrow morning.

"How is your recovery going, Kazuki?"

Makoto Haramura downed his milk tea in one gulp and casually tossed the trash in the bin.

Today, Stella was not behind Makoto Haramura, nor were Shizuku Kurogane and Jun's Ayatsuji.

Only the two of them were walking on the campus path.

"To be honest, I can't say that my physical injuries have fully recovered, but I can guarantee that my mental state is in perfect condition."

"In this state, I can definitely unleash even greater strength."

Kurogane Ikki extended his hand, repeated the action of clenching and releasing his fist, and said confidently.

"That's good."

Makoto Haramura nodded.

Just as Kurogane Ikki had always longed for a fight with him, so too had he longed for a contest with Kurogane Ikki.

To be honest, Kurogane Ikki was his mentor in learning swordsmanship.

Kurogane Ikki was also the most talented swordsman he had ever met in this world.

Moreover, according to Makoto Haramura's estimation, just as Stella is the strongest magic user in the world, her magic power is naturally at an astonishing A-rank.

This is proof that Stella is favored by the world.

In stark contrast to Stella, Kurogane Ikki is the one with the lowest overall stats, a guy abandoned by the world.

However, although Kurogane Ikki's overall stats were low, he also gained another talent.

In Kurogane Ikki's words, no matter what kind of swordsmanship it is, he only needs to see it once and then practice a little to perfectly replicate it.

If this world were to have a ranking system for swordsmanship, then Kurogane Ikki would undoubtedly be ranked A-rank, just like Stella.

So he was really looking forward to the upcoming battle with Kurogane Ikki.

"Then I'll be really looking forward to tomorrow."

"but--"

I stopped on a bench along the trail and sat down there.

"Although no one has told you this during this time, you should have noticed it by now."

"Is someone targeting you, or is it blatantly targeting you?"

Perhaps because she didn't want to affect Ikki's condition, Shizuku Kurogane didn't tell Ikki about Akaza barging in that day.

However, Makoto Haramura felt that this was not the right thing to do, and after thinking about it for a moment, he decided to reveal the whole answer.

"I know."

"Although Shizuku didn't say it, I could sense it."

When Ikki Kurogane woke up that day, he noticed the abnormality in his body temperature. By sensing the residual magic, he could tell that his sister had used her powers in his room.

Even though she's sick, Kurogane Shizuku is still so brazen.

This is absolutely impossible for Kurogane Shizuku, who values ​​herself so much.

So the answer is that it's an ability that Kurogane Shizuku had no choice but to use.

Then, among the woodcutters in this country, who would want to haggle with an ant every day?

Those people probably couldn't even remember Kurogane Ikki's name, let alone kidnap him.

So the only ones who can target him are the Black Iron family, who have always been hindering him.

"So you're still going to try to gain your father's approval?"

For no apparent reason, Makoto Haramura suddenly asked Ikki Kurogane this question.

However, this can't be considered sudden; he had actually wanted to say this for a while.

"Yes, I must become a true magic knight and gain my father's approval."

Abandoned by his family since childhood, Ikki Kurogane's obsession with family has become completely ingrained in him. He has overcome so many hardships in order to prove himself to his father and regain his father's love.

He always believed that his father and family abandoned him because he lacked the talent to become a magic knight.

If he became a magic knight, this situation would change.

"Yihui, have you ever considered that your idea might be wrong in itself?"

"Perhaps your father never expected you to become a magic knight, or perhaps he didn't want you to become a magic knight."

Upon hearing Makoto Haramura's question, Ikki Kurogane's pupils trembled involuntarily, a glint of rejection flashing in his eyes, before he forced a smile.

"What are you talking about?"

"When my brothers were young, they all mocked my magical talent. Shouldn't everyone have rejected me because my magical talent was inferior?"

Even when he said those words, he didn't seem very confident.

Kurogane Ikki's statement is utterly unconvincing.

"As expected, you yourself had anticipated this all along."

"It's just that you've never really wanted to believe it, is that right?"

Makoto Haramura wore an expression that said, "I knew it."

Just as he guessed, Kurogane Yan's behavior was so obvious, how oblivious must Kurogane Ikki be to not notice?

impossible!

Children who grow up in such an environment become more sensitive to these kinds of things.

Kurogane Ikki fell completely silent, covering his face with his hands, looking as if he didn't want to say anything.

"Ikki."

Makoto Haramura's voice suddenly became much more somber.

“You should wake up from this pointless fantasy. Indulging in this will not do you any good in the future.”

Today, he is determined to shatter Ikki Kurogane's illusory dream.

Honestly indulging in the pursuit of someone's approval is fine for now, but when Kurogane Ikki's sword is truly honed to its sharpest edge, and this illusion is shattered, Kurogane Ikki might never recover.

It's not too late; he doesn't want this friend to be ruined.

"Based on my understanding of your father, he wants to maintain the stability of the class system."

"He wanted social classes to be solidified, with people of what kind of talent staying in what kind of positions, without any delusions of the lower class overthrowing the higher class or reversing the order, in order to maintain the solidification of the world."

"all in all."

"To your father, you are now the greatest heretic."

"As an F-rank knight, you did not give up on being a normal person, finding a job and doing a normal job, living a normal life."

"As an F-rank knight, you did not give up on yourself. Instead, you looked to change the system through the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival and prove that F-rank knights can also become magic knights."

"As an F-rank knight, you are not entitled to be defeated by an E-rank knight."

"On the contrary, he gradually proved himself in this selection competition, defeating E-rank knights, D-rank knights, C-rank knights, and B-rank knights."

"Why bother with the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival? You have already proven your strength and power long ago."

"Do you know how many people are hoping that you can truly make a comeback and climb all the way to the top?"

That's right, that's it.

Do you really think everyone tomorrow will be a unanimous supporter of Makoto Haramura?

No, many of the lower-ranking knights in the academy are actually hoping that Kurogane Ikki can defeat him and truly prove himself.

Because if Kurogane Ikki could defeat him.

Doesn't this prove that the world is not beyond redemption, and that as long as they work hard, they can also defeat those stronger than themselves?

"Is that really the case..."

Kurogane Ikki's voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

But his words also proved, in a way, that he had already anticipated this.

Yes, he himself is very clear about it.

I have already proven myself. If my father has never paid attention to my situation, then so be it.

But since they were able to send people to target me, they must have at least investigated me.

I now know my current strength.

If even such power cannot gain his father's approval, will his father approve of his victory in the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival?

No, it's impossible.

"So what exactly does he want me to do?"

"What do I need to do to gain his approval?"

Clutching his hair with both hands, Kurogane Ikki let out a frantic scream.

What was just speculation has now been laid bare, and this exposure of reality means that Makoto Haramura has directly shattered the ideals he has always upheld and strived for.

"Ah--"

"If all you really want is your father's affection, why not give up everything you have now and just be an honest, stupid son? I think Black Iron Yan will be generous with his worthless praise then."

Upon hearing Kurogane Ikki's words, Haramura Makoto rebuked him mercilessly.

However, when he saw that Kurogane Ikki's eyes did not show any excitement or interest, Haramura Makoto nodded to himself inwardly.

This shows that Ikki Kurogane has not given up his own identity in order to gain his father's approval.

So, does that mean my persistence is pointless?

Although he didn't show any emotion in that regard, the light in Kurogane Ikki's eyes gradually dimmed.

"What do you mean by meaningless?"

Makoto Haramura rebuked him sternly again.

We've reached a critical moment; we can't let this guy have a chance to misunderstand.

"If it weren't for those perseverances, would you have such powerful swordsmanship now?"

"Can you endure the past suffering and persevere until now?"

"Although those past experiences were not pleasant, they did become nourishment for your growth."

Kurogane Ikki's face was extremely pale, but Haramura Makoto continued talking regardless.

"It doesn't matter if you abandon your belief in gaining your father's approval."

"All you need to do now is rebuild your beliefs."

"Rebuild your beliefs?"

Haramura Makoto's words finally piqued Kurogane Ikki's interest. He slowly raised his head, the mist on his face seemingly fading away.

"Yes."

What's the point of that kind of fatherly approval?

"Didn't you already have people who acknowledge you? Why don't you wield your sword for her, for the people who have acknowledged you and are willing to stay with you?"

Every word Makoto Haramura uttered was like a hammer striking a bronze bell, striking Ikki Kurogane's heart with tremendous force.

However, this did not make Ikki Kurogane become more and more decadent.

Instead, a new light slowly ignited in his eyes.

"Ikki, your sword swings were too narrow before."

"Yes, Makoto, just like you said, my sword was swung too narrowly before."

Kurogane Ikki's eyes had regained their resolve.

Yes, is one's own father's approval really necessary?

There's no need for that.