Kurogane Ouma was, after all, Kurogane Ikki's older brother, and Charles could feel Ikki's concern. So he spoke up. "Don't worry—he's still alive. President, I'll leave the rest to you. Please get these people treated, and then question them about their objective."
Toudou Touka nodded. Charles had taken on the burden of the entire fight—if she didn't at least handle the aftermath, it would be disgraceful for the student council president.
She had seen the power of Akatsuki Academy's members—especially Kurogane Ouma—and she knew she wasn't his match. If Charles hadn't been there, this incident could have turned out very differently. So the least she could do was handle the cleanup, without bothering him further.
Charles turned toward Shinanomiya Amane, who had been standing off to the side obediently the whole time. "I thought you'd have taken the chance to escape already. Do you think I'll show you mercy? Or are you confident you can beat me?"
Amane showed not the slightest hint of tension, instead smiling. "Of course not. You beat Ouma—I don't stand a chance. But I'll definitely walk away safe today. After all, that's what I wished for."
Charles chuckled, exasperated. Aside from that chaotic malice, he couldn't feel any threat from Amane. He truly couldn't understand where this broken man's confidence came from—and against someone like that, Charles wouldn't be gentle.
Just as he moved to teach him a lesson, his body suddenly froze. Looking up, Charles's pupils contracted to slits.
"President," he said urgently, "please take everyone and leave—now."
Touka was about to ask why, but then saw how grave Charles's expression had become. She didn't fully understand, but she immediately followed his order and instructed the others to evacuate with the injured.
Kurogane Ikki persuaded Shizuku to leave, but he himself remained, stepping up to stand beside Charles. He no longer paid any mind to Amane.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Charles asked.
Ikki nodded. "Yeah. That aura… it's like a blade at my throat. I can't think of anyone but her who could make me feel this way."
Charles nodded in agreement. He had known she was in the country—that was the whole reason he came—but he hadn't expected her to appear like this.
…
About fifteen years ago, the Baltic Crisis erupted.
The Bear Nation, one of the core members of the Grand Alliance, dispatched troops to Estonia, which had not yet joined the International Mage-Knight League. In response, the League sent their forces—without Estonia's permission—to confront them.
Both sides deployed 300,000 troops to the region, nearly triggering a global war.
While internal disagreements played a part in resolving the conflict, the true reason peace was achieved was due to a single individual.
A girl clad in pure white descended upon the battlefield, glowing faintly in the darkness. Twin blades like wings in hand, she resembled a Valkyrie of myth.
Then, alone, she ravaged the battlefield—annihilating all 300,000 troops on both sides.
Her name was Edelweiss. That day marked the beginning of the legend of "Twin Wings."
After the incident, both the League and the Alliance placed an international warrant on Edelweiss. But she was simply too powerful—against her otherworldly strength, the warrant was meaningless.
Much like those absurd bounties in pirate worlds, the price on her head only served as proof of her strength.
Ten years later, Estonia finally joined the Mage-Knight League. When reporters asked how the government planned to handle Edelweiss, who was still hiding within its borders, the president made a shocking declaration:
"Our nation renounces sovereignty over the land near Edeberg where she resides. Therefore, she has no connection to our country whatsoever."
A sovereign nation had abandoned its own territory to avoid provoking a single individual.
Because they had no other choice.
Edelweiss had redefined the meaning of one-man army. And the most terrifying part? Her power had nothing to do with magic—she didn't rely on special abilities. Her strength came purely from swordsmanship.
From then on, the world knew her by a new title: The World's Strongest Swordsman.
So if anyone could make Charles freeze with dread before even arriving, it was only her—Edelweiss.
That pressure, that razor-sharp presence, could only belong to the world's strongest. And she was closing in fast.
Charles stared off into the distance, alert. Then he heard Ikki speak. "I didn't expect to meet Twin Wings so soon…"
Charles turned and saw Ikki smiling.
"We made a promise to become the strongest. And if we want to be the best, we have to challenge Edelweiss someday. I just didn't think it would be today."
Charles was quiet for a moment, then smiled too. "It's too early to fight the world's strongest seriously… but getting a peek at the peak isn't a bad opportunity."
Then they both turned toward Amane.
"Shinanomiya Amane… is Edelweiss here because of you?" Ikki asked.
"We can't rule out the possibility," Charles said. "Maybe they're working together. But whatever Amane's ability is, it's not simply future sight."
Ikki had long suspected as much—but with Edelweiss arriving, he had no mental room left to worry about it.
Amane, meanwhile, spoke lazily. "What are you guys talking about? Fill me in, will you? I'm bored over here!"
He didn't seem to sense Edelweiss's approach. Charles remained wary, but now wasn't the time to investigate.
Because—he could already see her approaching in a glow of pure white.
Even Amane finally noticed the strange light on the horizon.
"Didn't expect her to personally come, even if she's staying at Akatsuki Academy today. This really is unexpected. But since she's here… well, the result is set in stone."
He turned to Ikki. "I wasn't lying to you, you know. I really am your fan—the most fanatical kind. I just love seeing you fight through pain and keep pushing forward, like in your match with Raikiri.
So go ahead—show me how you overcome this despair. That's when you're at your most dazzling, Senpai."
Neither Charles nor Ikki paid him any attention. As Edelweiss drew near, a pressure unlike anything else weighed down on them.
They had entered her domain—bathed in the sword aura of the world's strongest.
It was like moonlight—but too pure, too flawless.
As she came closer, her footsteps slowed, then finally halted before the two of them.
In her hands were two swords shaped like wings. Even though the blades pointed down and not at them, both men felt their skin prickling as if already sliced.
Sweat dripped from Ikki's forehead. His body trembled uncontrollably.
Run!
Run now!
Please, get away—if you don't, you'll die here!
This was the first time Ikki had ever felt such terror from a fight. The difference between them was dimensional.
Unlike with Raikiri, there was no hope of winning—none. Even if he drew his blade, there was no guarantee he could block her. This was the weight of the title "World's Strongest."
Yet Ikki didn't run. He stood firm—because Charles hadn't stepped back either. As his rival, he couldn't be the only one to retreat.
They finally saw Edelweiss clearly.
Just from her appearance, it was hard to believe she was the world's most dangerous criminal. On the contrary—she was beautiful, with a sacred, goddess-like aura.
Amane stepped up casually. "Didn't expect you to come in person!"
Edelweiss replied, her voice calm and musical. "At Sir Walenstein's request. I had no intention of taking part in your little conspiracies… but since he offered me lodging, I thought I'd repay the favor."
Ikki spoke. "I should've realized… since it's a school, Akatsuki Academy must have teachers as well. Walenstein… that name must refer to the 'One-Armed Sword Saint.' Damn—it's the student council!"
Charles's face darkened too. "We were so focused on Twin Wings that we didn't notice someone else heading the other way. But now we can't leave… We'll have to trust the president and the others."
The "One-Armed Sword Saint," real name Walenstein, was a Blazer notorious worldwide—for his infamy, not honor. A member of Rebellion, one of the Twelve Apostles, and a top-tier agent.
They'd never met him, but both Ikki and Charles could imagine how strong he must be.
But they had no choice—their opponent was even stronger. All they could do now was hope Touka and the others could defeat him.
Edelweiss looked at them both and said, her voice like a song, "I have no intention of becoming your enemy. But I am here at another's request. As long as you stay still, I will not raise my swords."
They both understood she wasn't lying. If they remained still, she would not attack.
But—
"It'd be a waste to meet the world's strongest and not do anything," Charles said, taking a combat stance and unleashing his fighting spirit.
Edelweiss nodded. "I see. It was rude of me to say that to someone as strong as you."
Then she turned to Ikki. "And you? As a swordsman, you must realize how vast the gulf between us is. You're trembling—so why do you still draw your sword?"
Her gaze alone made cold sweat drip down Ikki's back. But he raised his sword, Intetsu, and pointed it at the white Valkyrie.
"Trying to act tough in front of my rival, and you go and call me out directly… Yeah, I'm scared. More than I've ever been. But I made a promise—I won't back down!
Besides, I'm surprised. For the world's strongest swordsman to question whether a man who's drawn his blade has the will to fight?"
Just as Charles expected, Ikki unleashed battle intent equal to his own.
Edelweiss nodded, acknowledging their resolve. Then she raised her wing-shaped twin swords.
"I am the unreachable summit, the end and the beginning. The one who parts heaven and earth with twin blades.
My name is Edelweiss, the Twin Wings.
Come, boys… and witness the vastness of the world firsthand."
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