Chapter 50 Now that I have finished speaking, who agrees? Who disagrees?
The shopping weekend, enthusiastically hosted by the Rebel Army, concluded with a clamor, and the gates of Hagun Academy reopened.
Announcement messages flickered on mobile terminals, and all students surged like a tide toward the auditorium where the opening ceremony had been held.
Today was the crucial moment to re-announce the format of the internal selection battles.
Arthur and his group did not follow the crowd through the main entrance but instead took a staff passage, arriving at the backstage area in advance.
Toudou Touka, as the Student Council President, had already arrived and was waiting with all the Student Council members.
"Welcome, everyone. For the time to come, please lend us your guidance."
Toudou Touka bowed gracefully and courteously, and the other four Student Council executives also smiled kindly, nodding in greeting.
Arthur waved his hand casually and said to the Student Council members.
"President, you're too kind. As seniors of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, we are the ones who need your guidance more."
Toudou Touka raised her hand to gently push her thick glasses, nodding with a smile.
"Then let's support each other. With you all joining this year, Hagun Academy's performance will surely reach new heights!"
Kurogane Ikki and the others stood by, observing Arthur and Toudou Touka's unspoken understanding. They all wore expressions of confusion.
They had only received the message to gather backstage first from their mobile terminals and knew nothing of the inside story.
Only Stella knew a little of the inside story. At this moment, her gaze swept over everyone present, deep in thought.
Excluding the Student Council members responsible for backstage work, there were herself, Arthur, Kurogane Ikki, Kurogane Shizuku, Toudou Touka, and Arisouin Nagi—
Exactly six people.
At this moment, the students of Hagun Academy had mostly gathered in the auditorium, and the bustling sound of voices, though muffled by soundproofing, faintly reached the backstage.
"The selection for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival is finally starting!"
"Why are you so excited? Do you really think you, a Rank D, can be selected?"
"That—shut up! This year isn't using ability values as the selection criteria, so maybe I really can get in!"
"Heh heh, if you can get in, then all of us can get in."
"Exactly, exactly."
"Hey! Fight me after school if you dare!"
Arthur listened to the increasingly boisterous clamor outside, his gaze sweeping across the entire backstage area, and asked.
"Where's the Chairwoman? At an occasion like this, she wouldn't be late, would she?"
Toudou Touka gave a slightly awkward smile and explained.
"The committee has quite a few reservations about the new internal selection system, and the Chairwoman is currently dealing with it."
Saying that, she raised her hand and lightly patted her ample chest, as if cheering herself on, and said with renewed vigor.
"The upcoming briefing will be hosted by me!"
...
A moment later, Toudou Touka walked onto the podium with steady steps.
Seeing the Student Council President take the stage, the students in the auditorium quieted down, holding their breath and waiting for her to speak.
Toudou Touka was composed and poised. After adjusting the microphone, she spoke in a serious and earnest tone.
"Good morning, everyone. I am Toudou Touka, a third-year student and the Student Council President of Hagun Academy."
"I believe you all know that today we have gathered all students to select the representatives for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival."
"Now, I will introduce the six main representatives to you all."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall erupted in an uproar.
"Did I hear that right? The Student Council President said she's going to directly introduce the main representatives?"
"That's what she said... But why?"
"Exactly! Didn't they say they were implementing a new system this year? Directly appointing the main representatives, isn't that just going back to the old ways?"
"Did the Chairwoman buckle under the committee's pressure?"
"Shh! Keep it down! Do you want to die?"
The auditorium instantly became a torrent of discussion, and even Toudou Touka, holding a microphone, found it difficult to suppress the surging noise.
Boom—!
A powerful and unparalleled surge of magical power suddenly emanated from the backstage area, and an invisible pressure instantly seized everyone's hearts.
The previously boisterous human voices abruptly ceased. The students were as if choked by an invisible giant hand, instantly falling silent, and fearful gazes collectively shot towards the podium.
Scarlet magical particles emanated from Arthur's body. He walked step by step in front of Toudou Touka, his eyes signaling her to move aside.
He stepped onto the podium, took the microphone, tapped it twice, and spoke with a voice like a booming bell.
"If you've had enough of arguing, then listen carefully!"
"The main representatives have been decided, a total of six people. They are—"
"Third-year Class Three, Toudou Touka."
"First-year Class One, Arthur pendragon."
"First-year Class One, Stella Vermillion."
"First-year Class One, Kurogane Ikki."
"First-year Class Four, Kurogane Shizuku."
"First-year Class Four, Arisouin Nagi."
"I've said my piece. Who approves? Who objects?"
In an instant, the magical pressure suddenly dissipated.
Only then did the students in the auditorium feel as if they had been granted a great pardon, lowering their heads and exchanging uncertain glances.
After hearing the list of main representatives announced by Arthur, to say that all students had no objections would be pure fantasy.
Toudou Touka, who had represented the academy twice and almost defeated the Seven Star Sword King last year, her strength was beyond doubt, and her selection as a main representative was natural.
The power of the two newly promoted Rank A Knights was unfathomable, and their qualification as main representatives was also reasonable. No one would be foolish enough to provoke them.
Kurogane Shizuku, third in the freshman assessment and a rare Rank B Knight, her selection as a main representative was still understandable.
But!
What about the other two?
Arisouin Nagi, an obscure, unknown figure whom no one had heard of before.
Kurogane Ikki, an Rank F student who was nicknamed the 'Failure Knight' due to his repeated failures.
How could two people like them be selected as main representatives?
Just as everyone, terrified of Arthur, was silent, Kiriya Shizuya, his face full of resentment, suddenly raised his arm and shouted sharply.
"I object!"
Seeing everyone's gaze converge on him, his expression grew even more smug. He suddenly straightened his back and pointed directly at Stella and the others who were filing out from backstage.
No, more accurately, his finger was fixed on Kurogane Ikki.
"Kurogane Ikki is an Rank F, that's something everyone knows! What right does he have to represent the academy in battle?"
"Even if this year isn't based on ability values, what right does a mere Failure Knight have to be selected!"
Arthur looked down at Kiriya Shizuya, who was inciting public anger like a clown, his eyes slightly narrowed, his tone calm and unruffled.
"If you have an opinion, don't just talk. I'll give you a chance."
"From today onwards, the main representatives will openly accept challenges from all students."
"Among you, whoever believes they are stronger than the six of us, just come!"
"The winner goes up, the loser goes down. If you win, the main position is yours!"
Hearing this, Kiriya Shizuya could not hide the joy in his eyes. He unhesitatingly pointed at Kurogane Ikki and hissed in a low growl.
"Very well! I'm going to challenge Kurogane Ikki right now! Immediately!"
This clown, who thought he had victory in his grasp, was completely unaware that Arthur was looking down at him with an expression that seemed to say, 'What a perfect straight man to my comedy.'
Behind Arthur, Kurogane Ikki stood as firm as a mountain, his gaze calm yet burning like a great sun, his aura restrained yet subtly sharp, making it impossible for others to meet his gaze.