Chapter 58: Leisure time at the swimming pool? Six demons destroy the army!
On the mountaintop mansion, by the pool.
Arthur and the others, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation, unanimously decided to pause their special training for the day and fully embrace the leisurely summer and barbecue time.
Stella, however, was acting suspiciously. She tiptoed to Arthur, who was focused on skewering meat, her right hand hesitating over the zipper of her athletic jacket.
To choose today's killer swimsuit, she had, for the first time ever, sought advice from the 'washboard' she usually couldn't stand.
According to 'her', this swimsuit was unstoppable!
As long as she boldly displayed it, it would be their complete victory!
Stella took two deep breaths and quickly scanned her surroundings.
Toudou Touka and Gotokuji Kanata were playfully splashing each other while playing water volleyball in the pool.
The Kurogane siblings, as always, were reenacting their chase scene: he runs, she chases, he can't escape even with wings.
'Good! No one's paying attention over here!'
The Princess secretly encouraged herself, then abruptly pulled open her athletic jacket zipper and lightly patted Arthur's back.
"I, I'll help too!"
"You can, you just… huh!?"
Arthur, who was about to turn his head to explain the steps, stopped mid-sentence.
He looked at Stella, a wry smile on his face, unsure what to say.
Stella hugged her arms, timidly stepping back two paces, her eyes full of surprise and uncertainty.
"Just what? You… why are you looking at me like that?"
What's going on!?
This isn't what the 'washboard' said!
Why didn't she see amazement in Arthur's eyes, but only bewilderment and confusion?
Arthur clicked his tongue, turned back to continue skewering meat, and teased in a relaxed tone.
"Actually, if you didn't have a swimsuit, you could have told the maid in advance. This type… isn't really suitable for you."
Stella was startled, quickly looking down at the killer swimsuit the 'washboard' had highly recommended—
Navy blue, a full-coverage design from neck to thigh, with the class and name printed on the chest.
That's right, it was the standard issue swimsuit distributed by the academy, commonly known as a "school swimsuit"!
Realizing she had been tricked, Stella gritted her teeth, burning with anger, and immediately set out to settle scores with the 'washboard'.
Whoosh—!
A figure arrived with a sharp whoosh of wind—it was Saikyō Nene.
Her usually cheerful face was now covered in frost, and her voice was as heavy as iron.
"Everyone, change your clothes and return to the academy!"
Arthur frowned, a premonition of ill omen rising in his heart. He put down the meat skewers and asked in a deep voice.
"What's going on?"
"Someone attacked Hagun Academy while Kurogane was at a meeting! Contact with the Student Council has been cut off, and the situation is unclear!"
Saikyō Nene left only that sentence, then turned and hurried to the lobby to arrange for transportation.
The student representatives exchanged glances. This news was too sudden, simply absurd!
Hagun Academy was a Magic Knight training institution under the International Alliance, with a legitimate official background!
Openly attacking Hagun Academy was undoubtedly a slap in the face to the International Alliance!
Arthur's eyes narrowed, a cold light flashing, and he muttered to himself.
"Is it the Rebel Army again?"
"But what is their purpose in doing this? Pure provocation?"
...
Hagun Academy.
On the usually bustling school paths, students lay unconscious in disarray.
Dense smoke billowed from several dilapidated teaching buildings, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of burning.
The cafe Arthur had once frequented was also in a state of disarray.
Several Blazers, each with a distinct aura, sat leisurely inside, chatting and laughing.
"Easy, too easy! As expected, Hagun Academy should have been the first choice; it's practically defenseless!"
"But I heard there are two Rank A freshmen in Hagun's first year?"
"Oh, oh, the Second Princess of that country, right? Who encountered her?"
"Who knows, maybe she was scared and hid? Hahaha!"
"You guys, how much longer are you going to dilly-dally?"
Hiraga Reisen, a man dressed in a clown costume and wearing a comical mask, spoke.
He pointed outwards with exaggerated, comical gestures, his tone lighthearted as he reminded them.
"The O洲 Branch's bunch of good-for-nothings can't hold off World Clock for too long. If you don't make a quick getaway, you'll have to bear the consequences."
Hearing the name World Clock, the expressions of the originally relaxed Blazers changed slightly, and they all turned their heads.
They looked at Kurogane Ouma, who sat in the innermost part, silent all this time.
"My targets are Arthur pendragon and Stella Vermillion."
Kurogane Ouma's voice was low, carrying an unyielding determination.
"Until I see them both, I will not leave."
Sarah, shirtless and wearing only a paint-stained apron and tight jeans, sighed helplessly.
"That's what he said. What do you all think?"
Shinomiya Amane, small in stature, with a feminine face and a weak-willed expression, gave a sheepish smile.
"Actually, I also want to meet those two famous Rank A Knights."
Kazamatsuri Rina, dressed in a high-class gown and sprawled on the back of a lion, snorted disdainfully.
"If the comical clown is scared, 'he' can roll away first. We are not so cowardly!"
Tatara Yui, dressed in out-of-season attire, with the lower half of her face completely covered by a scarf, glared fiercely and growled in a violent tone.
"Ignore that stupid clown! We'll do our own thing!"
Hiraga Reisen, despite the repeated taunts, remained unconcerned, still striking comical poses like a clown in a circus entertaining people.
"It seems 'understanding' doesn't quite suit you all. Well, let's wait and see."
Boom—!
The already dilapidated cafe door exploded with a loud bang, sending wood splinters flying!
Arthur, holding his holy sword upside down, his eyes cold, led the others in a single file.
When he clearly saw who the six powerful, distinct, and uninvited guests were, a cold, sneering smile played on his lips.
"Taking advantage of the fact that the main forces of other families are absent and coming to launch a sneak attack—is this the school spirit of the other six families?"
"The other six families!?"
"Brother Ouma?"
"You know them?"
"Arthur , are they…"
Arthur slightly raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down.
His gaze, like a drawn blade, swept over the faces of the invaders one by one.
"Renzhen Academy first year, Rank C Knight, title Beast Tamer, Kazamatsuri Rina."
"Tanlang Academy first year, Rank B Knight, title Unmoved, Tatara Yui."
"Wenqu Academy third year, Rank B Knight, title Clown, Hiraga Reisen."
"Lucun Academy first year, Rank A Knight, title Blood-Stained Da Vinci, Sarah."
"Jumen Academy first year, Rank A Knight, title Misfortune, Shinomiya Amane."
Finally, Arthur's gaze rested on the man in the kimono sitting in the deepest part.
"And, Wuqu Academy third year, Rank A Knight, title Gale Sword Emperor, Kurogane Ouma."
Arthur's voice was calm, with a hint of playfulness.
"Instead of studying diligently at your own academies, waiting for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival to begin, you've instead come to 'visit' our Hagun Academy first. Truly—impressive."
Hearing Arthur's tone, which was not angry but rather a mix of playful sarcasm and praise, Kazamatsuri Rina and Tatara Yui couldn't help but be the first to lash out.
"Hey! We've trampled all over your Hagun Academy, and that's all the reaction you have?"
"Another crazy one!"
Arthur first smiled and glanced at the two, then raised his hand, pointing vaguely outside the cafe, and said loudly to Kurogane Ouma.
"Don't just sit there releasing killing intent. If you want to fight, come outside with me!"
Before his words finished, Kurogane Ouma's eyes burst with cold light, and the long greatsword in his hand was already swung!
Several incomparably sharp wind blades instantly tore through the air, shredding all the tables, chairs, and benches between him and Arthur, and his figure pressed forward like a phantom!
Arthur's body suddenly erupted with blood-red Magic Conduction, forming a tangible armor. Without dodging, he directly raised his hand and forcefully shattered the dense incoming wind blades!
In a flash of lightning, he had already closed in on Kurogane Ouma!
His five fingers, like hooks, precisely gripped the opponent's neck. He then exerted force, throwing the opponent out of the building like a discarded sack!
"Leave these small fries to you all."
Arthur's cold voice echoed in the cafe, but he had already vanished.
"I want to see just how formidable the so-called Japan prodigy truly is!"