Anime, Girlfriend Shokuhou Misaki.

"And it's clear that you've also tried to adjust your mindset, Makoto."

"That's good."

"That's natural."

Makoto Haramura blinked and chuckled softly.

"Whether out of respect for my lover or to acknowledge Stella's abilities, I could not possibly stand here with such an impolite attitude."

"This is an insult to both you and me."

"Stella, let's play a good game."

Chapter 131 Realm

"Now comes the main event."

Sitting in the players' box, Moroboshi Yudai looked up, his eyes fixed intently on the arena. His words were actually directed at everyone around him.

There are two matches today, but they will not be played simultaneously.

The first session will be held in venue A, followed by the second session in venue B.

So all the participants are sitting in the spectator seats arranged by the organizers today, watching the competition from here.

"Yes, it is indeed the main event."

"But Moroboshi, stop looking so eager. You're already a third-year student, so you don't have a chance anymore."

Asagi Momiji patted Moroboshi Yudai's trembling shoulder and sighed.

The Seven Star Sword Dance Festival is a festival for high school students, and this is the last chance for Moroboshi Yudai, who is already a third-year student, to participate.

"I know."

"The next one will probably be in a public competition."

"You're so excited? Aren't you afraid of another crushing defeat?"

Asagi Momiji hugged her shoulders and shuddered.

Compared to Moroboshi Yudai's battle-ready appearance, she really didn't want to run into her junior brother again.

The shadow of being instantly killed last time still lingers over her!

Do you know why that guy suddenly dyed his hair and started wearing colored contact lenses?

Kurogane Shizuku and Kurogane Ikki sat not far behind Moroboshi Yudai.

Kurogane Shizuku has now fully recovered and is watching the match with the same enthusiasm.

Yes, that's right.

Actually, she was more concerned about why Makoto Haramura looked so different than about the outcome of the match.

"do not know."

"But I think it's more than just a change in appearance."

"Black Iron Kid, you figured it out."

A petite woman dressed in a kimono appeared directly next to Kurogane Ikki.

She is none other than herself.

It was Xijing Ningyin, a temporary lecturer at Pojun Academy.

At the same time, Shinomiya Kurono, the chairperson of the board of directors of Hagun Academy, was also standing beside her.

"That kid's change isn't just in appearance; his performance today will shock everyone."

"The outcome of your situation is uncertain."

Kurogane Ikki's pupils suddenly dilated several times as he considered a possibility.

"Could it be that?"

"In that case, Professor Xijing and Principal, don't you need to stay there and guard the barrier?"

"Such a barrier probably can't withstand the torment of those two."

Xi Jing Ningyin shrugged, opened her iron fan, and leisurely sat down in the chair.

"There's no need for that; a sufficiently strong barrier has already been constructed."

"The protective barrier is also held by that old man; it's foolproof."

The larger the diameter of the circular battle circle, the more white the light shines on the reinforced stone slabs, making them appear exceptionally white.

"Are you ready?"

An elderly man in a black kimono stepped onto the stage, his smile bringing together the wrinkles around his mouth.

"Of course!"

"Ready."

Makoto Haramura and Stella's voices rang out at the same time.

"Game start."

With Nango Hikojiro's command, the azure protective barrier rose up from all around the venue like a real light shield, eventually converging in the sky.

"Do you know that, Makoto!"

"Ever since I lost to you the first time, I have been chasing after your shadow for the past year."

“I’ve always thought that if only just once, just once, I hope to be able to go before you.”

That's right, she has been working hard all year.

"Now, I'm going to surpass you right here."

Stella made her vow, raising her right hand high to the sky and opening her palm.

The next second, Stella's right hand erupted with scorching flames.

The crimson flames danced and swayed, the leaping flames coalescing into the shape of a sword.

Stella clenched her right hand and gripped the sword hilt tightly—

"Come and serve me, 'Consort Dragon's Sin Sword'!"

She chanted a spell to materialize the soul, while simultaneously plunging the still-flaming sword in her hand into the ground.

The ground suddenly cracked open inch by inch, and fluid-like eyes shot out from the cracks.

"is it?"

"Thank you for this year, Stella."

"If you hadn't pushed me, I wouldn't have been able to grow up so quickly. So it's not that you're chasing me, it's that I don't want to lose to you."

Makoto Haramura chuckled softly, extended his left hand, and snapped his fingers.

A surge of immense magical power erupted from his body, the pale blue magic forming a circle behind him.

"Rule the Infinity, Zafkiel!"

Makoto Haramura chanted the same incantation to transform his soul into a physical form. The blue magical mist gradually turned golden, and then solidified into a golden clock that appeared behind him.

"—'The Moment of One: The Boundary Between Reality and Illusion'!"

The hands of the clock turn directly to position I.

A katana identical to the one used by Ugetsu fell directly from the sky and landed in the hands of Haramura Makoto.

"What...what is this?"

"Shouldn't the 'Time Freeze' spirit armor be a set of swords and spears? How did it become like this?"

"Mr. Kaieda, what exactly is going on?"

Seeing the current scene, Tsukuyomi in the commentary room seemed to have nothing left to say.

However, Hai Jiangtian remained silent in the commentary room.

He stared at Makoto Haramura on the field with astonishment for a full second before gently shaking his head.

"I don't know what happened either. We'll be able to see the changes in Makoto Haramura's spirit dress during the match."

"..."

"So that's how it is. Is this your achievement, Cheng?"

Stella's astonishment was no less than that of Hai Jiangtian and the others, but then a broad smile spread across her face.

At this moment, she finally confirmed Haramura Makoto's thoughts.

I understand. Haramura Makoto genuinely wants to fight her with all his might.

As for the reason behind Haramura Makoto's change, she was actually quite curious.

But she won't ask now; she'll wait.

She would wait for Makoto Haramura's explanation after the match ended.

"That's right..."

The moment he finished speaking, Makoto Haramura vanished from everyone's sight.

It wasn't that he used his special abilities, but rather pure physical skill, accelerating himself to the limit, leaving everyone else in his tracks, and charging towards Stella.

"So fast."

Soaring flames swayed behind Stella, and the illusory dragon that coalesced spread its wings wide in all directions.

Stella's pupils, at some unknown time, had also turned into vertical pupils, a trait unique to animals.

As is well known, the dynamic vision of animals is far superior to that of humans.

This is especially true of dragons in mythology.

Therefore, Stella could see that blurry afterimage.

Makoto Haramura's speed was extraordinary, and the physical strength he unleashed was several times stronger than when he sparred with her before.

Its body is very light, as light as a floating feather.

"—'Dragon Tremor Kick'!"

Stella suddenly raised her slender, beautiful leg and stomped down towards the battle circle.

The next second, the ground shook violently, and a huge explosion rang out.

Centered on Stella's jade-like feet, spiderweb-like cracks spread across the ground and expanded wildly in all directions.

This floor has been magically enhanced and hardened using the highest quality materials.

With such a strong material, Stella's forceful stomp caused the broken bricks and tiles to spread out, leaving the ground uneven.

Makoto Haramura's steps toward Stella, which had been heading straight for her, were interrupted, and the flowing afterimage could not be maintained.

"—Rising Dragon Fist!"

Stella took a single step, covering a distance of about five meters, which she traversed in one stride.

Her small, white hands clenched into fists, and a surge of power brewed from her seemingly slender arms, enveloping Haramura Makoto with endless killing intent.

"Chong-"

The next second, Makoto Haramura appeared directly behind Stella.

The sword was struck from this angle, suddenly appearing in an unknown location, yet Stella still managed to block it with a backhand.

"Heh-"

With her other small, fair hand gripping the hilt, she held the sword with both hands simultaneously. The terrifying power emanating from the sword instantly flung Haramura Makoto into the air.

"—'The Second Hour: The Boundary Between Past and Future'!"

The golden clock reappeared behind Makoto Haramura, its hands moving directly from the I mark to the II mark.

A pistol identical to the one in the Sky Rift fell from the sky, and Amatsuki, who was originally in Haramura Makoto's hands, disappeared.

Then, Makoto Haramura pointed the pistol at his temple in mid-air and pulled the trigger with his index finger.