Anime, Girlfriend Shokuhou Misaki

"The match will be held tomorrow morning."

"How's your recovery, Ikki?"

Mako Haramura finished his milk tea in one gulp and casually tossed the empty cup into the trash can.

Today, Stella wasn't behind Mako, and Shizuku and Ayatsuji weren't behind Ikki.

Only the two of them were walking on the school's path.

"Frankly speaking, I can't say that the injuries have fully recovered, but I can guarantee that my spirit has been adjusted to a perfect state."

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

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

"That's good."

Mako Haramura nodded his head.

Just like Ikki Kurogane had been longing for a battle with him, how could he not be longing for a match with Ikki Kurogane?

Without dissembling, Ikki Kurogane was his guide in the basics of swordsmanship.

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

Moreover, according to Mako Haramura's estimation, just like Stella was the strongest magic user in this world, her magic power was naturally able to reach an astonishing A-rank.

This was proof that Stella was favored by the world.

In contrast to Stella, Ikki Kurogane was the opposite, with the lowest overall ability values, a guy abandoned by the world.

However, although Ikki Kurogane's overall ability values were low, it also earned him another talent.

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

If this world also graded swordsmanship, then Ikki Kurogane would undoubtedly be an A-rank, just like Stella.

So he was looking forward to, very much looking forward to, the upcoming battle with Ikki Kurogane.

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

"But—"

He stopped at a bench on the path and sat down there.

"Although no one has told you this recently, you should have noticed it, right?"

"Someone is targeting you, and they are doing it blatantly."

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

But Mako Haramura felt that it shouldn't be like this, and after thinking about it, he decided to reveal the answer completely.

"I know."

"Although Shizuku didn't say it, I can feel it."

After waking up that day, Ikki Kurogane had already noticed the abnormality of his body temperature, and by sensing the remaining magic power, he could judge that his sister had used her ability in his room.

He was sick, yet Shizuku Kurogane was still so unscrupulous.

This was absolutely impossible for Shizuku Kurogane, who valued him so much.

Then the answer was clear, it was an ability that Shizuku Kurogane had to use.

Then again, among the Blazers in this country, who would be thinking of fussing over an ant every day?

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

So the only ones targeting him were the Kurogane family, who had been hindering him all along.

"So you're still preparing to work hard to gain your father's approval?"

For no particular reason, Mako Haramura suddenly asked Ikki Kurogane this question.

But it couldn't be considered sudden, this sentence was actually what he had wanted to say for a long time.

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

Ikki Kurogane, who had been abandoned by family love since childhood, family love had completely become his obsession, he was able to overcome so many hardships, just to prove himself in front of his father and regain his father's love.

He had always believed that the reason why his father and family abandoned him was because he didn't have the talent to become a Magic Knight.

If he became a Magic Knight, this situation would change, right?

"Ikki, have you ever thought that your idea itself might be wrong?"

"Perhaps your father never expected you to become a Magic Knight, or rather, he didn't want you to become a Magic Knight."

Under Mako Haramura's question, Ikki Kurogane's pupils subconsciously trembled, a flash of rejection flashed in his eyes, and then he forcibly raised the corners of his mouth.

"What are you talking about?"

"The brothers in the family all mocked my magic talent when they were young, shouldn't everyone reject me because of my inferior magic talent?"

Even he himself didn't sound so confident when he said this.

Ikki Kurogane's words could be said to be lacking any persuasiveness.

"As expected, you yourself had actually anticipated it long ago, right?"

"It's just that you yourself have never been willing to believe it, is that right?"

Mako Haramura revealed a "as expected" expression.

It was not much different from what he had guessed, Hei Tieyan's performance was so obvious, how could Hei Tieyi not discover it?

Impossible!

The more children who grow up in this kind of environment, the more sensitive they are to this kind of thing.

Hei Tieyi was completely silent, just covering his face with his hands, looking like he didn't want to say anything.

"Ikki."

Mako Haramura's voice suddenly became much duller.

"You should wake up from this boring fantasy, always indulging in it like this will not do you any good in the future."

Today he was going to completely break Hei Tieyi's illusory dream.

It's okay to honestly indulge in gaining someone's approval now, but when Hei Tieyi's sword is really sharpened, and then this fantasy is broken, Hei Tieyi may be depressed.

There's still time, he doesn't want this friend to be useless.

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

"He wants the class to be solidified in society, and people with what kind of talent should stay in what kind of position, don't try to subvert the order, don't try to reverse the order, and maintain the solidification of the world in this way."

"All in all."

"The current you, for your father, is the biggest heresy."

"As an F-rank knight, you didn't give up on yourself like an ordinary person, find a job and do ordinary people's work, and live like ordinary people."

"As an F-rank knight, you didn't give up on yourself, but instead looked forward to changing this system through the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival and proving that F-rank knights can also become magic knights."

"As an F-rank knight, you shouldn't have been defeated by an E-rank knight."

"Instead, you have gradually proven yourself in this selection competition, defeating E-rank knights, D-rank knights, C-rank knights, and B-rank knights."

"In fact, what is the need for the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival? You have already proven your strength and proven your power."

"Do you know how many people are looking forward to it now, looking forward to you being able to truly rise up and climb all the way to the top?"

That's right, that's how it is.

Do you really think that tomorrow will be all supporters who support Mako Haramura?

No, many of the low-level knights in the academy are actually looking forward to Hei Tieyi being able to defeat him and truly prove himself.

Because if Hei Tieyi can defeat him.

Doesn't it prove that this world is not hopeless, and that as long as they work hard, they can also defeat Blazers who are stronger than themselves.

"Is that really the case..."

Hei Tieyi's voice was almost too low to be heard.

But his words actually proved in the opposite direction that he had already anticipated it in his heart.

Yes, he actually knew it very well himself.

He had already proven himself, if his father had not been paying attention to his situation, that would be fine.

But since he could still send someone to target him, he must have at least investigated him.

Knows his current strength.

So since such strength cannot get his father's approval, will he be recognized by his father if he wins the Seven Star Sword Dance Festival?

No, impossible.

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

"What exactly do I have to do to be recognized by him."

Grabbing his hair with both hands, Hei Tieyi let out a frantic roar.

Just now it was just a guess, but now it is a naked poke, and poking through this reality also means that Mako Haramura has directly shattered the ideal that he has always insisted on and struggled for.

"Heh—"

"If you really just want that kind of father's love, why not give up all you have now and be an honest and stupid son, I think Hei Tieyan will not be stingy to give you some worthless praise."

Hearing Hei Tieyi say this, Mako Haramura reprimanded mercilessly.

But when he saw that Hei Tieyi's eyes did not reveal excitement or interest, Mako Haramura secretly nodded in his heart.

This shows that Hei Tieyi has not given up his self in order to gain his father's approval.

"So, is my persistence meaningless?"

Although there was no emotional expression on that side, the light in Hei Tieyi's eyes still dimmed little by little.

"What do you mean by meaningless."

Mako Haramura reprimanded sternly again.

Now is the critical moment, and this guy must not be given a chance to think crookedly.

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

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

"Although those pasts are not beautiful, they have indeed become the food that has allowed you to grow."

Hei Tieyi's face was extremely bad, but Mako Haramura continued to say regardless.

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

"You just need to recast your belief now."

"Recast my belief?"

Mako Haramura's words finally aroused Hei Tieyi's interest, he slowly raised his head, and the haze on his face seemed to be gradually fading away.

"That's right."

"What is the meaning of that kind of father's approval?"

"Haven't you already had someone who has recognized you long ago, why don't you wave the sword in your hand for her, for the people who have already recognized you and are willing to be with you all the time?"

Every word of Mako Haramura was like a hammer hitting a bronze bell, hitting Hei Tieyi's heart heavily.

But this did not make Hei Tieyi become more and more decadent.

On the contrary, new light slowly ignited in his eyes.

"Ikki, your previous sword was swung too narrowly."

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

Hei Tieyi's eyes had become firm again.

Yes, is my father's approval really necessary?

Not necessary.