────Dragon.

Yes, a dragon. A dragon it is.

Since that day, I’ve become inexplicably sensitive to that word. Even hearing it spoken once sets off alarms throughout my body, urging, “Prepare yourself!” My mind grows restless, and memories of that day vividly replay in my head. Each time, I think:

────I will kill it with my own hands. Absolutely.

Since that day, my guiding principle has been dictated by either “my sister” or “dragons.” If something pertained to either, I would permit no half-measures and resolve to execute it thoroughly with all my strength.

The best example of this is my training.

To protect my sister Alice and to slay the dragon that still torments her, I’ve honed myself relentlessly until today—and I’ve been able to endure it. I have no regrets about the choices I’ve made.

“When was the last time we crossed swords like this... about two years ago?”

“Probably.”

During this journey of refinement, I’ve had the chance to train several times with one of the Seven Peerless Swords, who now stands before me. In this second life, spanning six and a half years of training, one unexpected outcome was that she, whom I had no interaction with in my previous life, came to know of me.

“I’m looking forward to this!”

Glass smiles in ecstasy. Around us, a throng of students holds their breath, eagerly anticipating the mock battle that’s about to begin. Despite it being a joint training session, they’ve neglected their own practice to ensure they don’t miss this spectacle.

────We’re not a sideshow.

While that’s what I think, I understand why. It’s rare for the finest knight to unsheath her sword against a mere student. Observing her swordsmanship is far more valuable than ordinary training.

Still, most of them aren’t here with such noble intentions. The majority are simply curious—or worse, fans of this insane woman.

────It’s only her looks that are good...

Everything else about her is disastrous. She’s missing several crucial qualities as a person, but I suppose that’s what it takes to become one of the Seven Peerless Swords.

“Let’s get started. Don’t hold back; come at me with everything you’ve got!”

“Got it—wait, why are you holding a real sword?!”

Glass, unable to contain herself, naturally unsheathes the slender blade at her waist. When I call her out on it, she tilts her head as if puzzled.

“Why? A wooden training sword wouldn’t let us fight properly. Don’t worry, I won’t actually kill you.”

“...”

Her reassurance leaves me speechless. This woman is dead serious about fighting me.

────If we both go all out, this entire area will be reduced to rubble...

Does this so-called finest knight realize that? No, she absolutely doesn’t. She’s standing there nonchalantly, sword at the ready.

────You should change your title from ‘finest’ to ‘brutal’ knight.

While I think of such absurdities, I glance at Gilflare, her supposed guardian—or rather, her babysitter. But he’s currently preoccupied with Weiss, a descendant of a hero who suddenly appeared. Great, even the responsible one has gone rogue.

“Exactly like now...”

“What are you talking about? Let’s just start already!”

“Sigh...”

There’s no stopping this battle maniac. I have no choice but to go along with her. After all, this fight involves crucial information about dragons.

I slice open my wrist without hesitation. The spectators murmur at the abrupt act of self-harm, but I ignore them.

“I haven’t seen you do that in ages, but you’re still as insane as ever.”

“Not as much as you—no, never mind! If I’m fighting you, I’ll need something sturdier than a regular sword.”

Primarily for durability reasons. I don’t have a real sword on hand right now, so this is my only option. Believe me, I’d rather not do this.

────It’s painful, and it makes my blood surge faster than I’d like.

Still, the situation demands it.

I mix magic with the blood flowing from my wrist. A few drops seep into the ground, and my wrist appears ghastly to onlookers.

“Eisen of the Iron Blood.”

With a spell, I harden the spilled blood and shape it into a weapon.

────Blood Sword, the Executioner’s Blade.

In my right hand forms a crimson sword. After sealing the wound on my wrist, I’m ready for battle.

Previously, due to blood volume limitations, I could only wield Iron Blood weapons for brief moments. Over these six and a half years, I’ve trained to use them consistently. Even so, I normally prefer regular swords. Today, however, is one of those exceptions.

“Let’s begin!”

“...”

Without a signal, Glass kicks off the ground and charges. While this might surprise most, it’s typical of this battle maniac. Nothing unexpected.

────Visibility is clear. Bloodflow manipulation rates and acclimatization are fine. The Iron Blood Weapons are making me a bit reckless, but it’s manageable.

“Take this!”

“!!”

We quickly close the gap, and Glass gleefully thrusts her blade. I deflect it with a parry and swing my sword toward her neck. She evades. After several exchanges, we lock blades.

“Your swordplay is as tricky as ever!”

“And yours is as wild as a beast.”

“Haha! Don’t boys love that sort of thing?”

“Time and place—no, in your case, it’s just unsettling.”

“Aww, that’s mean... but oh well. You’ll always catch me, won’t you?”

“You’re heavy... in more ways than one.”

I try to create distance, but she follows me relentlessly. Her ceaseless attacks are still manageable; she’s not using her full strength. Not yet.

“Really, you’re too good for her. Why not become mine instead?”

“Hahaha, I’ll respectfully decline.”

Her twisted, chaotic emotions crash into me. Like sister, like sister—both are problematic. It’s terrifying. I feel like I’d be stabbed in the back if I naively accepted her offer.

“You’re as cold as ever... fine, I’ll just take you by force.”

Suddenly, a chill runs through me. Until now, I hadn’t sensed any signs of magic. Now it’s unmistakable.

────Damn...!!

Her magic concealment and preparation are top-notch. I realize too late that I’m surrounded by residual magic energy. As expected of the fifth seat of the Seven Peerless Swords, her skills are undeniable.

“!!”

I focus entirely on evasion, but her spell is already complete.

“Frozen Embrace of Love.”

Countless icy arms emerge, all reaching to ensnare me.

“Using such a grand spell in a crowded area...!! You’re insane!!”

Cursing under my breath, I accelerate my Bloodflow Manipulation. Without it, I’d never escape these arms. The magic isn’t fully functional yet, but I need to buy time.

“Tch...!!”

I dodge the ice arms and their relentless pursuit.

“This is bad!”

“Run!!”

The nearby students, sensing danger, scatter. Completely berserk, that woman has lost all sense of restraint.

────I’ll definitely sue her later!!

Resolving to counterattack, I prepare to strike. Despite honing all my senses and dedicating myself to evasion, I’m accumulating minor injuries, frost clinging to my skin. But then, out of the corner of my eye—

────What?

A girl is about to be struck by one of the ice arms. She can’t avoid it; she’s fallen and can’t get up in time.

“Damn it!!”

I’m no monster who could ignore that. It’s partly my fault she’s in danger. I have to save her.

“I’m really sorry about this!!”

“Eek!?”

I swoop in and grab the girl, cradling her in my arms. She lets out a startled cry, but I hope she’ll tolerate it. After all, it’s better than dying... or so I’d like to think.

Justifying myself, I tear my frostbitten left arm free from an ice arm. It’s freezing, but that’s a secondary concern.

“You’re safe here!”

“Th-Thank yo—”

“That cyclops woman...!”

Ignoring her thanks, I charge at the battle maniac again. My sole focus now is shutting her down.

In short:

“I’m taking you down!!”

With my blood surging, I destroy the advancing ice arms and close the gap between us. My Bloodflow Manipulation is at its peak—maximum output.

“Finally in the mood!?”

“Reluctantly, yes!!”

Glass swings her blade immediately. It’s charged with immense magic; a single touch would encase me in ice. She’s completely forgotten this was supposed to be a mock battle.

At this rate, I can’t land a blow strong enough to snap her out of it. That task falls to another knight.

────It doesn’t have to be me who ends this.

“Take her down already—Gilflare!!”

With Glass’s attention entirely on me, the crimson knight slips in behind her. Just like that, the chaos comes to an end.

“You’ll both be lectured later.”

“...I deeply apologize.”

Though I’m rude to the finest knight, justice is on my side. Gilflare understands this and—

“This is... quite excessive, Glass.”

Without hesitation, he renders her unconscious.

“Eh, Gil—ugh!?”

A swift chop silences her, and Gilflare catches her falling body.

“I sincerely apologize.”

“Apologize to the others who were dragged into this. And know this—I’m not forgiving you.”

Thus ended the unexpected mock battle with Glass. As you can see, the result was a no-contest.