vrcanaries Chapter 679 - 679
Chapter 679 - 679
Shinguuji Kurono sat at her desk, her face clouded with worry.Before her lay a document, and she continuously tapped the table with her index finger.
"Among the eight academies, only our Hagun Academy hasn't submitted the registration form yet."
She supported her forehead with her hand and let out a sigh.
If this continued, the number of representative participants from Hagun Academy would inevitably be halved this year, instantly making it the academy with the fewest participants.
This was her first year in office, and she had promised the board of directors to lead the academy to achieve good results. Under these circumstances, how could she talk about good results? She would be grateful just to avoid being fired.
"Come in."
After a moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Touka, you're finally awake?"
Seeing the two figures arriving together, Shinguuji Kurono's eyes immediately lit up.
"And Eiji, you only returned today? You're really something—I thought both of you were going to miss this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival!"
Her spirits visibly lifted.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Chairwoman."
Touka bowed apologetically to her.
"As long as you made it back in time, that's what matters. There's no need for you to apologize on his behalf."
Shinguuji Kurono waved her hand dismissively.
"You two came at the perfect time. Sign this contract!"
She pulled two documents from her desk drawer and handed them to the pair.
"Contract?"
Eiji took his copy.
It contained the competition regulations for participating in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival, clearly stating, "No participation without signature."
"Isn't this more of a waiver of liability than a contract?Eiji flipped through the clauses and couldn't help but complain.
The regulations explicitly informed participants that death could occur during the competition. If they still intended to participate with this knowledge, they were to sign their names.
"The organizers have their own difficulties."
Shinguuji Kurono shrugged helplessly in response.
"In the past, there have been multiple instances where, after a participating student died, parents caused uproars, society condemned the event, and the media unleashed waves of criticism. Without addressing this prerequisite, it would be impossible to hold the Seven Star Sword Art Festival."
Learn from past mistakes to avoid future ones.
That's why the organizers created such regulations—so that even if fatalities occurred, they wouldn't face excessive condemnation.
Ultimately, in this type of combat-oriented competition, it's impossible to eliminate the risk of casualties.
No matter how much effort is put into protection, accidents can still happen.
"After reading something like this, can the average student really handle it?"
Eiji expressed his doubts.
Aside from Bukyu Academy and Hagun Academy, the representative participants from other schools were appointed by their institutions. Their only advantages were high levels and strong abilities; most had never experienced proper combat.
To be confronted with the risk of death right from the start—wouldn't ordinary students feel apprehensive and consider withdrawing?
"If they can't even bear this level of risk, they aren't qualified to be Blazers."
Touka smiled fearlessly.
She picked up a pen from the desk and signed her name quite naturally.
Counting up, this should be her third time participating in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival. She also regularly accepted emergency dispatches from the league and had faced terrorists multiple times. A competition like this didn't intimidate her.
Eiji followed closely behind, also signing his name.
"Alright, with this we can submit the roster."
Shinguuji Kurono filled in both names on the registration form and sent it electronically to the organizing committee.
"By the way, take a look at this list as well. This year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival is completely different from previous years!"
As she said this, she handed over a list.
It contained a complete overview of all schools and participants competing in this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
Among all the schools, Akatsuki Academy had the highest number of participants.
Akatsuki Academy originated from the Seven Star Academies. Originally there were seven members, but after Arisuin Nagi's withdrawal, it became six. However, each one was formidable, especially Kurogane Ouma, Amane Shinomiya, and Sara Bloodlily - these three were terrifyingly strong, each at least an A-rank Blazer, making them formidable opponents this time!
Then came Hagun Academy and Bukkyoku Academy, both tied with five participants each due to Akatsuki's departure.
Among Bukkyoku Academy's competitors were the top three finalists from the previous Seven Star Sword Art Festival, demonstrating considerable strength.
The remaining five Seven Star Academies divided the remaining spots equally.
"Wait, only 32 participants this year?"
Eiji calculated the total number.
The remaining five schools only had 16 participants combined, averaging less than four per school.
With each school typically sending six representative competitors, there should have been at least 42 students participating in previous years.
"This is the change for this year."
Shinguuji Kurono leaned back in her chair, her demeanor much more relaxed.
Touka's awakening and Eiji's return had significantly boosted her confidence.
"That battle you had with Akatsuki Academy the other day has already spread across the internet. Now the entire society is focused on this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival, including foreign media!"
This was because Akatsuki Academy was connected to the Prime Minister behind the scenes.
There were also rumors that Akatsuki Academy's students were recruited from terrorist organizations.
This caused panic among some citizens, with online demands to cancel this year's Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
Of course, the Prime Minister himself flatly denied this, insisting that all Akatsuki Academy members had clean backgrounds. By seizing the righteous cause of "reclaiming educational sovereignty for Blazers," he successfully attracted support from a large portion of the population.
Now, public opinion across the entire island nation was focused on the Seven Star Sword Art Festival two days later.
Akatsuki Academy's participation essentially represented a power struggle between the island nation's government and the Alliance headquarters, with everything hinging on the outcome of the Seven Star Sword Art Festival.
"Setting aside Bukkyoku Academy for now, most students from the other seven schools are encountering terrorists for the first time, and such formidable terrorists at that."
Shinguuji Kurono explained: "After watching the videos, anyone would be shocked to see how Hagun Academy was completely helpless against the terrorists. So every school had one or two participants withdraw... Though this fact itself is a huge disgrace for us!"
The opponents were terrorists - it's only natural they couldn't win against them.
That would be the normal way to think, but unfortunately there were too many unreasonable people online, with no small number mocking Hagun Academy as trash!
The reason why no one from Bukkyo Academy withdrew was because the school itself fostered a fierce martial spirit, holding practical selection trials every year, which built extremely strong mental resilience in its students.
"Anyway, we urgently need to use this Seven Star Sword Art Festival to prove ourselves and wash away the shame on us."
A sharp smile rose on Shinguuji Kurono's face.
"All of you should prepare as well. We depart tomorrow afternoon for the Seven Star Sword Art Festival venue!"
She would not be traveling with the group.
As one of the top Blazers among the younger generation in the island nation, she herself held other important responsibilities at the Seven Star Sword Art Festival and would go to the venue separately.
"After arriving there, the delegation leader Touka will have full authority to handle all matters."
"Regarding this matter, Chairwoman, I have a proposal."
At that moment, Touka suddenly spoke up.
"I believe it would be more appropriate for my junior brother to take on the role of delegation leader instead."