Chapter 15

Twilight of Disaster is the fifteenth chapter of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan manga.

Summary
While dining, a young man around Ikki's age starts to harass Ayase with his friends prompting Ikki to defend her. The young man then notices that Ikki is a swordsman and pretends to apologize by pouring a drink for him, before smashing the empty bottle into Ikki's head. He proceeds to bring out his Device and demands Ikki to do the same. Stella, angered by the man's action, almost attacks the man but was quickly stopped by Ikki who claims he's fine. The man's friends make fun of Ikki upon hearing his reaction, much to Stella's displeasure and the man's disappointment over Ikki's unwillingness to fight. The man, Kuraudo Kurashiki, ultimately decides to leave the restaurant unhappily while his friends continue to insult Ikki.

After Kuraudo leaves the restaurant, Stella immediately reprimands Ikki for stopping her and not fighting back, which Ikki calmly replies that he doesn't want to get into trouble with the school due to illegal dueling and notes that Kuraudo is quite strong. Their conversation is suddenly interrupted by a fourth person who reveals that Kuraudo is a student of Tonrou Academy, who reached Top 8 in the 61st Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. This person, named Utakata Misogi, continues his conversation saying that they were unfortunate in encountering Kuraudo but praises him for making the correct decision as a fifth person joins in the conversation, telling them that she would have had to suppress them should they fight. Stella curious at the two new figures that appeared, questions Ikki over who they are with Ikki revealing that the two of them are the Vice President and Treasurer of the Hagun Academy Student Council, Utakata Misogi and Kanata Totokubara, surprising Stella who has heard of Kanata's reputation. The two also reveal Kuraudo's "modus operandi" which involves attacking swordsman unannounced. Before leaving, Utakata makes Ikki's head injury disappear much to Ikki's surprise.

With the two Student Council members gone, Ikki decides to ask Ayase about his relationship with Kuraudo and his gang. The conversation, however, is interrupted by the sudden ringing of both their student pad as Ayase comes out with an excuse to leave the restaurant. Stella noticing her weird behavior, questions Ikki over her sudden behavior with Ikki revealing that Ayase is his next opponent. Stella then ask Ikki if he'll purposely lose the match with Ikki replying that he won't and will beat Ayase fair and square.

In their hideout, Kuraudo's gang continue to make fun of Ikki while Kuraudo thinks to himself that Ikki will reach the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, looking forward to destroying Ikki.

A day before Ikki and Stella's match, Stella claims that Ayase hasn't come for her training since the announcement. Meanwhile, Ikki and Nagi discuss about Ayase, noting that she has no chance in a fair fight against Ikki, with Ikki revealing that he received a message from Ayase to meet him alone in night. Ikki believing that Ayase won't set him up receives a warning from Nagi who warns Ikki to be careful and be willing to cut his ties with Ayase or he might lose his match against Ayase.

Nigh time before the match, Ikki goes to the rooftop to meet Ayase as written in the message. Apologizing to Ikki for not going to practice despite being the one who approached him. Ikki senses the difference in Ayase, decides to ask Ayase whether if Kuraudo is the one who stole something important from Ayase and Ayase's purpose into entering the Seven Star Sword Art Festival is to challenge Kuraudo. Ayase then questions Ikki what will he do if he faces against an opponent that he can't win as Ikki honestly replies he'll fight with all his strength. Ayase, however, mocks Ikki's answer saying that righteousness without result is meaningless and will do anything just to win. She then summons her Device, Hizume, and cuts the fence behind her before jumping down, forcing Ikki to activate Ittou Shura to rescue her. As Ikki was about to scold Ayase for jumping down, Ayase reveals that this has been part of her plan all along to seal Ikki's trump card. Ikki then reprimands her for insulting the Blazers that have fought fairly till now as Ayase turns a blind ear to Ikki's reprimand and leaves after claiming that she will win.

Remembering Nagi's advice to cut his ties with Ayase, Ikki curses out loudly over the turn of events.