Chapter 17

Swordmen's pride is the seventeenth chapter of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan manga.

Summary
The selection match is under way, and Yuuri Oreki is introduced to the crowd as one of the announcers during the matches. She introduces the combatants Ikki and Ayase, with Ayase's abilities having never been fully revealed, due to the fact that she has only been using her sword techniques to fight. Ayase notices that Ikki is angry and believes that it will benefit her.

As the match begins Ikki charges at Ayase and Ayase is able to cut Ikki using her Noble Art, Mark of the Wind, which allows her to make small cuts into serious injuries, as well as leaving cuts in the space that are unseen by anyone, allowing her to cut Ikki without much problem. Ayase knows that the Mark of the Wind would not be enough to take Ikki down so she has to use Hizume to take him down. When Ikki kneels down from the injuries caused by the Mark of the Wind, Ayase tried to cut him down, only to have Ikki catch her sword, with his own. The two clash swords, but Ikki appears to be weak enough for Ayase to bat down his sword, which she does, and tries to strike again only to have Ikki block it with his hilt. Ayase backs away wondering why she can't reach Ikki, and Ikki is relieved as he tells Ayase that he is glad that she is the person he thought she was.

Ikki is seen a few hours ago talking with Yuuri telling her that his opponent will definitely cheat. Ikki perfectly explains Ayase's ability and figured she might cheat. Ikki then asks Yuuri not to call out the cheating. Yuuri asks why not and Ikki says he did not want to cut ties with Ayase and wants to believe in her. Yuuri is seen cheering Ikki on to save his friend.

Ikki then explains that he figured out who Ayase really was through their swords clashing. He also points out that Ayase stance and style are sloppy, and that her heart is wavering. Ayase denies this and believes that the only that matters is winning, as Ikki resolves to bring back Ayase's pride.

Ikki then charges at Ayase, and Ayase tries to activate her Mark of the Wind but Ikki is able to easily dodge it. It is revealed that Ikki is using his minimal magic to increase his speed. Ayase tries to strike Ikki, but she finds that what she struck was an after image of Ikki, as Ikki uses the fourth secret sword, Shinkirou, as he slashes Ayase. Ayase however, is not injured by has lost her stamina do to Ikki switching to .

Ayase tries to stand up and attack Ikki again but quickly falls, as her stamina was taken by that slash from Ikki. Ayase realized that she could no longer fight the way she was fighting as she no longer had any pride, and gives up. Ikki then asks Ayase what "Sword Eater" took from her, and tells her that he will take it back. She is hesitant at first but after Ikki tells her their friends, causing Ayase to cry, Ayase decides to take him on his offer to help.

Characters

 * Yuuri Oreki
 * Ikki Kurogane
 * Ayase Ayatsuji
 * Kaito Ayatsuji