Chapter 31

Crownless Sword King is the thirty-first chapter of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan manga.

Summary
As the chapter begins, the announcer introduces the two contestants, first being the student council president and Hagun's strongest knight, "Raikiri" Touka Toudou. In the audience, Shizuku is worried about the upcoming battle, remembering her own defeat against Touka. The announcer then introduces the second contestant, the strongest F-Rank in Hagun who has defeated many of Japan's strongest knights, "Worst One" Ikki Kurogane. Torajirou Nangou, who is watching the match along with Kurono Shinguuji, Nene Saikyo and Mamoru Akaza, comments that he seems very strong. Kurono then notes that Ikki will need to be careful against Touka's trump card, Raikiri, which could even kill him. In order to defeat Touka, Ikki will need to bait out her sword and then quickly strike her down, before she has time to prepare her blade again. This however, will require great endurance and patience. Nangou though disagrees with Kurono's prediction, believing that the match won't be a battle of endurance, but rather an exchange of a single slash.

As the match begins, Touka tells Ikki how she asked Shizuku to make Ikki withdraw, for his own sake, but in reality, she has been wanting to battle Ikki from the moment she met him. Ikki agrees, also having had the same intentions, declaring her will break Touka's invincibility. He then rushes towards Touka, activating Ittou Shura. Ikki thinks, that he wants to not just defeat Touka, but also overcome her Raikiri, which is the reason he will face it straight on, with all his strength. Touka notes that she could just back off, and exhaust Ikki with her range attacks, but decides to instead face him head on, wanting to defend her spot at the to of Hagun Academy. Touka then activates Raikiri, slashing towards Ikki. As their blades get closer, Ikki notices that Touka's attack will be just slightly faster, which will defeat Ikki. Ikki declares how he needs to be even faster and stronger, with his one minute lasting Ittou Shura being too long, as he needs just one second. Ikki then puts all of his strength into that single second, clashing with Touka's Raikiri. After the clash both fighters stand heavily injured, until Touka's Device shatters, and she falls to the ground. The referee then declares Ikki to be the winner of the match.

After Touka's defeat, Stella runs towards the arena, while Shizuku stays behind, being unable to even move due to being so glad that Ikki survived. Kurono explains that Ikki shortened Ittou Shura, which increases his strength for a single minute, into a single attack, with greatly increased power. Nongou says names this new technique Ittou Rasetsu, as it exceeds the realm of men, and moves into the realm of devils. Nangou then notes how Touka's Raikiri was a perfect attack, but Ikki managed to improve himself in that single second, in order to defeat Touka. Nangou also comments that he reminds him very much of Ryoma. Akaza, furious and shocked by the result, rushes towards the arena.

Ikki, barely standing on the arena, notices Stella running towards him. Stella embraces Ikki, telling how proud she is of him. Ikki then tells Stella that he wants them to be family, proposing to Stella, which Stella happily accepts. However, Ikki finally falls, due to all of his injuries. Akaza, who has just come to the arena, tells Stella to give Ikki to him, as he wants to fight him. Stella though simply kicks Akaza out of the way, carrying Ikki away. Later, Touka wakes up in a bed, with Utakata and Kanata being by her side. Touka remembers the match, and how she lost, as Utakata asks if they should inform the orphanage, Wakabe House, of the result of the match. Touka however, tells him not to, as she wants to tell them herself of the great knight that defeated her.