Light Novel Volume 01

The first Light Novel of the series released on July 15, 2013.

Summary
After returning from his daily training, Ikki Kurogane, a F-Rank Blazer widely known as the Failure Knight by his peers, stumbles upon a half-naked girl inside his room. The chaotic situation which leads to a series of events as Ikki ends up dueling the said girl, Stella Vermillion, the princess of the Vermillion Kingdom and an A-Rank Blazer and Knight that was said to be a one in a decade genius. The fateful encounter which changes Ikki's life as he strives to reach the peak of Seven Star Sword Art Festival and becoming a real Mage Knight while facing pressure from his family and rivals who tries to hold him back.

Chapters
Prologue: A Morning Encounter

After finishing his daily run, Ikki Kurogane enters his room, only to find a girl in her underwear. Noticing Ikki, the girl nearly starts screaming, only for Ikki to stop her, saying that he has no excuses and saw the girl's bare skin. Ikki declares that as payment, he will take off his own clothes. This however, only shocks the girl even more, causing her to release a terrified scream.

Chapter 1: Prodigy Knight and Failed Knight

Blazers, special people who wield magical abilities through Devices, are then introduced. They have existed since the medieval times, being called magicians and witches, and had a variety of power, with some even being capable of manipulating the flow of time. In the present day, Blazers are diploid by national militaries and police forces. The Blazers are monitored by the Mage-Knight System, which requires a student knight to graduate from a internationally recognized school in order to become a Mage-Knight. Hagun Academy is one of these schools, being one of the seven academies of Japan. And here in Hagun Academy, Ikki Kurogane a student of the academy is standing in the office of the board chairman Kurono Shinguuji, being accused of molestation.

Ikki attempts to explain the situation, telling that he thought that by removing his own clothes it would atone seeing the half-naked body of the girl, though he admits that he act without thinking. Ikki also recalls that he knows the girl, her name being Stella Vermillion, the 2nd Princess of Vermillion, a talented 15 year old knight, who has arrived to Japan to study. Stella then enters the room, being dressed in the school uniform, and looking rather desperate.

Ikki immediately apologizes, seeing how badly Stella was affected by the event, telling that he is ready to take any punishment inflicted upon him. Seeing his resolution, Stella tells that she will keep quiet about the incident, saying that she'll forgive Ikki if he commits harakiri (ritualistic suicide). Shocked by Stella's demands, Ikki refuses, which inrages Stella even further, as she even manifests her Device, 'Laevateinn', summoning flames and being ready to strike down Ikki. Ikki manifests his own Device, a katana named 'Intetsu', although his flimsy weapon pales in comparison to Stella's flaming broadsword. In order to save himself, Ikki declares that he was unable to take his gaze off Stella, as she was far too beautiful. This quells Stella's anger, as she becomes embarrassed by Ikki's declaration. Using this opportunity, Ikki brings up that it was Stella who was in the wrong room, but Stella claims that that was her room. Kurono then reveals that Ikki and Stella are actually roommates, shocking both of them.

Stella immediately refuses this, not wanting to share a room with a pervert like Ikki. Kurono explains that this is part of her new policy as the new board chairman. Kurono tells them that Hagun hasn't produced any notable knights in a while, and have been on a losing streak in the inter-school tournamnet Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, where all of the academies of Japan participate in. Kurono has been made the chairman to reorganize the academy, and the room assignment is the first step. By putting students with similar skill level in the same rooms, which will naturally spark competition between students. Ikki though claims that then putting Ikki and Stella in the same room is even weirder, since Stella is an A-Rank prodigy, while Ikki is an F-Rank who is repeating his first year. Hearing Ikki's rank and that his repeating shocks Stella even more, making her even angrier about sharing a room with him. Kurono however explains that there's no one as amazing as Stella, and no one as miserable as Ikki, making them leftovers, who can be paired with only each other. Despite their protests, Kurono refuses to change Ikki's and Stella's rooms. This causes Stella to accept living with Ikki, although she has three riles, which include not speaking, not opening his eyes and not breathing. Hearing these rules, Ikki protests, as they are simply ridiculous. Kurono then suggests that they should have a mock battle to decide the argument between Ikki and Stella. Ikki accepts the suggestion without hesitation, shocking Stella, due to the fact that an F-Rank like Ikki won't have a chance against a powerful knight like Stella. Stella too accepts the battle, and it's decided that the loser will become a slave to the winner, and will need to follow their every command. Ikki also discusses the upcoming mock battle with Kurono, with Ikki being somewhat nervous about the battle, while Kurono reminds him that Ikki will meet opponents like Stella in the Festival, which intends on participating in.

As Stella and Ikki are standing in the arena where the mock battle will be held, the other students whisper about them. Stella speaks to Ikki, saying that he would probably be better off if he gave up becoming a Mage-Knight, and would take up regular jobs. Ikki though is not bothered by this, as he has made the effort to face Stella. Hearing Ikki speak of effort, Stella thinks about how she hates people who think that hard work can overcome raw talent, as when they lose to talented people like Stella, they always claim how they worked hard, but couldn't beat talent, as if the talented didn't work hard. The match is then declared to start, with both combatants manifesting their Devices.

Stella dashes towards Ikki, delivering a powerful strike powered by flames, which Ikki manages to evade. Ikki attempts to back off and create distance between them, but Stella quickly catches up to him, by using her magic to increase her speed. Ikki notes that this kind of monstrous power and speed can only be achieved by an A-Rank, noting that even most of the winners of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival have been B-Ranks or C-Ranks. They then clash their blades, with Ikki being pushed back, barely defending against Stella's fierce attacks. However, Stella senses something strange about the situation, as Ikki shouldn't be able to stand up to her powerful attacks, but Stella herself is sweating. Stella then realizes that she is actually being set up. Ikki then uses the force of one of Stella's slashes to leap backwards, creating distance between them. Seeing Ikki's calculative gaze, Stella realizes that he is attempting to understand Stella's Imperial Sword Style. Stella says that Ikki won't be able to see through her swordsmanship, but Ikki responds that he has already seen through it.

Ikki then charges at Stella, his first attack in the match. Ikki's attack shouldn't be strong enough to face Stella, but surprisingly Stella gets pushed back. Stella realizes that Ikki has copied her swordsmanship, which has increased his strength. Ikki explains that when he was young, no one would teach him anything, so he was forced to steal the techniques of other people. This is Ikki's tactic, which involves copying the swordsmanship of his opponent, and then overcoming that swordsmanship and fixing it's errors. This technique is called Blade Steal. Ikki notes that Stella's technique is extremely precise, as it took Ikki two minutes to copy it, and thirty seconds to overcome it.

Using Stella's swordsmanship, Ikki manages to push Stella back. Stella though is not helpless, as she decides to use the fact that Ikki knows her swordsmanship in her advantage, by using a move not belonging to her normal style. Stella then performs a faint, which tricks Ikki, opening him up for an attack. However, as Stella attempts to hit Ikki, Ikki manages to block the strike with the hilt of his sword. Ikki notes that the move was unnatural for Stella, as he then pushes her back and slashes her. However, Ikki's attack is stopped by Stella's magic which forms a shield around her, called 'Empress Dress'. Stella is disappointed in herself, as she wished to defeat Ikki with just skill, without using her magical abilities. However, Ikki has forced her to rely on them. Stella recognizes Ikki's skill, intending on swiftly end the battle out of respect. Stella then raises her sword, intending on using her strongest Noble Art, 'Katharterio Salamandra', transforming her blade into a pillar of flames. Ikki tells that his sister always said that he could be anything else except a Mage-Knight so he should aim for that. Ikki thinks that maybe his sister was right, as he clearly lacks any talent, but he cannot step down, as becoming a knight is his dream, and if he gave up he couldn't forgive himself for breaking the promise that binds them. Ikki then declares that he will defeat Stella's with his greatest weakness.

Suddenly; Stella senses that Ikki's power has begun to increase. Stella attempts to slash Ikki with Katharterio Salamandra, but Ikki suddenly disappears, moving too fast for Stella to see. Attempting to launch another attack at Ikki, the boy evades again, with none of Stella's attacks being able to hit him. Ikki explains that his ability is to double his magical power, which is normally a near useless ability. However. Ikki has managed to create a Noble Art, which allows him to put all of his strength into a single minute. This technique is called 'Ittou Shura'. Ikki then charges for Stella, using his increased power to slash through Stella's 'Empress Dress', and winning the match. Stella collapses after being hit by Ikki's Device in it's , which cuts her stamina.

Stella later wakes up in the hospital room, where Kurono is also present. As Stella is disappointed over losing, Kurono assures her, saying that Ikki defeated even her, although with a handicap. Stella asks how Ikki is, with Kurono telling that he's fine, as he was able to leave some energy in reserve. Stella questions how someone like Ikki could be ranked F, to which Kurono explains that the current ranking system evaluates one's Blazer abilities, and not physical abilities and skills, which makes a knight like Ikki ranked low. Stella though asks why Ikki was unable to graduate, as a country would appreciate a strong Blazer like him. Kurono however tells that Ikki is part of the Kurogane Family, a powerful Japanese Blazer family, established by the hero Ryoma Kurogane. The family doesn't want to make it widely known that they have an F-Rank knight in their ranks, which is why they have been pressuring the academy to not let Ikki graduate. Stella thinks how she believes that believing in one's own values and striving for what you dream of can be very hard, something she herself knows. Stella asks what is pushing Ikki to try so hard, but Kurono is unable to answer. Kurono then reminds Stella of why she came to Japan, that being to not forget that there's still a level above her. Kurono believes that she might be able to reach this level by chasing Ikki. Kurono also suggests that Stella should get to know Ikki better.

Stella enters hers and Ikki's room, where Ikki is currently asleep. Driven by her intrigue, Stella approaches Ikki, touching his body. Touching Ikki's back, Stella feels that Ikki's body is really strong. However, Ikki turns around in sleep, causing Stella's hand to get stuck under him. Stella is forced to climb up on the bed, to move Ikki away from atop her hand, also noticing Ikki's well trained chest and belly. Unable to fight her curiosity, Stella touches Ikki's abdomen. This causes Stella to sweat, and feel a bit dizzy, being unable to stop. However, Ikki soon wakes up, questioning what Stella is doing. This causes Stella to jump up and injure her head. After treating Stella's injury, Stella tells Ikki that she heard about the situation with his family, asking why he wishes so hard to be a Mage-Knight. Ikki explains that when he was a child, he met with Ryoma Kurogane, who encourages Ikki to not become a boring adult, who gives up and calls it maturity, but instead become a person that never gives up. Hearing this, Stella is amazed, although uncertain if Ikki will ever reach his dream. Ikki then reminds Stella that since he won the duel, Stella will now be his slave. Remembering this, Stella gets nervous, worried about what Ikki will do, calling him a pervert and an idiot. However, Ikki only requests for her to be his friend, which Stella accepts. as they shake hands. Ikki then notices that he overslept, as the dining halls have already closed. Stella suggests that she'll make something, since she is Ikki's slave, which Ikki accepts due to Stella's persistence. As they head to the supermarket, Stella also orders Ikki to call her just Stella instead of Stella-san, which Ikki reluctantly agrees with.

Chapter 2: Visitor from that Former Home

Chapter 3: Rebellion

Chapter 4: Debut Battle

Epilogue: A Moonlight Vow

Afterword