Stella Vermillion/History

History
Stella is the second imperial Princess of the Vermillion Kingdom. Her parents are Sirius Vermillion and Astrea Vermillion. She also has an older sister Lunaeyes Vermillion. As a child, Stella's magic powers were overly powerful, as she couldn't control it and was burned many times in the process of mastering her powers. Eventually she succeeded in mastering her powers through rigorous training, but decided to leave the country because she was worried about herself being conceited due to those surrounding her constantly referring her as a "genius". She was trained in swordsmanship by Daniel Dandalion.

Failure vs. Prodigy
Stella arrives in Japan, where she will be attending Hagun Academy, a school specifically for Blazers. While changing her clothes in her room, Stella was surprised to see a man suddenly entering her room which changes into horror when the man started stripping in a desperate attempt to solve things. She was later called to the Director's office as she encounters the same man, Ikki Kurogane again, who is revealed to be an F-Rank failed Apprentice-Knight, who is repeating a year. As the two bicker due to Ikki refusing to follow Stella's unreasonable demand of Ikki needing to commit harakiri, until Kurono, the Director of Hagun Academy, suggest for them to have a mock battle to solve this issue. While Stella thought of this as an unreasonable way, Ikki's casual comment angers her and Stella changes the mock battle into a duel with an additional rule where the loser becomes the winner's slave.



The duo then heads to a practice ground on the school to start the duel. As the duel begins, it was thought that Stella was the one with the advantage until Ikki counters back, using his Blade Steal and overpowers Stella's swordsmanship, almost landing a decisive blow on Stella who was protected by her Empress Dress, which Ikki couldn't cut through. Stella gives Ikki her utmost respect, prepares to use her Noble Art, Katharterio Salamandra to finish off Ikki. She then notices the increase in Ikki's Magic Power and was surprised by it. This is revealed to be as Stella starts to attack with Ikki easily dodging all her attacks before appearing behind her and hits a successful and decisive blow, ending the duel with Stella's defeat.

Stella then awakes in her room, in the aftermath of the duel, having fallen unconscious after Ikki defeated her. She then had a short conversation with Kurono as she was unable to understand why Ikki had to repeat a year. Kurono then reveals the truth about Ikki's family pulling his legs and the fact that Ikki is an F-ranker. After Kurono left, Stella, who now is extremely curious about Ikki, climbs on top of the sleeping Ikki, as she starts to touch Ikki's body, only to be flustered when Ikki wakes up, resulting in Stella injuring her head by knocking the ceiling. After Ikki tends to her injury, Stella decides to ask Ikki about his dreams as Ikki tells her about his encounter with Ryouma Kurogane and how it help forged his dreams. Stella now accepts that Ikki was stronger than her and decides to chase after his back as Kurono told her to prior before being reminded of the ruling of the duel as Stella initially refuses before giving up allowing Ikki's orders Stella to be his friend and roommate.

New Term and Rebellion
A few days after her duel with Ikki, Stella starts to accompany Ikki on his daily training to further improve herself albeit with some difficulties at first. She then notices Ikki's eagerness at the new school term and he explains that he was looking forward to seeing his sister. On the first day of the new term, Stella attends the orientation where she was briefed on the new school rules. The orientation ended abruptly after the homeroom teacher, Yuuri Oreki, had to leave due to her weak constitution. A group of female students approaches Ikki much to Stella's displeasure and was made worse when Shizuku appears kissing Ikki as an angered Stella reveals that she is Ikki's slave which resulted in utter chaos as Stella and Shizuku destroyed the classroom in a fight. Stella was then placed under 1 week of house arrest as punishment.

Stella then goes on an outing with Ikki, Shizuku, and Alice, as they enjoy their time together. Stella and Shizuku are then left alone, as Ikki and Nagi went to the bathroom together. They are later both seen in a hostage situation, instigated by a group of the terrorist organization Rebellion members. Stella at first tries to hide her identity, but fails, when she saves a mother and her child. She then meets Bishou, the leader of the group, who is able to defeat her using his Device. She then agrees to strip down if he would leave the mother and child alone, but is saved from the shame of stripping fully naked, by a well placed barrier, by Shizuku, and a well timed attack by Ikki who took out the arms of the apostle, while Stella is able to take out the rest of the members. Kirihara then appears, finishing the rest of the Rebellion members. Kirihara and Stella then argue, as Kirihara had just called Ikki a coward, and made a deal, as they just found out that Ikki will face him in the qualifying match, should Ikki lose to him, she would be his girlfriend, but if he loses he would apologize to Ikki. She then looks at a fearful Ikki who states that Kirihara is the worst opponent for him.

Debut Battle and Vow
Stella is next seen in her first selection match against a third year student, winning easily as her opponent surrender without fighting. Stella then finds Ikki in the dorm, where they talk of Kirihara, as well as Stella encouraging Ikki to win. She is then seen at the stadium, where Ikki and Kirihara's match was, where she cheered him on. She was specifically heard by Ikki, after ceasing the crowds continued harassment, and openly showing her support for Ikki. After the match Stella follows, an unconscious Ikki, to the hospital, where the two agree to reach the finals of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival and have another match with each other.

Stalker and Disciple


Stella is next seen, after congratulating Ikki on his victory, going against the student council member Ikazuchi Saijou. She was able to easily overpower him, giving her another victory in the participation tournament. Stella then goes to the forest, where she and her friends usually go to train, after Ikki agrees to help his stalker, Ayase Ayatsuji, in her swordsmanship. Stella is later seen conversing with Ikki after his duel with Ayase, having heard of Ayase's situation, Ikki decides to fight on her behalf.

Dojo Challenge

The next day, Stella accompanies Ikki and Ayase to the Ayatsuji Dojo previously belonging to Kaito where she and Ayase serve as witnesses and audience to Ikki and Kuraudo duel. After the duel ends, Stella leaves to call a teacher to fetch them back while she leaves Ayase to tend to Ikki's wound. A week after the duel, Stella and Ikki are shown to be back with their usual training, receiving a call from Ayase over his father waking up from the coma. As Stella realizes she is alone with Ikki, the duo starts to get intimate until Alice arrives breaking the moment. Stella and Ikki then find out from Nagi that Shizuku's next opponent is the Student Council President and the strongest knight of the school, Tohka Todo.

Lorelei vs Raikiri
Stella is next seen along with Ikki watching the match between Shizuku and Tohka Todo. During the match Stella encourages Shizuku not to give up, even though Shizuku is being outclassed in her match, and though valiant Shizuku is still overpowered and lost to Tohka's Raikiri.

Stella is next seen with Ikki and then crashes against Tohka who was carrying documents. Ikki and Stella help her carry the documents to the student council room, where they are invited for tea. Tohka is then reminded by Saijou, about the request Kurono had made to her, about finding help for their mission. Kanata, then walks in, and tells Ikki and Stella about Kurono tasking the student council members to deal with the giant causing problems in the Okumata mountains. Stella and Ikki agree to help the student council members.

Incident in Okutama
Stella, Ikki, and the student council go to Okutama. Stella walks with Ikki through the Okutama mountains. During their walk Stella gets a fever and Ikki takes her to a cabin near the mountains where she can rest, as well as get out of the rain. Due to her fever, Ikki offers to remove her wet clothes since they are only worsening her condition, to which Stella agrees to. Although awkward at first, Ikki manages to control himself and remove her clothes and cover her up with a blanket to avoid seeing her naked. Stella then asked Ikki if he wants to have sex with her, much to his shock. After some thinking, Ikki decides he would refrain from such an act until he earns the approval of Stella's parents to her delight. She then rests in the cabin, contemplating the thought that she was "naughty".

Ikki and Stella are then attacked by the giant, who was terrorizing the area. Stella is able to fight off some of the giants, but they prove too much for the duo as they were overwhelmed by the numbers of their assailants. They are then however, saved by Utakata and Tohka who are able to deal with the dolls. The group then goes down the mountain to a lodge, where the rest of the members of the student council were. They then meet a man from the house of Kurogane, Azaka Mamoru, who reveals to the others that Ikki and Stella's relationship was made public through the newspapers, and that Ikki needs to come with him.

Siege and End of Selection Battles
Stella is seen talking with Kurono about Ikki's current situation, and is asked by Kurono if Stella could convince her father to come and speak on the situation. Stella has tried to do such, but her efforts proved futile as Ikki has already agreed to fight against Tohka.

Stella, after finishing her final selection battle, shows Ikki that she is able to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, giving Ikki the courage to fight against Tohka and win. She immediately runs to an exhausted Ikki and catches him in her arms. The concern for Ikki soon turns to anxiety and happiness when Ikki proposes to her. She accepts his proposal tearfully before he passes out from his poor physical condition. Stella is later announced one of the participants of Hagun Academy, along with Ikki, Alice, Kanata and Hagure Sisters, for the 62nd Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.

Training Camp


Stella is seen training with Tohka during their training camp in Kyomon Academy, losing to the latter in their mock battle much to her frustration. After the end of the fourth day of their training camp, Stella and Ikki are seen running together so that Stella can vent her frustration over her earlier lost before deciding to head to the shopping district for dinner. While deciding what to eat, Ikki leaves Stella when he notices a deranged electrician and decides to follow him.

Stella is then seen with a policeman after Ikki disables the deranged electrician, ending the incident peacefully. The couple eventually learns that the rescued Blazer, Amane Shinomiya is a huge fan of Ikki who proceeds to thank and treat the couple to a dinner with Stella feeling pleased that people are starting to accept Ikki unaware of Ikki's uneasiness around Amane.

Akatsuki Strikes
Stella and the other participants of the training camp, go back to Hagun Academy, but not before learning that Alice is an assassin sent by Akatsuki. Although skeptical at first Stella and the others decide to trust Alice. Upon arriving at a destroyed Hagun Academy, Stella and the others were able to defeat the Akatsuki students, however they were revealed to be just puppets made by one of the Akatsuki members, as Alice is struck down by Amane. Hiraga kidnaps an unconscious Alice as Stella stops Ouma from stopping Ikki to give chase to Shizuku, who was chasing Alice and Hiraga. Stella then challenges Ouma, to which he accepts, and is quickly overpowered by Ouma. She is however saved from harm by Tohka who proceeds to knock her unconscious as she is not able to defeat Ouma right now. Tohka gives Stella´s unconscious body to the Hagure sisters who are told to run.

Stella and the Hagure Sisters are found by the Akatsuki members however they are saved by Nene. They eventually decide to retreat and are unable to do any harm to Stella or the Hagure Sisters. Stella, after the incident with Ouma, decides to seek Nene help with training wanting to become much stronger for the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. Nene agrees to train her for the week until the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival has begun. During this week Stella learns a new Noble Art, Dragon Spirit.

First Round Matches


Stella shows up late to the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival and requests a one on four match for her punishment, for showing up late. Her opponent, for the preliminary match, Mikoto agrees as well as the other three participants Rinna, Hiraga, and Yui. The match has given Stella a chance to flaunt her new overwhelming power against her opponents. Stella is able to overtake Yui by launching her fist into the side of Yui's ribs, knocking her out. Stella turns her attention to Rinna and is able to overpower her, as well as Rinna's maid Charlotte. Stella has used her strongest ability Katharterio Salamandra, consecutively, in order to defeat both Rinna and Charlotte.

Stella then fights Hiraga, who uses his puppet, Deus Ex Machina, to attack Stella. Stella is able to momentarily destroy the puppet. Mikoto has released a powerful version of Satin Ice which froze Stella's device. Hiraga then tells Stella that Mikoto is controlled by his Marionette ability, and that if she did not throw down her sword Mikoto would become a vegetable. Stella complies, which allows Hiraga to attack her with Deus Ex Machina. Stella is not harmed much by the attack and she then releases Bahamut Howl, which engulfs the entire ring. Hiraga is left on the ground with his actual body exposed, as nothing more than a puppet. She then quickly squashes Hiraga's head, before Hiraga could give her praise. Stella claims victory, and the aftermath of the match propels her to the semi-finals.

After the end of Stella's match, she meets Ikki in his room. They are interrupted by Sara Bloodlily, who wants to paint Ikki nude. Stella is against this at first, but after Sara promises to paint a painting of Stella and Ikki, as the bride and groom. This lead to Sara and Stella chasing Ikki who though he manages to escape into his brother's room.

Second Round Matches
The administration committee moves the matches of the second round and quarter-finals, onto the same day. This is because of Stella's untimely victory over Block B, as every one of the Block B contestants either withdrew or were eliminated from the tournament. Stella is upset by this as it places Ikki in a tough spot, because he can only use Ittou Shura or Ittou Rasetsu, once a day. She then watches Ikki's short match against Byakuya Jougasaki.

After Ikki's victory over Byakuya, he is resting, because of using Ittou Rasetsu. Sara then approaches Ikki to finally paint Ikki nude. Stella, who has a change of heart after their last encounter stops Sara. After Sara exits the room, Ikki's father Itsuki Kurogane shows up, with Stella getting nervous over meeting him for the first time, which causes her to embarrass herself. Itsuki tells Ikki he is ready to cut Ikki's ties with the Kurogane Family. Itsuki then leaves, letting Ikki think about what to do. Sara then once again enters the room, but just then the strings of her apron broke, exposing her breasts. Stella decides that they will go shopping for new clothes for Sara, worrying that her outfit might "malfunction" again in her match with Ikki, which would distract Ikki and possibly causing him to lose the match.

Shopping Break


Stella, Ikki, Sara, Shizuku and Alice go shopping in the city. As Alice helps Sara find new clothes, Stella herself is advised by Shizuku, who now has decided to accept and help her. Shizuku instructs Stella to wear a bunny outfit, which will appeal to Ikki. However, when Stella shows this outfit to Ikki, he becomes very uncomfortable, leading to Stella realizing that Shizuku tricked her. As Stella rushes to change her outfit, Shizuku leaves along with Alice.

When Stella returns, she has a baby Blazer, which teleported into the changing room unintentionally. As the baby starts crying, Stella and Ikki are helpless in helping the baby, but Sara manages to calm it down, singing a lullaby which puts it and Stella into sleep. They later return the baby to its parents.

Third Round Matches
Stella watches Ouma's quarter-finals match against Renji Kaga, and is the only one to clap after Ouma's victory, as she respects his strength. Stella then watches the quarter-finals match between Ikki and Sara, which Ikki wins. Stella later saves Shizuku from Amane's humiliation, after Shizuku attacked Amane. Ikki and Stella later discuss their opponents, Amane for Ikki and Ouma for Stella, who they will face in the semi-finals.

Semi-Finals
Stella faces Ouma in the semi-finals of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. They exchange blows, until Stella sneaks up on Ouma, using Flame Veil, and hits him. Surprisingly the attack did no damage to Ouma. Ouma then kicks Stella, damaging her internal organs. Despite this Stella claims she has figured out the secret of Ouma's defense, which is that Ouma surrounds his body with high pressured air, called Tenryuu Armor.



Ouma then tells Stella, about his encounter with the leader of Rebellion, Tyrant, and how Ouma was defeated by him. Because of this Ouma realized he needed an "evolution", in order to increase his power. Ouma then removes his Tenryuu Armor, which increases his speed tremendously. He then starts to overwhelm Stella, until Stella activates her new ability, Dragon Spirit, by stabbing herself with Laevateinn and then being surrounded by flames.

Stella then remembers her training with Nene, and how she taught Stella that what she needed was pride in her abilities. This lead to Stella accessing her true power, Dragon Spirit, which gives her the powers of a dragon. In the present Stella starts attacking Ouma, now her attacks doing great damage to Ouma. Ouma is unable to defend against Stella's attacks, and as his last-ditch effort, attacks Stella with Kusanagi, which Stella overcomes with her Katharterio Salamandra. This leads to Stella advancing into the finals of the Festival, where she will face Ikki.

The Final Match


In the tournament final match, Stella finally faces Ikki. As the match starts Ikki immediately charges Stella using the fourth secret sword, Shinkirou. Stella though easily counters this with Dragon Stomp. They then exchange blows, with Stella even uses Bahamut Howl, which Ikki manages to counter, by charging through the flames. Ikki then starts attacking furiously at close range, to prevent Stella from using Dragon Spirit, as he believes that Stella needs some time to activate it. This though is nothing but a scheme by Stella, in order to make Ikki use Ittou Rasetsu early one. Ikki doesn't fall for it though, and Stella decides to simply activate Dragon Spirit immediately.

As Dragon Spirit enhances Stella's physical abilities immensely, Ikki starts having a hard time keeping up. Stella also activates the Dragon Nest, which starts melting away the arena. Stella then almost defeats Ikki with a surprise punch, but Ikki manages to use his third secret sword, Madoka, to redirect the force of the punch back to Stella. He then activates Ittou Shura and attacks Stella.

Stella and Ikki then clash with neither being able to overcome the other, until Ikki starts to finally falter, with his fate having reached its end. As Ikki's Ittou Shura starts running out of time, Stella attacks him with Katharterio Salamandra, which blasts Ikki into rubble. It seems that Ikki is going to lose the match, until he reaches his "awakening" and rises from the rubble. Stella and Ikki then clash once more, with Ikki using his "awakening" to use Ittou Rasetsu to power his final secret sword, Oikage. This defeats Stella, who falls into Ikki's arms. Ikki is thus declared the winner of the match, and the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.

The End of the Festival
Stella later wakes in the hospital, with Ikki. Once they are left alone, they decide to have sex, after Ikki takes back what he said before about wishing to wait until he met her family. The next morning as Shizuku enters their hospital room, she realizes what has happened, and attacks Stella. Later Ikki has crowned the Seven Stars Sword King and the winner of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. Stella and Ikki also discuss how they must go to the Vermillion Empire, to meet Stella's parents.

Post-Festival Meeting


Stella and Ikki are later invited to a meeting with Kurono, Nene and Bakuga. When they get to the meeting, they are suddenly attacked by a mysterious Blazer, in black armor. Despite the combined power of Stella and Ikki, they are still unable to damage the mysterious Blazer. Kurono then stops the fight and reveals that the armor-clad Blazer is Iris Ascarid, the fourth-ranking in the KOK A-League, who wanted to test Stella's and Ikki's strength.

After Ascarid leaves, Bakuga tells Stella and Ikki about Desperados, which are immensely powerful Blazers. After reaching his "Awakening" Ikki too became a Desperado. Stella questions how she hasn't heard about these Desperados and Bakuga tells her that Desperados are a highly regarded secret that the common people don't know about. Bakuga then shows a vision of the future with his Device Getten Houjuu. It shows a vision of a destroyed Tokyo, resulting from the war between League of Mage-Knight Nations and Union, which the League will lose. Bakuga explains he planned to lessen the peoples' respect of the League so Japan could split from it, by having Akatsuki win the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival. This plan failed though as Akatsuki lost the Festival. Bakuga then leaves telling Stella and Ikki that he hopes they can prevent the future he has seen. Stella later participates in the party held after the Festival where her friends and former rivals participate.

Arriving in Vermillion


Stella and Ikki are on a plane to Vermillion, where Ikki is extremely nervous about meeting Stella's parents. Stella though reassures him, by saying that both her mother and sister approve of Stella's relationship with Ikki, and only her father disapproves of her relationship. Stella and Ikki then arrive in Vermillion, where they are greeted by hundreds of citizens. They then meet Astrea Vermillion, Stella's mother and the Queen of Vermillion. Astrea is very friendly, but she explains that Sirius Vermillion, Stella's father and the Emperor of Vermillion, wants to have a private meeting with Stella. Ikki agrees to stay behind. Stella then meets her father and unbeknownst to Stella or Astrea, Sirius has encouraged the people of Vermillion to attack Ikki.

Stella later enters her sister Lunaeyes' room, where she sees Lunaeyes half-naked with Ikki which greatly shocks her. Ikki had walked in Lunaeyes changing and then she was trying to examine Ikki's injuries. Stella is infuriated that Sirius had placed a bounty on Ikki and she then bursts into tears. Ikki though reassures her by telling her that seeing how much the people of Vermillion love Stella, has only increased Ikki's love for her country. Lunaeyes then suggests that Ikki should participate in the upcoming tournament between Vermillion and Cradleland, which Stella will also be participating in so that he can prove himself worthy of Stella. Everyone agrees with this, even Sirius though begrudgingly.

Father-In-Law's Challenges
Stella's father, Sirius, later challenges Ikki to multiple trials, to prove that he's worthy of participating in the upcoming tournament. Both Stella and Astrea tell Ikki he doesn't have to participate in Sirius' trials, but he decides to participate anyway. Stella then watches how Ikki easily beats Sirius in every trial and becomes embarrassed of her father. After the trials, Stella gets angry at a couple of maids who are flirting with Ikki and then chases after them. Stella, along with Lunaeyes and Ikki are later called into Cradleland, by Johann, the 1st Prince of Cradleland.

Visiting Cradleland

During their flight to Cradleland, Lunaeyes tells Ikki about the history of Vermillion and Cradleland. When Stella, Lunaeyes, and Ikki arrive in Cradleland, they meet Johann. They also meet the other participants of Cradleland in the upcoming tournament, Luke, Mira, Enalis and Lid. They then suddenly hear a voice, which is revealed to be Or-Gaule's. She won't let anyone hurt the people of Vermillion or Cradleland. Just then they hear a voice saying, "Sorry, that's impossible". This voice is revealed to be Or-Gaule's, who has already taken control of everyone in Cradleland and killed the King of Cradleland.

Or-Gaule then attacks with his Noble Art Grand Guignol. Ikki manages to block this attack with his Ittou Rasetsu, but it completely drains him of all his power. Johann then attacks Stella, as he has surrendered under Or-Gaule's control. The other participants of Cradleland then fall to the ground, and it's revealed that they were just dead bodies controlled by Or-Gaule. Or-Gaule then easily subdues Lunaeyes. Stella then activates Dragon Spirit, and pushes Johann away, attacking Or-Gaule. Or-Gaule uses his threads to control Ikki's body, putting it in front of Stella, forcing her to stop. Stella also realizes that Or-Gaule is far stronger than her or Ikki. They are luckily saved by Iris Ascarid, who is in Cradleland to apprehend Or-Gaule. She cuts off Or-Gaule's arm, and teleports Stella, Lunaeyes and Ikki back to Vermillion, with a knife she got from Norman Creed.

Urban Warfare
Back in Vermillion, Ascarid explains that Or-Gaule is her brother, and he has taken control of the army troops of Cradleland and sent them to attack Vermillion. Stella then goes to warn her parents about Or-Gaule's attack. Stella arrives in the Palace and meets Sirius, Astrea and Daniel Dandalion. She tells them that Or-Gaule is controlling the army of Cradleland, who are attacking Vermillion. Astrea advises Sirius that he shouldn't tell the Vermillion's forces this information, because it will demoralize them, but Sirius does this anyway. This act impresses Stella, who hugs her father. Stella later participates in the meeting where Ikki tells his plan to release the soldiers of Cradleland from Or-Gaule. Or-Gaule controls the entire army, by taking control of certain soldiers, through whom he then controls the rest of the army. By taking out these certain soldiers the ones controlled by them will also be released. Everyone present agrees with this idea, even Sirius.

Stella later participates in the Battle of Kardia between Vermillion and Cradleland, where Ikki's strategy is used to release some of the soldiers of Cradleland. Stella also faces Naseem Al-Salem, who is an ally of Or-Gaule and also a Desperado. Naseem, having already beaten Daniel Dandalion and multiple Vermillion soldiers, challenges Stella and tells her he will defeat her with only his left hand. Stella takes this challenge and their fight starts. Despite Stella using Dragon Spirit, she is easily overwhelmed by Naseem, and even her slashes simply face through him. Stella then proclaims that she has figured out Naseem's ability, which according to her is the ability to manipulate sand, which lets him strengthen his attacks, and turn himself to sand. Naseem though says that his ability isn't something so cheap.

Naseem then takes out his right fist and releases a sinister aura, which makes Stella unable to move. Just when Naseem is about to defeat Stella, she is saved by Nene who has arrived. After brief banter, Nene uses her gravity manipulation ability, to freeze Naseem's body and launch him through a building with a kick. Nene then explains that Naseem's true ability is to absorb moisture, thus turning anything into sand. Naseem then rises from the rubble, ready to continue fighting. Before the fight continues though, Lunaeyes, riding Johann's golden chariot along with Or-Gaule, demands that everyone stops fighting. She then tells that the fates of Vermillion and Cradleland will be decided in a tournament between the two countries.

After the announcement, Stella questions Lunaeyes about making an agreement with Or-Gaule. Lunaeyes tells that she has made an agreement with Or-Gaule so that both sides will stop fighting, and face each other in a five against five battle royale. She also says that if there would be a straight-on battle between Or-Gaule's forces and the League of Mage-Knight Nations, who have arrived to help Vermillion, it would result in massive amounts of casualties. The tournament will greatly reduce the casualties. Though Stella doesn't like it, she agrees with Lunaeyes, wanting to protect both the people of Vermillion and Cradleland. The tournament will be held in a week, with only people currently in Vermillion being allowed to participate.

After Or-Gaule and his forces leave, Stella is comforted by Ikki, as she is feeling powerless to protect the people of Cradleland who are controlled by Or-Gaule. Ikki though manages to calm her down. Sirius then arrives in Kardia, eagerly asking Stella and Lunaeyes if they are okay. He tells them that he and Astrea were attacked by Ein Abgrund, an ally of Or-Gaule, but were saved by Yui Tatara. Once Stella and the others return to Vermillion, it's decided that Stella, along with Ikki, Ascarid, Nene and Yui, will represent Vermillion in the upcoming tournament. It's also announced that Or-Gaule, Naseem, Ein, Big Baby and Johann will be representing Cradleland. Nene though says that Stella isn't strong enough to fight with opponents on the level of Or-Gaule and Naseem. Stella decides to go to Estonia, to challenge Edelweiss, who lives there, in order to get stronger. Ikki and the rest of the team, apart from Nene, accompany her.

Visiting Edelberg
Stella and the team arrive at a small village close to Edelberg, a mountain where Edelweiss lives, where there are multiple other Blazers who want to challenge Edelweiss. The team almost gets into a fight with a mercenary group called Murder Entry, but the conflict is stopped by two Blazers named Yoshikazu Kiba, a former Japanese competitor in the KOK A-League, and Ranbalt Raab, a captain in the U.S. Secret Service. They are also there to challenge Edelweiss. Stella and the others though decide to head upwards the mountain, with Stella flying and carrying Ikki and Ascarid, while Yui uses her Total Reflect to jump through the air.

Once they arrive at Edelweiss' place, Stella attempts to challenge Edelweiss. However, Stella is stopped by Edelweiss' bloodlust, which even damages her. Edelweiss explains that this is the result of being a Desperado and that Stella can never hope to defeat Edelweiss as long as she is just a normal Blazer. Stella refuses to back down and wants Edelweiss to fight her so that she can get stronger. Edelweiss agrees to this, on the condition that Stella guards her home against challengers for six days. Ascarid warns Stella, that due to Edelweiss' Noble Art, Rule of Grace, Stella won't be able to back out of her promise once she's made it. Despite this, Stella decides to agree to Edelweiss's condition anyway. Ascarid and Yui are also forced to swear that they won't directly help Stella, as they will be looking after her, while Ikki stays with Edelweiss.

Training on Snowy Mountain
Stella is later seen fighting with about fifty Blazers, who are trying to reach Edelweiss, while Ascarid and Yui watch her fight. Although Stella initially overwhelms her opponents, as more people arrive, she starts to slip up. When only four opponents remain, Stella starts to lose the rest of her composure, not even being able to figure out the ability of her opponents. However, with Yui's advice, Stella manages to defeat the four Blazers, finishing the first day.



After her battle, Yu scolds Stella, saying that her fighting style is very amateurish, deciding to teach her how to better engage big groups of enemies. Yui tells Stella that there are three things that are wrong with her fighting style. The first one is her wastefulness of calories, which are the fuel of Stella's magic. Yui teaches Stella how to slow down her heartbeat, so she doesn't need to use her magic for warmth. Yui then tells Stella that the second pointless thing is the amount of time Stella wastes in fighting enemies. Yui teaches her how to easily take care of big groups much faster with little effort. The third one is using excessive movements, in which even weak enemies should be defeated proficiently. Thanks to Yui's advice, Stella easily defeats all of the enemies up to the fifth day.

On the evening of the fifth day, Stella prepares a hot spring, in which the girls relax. Stella thanks Yui for helping her and Yui then reveals her past and her reason for wanting to defeat her sister Ein. Ascarid also shares her own past with her brother Or-Gaule.

The Assassin from Shinryuu Temple
On the final day, Stella encounters Fu Xiaoli, one of the Four Sages of the Shinryuu Temple and a Desperado who is currently on the run from the temple for breaking its laws. Xiaoli wants to show the world the true power of the Shinryuu Temple, by defeating the strongest warriors in the world, including Edelweiss. Xiaoli then manifests her Device, challenging Stella to a battle, which Stella accepts. Due to Xiaoli being a Desperado, Stella has to keep her faith in her own abilities unshaken, or else she will be overtaken by Xiaoli's Desperado aura. Stella attacks Xiaoli with Satan Fang, with Xiaoli easily dodging her attacks. As the fight goes on, Xiaoli uses a poison ability, to temporarily make Stella unable to move. This shocks Ascarid and Yui, because they have heard that Xiaoli's ability is manipulating wind. Stella though manages to recover, by using Dragon Spirit, striking Xiaoli and breaking both of Xiaoli's arms. Stella chases Xiaoli, while the latter runs away from Stella. Stella then uses Katharterio Salamandra, only to be countered by Xiaoli's own version of the attack. It's revealed that Xiaoli's true ability is to copy the abilities of other Blazers. Xiaoli also heals her injuries with Stella's healing ability. Xiaoli then uses a martial arts move, to knock back Stella, damaging her.



As Stella tries to continue fighting, she is unable to stand up to Xiaoli, while the fears of facing a Desperado start to overcome Stella, lessening her resolve. Stella gets continually beaten by Xiaoli and this continues for 10 minutes with Stella being unable to gain the upper hand. Despite being completely overpowered, Stella still refuses to give up, shocking Xiaoli. Xiaoli also notes that Stella's strikes are actually getting heavier. Xiaoli attempts to end the fight with numerous fast strikes to Stella's chin, almost taking her down. Stella though remembers her duty to the people who love her so much. She then raises her sword, indicating she is going to use Katharterio Salamandra, with her sword starting to glow. Xiaoli though also refuses to give up, using a secret technique called Kirinkou, which temporarily boosts her strength and magic power.

As Stella and Xiaoli clash, it initially seems like Stella's sword is shattering. Instead, light bursts out of the cracks, transforming her sword into a far bigger version of itself. Stella then overpowers Xiaoli, slashing the entire mountain Edelberg in two and defeating her. This burst of power is the result of Stella's soul experiencing an evolution and reaching her Awakening, becoming a Desperado herself. After the battle, Edelweiss, who was watching the battle, acknowledges Stella's strength, saying that Stella is ready to challenge her. Stella though refuses, as she has already gained enough strength and doesn't want to risk her life on fighting Edelweiss. Edelweiss accepts this decision, as Stella and the rest the team then return to Vermillion.

Vermillion State Funeral
As the team returns to Vermillion, Stella is confronted by Nene, who tests Stella's strength with her aura, being pleasantly surprised when Stella isn't even fazed by her. Stella also meets with Lunaeyes, who tells her that the people of Vermillion are preparing for a state funeral and refuse to evacuate despite the orders to do so. Stella though notes that the people should be allowed to stay if they want to. Lunaeyes is concerned if the people will be okay, but Stella comforts her, announcing that she will protect everyone and won't lose, encouraging the people present.