Chapter 30

Facing the Darkness is the thirty-first chapter of the Rakudai Kishi no Eiyuutan manga.

Summary
Ikki arrives on a train to a station, where he stumbles out of the train. A man comes to help Ikki, asking if he should be taken to a hospital. Despite being in a clearly bad condition, Ikki refuses to say his in a hurry. Ikki then heads towards the stadium where his final selection battle, against Touka Toudou will be held. Ikki though wonders how someone like him, who's completely hollow, could win against Touka, who is fighting for countless others.

Kurono Shinguuji and Nene Saikyo are at the stadium, waiting for Ikki to arrive. Kurono explains that she intended for the Emperor of Vermillion to meet with Ikki, in order to solve the scandal, but Akaza managed to trick them, by arranging a match between Ikki and Touka. Akaza then arrives along with Nangou Torajirou, who is the teacher of Nene and Touka, who's arrival makes Nene embarrassed. As Ikki doesn't show up, despite the match being supposed to start, Kurono questions why Ikki didn't arrive with Akaza. Akaza explains that Ikki took a train, but he was in a very bad condition, so he might not make it. This leaves Kurono infuriated, but Nene calms her down.

As Ikki attempts to walk to the stadium, he falls to the ground, being unable to continue. He remembers his encounter with Ryouma Kurogane, thinking that maybe if he didn't meet him and gain the resolve to fight, everything could be better. Ikki almost gives up, but then he remembers the promise he gave to Stella, about going to the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival together. As Ikki attempts to get back up, he is hugged by Shizuku, who has just arrived. Shizuku tells him that Touka asked Shizuku to try and stop Ikki from entering the match. Initially, Shizuku wanted to do this, as she wanted to protect Ikki but eventually realized that Ikki truly wanted to fight against Touka. Ikki then notices other students that have come to encourage him, including Ayase Ayatsuji, Kagami Kusakabe, Renren Tomaru and Ikazuchi Saijou. Then Stella arrives, having just won her own selection battle. Stella tells Ikki that she is now one of Hagun's representatives, so Ikki needs to win too. Ikki realizes that he too has people to fight for, just like Touka, and decides to challenge her.