Light Novel Volume 03

The third Light Novel volume released on January 15, 2014.

Summary
Nearing the end of the Selection Battles, Shizuku Kurogane is scheduled to face on the Academy's strongest Knight, Tohka Todo, in a match ultimately resulting in Shizuku's lost despite her best efforts. By a stroke of coincidence, Ikki and Stella accidentally bumps into Tohka who was carrying loads of documents, deciding to help her. Around then, the duo learns from the Student Council about a giant who has been causing issues at the academy's training camp in Okutama. Interested in the giant, Ikki and Stella agrees to help the Student Council on dealing with the giant, unaware of the shadow lurking behind the giant. At the same time, the Kurogane Family led by Ikki's father once again starts to plot against Ikki.

Chapters
Prologue: Shizuku's Challenge

In her childhood, Shizuku was always forgiven no matter she did, even when she hit other kids or stole their toys. This was always because of her great abilities and talent. This lead to Shizuku despising humans, as they always forgave everything in front of power. However, there was one person who didn't forgive Shizuku. That was her older brother, Ikki Kurogane, who even hit Shizuku and scolded her. Seeing this, the other adults attempted to make Ikki apologize to Shizuku, but he refused. Ikki's actions however, made Shizuku respect and adore her, deciding to follow Ikki for the rest of her life.

Shizuku's selection match is about to begin, as she thinks how she noticed how badly Ikki was being treated by his family, only after he left, which gave Shizuku resolve to give her brother all of the love, he would not receive from others. However, to stand beside Ikki, Shizuku will need to get stronger, and defeat stronger opponents The announcers then introduce Shizuku and her opponent one of Japan's top 4 student knights, who had only been defeated in the semi-finals of the previous Festival by the Seven Stars Sword King himself, the strongest student of Hagun Academy and the president of the student council, who wields the invincible trump card, the third year student "Raikiri" Tohka Todo. As the combatants step on the arena, Shizuku can feel the immense power of Tohka, which makes her even more excited, wanting to show how much she loves her brother, by beating the strongest knight of Hagun.

Chapter 1: Lorelei VS. Raikiri

As the match begins, both combatants manifest their Devices, Shizuku wielding a small blade called 'Yoishigure', while Tohka uses a katana called 'Narukami', however, neither of them moves, only staring at eacj other. In the audience, Nagi notes that they are waiting for the other to make a move, not wanting to be reckless. Ikki also tells that Shizuku needs to be careful, because of Tohka's trump card, the strongest close range technique. After Stella asks what the trump card is, Ikki explains that it's her Noble Art 'Raikiri', which is a slash empowered by lightning, making it blindingly fast and extremely powerful, with every single match where the technique was used, having ended with Tohka's victory. Even the current Seven Stars Sword Art King was afraid of it, having used his spear Device, to keep himself out of Tohka's range. Just then Tohka dashes towards Shizuku.

When Tohka rushes towards Shizuku, Shizuku also makes her move, activating her Noble Art 'Toudo Heigen' covering the arena in ice, and using her Noble Art 'Water Prison Orb' to shoot multiple balls of water at Tohka. Tohka though manages to dodge the water balls, despite the slippery surface, and launches a lightning attack at Shizuku. Shizuku though activates another Noble Art, 'Shouha Suiren' to summon walls of water to block the lightning. Tohka launches multiple more lightning bolts at Shizuku, which Shizuku barely blocks. Tohka's advantage over Shizuku is the pace that she can execute attacks, allowing her to push Shizuku back with her constant attacks. However, Tohka's movements suddenly stop, as her feet are frozen into the ground. Shizuku uses this opportunity, to drop a giant mass of ice on her. This shows her Shizuku's amazing mana control, defending against Tohka's attacks, freezing her and forming a giant mass of ice simultaneously. Tohka however destroys the giant piece of ice and frees herself, with a powerful lightning slash, without receiving a scratch. The audience is getting excited over the fight, surprised at how evenly Shizuku is able to match the strongest knight at Hagun. Even Stella comments that she could win. Ikki however is more skeptical about Shizuku's victory. The other student council members Utakata Misogi and Kanata Totokubara also note that Shizuku is strong, but Tohka is yet to fight seriously.

As Shizuku and Tohka are waiting for each other to make a move, Tohka suddenly moves in front of Shizuku and almost slashes her, with Shizuku barely dodging. Shizuku is confused, having not noticed that Tohka moved. Tohka moves in front of her again, without Shizuku noticing, this time hitting her. However, this is revealed to be just a water clone, with Shizuku having dodged the attack, although she receives a wound on her left arm. Shizuku though is still confused about Tohka's movements, being unable to follow them. Seeing Shizuku suddenly struggle, the audience becomes confused by the sudden tun of the tables. Stella too asks Ikki what is happening, with Ikki saying that Shizuku is unable to follow Tohka's movements for some reason. Ikki notes that he has seen this technique before used by Nene Saikyo. Nene and Kurono than appears, congratulating Ikki on his assumption. Nene explains that the technique Tohka is using, is called 'Trackless Step', showcasing it by sneaking behind Stella and grabbing her breasts. Kurono then asks to Ikki explain how 'Trackless Step' works, as he has probably already figured it out. Ikki then tells that the technique allows the user to slip into their users unconsciousness, by using breath control and footwork, making the target unable to react to the users movements. Ikki also wonders how a student like Tohka is able to achieve a similar technique to Nene, who is ranked 3rd in the KOK A-League. Kurono tells that Nen and Tohka were taught by the same man, that being Torajirou Nangou, the world's oldest active Blazer, though Nene gets embarrassed by Kurono calling Nangou her master. Kurono then notes that Shizuku won't be able to break 'Trackless Step', with Ikki admitting this, as breaking the technique requires the opponent to switch their focus into their unconsciousness, which is hard in the middle of a fight. Stella though believes that Shizuku can win, cheering her on.

Hearing Stella's encouragement, Shizuku thinks how Stella will definitely go to the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival with Ikki, which is why she must also go, wanting to stand beside her brother. Tohka again attempts to use 'Trackless Step', but Shiuzku quickly uses her Noble Art 'Byakuya Kekka', which creates a thick cloud of mist around the arena, making Tohka unable to see Shizuku. Shizuku then activates another Noble Art, 'Hisuijin', increasing her blade's length and cutting power, by compressing water on it. A strike from Hisuijin cannot be blocked as the blade is liquid, which will allow Shizuku to hit Tohka. However, as Shizuku rushes towards Tohka and raises her blade to attack, Tohka activates her trump card, as Shizuku had entered her range, destroying 'Byakuya Kekkai' and 'Hisuijin', and cutting Shizuku down. As Shizuku falls down, Tohka is declared the winner of the match, with Shizuku's hopes of fighting beside Ikki and Stella in the Festival being crushed. Seeing Shizuku lose, Ikki notes that she was really strong, having grown from the little girl she used to be. Ikki also thinks that Tohka is also very strong, residing at the summit of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, an opponent Ikki will probably face her in the future.

Shizuku later wakes up in the hospital room, surrounded by Nagi, Ikki and Stella. Remembering that she lost, Shizuku asks for the others to leave. Ikki and Stella leave, but Nagi stays with her. Shizuku asks him too to leave, but Nagi ignores her request, saying that Shizuku fought hard and her brother was proud of him. Nagi then hugs Shizuku, tells her that she doesn't need to be appear tough anymore. Shizuku then begins to cry, being frustrated over her loss to Tohka.

Ikki and Stella are walking, talking about Shizuku's unfortunate loss. They though have to focus on their own battles, as the selection battles are nearing their end. They decide to go train together, with Ikki grabbing Stella's hand. As Stella feels Ikki's hand wrap around hers, Stella thinks about their relationship, secretly having desires to move forward to the "next step" of their relationship, which also makes her embarrassed. A female student carrying a giant stack of papers coming from around the corner. Seeing the girl carrying the papers, Ikki asks if the girl needs help, which causes her to be surprised and fall over, dropping the papers, exposing her panties. As the girl searches for her glasses, Stella informs her of her indecent situation, with the girl quickly cowering hers bottom. Ikki finds the glasses and hands them to the girl, who is actually revealed to be Tohka Todo herself. Ikki and Stella help her carry the papers to the student council room, with many students greeting Tohka as they walk. Stella noticing that Tohka didn't wear her glasses in her match against Shizuku, asks if she was going easy on her, which Tohka quickly debunks. Tohka explains that she used a Noble Art, called 'Reverse Sight', which allows her to sense the opponents movements through the signals going through their body, but the technique requires her to cut off her eyesight. Tohka also notes that Stella is probably a good friend of Shizuku, with Stella quickly denying this. Ikki wonders if Tohka telling them her ability is good, as they might face each other in the future, but Tohka tells that knowing about one of her abilities won't help them much. Sensing Tohka's confidence, Ikki thinks how he would like to face her someday.

As the group enter the student council room, where the other members, Kanata, Utakata, Saijou and Renren, currently reside. However, the hole room is a mess, with all kinds of stuff being scattered everywhere. Tohka scolds the other members, especially Utakata and Renren, for making the room so messy, while she was away to train for a couple. Asking for Ikki and Stella to wait outside a bit. Tohka makes the others help her clean the room, which happens surprisingly quickly. As Ikki and Stella enter, they greet the others members, having met them previously. As they sit down, Saijou compliments Tohka for finding such good helpers, which confuses Ikki and Stella, and shocks Tohka, having forgotten an important thing. Kanata then explains that Kurono asked the student council to research a mysterious sighting at Okutama, where Hagun's training camp resides. Tohka was supposed to ask for helpers, but forgot, having focused on her match against Shizuku. Kanata also reveals that the mysterious sightings have been about a supposed giant. Hearing this, Stella happily accepts to help, wanting to see a giant, and makes Ikki come with her, which he does accept. Thus, next weekend they all head out to Okutama.

Chapter 2: Mystery in Okutama

In the headquarters of the League of Mage-Knight Nations Japan Branch, the leader of the Japanese branch, Itsuki Kurogane, who is also the father of Ikki and Shizuku, grieves over Shizuku's loss, while another man notes that she was unlucky, having faced against Tohka. Itsuki also worries about Ikki's success in the selection battles, as he might even reached the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, which would spread his fame even further, something Itsuki doesn't want to happen. However, the other man, named Mamoru Akaza a branch member of the Kurogane Family, tells Itsuki that he has a plan to get rid of Ikki, having acquired some interesting information about him.

Ikki and Stella, along with the student council arrive to the training camp in the mountains of Okutama. Stella and Renren immediately begin playing badminton, while the other start preparing food, with Ikki also helping as he has experience in cooking. As they make food, Ikki notices something eye-catching about Tohka. Noticing this, Utakata tells him that he probably sensed the source of Tohka's strength, with Ikki asking him to explain. Utakata explains that he and Tohka grew up in the same orphanage, with Kanata also visiting them often, making the three of them good friends. Many of the children there had experienced tragedies, having lost their parents in an accident or having been abandoned, with one child's parents even having attempted to kill their child. However, Tohka, despite also having experienced loss, was able to spread positivity across the orphanage, helping everyone and managing to make life better for the others. She even managed to befriend the child who was almost killed by his parents, despite that child being violent to her. Tohka's actions saved that child's humanity, being thankful to Tohka to that very day, with the child being actually Utakata himself. Tohka's good intentions and friendliness are her strength, being driven by the children who admire her at the orphanage. Utakata though also notes that though Ikki is strong as well and carries his own burden, the weight of responsibility he carries is entirely different from Tohka's. Hearing this, Ikki wonders if he would be able to even defeat Tohka.

They eat lunch, being delicious, though Stella surprisingly doesn't eat much. They then divide into three groups, Tohka and Utakata, Renren and Saijou as well as Ikki and Stella, while Kanata stays behind. The groups then go and search the surrounding area for the mysterious giant. Ikki and Stella walk through the forest, with Stella becoming quickly tired. This worries Ikki, who wonders if Stella is alright. As they continue their search, Ikki stumbles upon a giant footprint, with the ground having crumbled around it and trees being uprooted. As Ikki calls out to Stella, he notices that she is completely worn out, with Stella saying that her body feels really heavy for some reason. Ikki realizes that Stella has a cold, something she has had never had before, making it all the more worse. Stella, having already endured it for some time, is now barely able to stand up, with Ikki carrying her. Ikki remembers a nearby shack, where they can rest, carrying Stella there.

Chapter 3: Worst One Under Siege

Chapter 4: One Slash

Epilogue: 

Afterword

Translation
Baka-Tsuki: https://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Rakudai_Kishi_no_Eiyuutan:Volume3