"Welcome, everyone in attendance! This is the grand final of the Phoenix Festa!"
"After two weeks of grueling battles, the ultimate showdown of the Phoenix Festa is finally about to begin!"
"Now entering the stage are the two teams that have made it to the finals! What surprised us all is… both teams hail from Seidoukan Academy!"
"That's right! This year's Phoenix Festa finals have been completely dominated by Seidoukan Academy, a school that has struggled in recent years to achieve notable results!"
"And the finalists are—"
"Kaiser & Kirin Toudou and Ayato Amagiri & Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld!"
Inside the broadcast room, the two commentators spoke one after another in rapid succession, their voices overlapping as though they were performing a synchronized act. Their excitement merged with the thunderous cheers of the audience, resounding across the stage.
"Kaiser & Kirin Toudou were the first team to secure a spot in the finals. They are, respectively, Seidoukan Academy's current and former Rank One. In terms of strength, they are undoubtedly among the strongest competitors. From the very first day of the Phoenix Festa, they have been regarded as the top contenders for the championship."
"And indeed, they have proven their strength by advancing through the tournament with overwhelming victories. Even in the semifinals, when facing Le Wolfe Black Institute's Rank Three, they secured a smooth and decisive win, further solidifying their status as championship favorites."
"On the other hand, Ayato Amagiri & Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld have had a far more arduous journey, winning each match through hard-fought battles. Their victories have been anything but easy."
"But just when it seemed like they were on the verge of defeat, these two always managed to turn the tables, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat time and time again. Underestimating them would be a grave mistake."
"I see! So today's match is a showdown between the dominant kings and the dark horses!"
"Both teams are from Seidoukan Academy, meaning they should be fairly familiar with each other's strengths. In the end, who will claim victory? It's truly difficult to predict."
As the live commentators grew more heated in their discussion, Kaiser and Ayato, already standing face-to-face on the stage, gripped the Activators of their swords.
"The moment has finally arrived."
Ayato was the first to speak.
He wore a confident smile—one that was different from his usual relaxed and carefree expression. This time, it was filled with determination and fighting spirit.
"Yeah." Kaiser gazed at Ayato with a look of understanding and muttered, "I always had a feeling that if I kept winning in the Phoenix Festa, I would eventually face you as my opponent. But now that we're actually standing on opposite sides like this, I can't help but feel a little sentimental."
Kaiser had always believed that as long as he continued his winning streak, his final opponent would inevitably be Ayato Amagiri.
After all, Ayato was the protagonist of the original story. He was the destined champion of the Phoenix Festa. As long as they hadn't encountered each other earlier in the tournament, and no unexpected plot twists had occurred, their clash was bound to happen sooner or later.
Because of that, Kaiser had always regarded Ayato as the final opponent he needed to overcome—the greatest challenge of this Phoenix Festa.
"It seems like you've always held me in high regard, Kaiser." Ayato, of course, could not comprehend Kaiser's perspective. He looked slightly puzzled and said, "There are many competitors in this tournament with greater strength and abilities than me."
Clearly, Ayato had noticed how seriously Kaiser regarded him, but he couldn't understand why.
In terms of pure strength, Ayato didn't consider himself superior to Kaiser. Not now, and certainly not before.
After all, Ayato had been held back by the restrictions of his seal. The amount of time he could fight at full strength had been severely limited.
Although he had somewhat overcome that problem now, Kaiser had already taken him seriously long before this. That left Ayato feeling both surprised and flattered.
Even if he were unrestricted, Ayato didn't believe he was the strongest competitor in this year's Phoenix Festa.
Given that, Kaiser's level of attention toward him seemed almost excessive.
At least, from Ayato's point of view, he was unworthy of being regarded as Kaiser's greatest rival.
To this, Kaiser simply shook his head.
"Others might not understand your strength, but I do more than anyone," Kaiser said meaningfully. "Like I said, I've been looking forward to this battle."
"Now that we're both standing on this stage as opponents…"
"Let's give it our all."
Hearing Kaiser's words, Ayato cast aside his doubts.
"I understand." Ayato once again smiled, his fighting spirit burning brighter than ever. "I've been looking forward to this too."
With that, Kaiser and Ayato locked eyes for a moment.
Then, as if they had agreed beforehand, they simultaneously activated their Orga Luxes.
"Zing—"
"Zing—"
Brilliant lights erupted from their respective Urm-Manadyte cores, pulling vast amounts of Mana from the air.
Ayato raised his Activator, and a holographic grid spun into existence, rapidly assembling and restructuring itself before unfolding like a mechanical jaw, forming an azure sword.
Meanwhile, Kaiser's activation was far more subtle. His Activator didn't create any additional components; instead, it simply concentrated an immense amount of heat, forging a blade of deep violet and black flames that extended from the crimson Urm-Manadyte core.
"Vmm!"
"Vmm!"
Both legendary swords roared to life in unison, vibrating as if in anticipation—almost as if they couldn't wait for the battle to begin.
"There it is! The legendary Four-Colored Magic Swords!"
"The Ser-Veresta that can burn through everything and Wole-Zain that can cut through space—two of the infamous Four-Colored Magic Swords appearing together on the Phoenix Festa stage! This is truly a historic moment!"
It was as if the commentators had been waiting for this moment all along. The instant Kaiser and Ayato activated their swords, they shouted with boundless enthusiasm.
Countless spectators watched this scene unfold—whether present in the arena or watching the live broadcast—fixating their full attention on this monumental duel.
A battle between Orga Luxes.
A showdown between magic swords.
Not only were these legendary weapons equals in name, but they had also originated from the same laboratory. This was a fateful clash in every sense.
Even the strongest warriors from the various academies and those with their own hidden agendas were watching with keen interest, awaiting the outcome of this battle.
Because of this, Kirin Toudou and Julis-Alexia von Riessfeld had been relegated to the background.
Yet, neither of them minded.
"My apologies in advance, Julis-senpai," Kirin said as she unsheathed Senbakiri.
"I won't hold back, Kirin," Julis responded with a fearless smile as she activated a rapier-type Lux.
Right on cue, the commentators' voices boomed once more.
"The time has come! No matter the outcome, this will be the final match of this year's Phoenix Festa!"
"The dominant kings versus the dark horse challengers—who will seize the ultimate victory and stand at the pinnacle of this stage?!"
At that moment, the Seidoukan Academy uniforms worn by all four competitors shimmered, and their school badges emitted a red glow.
"The 24th Phoenix Festa Grand Finals."
A mechanical voice echoed from the badges, resounding throughout the entire stage.
"Match—START!"
The moment the starting signal rang across the arena, the four students from Seidoukan Academy simultaneously unleashed their Prana, filling the air with shimmering star-like motes of energy.
"Bloom—Scarlet Circular Flameblades!"
Julis was the first to act, converting her surging Prana into materialized flames, causing red lotus-like fire to erupt around her.
The flames whirled into vortexes, rapidly coalescing into circular disks. Within moments, a dozen scorching fire wheels spun furiously around her.
"Go!"
With a swing of her rapier-type Lux, Julis sent the blazing wheels flying forward, leaving trails of flame in their wake.
Kaiser and Kirin showed no hesitation as they charged straight into the attack.
"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!" …
Flashes of violet-black flames and silver-white slashes illuminated the battlefield as the incoming fire wheels were cut down one by one.
Kaiser and Kirin advanced like masterful swordsmen performing a deadly dance, slicing through the flames as they dashed toward Julis.
"You won't get through!"
Ayato intercepted them, sword in hand.
The battle erupted instantly.