The Absolute Godspeed of Infinite Worlds

Eiji did want to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, but whether he could become the Seven Stars Sword King didn't matter much to him.

What he truly wanted was to spar with student knights from all over Japan, to personally experience various forms of strength, enrich himself, and continuously push his limits, shedding his weakness and moving toward true strength.

—Because being weak was an incredibly painful experience.

The title of Seven Stars Sword King would be nice to have, of course. Being recognized as the Seven Stars Sword King on the street would indeed be impressive, but not having it wasn't a big deal either. There was no need to obsess over gains and losses.

After all, the Seven Stars Sword King was just a title.

As long as he eventually became someone stronger than the Seven Stars Sword King, people would still sing praises of his name, and his fame might even far surpass those who had sat on the throne of the Seven Stars Sword King.

At this point, someone might say, "How could a Blazer with F-Rank Magic Power like you possibly become the strongest in the world? Isn't that just—"

"Overestimating yourself."

A sharp, mocking voice came from the side, causing the girls surrounding Eiji to glare angrily in its direction.

"A weak pretty boy like you, dreaming of becoming the strongest in the world? You're making me laugh!"

Here it comes!

It's here, it's here!

The sound of chairs and desks being pushed aside echoed as a tall, burly figure stood up from the back of the classroom, looking at Eiji with undisguised disdain.

Eiji rubbed his hands together, a hint of excitement appearing on his face.

This was the classic face-slapping moment found in every novel! Whether it was urban fiction, fantasy, or school-life stories, this was an absolute staple—there would always be some fool jumping out to give the protagonist a chance to show off!

He had noticed earlier that being surrounded by so many girls naturally attracted a lot of hostility from the male students.

What? Are you asking if his earlier declaration was just bait?

If you're asking me, then of course I'd say no.

Hehehe.

"Are you an idiot? Nangou-kun defeated the world's third-ranked knight!"

"That's right! Whether Nangou-kun can become the strongest in the world or not, it's not your place to dismiss him like that!"

"Nangou-kun saying this shows he has great ambition. Do you dare say the same?"

Before Eiji could even step forward, the girls around him had already started defending him, hurling insults at the tall guy.

Can you guys tone it down a bit and let me handle this?

"Why wouldn't I dare? If he can say it, so can I! I'll say it too—I'm going to become the strongest in the world. What about it?"

"Ugh, overestimating yourself!"

"?"

The tall guy was left with a head full of question marks.

What kind of logic was this?

Why was it considered ambitious when the pretty boy said he wanted to become the strongest in the world, but when he said the same thing, it was dismissed as overestimating himself?

"Ahem… let me say something fair."

Eiji coughed lightly, signaling the girls to step back as he took the initiative to step forward.

"Not hiding behind women anymore? At least you've got some guts."

The tall guy quickly hid the faint trace of grievance on his face and snorted coldly. "Let's see what you have to say."

"Let's just settle this with a duel."

Eiji said with a smile.

"…"

The tall guy fell silent.

"Hmph, I'll let you off today. Don't think I'm afraid of you!"

He snorted again and quickly turned to leave.

"?"

His quick surrender left Eiji feeling a bit unsettled.

According to the usual routine, shouldn't the guy have stubbornly insisted that Eiji was all talk, agreed to the duel, and maybe even bet his meager savings or spirit stones?

Eiji had been hoping to make some quick cash… but the guy just ran off? Was he just all talk?

Laughable.

Only an idiot would agree to duel him.

A certain tall, burly classmate who wished to remain anonymous breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the classroom.

No matter how foolish he might be, he knew about Eiji's feat of defeating Kurono Shinguuji. While he hadn't seen the videos circulating online, he understood that there was no smoke without fire.

Though he thought Eiji's achievements were probably exaggerated, he didn't believe that someone like the former world's third-ranked knight would throw a match on purpose. So, that pretty boy must have some real skill.

As an ordinary E-Rank knight, he wouldn't stand a chance against Eiji, so he made a quick exit.

It was better to back down temporarily than to be humiliated in front of everyone. If he got knocked out in front of the whole class, he'd lose all face, and the joke would be on him. He might not be able to hold his head high for the next three years.

"Good thing I'm smart!"

The tall guy thought to himself with pride.

A few years ago, he had read a web novel where random side characters kept jumping out, only to be slapped down by the protagonist one after another. At the time, he had been amazed by how satisfying it was, staying up all night to read it. Japanese light novels don't have such direct tropes.

He knew how these routines worked, and he wasn't about to become that pretty boy's stepping stone!

Unfortunately, that novel was discontinued soon after. According to the author, he wasn't making enough money, so he had to quit writing and go back to manual labor. The tall guy had been heartbroken for a long time.

***

Back in the classroom.

With the side character backing down, Eiji had no choice but to give up on his plan to make some quick cash… I mean, engage in a righteous duel.

"Nangou-kun, is something bothering you?"

"Is there anything we can help with?"

The girls around him, seeing him sigh, quickly offered their assistance, pounding their chests with enthusiasm, as if they could flatten any obstacle with sheer determination.

"It's nothing, just some personal matters."

Eiji shook his head.

After all these days, the 100,000 yen his senior sister had given him was completely spent.

Training was truly expensive. Between the facilities and nutritional supplements, it was enough to make anyone cry poor, especially for someone like him who pushed himself to the limit every day.

Hagun Academy did have a subsidy system, but it was distributed once a month, and he couldn't wait that long.

He was really short on money!

No, he had to find a way to make some cash!

Even if his money-making talent was cursed, with any money he earned slipping through his fingers, it didn't mean he had to rely solely on business or part-time jobs to make money, right?

Always asking his senior sister for money wasn't ideal either. Most of her annual subsidy was saved and sent to "Wakaba House." The 100,000 yen she had given him earlier was already a significant portion of her limited savings.

Eiji's gaze swept over the people around him, finally settling on Kagami Kusakabe.

As a journalist, she should know some special ways to make money, right?

"Kusakabe-san."

"Just call me Kaga! I'd be thrilled to get closer to my idol!"

"Kaga, let's schedule the interview for after school."

"So soon? Awesome!"

Kagami's face lit up with excitement, her mind already fantasizing about where she and her idol would go for their "date."

After all, an interview was basically a date, give or take.

Not long after, Ikki Kurogane returned from the infirmary with Yuuri Oreki's instructions: "Free time for the rest of the day."

Eiji didn't wait around in the classroom and soon left with Kagami.

***

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