[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy":3,"chapter-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-67":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Strongest Student of the Weakest Academy",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1027620,1339,"Chapter 67 The Moonlight Swordsman (XXXIII)","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-67",67,"\u003Cp>\"Hah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, I adjusted my gloves slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A full day had passed since I'd adopted Chaerin, and now it was finally time to end this damned Death Tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the information that Yara gave them, all of them are low s-rank awakeners, which will be quite difficult to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least Chaerin was safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had made sure to hide her from Yara—because honestly? I didn't trust Yara not to take an interest in her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And knowing her, \"interest\" could mean anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So for now, Chaerin was running around the black market with Lumi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was strong enough to handle herself, and anyone dumb enough to mess with her was in for a very bad day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, thanks to the Family Bond magic, I could sense her location and whether she was in danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was one less thing to worry about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you ready~?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar, sultry voice rang out from my right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't even have to turn my head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Yara.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Obviously,\" I replied, nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mhn~, is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stepped closer, grabbing the front of my jacket. I blinked, looking down at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was only a little shorter than me, her head reaching my nose, and from this distance, I could catch the faint scent of her perfume—something sweet, almost intoxicating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without saying anything, she adjusted my jacket slightly, straightening it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Which didn't make any sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to walk into a fight to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For all I knew, I'd leave the arena without a jacket at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Doesn't this make us feel like newlyweds?\" she asked out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her head suddenly, her black eyes locking onto mine. Her lips parted slightly, the corner of her mouth curving up in a way that was just suggestive enough to be intentional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, she bit her lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly and seductively...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze flickered from my lips, then back to my eyes, wordlessly inviting me to make a move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Really?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This might have looked like a simple flirt, but it was a test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were two possible outcomes:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1 - I kiss her. That means I \"admit\"—without actually saying it—that I like her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2 - I don't kiss her. That means I'm \"rejecting\" her outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, it was going to get me fucked anyway...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of playing into her game, I simply continued staring at her with the same calm look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clicked her tongue, frowning slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're no fun.\" Letting go of my jacket, she muttered with a small sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, she let go of my jacket with a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really had changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a crazy bitch to... a mostly normal woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well... make sure to win, okay?\" Her voice was quieter now, more serious. \"I wouldn't like to see your dead body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused, looking me over one last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a smirk appeared on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for that favor... I've already got what I want in mind,\" she licked her lips, once again, giving me a suggestive look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What is it?\" I asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She winked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You'll know after the match.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, she turned and walked away, probably going to her VIP seat to watch the final match or something like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her walk away, I turned to walk towards the corridor that would lead me toward the death arena, where the final showdown would happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A free-for-all between the last four challengers...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"MOONLIGHT SWORDSMAN!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"MASKED PUPPET!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stepped onto the last stretch before the arena, the cheers from the crowd exploded, shaking the walls around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something was... off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were four challengers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet only two names were being shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two fighters were there, standing at the edges of the battlefield, but the crowd barely seemed to acknowledge them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it seems like both me and the \"Masket Puppet\" were more popular than both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as I walked onto the arena—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ladies and gentlemen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer's voice boomed from the speakers, filled with energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the final match of our beloved tournament, we have, on the upper left—THE CHAINED BASTARD!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd erupted—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With boos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"BOOOOOOOOOOOO!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn. That was loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And on the upper right, we have—THE BLOOD DRAINER!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another wave of boos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"BOOOOOOOOO!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay... what the hell did these guys do to piss off the crowd this badly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer barely let the negativity settle before continuing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the lower left, we have... THE MASKED PUPPET!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"MASKED PUPPET!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A wave of cheers. Loud. Intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"SLICE THEM TO PIECES!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...And completely insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And finally! As our last contestant...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was already roaring, waiting for my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have the MOONLIGHT SWORDSMAN! The rookie who killed the two-time champion, Iron Wrestler!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WOOOOOOOOOOO!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"EXPLODE THEM!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"MAKE THEIR BODY TURN INTO POOLS OF BLOOD!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My cheers were insane as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that I should've expected anything else from an underground death tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer let the cheers carry for a few more seconds before finally—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that everyone is ready...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I adjusted my stance immediately, my fingers tightening around the hilts of the two swords at my waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I instantly dashed forward, but before I could even react...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Splurt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood sprayed into the air, two fountains of red cutting through the arena lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along with two heads, falling into the ground of the arena...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked forward and saw the Masked Puppet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was pale and lean, with slicked-back gray hair reaching the nape of his neck. His ears were sharp, his posture straight—but the most striking thing about him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A white, expressionless face, except for the eerie, mischievous smirk carved into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grin stretched from cheekbone to cheekbone, sharp and unnatural, curving just above the jawline before arching back up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two crescent-shaped slits ran down from where his eyes should be, giving him a haunting, almost inhuman look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his outfit... was simply immaculate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A high-collared jacket with three silver buttons on each side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The collar was flipped, showing a plant-like pattern hidden on the inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long, split cape trailed behind him, brushing against his polished boots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Underneath, he wore a white button-up shirt, neatly tucked, paired with a small black bow tie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pants had subtle, jagged lines running down them, and his hands were covered in white gloves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the cherry on top...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Atop his head, there was a magician's top hat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way he stood—still as a shadow, head tilted slightly to the side—gave the unsettling impression that he was... grinning at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WOOOOO!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"THAT'S HOW IT'S DONE!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"PERFECTLY SLICED HEADS!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd even got louder than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept my eyes on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was very strange...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was too fast...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 Judgement Eye (✦ S-Level Skill ✦) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I activated my skill—and I saw...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thin mana threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost invisible, running between his fingertips, stretching outward like a spider's web.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's how he did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sliced them apart with mana strings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dealing with him was going to be... difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait a minute, dear Moonlight Swordsman...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man suddenly spoke before I could attack him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Kagetaro Kurohare,\" he said, placing one hand over his chest and the other behind his back in a flourished bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's an absolute pleasure to finally meet you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Aestrea Moon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe,\" the man chuckled at my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've been watching you for a while now, and I must say...\" His head tilted slightly, the mask unmoving—but somehow, I felt his excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're really... truly... fascinatingly incredible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Déjà vu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had heard of this kind of expression before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your power... is so interesting,\" he continued, voice trembling slightly—not with fear, but excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So little mana quantity, yet such superb mana quality... It's... breathtaking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers twitched as if barely holding back some kind of urge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" he breathed, his voice dipping low. \"I entered this tournament for one reason. A single, pure reason...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his arms, his white gloves practically glowing under the arena lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To meet you, my dear Aestrea...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Don't call me that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words left my mouth before I could stop them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disgust was instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being called that by a woman?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But by a man?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro simply chuckled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Join me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arms spread wide as if presenting an offer—a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Join forces with me. With the Dark Order!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My blood ran cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Together, we could dominate the entire world and create something new! A brand new era!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he just say—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dark Order?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Aestrea heard those words...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thrum!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pulse of mana erupted from his body, rippling through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer force sent a gust of wind blasting through the arena, kicking up dust and making the crowd go wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you just fucking say... Dark Order?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea spoke coldly, his voice cutting through the noise like a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes, deep crimson, began to glow sinisterly—leaving behind faint trails of scarlet smoke as his power stirred awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him, Kagetaro shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Mhm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep, shaky moan left his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—he hugged himself, his entire body trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's it...\" His breath hitched. \"That superb mana...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a ragged sigh, his gloved hands gripping his arms as if trying to hold himself together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It makes me so excited!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea vanished—disappearing into thin air—only to reappear right in front of Kagetaro, swords drawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tzzzt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A metallic snap rang out as Kagetaro reacted instantly, his near-invisible mana threads snapping into place like a web, blocking the strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact sent a sharp, screeching echo through the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea's crimson eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro was fast, faster than expected—but more than that, those near-invisible threads made him dangerous. T\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>hey were sharp, numerous, and nearly undetectable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tzzzt!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment their weapons connected, Aestrea felt the threads tightening around his blade like a snare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tsk—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sharp twist of his wrist, he jerked his sword free, slicing through a few strands before leaping back, just as thin, glinting threads shot past where his arms had been a split second ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ooooh!\" The crowd gasped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro grinned beneath his mask, his head tilting slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe… Careful now, dear Moonlight Swordsman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gloved fingers twitched, and suddenly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shwip! Shwip! Shwip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen razor-thin strings whipped forward like the fangs of a striking viper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea spun his sword in an arc, deflecting them with a sharp flick of his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cling! Cling! Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every impact sent a sharp, metallic ping into the air, but the moment he stopped moving—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Too slow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro flicked his wrist, and from behind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shwik!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thread lashed across Aestrea's shoulder, slicing clean through the fabric of his coat and drawing a thin line of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Damn it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea rolled forward, dodging another incoming whip of mana, then flipped back onto his feet. Blood trickled down his arm, warm against his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro placed a hand over his chest and let out an exaggerated sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh dear… such beautiful, rich red… It's a shame to spill it all at once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd cheered louder at the sight of blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to finish this quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grip tightened around his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Let's see if you can handle this.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a single fluid motion, he swung his blade upward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moonlit Ice Lotus Sword Art…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A soft chill spread through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 First Move! (✦ Ice Lotus Bloom ✦) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground rumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive lotus made of ice erupted from beneath Aestrea's feet, its crystalline petals spiraling outward in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temperature dropped instantly, frost creeping across the stone arena floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each petal was razor-sharp, glowing with a faint, eerie blue light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro's masked face twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strings lashed out in an attempt to slice through the ice—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea flicked his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ice petals detached—and shot forward like a storm of flying blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhhk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro leaped back, his strings forming a defensive web, but the petals were relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One grazed his sleeve, another slashed across his chest, and a third barely missed his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, Aestrea wasn't done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moonlit Ice Lotus Sword Art…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swung his sword in a wide arc—and suddenly, crescent-shaped waves of freezing blue mana exploded outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 Second Move! (✦ Ice Lotus Barrage ✦) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ice crescents sliced through the air at lightning speed, freezing everything in their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro twisted midair, but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shhhhk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crescent grazed his side, sending a chilling numbness through his body. Another sliced through his coat, tearing away fabric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked man landed on one knee, his breath coming in sharp gasps. Frost clung to his clothes, spreading along his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he still had the same confident smirk on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fascinating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—SNAP!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of strings burst outward like an exploding spiderweb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough playing around!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea's pupils shrank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here it comes—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strings moved like vipers, twisting and curving unnaturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea dodged left—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A string wrapped around his ankle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>THWIP!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro YANKED.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea was ripped off his feet and slammed sideways against the cold ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guh—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More strings coiled around his wrists, his legs—his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehehe… Caught you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro's voice was a delighted whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He jerked his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strings tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HRK—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea felt the sharp fibers digging into his skin, ready to slice him apart. The crowd screamed, half in thrill, half in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's over, dear swordsman.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro pulled harder, but then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fwoosh—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden blast of icy air erupted from his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strings around him froze instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro's eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea's fingers twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moonlit Ice Lotus Sword Art...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro stumbled back—but Aestrea was already behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sword gleamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『 Third Move! (✦ Moonlight's One Flash ✦) 』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea sheathes his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shhk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single clean cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep, jagged wound carved across Kagetaro's torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked man froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His strings shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood splattered across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagetaro staggered, his breaths coming out ragged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His knees buckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached for his chest, where the ice-laced wound burned into his flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Heh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mask tilted up, revealing a crooked smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What a beautiful sword art.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—he collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HE WON!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"MOONLIGHT SWORDSMAN!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"HOLY SHIT! HE SLICED THAT GUY UP!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea exhaled, his breath visible in the cold air. His sword still hummed from the energy of the final strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced down at Kagetaro's fallen form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Fuck...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sheathed his sword fully, stepping back as the announcer's voice boomed through the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—YOUR WINNER…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Death Tournament had reached its bloody conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, instead of celebrating...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'My sword didn't cut him.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked towards the place where his body should've been...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fuck...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He escaped...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aestrea clutched his fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>",2515,"2026-06-03T09:18:17.303Z","2026-06-03T09:18:22.612Z",1,"novelbin.me","e71ec21fd7b158222bca798f2cc25d901e433fca36c9cd1bb22a152cd9340bdd","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-68","the-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-chapter-66",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-strongest-student-of-the-weakest-academy-cover.jpg"]