"Ryuga Renjou... Ah! I'm Hugo! Hugo Clay! And this is my younger brother, Fee. It’s a pleasure to meet you!"
"Please, drop the formalities. Don't feel like you have to be polite just because I'm an exchange student. It makes me a little restless."
Ryuga spoke to Hugo with a relaxed smile.
Hugo hadn't expected to encounter the exchange students so suddenly and was quite flustered as he introduced himself.
The truth was, the moment he heard the name, a barrage of questions had nearly surged out of his mouth. Was he actually a black dragon knight who had emerged from a mirror world? Was he perhaps a protein-obsessed prince of muscle training? Or maybe he was the successor to a set of golden armor that featured black accents? However, Hugo restrained himself, realizing that if he blurted out such nonsense and offended an exchange student, it would likely spark an immediate international incident.
While Hugo worked to seal away his less-than-desirable otaku instincts, Ryuga’s younger sister stepped forward to introduce herself.
"I am Yui. Yui Renjou. I’ve come to attend Luminous Academy along with my brother. Please, take good care of him."
"Hey now, are you really one to talk? You’re the one who just needed their help because you were lost on campus."
"I wasn't lost! I was just taking a little stroll by myself!"
"Ahaha. You two certainly seem like a close pair of siblings."
"We are. But the same goes for you, Fee-kun. Going to school with your older brother shows how tight you two are. You seem very reliable; I wish my sister would take a page out of your book."
"Geez! Brother, stop teasing me!"
Just as Fee had observed, Ryuga and Yui appeared to be very close.
They seemed to have a similar age gap to Hugo and his brother, but the dynamic of a boisterous younger sister and a composed older brother was the polar opposite of his own situation. Remembering the rumors he’d heard about Ryuga, Hugo spoke up.
"Ah—um... what should I call you? Since you're both 'Renjou,' it’s a bit confusing."
"Just Ryuga is fine. From the look of it, you're a first-year in the High School Division too, right? We’re the same age, so don't worry about being formal."
"I see, thanks! I overheard some talk, but... Ryuga, were you called the strongest swordsman back at your school in Yamato? Does that mean you’re, like, insanely powerful!?"
"That’s right! My brother is very, very strong! He’s so powerful he could easily become the number one student here at Luminous Academy!"
"Whoa, seriously...? I guess the title of 'strongest' isn't just for show!"
"Good grief... Hugo, please don't take everything my sister says at face value. Yui tends to exaggerate."
Yui had answered on her brother's behalf, throwing her arms out wide for emphasis.
As Ryuga let out a weary sigh at her boast, Fee chimed in this time.
"But my big brother is really strong too! He’s solved all kinds of incidents and defeated tons of Magic Armor Beasts! He’s an incredibly powerful hero!"
"Oh, is that so? Well, I don't think he can compare to Ryuga. After all, my brother is a genius swordsman who has mastered three attributes—lightning, wind, and water—along with three different styles of sword techniques!"
"Hugo-niisan has fought using all kinds of different Blaster functions! Plus, the power of his flame attacks is on a whole different level!"
"In that case, my brother could just—"
"Yui, that's enough. This is embarrassing to listen to."
"You too, Fee. Don't get so worked up that you forget we're even here."
Hugo and Ryuga each reined in their respective siblings as the bragging match began to spiral.
The two shared a wry, knowing smile, silently commiserating over their troublesome siblings before exchanging their impressions of the spirited pair.
"He certainly looks up to you. Fee-kun is an excellent younger brother, but it seems you’re an older brother who lives up to that admiration."
"Right back at you, Ryuga. Yui-chan clearly trusts you implicitly. It doesn't seem like her claims about your strength are entirely exaggerated."
Hugo had been sensing an extraordinary presence from Ryuga from the start.
While he hadn't yet seen the skills that earned him the title of the strongest swordsman, there was an unmistakable aura about him. Similarly, Ryuga seemed to be picking up on an equally remarkable aura emanating from Hugo.
"...I'm interested in your abilities. I'd like to ask you for a match sometime."
"Ahaha, well, maybe down the line. We’re in the same year, so I'm sure we'll have a chance eventually."
Though Ryuga had essentially issued a challenge, Hugo—who wasn't particularly fond of fighting for the sake of it—offered a polite, non-committal laugh.
Still, he reached out and grasped Ryuga’s hand, sealing the introduction with a firm handshake.
Ryuga Renjou... an exchange student from Yamato and the strongest swordsman.
As Hugo met Ryuga’s gaze, feeling a flicker of genuine curiosity about the other's strength, Professor Castle suddenly appeared from the shadows.
"Renjou-kun, have you found your sister?"
"Ah, Professor Castle. Yes, sorry for the trouble. I found her safe and sound."
"I see, that is a relief... Hm? If it isn't the Clay brothers. What are you doing here?"
"Ah, hello, Professor."
It appeared Professor Castle had been searching for Yui along with Ryuga.
Hugo assumed the professor had been tasked with looking after the exchange students. Ryuga explained that the Clay brothers had been the ones to find his sister.
After nodding along to the story, Professor Castle turned his attention to Hugo.
"Good timing, Clay. The older one, I mean. I actually have something to discuss with you."
"Eh? With me, sir?"
"Yes. Once your classes are finished for the day, come to the Third Training Ground. You'll be briefed on the details there."
"I see... Third Training Ground after school. Got it."
Hugo wasn't entirely sure what this was about, but assuming he had some task to perform, he repeated the instructions back to the professor.
Professor Castle nodded in confirmation before addressing them one last time.
"The message has been delivered. I will continue the tour with the Renjou siblings, so you two head on to class. Make sure you aren't late."
"Yes, sir! Understood! Well then, excuse us!"
Hugo gave a sharp salute and began walking toward the school building with Fee.
As she watched his retreating back, Yui whispered to Ryuga.
"Brother. That man... he's incredibly strong. Out of all the students I've 'seen' so far, he's the best of the bunch. He might even be a match for you."
"...Yeah, I thought so. I had a feeling."
Ryuga nodded at his sister's assessment, a thin smile playing on his lips.
The curiosity he felt toward Hugo Clay was beginning to surge, and he let the feeling escape in a low murmur.
"Hugo Clay... I wonder just how strong he is, and what kind of man he truly is. He’s certainly caught my interest."
"Hehe! Brother, you look like you're having fun. You’re really that interested in Hugo-san?"
Ryuga glanced at his sister, who seemed delighted by his reaction, and spoke with a voice full of suppressed excitement.
"Yui... don't ask me questions when you already know the answer."
"Hehe! You’re in top gear, aren't you? It looks like academy life is going to be much more exciting than I thought, Brother!"
Yui’s voice was bright with anticipation, as if she had predicted his response exactly.
The siblings then turned and followed Professor Castle as he continued his tour of the grounds.