connected to Umesato Middle School’s local network. From the beginning, his Neuro Linker in which Brain Burst existed was not connected to the network.

In other words, it was like this. His Neuro Linker was usually operating in stand-alone mode. By doing so, he avoided ?unavoidable duels? that were a risk that came along with the privilege of a Burst Linker’s ?acceleration ability?, and furthermore could still connect to the network as well due to the BIC.

For example, in the kendo match against Takumu. That time, Noumi was connected to the local network within the school by using the BIC in his cranium on the one hand, and activated physical acceleration using his Neuro Linker in its unconnected state on the other, letting his easily avoid Takumu’s shinai[1]. Even if one looked at the Matching List, his name naturally wouldn’t be there.

Only, in order to get a high score in his social studies test using ?acceleration?, he had to connect to the examination application with his Neuro Linker instead of his BIC, but if you excluded that instant—

“So..that’s how it is....”

After getting rid of all the countless windows that were displayed in his vision with a sweep of his hand, Haruyuki squeezed out the words in a hoarse voice.

At last. —At last, he had finally arrived at it. The only correct answer.

What’s more, this information was fatal to Noumi Seiji. The existence of a BIC could be determined with an X linear scanner. And if the chip was discovered in Noumi’s brain, his entry into Umesato Middle School would certainly be revoked.

If he used this card, he would drag out Noumi into the same place as him. Into a battlefield without special privileges. Then, after that, there would be only one thing to do. ?Duel?, fight with all his strength—and win.

Staring out at the evening sky in the center of Tokyo where Noumi should be flying right now, Haruyuki said a short sentence, as if firing a bullet from a rifle.

“Noumi..This time, I’m going to settle this.”