Chivalry of a Dark Knight [Batman x Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry]

CH10: Lucky Roshi (prt 1)

"Whoa! It looks like contender Kurogane has suddenly collapsed! Somebody better get a medical team over there." the commentator's voice announced.

Bruce flinched in shock and then quickly ran down the steps towards the front of the stands where Stella, Shizuku and Nagi were.

"What happened to him!?" Bruce called out.

Stella and Shizuku spun towards him with surprised wide eyes, they certainly never expected him to show such concern.

Nagi didn't appear to show any surprise and simply explained to Bruce in a calm manner.

"There's nothing to worry about, Brucie. Ikki is just extremely exhausted because an unfortunate effect of Ittou Shura, you see."

Bruce exhaled in relief but the fact got him thinking.

"I see. He's not just boosting his capabilities, he's basically using whatever Mana he has to overclock his own body; pushing it beyond what's humanly possible."

It sounded stupid and insane...

It sounded like something he would do.

Bruce supposed the two them really were like kindred spirits.

"Hey, what's that smirk all about?" Stella asked suspiciously.

Bruce dropped his expression, shook his head and turned to leave.

"Nothing. I should get going, give him my congrats when he wakes up."

And with a hand in his pocket and a casual wave from behind, Bruce began to make his way out of the arena and left both Stella and Shizuku staring after him, perplexed.

Kagami at the time was scribbling down notes about Ikki's match furiously when she noticed someone meet Bruce just at the exit. It was someone she didn't expect to be here.

"Director." Bruce greeted. "Are you here to see the match? You just missed it."

Kurono didn't seem the least bit enthusiastic. In fact, her brows were taut with seriousness and her cigarette was held with stern lips.

"Not in particular. I actually wanted to talk to you." she said, making sure to keep her voice low.

"Oh?"

"Did you happen to see the news today?"

"No. Why?"

She released a puff while her expression remained tense.

"Last night, the police apprehended a group of known criminals who were in the middle of trafficking children, young Blazers who just awakened their powers."

"That's horrible."

She nodded.

"It is. The police and the League are now looking into returning them to their homes but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. Apparently, the Batman was also sighted last night."

That's when she regarded him with utmost suspicion.

"You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?" she asked with an icy voice.

But Bruce kept his composure and lied without hesitation.

"Can't say that I do, I was here in the campus all night."

"Really? Are your suggesting that there's someone else out there wearing the same costume?"

He had anticipated her asking this and had a story ready in response, it wasn't totally made-up but was based on a few experiences while he was in Gotham.