Zekken appears on the small island on floor 24, at 3:00, right?
Yeah.
So we can meet here at 2:30, right?
Okay!
Roger!
Got it.
I can't wait!
Yeah!
Maybe everyone will start talking about the Berserk Healer again!
Daddy, you've got something on your face.
Ah, seriously?
Your face is full of soot!
What?
Okay, see you tomorrow.
See you tomorrow!
Zekken
Goodnight, Sada-san.
Thanks for coming every day.
Sorry to keep you here so late.
Not at all, miss.
This is my job.
Are my mother and brother already back?
Kouichirou-sama will be out late.
Your mother is in the dining room.
I see. Thanks.
Sorry to keep you.
You're late.
Make sure you're at the table five minutes early.
I'm sorry.
Thanks for the food...
Were you using that machine again?
Yes, I'd promised to do my homework with everyone.
You need to move your own hands when you do it, or you won't learn anything.
Everyone lives far away.
I can meet them easily there.
If you're using that machine, you're not really meeting them.
And you should do your homework alone.
If you do it with others, you'll just end up playing around.
Listen...
You don't have time to play.
You're two years behind the other children.
To make up for it, you have to study two years harder.
I am studying!
I printed out my second-quarter report card, and put it on your desk.
I saw it.
But a report card from a school like that means nothing.
A school like that...
Listen, Asuna.
For third quarter, I'm hiring you a tutor, in addition to your schooling.
Not an internet teacher, as is popular these days.
I'll have them come to the house.
W-Wait, this is so sudden...
Look at this.
Entry Exam Introduction
What is this Entry Exam Introduction for?
For your third year, I managed to convince a friend of mine
to let you take the entrance exam for the high school he runs.
A real school, not that makeshift one they put together.
It uses a credit system, so you'll be able
to graduate in the first half of the year.
Then you can start college in September.
W-Wait!
You can't just decide that...
I like my school!
There are lots of good teachers.
And I can study there!
I don't need to go to another school!
I did my research.
The school you're attending is barely worthy of the name.
The curriculum is sloppy.
The classes are easy.
The teachers are a bunch of nobodies, with no real experience.
Y-You don't have to put it like that...
They claim it takes care of the students whose education
was delayed because of the accident,
but they really want all the children
who spent two years killing each other in one place, so they can monitor them.
It's practically a prison.
I'm one of those "children who spent two years killing each other," Mom.
All your friends are taking entrance exams this year.
Doesn't that bother you a little?
It doesn't matter if it takes me another year or two to get into college.
And I don't necessarily have to attend college.
Third Year Entry Exam Introduction
You do!
You have talent.
You do know all your father and I have done to nurture it, right?
It's up to an individual to decide how they'll live, isn't it?
Right now, I don't have the answer,
but I think I'm about to find what I really want to do!
I want to keep going to this school for another year, so I can find it!
No matter how many years you're there, it won't give you any more options.
Listen, Asuna.
Your mother doesn't want you to lead a miserable life.
I want you to have a career you can be proud of, no matter to whom you're speaking.
My career?
Then who was that man you made me meet over New Year's, in Kyoto?
He was talking like I was already engaged to him.
You're the one who's limiting my options!
Marriage is part of your career.
If you marry someone poor, you'll regret it.
You won't be able to do whatever it is that's so important to you.
But with Yuuya-kun, you won't have to worry.
A countryside bank, run by a single family,
is much more stable than a mega-bank with many factions.
You didn't feel bad for any of it, did you?
The man who caused so much misery for so many, who caused that whole incident,
and who almost bankrupted RCT was Sugou Nobuyuki, the man you chose.
Stop it!
I don't want to hear about him.
It was your father who liked him and wanted you to marry him.
He's never had a good eye for people.
It's okay... Yuuya-kun is a little introverted,
but that means you don't have to worry.
Anyway, I have no intention of marrying him!
I'll pick my own partner!
That's fine.
Anyone, as long as they're worthy of you.
Just so we're clear, that does not
include a child like that, from that facility!
You didn't... You investigated him?
Please understand.
Your father and I want you to be happy.
You're capable of starting any number of promising careers.
Let me think about the transfer for a while.
You have until the middle of next week.
Fill it out, print three copies,
and put them on the desk in my study.
Mom...
What?
You're ashamed of my dead grandma and grandpa, aren't you?
You're angry you weren't born into a rich, important family, aren't you?
Asuna, come here!
Asuna!
Kirito-kun...
What are you planning to do with your future?
I think I'm going to go from a player to a creator.
A creator?
What kind of game will you make?
Not a game... A man-machine interface to replace
our current full-dive technology.
I've been frequenting a lot of tech forums, to study.
But they're all in English, so it's pretty rough.
I want to stay by Kirito-kun's side, and chase after the same dream.
But...
You're strong, Asuna.
Much stronger than I am.
I'm not strong!
I was only able to be a warrior in that world.
Lightning Flash Asuna of the Knights of the Blood Oath is gone...
The real me is powerless...
Hey.
It's rare for you to be here first, Kirito-kun.
It happens sometimes.
Hey, do you remember the first time you came to my room in Selmburg?
I don't mean to brag, but my memory is terrible.
But I do remember that.
Really?
Of course.
I got that really rare ingredient item,
and you made me a stew.
That meat was so good...
Sometimes, I still remember it.
You only remember food, don't you?
It's almost time...
We have to go.
Asuna, if you're going to fight...
U-Um...
No...
Zekken's strong.
Liz and the others told me all about how strong they are.
But I still can't believe you lost...
By the way, Leafa-chan said you were saying something to them during the duel.
What were you talking about?
Um, something was bothering me.
What?
I asked...
"You're totally living in this world, aren't you?"
Zekken answered with a wordless smile
and a charge skill at incredible speed.
That speed was beyond the limits.
"Totally living in this world"?
Do you mean they're a really heavy user?
No.
I wasn't referring to a single VRMMO.
I felt like Zekken was a product of the full-dive environment itself.
What does that mean?
I don't want to give you any preconceived notions.
I want you to feel the rest for yourself.
This is what will happen if you take your eyes off them for a second.
Sorry to bother you when you're busy,
but it's nearly time!
It's about time!
I-I know!
I give up! I surrender!
Resign!
Wow!
That's sixty-seven wins!
Can't anyone stop her?
V!
Hey, Liz...
What?
Zekken's a girl!
Huh? Didn't I tell you?
You didn't!
Wait...
Is the reason you lost...
Stare.
N-No... I didn't go easy on her because she's a girl.
I'm serious.
Really.
At least halfway.
I don't know!
Anyone want to go next?
Get going.
I need to go psyche myself up again.
After the first hit, you'll be all psyched up.
Now, get going.
Miss, wanna fight?
U-Um...
Okay, let's.
Okay!
Um, can we use the standard rules?
Sure.
Use all the magic and items you want.
I'll just use this, though.
Oh, right.
What do you prefer? Ground or aerial fights?
Is either okay?
Ground fights, then.
Okay.
Jumping is okay, but no using your wings.
Do you accept the duel? Opponent Type
"Yuuki"?
HP To Zero Mode
She's strong.
But if I give up after one hit, I'm a failure as a warrior.
I was only able to be a warrior in that world.
I can do this!
She can see Quadruple Pain?
I...
won't let it end like this!
This is Zekken's eleven-hit combo?
Her Original Sword Skill...
Losing to a skill like this
wouldn't bother me at all!
That was great.
I pick you, miss!
U-Um, what about the duel?
Fighting this much is enough for me.
Do you want to go all the way?
I was looking for someone who seemed just right.
And I finally found them!
Mommy?
Hey, Asuna!
Asuna-san!
Um...
Please... Help us!
Help you?
Next Time The Sleeping Knights