Original subtitles

Chiyu.

Shut up, Haru.

Do you think I'm toying with him merely to amuse myself?

Am I wrong? Haru really hates being the center of attention.

I see.

Even if you're right, what business is it of yours?

I'm his friend who's known him longer than anyone in this school.

Hmm, a friend?

Well I'm more than that.

I've just asked him to be my boyfriend.

We're about to go on a date.

Oh my god! I'm going to have to change schools.

Have a nice day, friend.

What are you thinking?

You can't solve everything by accelerating, y'know?

It's important for Burst Linkers to realize that.

I'm glad you have.

There's nothing good about it!

I provoked Kurashima because I wanted to verify something.

You knew her before today?

Are you more than friends?

No, I've just known her for ages.

Anyway, she's got a boyfriend.

I noticed both of you, but for different reasons.

What do you mean?

It's hard to explain.

But it's related to how I found you.

Accel World Accel World

Here's to your first victory.

You'll make Level 2 soon if you carry on like that.

Thanks,

but I can't even imagine leveling up.

It's a long, hard road.

Not many of the estimated 1000 Burst Linkers have made it to Level 4.

At Level 7 and 8 you become the leader of a legion.

A legion?

Yes, like a guild or team that you often see in online games.

Currently, Accel World has six major legions ruling over the different zones.

Each led by one of the six Level 9 Burst Linkers.

Their colors are blue, red, yellow, green, purple and...

white and they're known as 'The Six Kings or Pure Color.'

A game where only six people have reached the max level?

I didn't say Level 9 was the maximum.

So how many people are Level 10?

The Brain Burst 2039 program was released seven years ago anonymously.

Due to its harsh rules, no one has ever reached Level 10.

Do you have to win tons of fights? Have 10,000 wins?

No, just five.

They just have to be against Level 9 opponents.

It only takes one loss to wipe out all your points,

and the program will uninstall automatically.

Do you know how this program has remained a secret for seven years?

No.

It's due to such strict conditions.

Huh?

The main one is

to have had a neuro-linker installed at birth.

And since neuro-linkers have only been available for fifteen years,

there are no adult Burst Linkers.

Because they are children,

they try to protect their special privilege.

And since no evidence remains when it uninstalls,

any talk of it is dismissed as a child's fantasy.

Two years ago, the young Kings all reached Level 9 around the same time and

were informed by the system that such harsh rules to become Level 10 existed.

Did this lead to a bloody, all out struggle?

No, the Kings chose to languish indefinitely.

They made a peace treaty and consolidated their realms in Accel World.

It's absurd.

Considering all the Burst Linkers they crushed to reach Level 9.

So do you plan on challenging the Six Kings of Pure Color?

No, I've already done that.

Huh?

There used to be Seven Kings.

While they were rivals, there was a strong bond between them.

Until one night two years ago, when the Black King betrayed and attacked them.

The Black King?

That would be me, Black Lotus.

I alone rejected peace and

argued that we should all fight and risk it all.

When my plan was rejected,

I beheaded the anti-war Red King!

He lost his Brain Burst instantly.

His girlfriend, the Purple King, started screaming and

the Blue King was enraged.

I fought in a furious frenzy,

but was unable to get any of the others.

After 30 minutes was up, I linked out.

I've been in hiding ever since.

In the Accel World, I'm loathed as a traitor,

with a huge bounty on my head.

I'm a lowly coward.

But why?

I wanted to reach Level 10 more than anything.

The game said...

Level 10 Burst Linkers would meet the creator and...

discover its true meaning, its ultimate purpose.

I'm desperate to find that out.

We accelerate and fight for the rewards of becoming

rich, successful and famous,

but is that all there is?

There's got to be more, so much more

beyond our human shell.

I think I get where she's coming from.

Well, are you disgusted? Do you despise me?

Whatever game it is, it's stupid to

give up just before the end and merely wander around endlessly.

I'm sure that aiming for the highest level is what Brain Burst is all about.

You're already more of a Burst Linker than me!

Don't laugh.

Anyway, I'm going to help you.

I want to reach Level 10 myself someday.

Thank you.

Thank you, Haruyuki.

My instincts were right on the mark.

I'm truly happy I chose you.

Me?!

Anyway, how can I help?

As I said, I've survived the last two years,

but it hasn't been by winning fights.

I haven't spent a single second on the Global Net.

What?! Really?

But due to my social status,

there's a network I need to log onto daily.

Status?

You're royalty?

Idiot!

Oh, the school's local net.

That's not safe?

Seems not.

Two months ago, someone from this school

challenged me on it.

At our school?!

Acceleration?

A challenger? Why here?

Oh, no!

On Brain Burst, you can use dummy avatars as a spectator,

so you can conceal your real identity.

But when I was attacked,

I was using my dummy avatar, the same one I use for school.

Which means...

They already knew I was actually Black Lotus.

Being discovered is the ultimate taboo for a Burst Linker.

Accel World

Using my school avatar was foolish.

I've been expecting to be attacked in the real world ever since.

So real attacks can happen?

Yes,

but there's been no sign of trouble yet.

On the school net though,

I've been challenged continuously.

They're probably after all my Burst points.

Can't you just defeat him using your real avatar?

Then they'd probably sell my real identity to one of the Kings.

So what's your plan?

There's only one option when you've been exposed.

To find out your enemy's real identity too.

Of course! Then they'd be forced into a truce.

But wouldn't that be easy?

How?

Challenge them at an assembly,

when everyone is there.

Students have to be on the net and

you can't refuse a challenge.

You could just check where their avatar was sitting to find out the culprit.

Amazing!

It took me a day to think of that plan.

You've tried it?

I did and was astonished.

Who was it?

No one.

Huh?

I was the only Linker listed.

And even right after a fight, no one was listed.

It seems they can block challenges.

That's possible?

Only for someone

who can hack an impregnable program

or knows the game's creator.

So you want me to

help you find your enemy?

Correct.

His avatar is Cyan Pyle.

They're Level 4. Their color is nearly pure blue.

Level 4?

And I think they're scared.

Of what?

Losing Brain Burst.

His manic fighting style is characteristic of those low on points.

Anything else I need to know?

Yes, the guide cursor

can help.

It indicates the enemy's location during a fight.

I see! Since the stages are all based on a real place...

If you remember the direction, the enemy should be present in that area.

I've made a list of students in the vicinity after I was attacked...

and found a likely suspect.

I want you to use Auto-view the next time I'm attacked

and record Cyan Pyle's cursor's direction.

If we have two points of reference...

We can pinpoint the location and

find out which student is there,

confirming Cyan Pyle's identity.

I made this file about a week before I found you.

Huh?!

Chiyuri's a Burst Linker?

Impossible! She's terrible at games.

She can't be the one stalking you!

You saw how hostile she was to me!

That's because you direct linked with me.

Why would that bother her? She has her own boyfriend, right?

That's true but...

I think she'd planned to recruit you for herself,

but I snatched you up first.

So, she got mad and confronted me. It's possible, right?

I guess. I'll go and find out.

You can't ask her straight out.

I know.

But if we direct link, I can check her memory for the program.

Yes.

So I'll go and direct link with her.

Why did I say that?

A direct link?!

Haru?

Taku!

The next kendo tournament is the nationals?

Yes, I don't know how well I'll do.

You'll be fine.

You'll probably win it all.

Don't make it sound so easy.

Yum! Especially since it's on you.

Huh?

I'm nervous! Worried!

What if I can't win?

Stop goofing around!

Thanks for the drink.

Taku.

Do you think Chiyu

would deceive someone to get her own way?

What do you think?

Not at all!

There's your answer.

You're right. Sorry I asked, then.

That's what

friends are for.

Right.

Well...

I better do another lap.

Okay.

Good luck at the tournament!

Of course, there's no way it's her.

I kept calling you last night!

Really?

And I mailed you!

Sorry.

What do you want?

Um,

direct link with me!

Why can you only apologize by direct link? Did you at least bring a cable?

This is all I've got.

That's short! Do you use that with Taku?

No, you idiot! He has a 1 meter cable.

Let's get on with it then.

Couldn't we do it sitting down?

Ok, then.

Um.

Um, sorry.

Nearly got it.

I'm really sorry about the other day, wasting your lunch.

Is there a Brain Burst program?

I was upset about

you telling Taku about Araya.

I don't want you two feeling sorry for me.

I want the three of us to be equals.

You're mistaken.

Taku only knew about the lunch

because I told him at the tournament that I'd make you one.

Eh?

It's been ages since you opened up like this.

I knew you were having a tough time

but didn't say anything

since I thought you'd hate me for interfering.

But you're at fault too!

You said things would never change and we'd always be friends.

I just wanted everything to stay the same.

The three of us together forever.

But now you're with that girl!

After I worried about you all these years.

She solved all your problems in one day!

It's not like that. It's just she's the Student Vice President.

Then why is she leading you round like a dog?

And bossing you around!

I don't really mind that.

But I do!

Since junior high, you've been so distant

and you don't even stop by anymore!

I'm sorry, but you've got a boyfriend.

So you lied when you said that even if I did we'd always stay friends.

No!

But we can't stay children forever!

I didn't mind it back then!

But now I can't stand it!

Taku is so cool and you're really cute.

When I'm with you, I just feel so inferior.

Why do you hate yourself so much?

Just look at me!

But you've got so many good points.

Two years ago, if you'd...

Sorry, I should say that.

I just wanted you to know you'll always have two friends.

Do you really think we'll always be friends?

I guess it's not possible.

You can't stop people from changing.

When I saw you with Snow Black, I realized you no longer needed me.

And I felt...

I'm sorry.

I never considered you might have worries of your own.

Of course I do, and Taku does too.

She probably does too, even.

Nothing unusual here.

Of course she's not Cyan Pyle.

Why's it so slow?

This is a

back door!

Next time, "Declaration."

An eternal moment in accelerated time.

A declaration of love when someone's life is at stake!