Chivalry of a Failed Knight

Chivalry of a Failed Knight (also known as Rakudai Kishi no Cavalry) is a 2015 anime (adapted from a light novel series by Riku Misora) set in a modern world where people called Blazers can materialize their souls into weapons called Devices and use magic to become Mage-Knights.

The story follows Ikki Kurogane, a student at Hagun Academy (one of the schools training these knights). Despite his incredible swordsmanship and hard work, he has almost no magical ability, earning him the nickname "Worst One" or "Failed Knight" and constant failure/repeat status.

His life changes when he meets Stella Vermillion, a foreign princess and the academy's top-ranked student (a prodigy with immense power). They end up as roommates, and after Ikki accidentally walks in on her changing, she challenges him to a duel with high stakes: the loser must obey the winner for life.

Ikki surprisingly defeats her using pure skill (no magic reliance), leading to Stella becoming his "servant" — though their relationship quickly evolves into a close bond, romance, and mutual respect as they face tournaments, rivals, family drama, and battles to prove that hard work and determination can overcome talent and societal rankings.

The anime covers the early arcs (including school tournaments and personal growth), blending action-packed fights, romance, and themes of perseverance vs. privilege. It's often praised for its exciting duels and likable leads, though it sticks to some familiar shounen tropes. The full light novel series goes much further (19 volumes, ended in 2023) with bigger stakes and resolutions.