Act: 50
Takao tilted his head back letting out a long-exaggerated sigh. Swinging his body forward and with his left arm moving across him. In a downward position a line of explosive blasts shot towards them.
Moving out of the way, Shizu ran to the left, and Mana ran to the right, both sprinting to Takao, taking on the form of a pincer attack.
"Get the hell away from me! Ph+2nd time!"
Shizu ducked down avoiding the blast of fire from his right hand, but Mana alternatively couldn't react in time, getting directly hit in the stomach. She dropped back a few feet, landing on her knees, holding onto her chest, inhaling, and exhaling rapidly, trying to stabilize her breathing.
"Shizu, was it...? I don't think I can keep up. I basically feel my star energy at nothing..."
When responding to her, Shizu sounded out of breath, informing her that the exit was behind the giant door. So, she proceeded to limp herself over in that direction, opening the door and furthering herself into the ruins.
Takao turned around, eagerly trying to stop her, but was blocked by Shizu. Who had a crooked smile with cuts and bruises on his arm and face, glaring eye to eye. Takao's nose stayed running with blood.
"I'm done wasting time."
Again, they both sprinted at one another; Takao had his arms spread out, all ten fingers pointing at him- firing out his golden lasers that had sprung around with each shot. Shizu slowed down, dodging most of the incoming lasers, jumping in the air, and rotating his body to the left. He followed up with a kick. Immediately, he felt a sharp pain burst through the lower area of his thigh. Takao irritated, leaned into his teleport, falling out and reappearing behind Shizu.
"Element outburst!"
Elements from the periodic table manifested around him and launched bombarding Shizu's back. He felt multiple strands of sharp pain, forcing himself to stay in place and not fall. Although he spun around grabbing Takao by the neck.
*Thud thud*
*budump-budump*
'This feeling again, it's..'
The grip around his neck got tighter, Takao twitched, and he felt a sudden change as if he connected to every nerve in his body. Acting fast Shizu slammed his face straight to the ground.
*Slam! *
The ground cracked, and only half of his face showed. Blood seeped from his ears and mouth that drained out. Takao squirmed, panicking, falling into another portal that dropped underneath him. Successfully breaking free from his grip, Shizu remained in the same place, glancing around, trying to predict where he'd appear. The portal started to open away from him though he locked eyes on it before Takao could step out.
*shuffle*
Remembering the feeling of a heavy object in his pocket, he quickly grabbed and threw the kunai out as fast as he could, aiming low to where his portal was.
*Swoosh*
*STAB*
"Arghh!!"
Takao held onto his ribs. Looking down only to see the blade impaled on the side of his stomach. Looking back at Shizu with dwelling hatred. His eyes flickered, and his vision went from clear to blurry. Moving his head, a discomforting feeling emerged, clouding his sight.
Leaning opposite of the wall.
Shizu ran to catch him.
"God, what a fight you were... I'll give it to you. You were a good opponent. For a moment I was certain you would push yourself further, but this must be your limit?"
'Yet that feeling in my heart. I felt the same thing back when I was in the forest. It's a possessive feeling; I don't know what's going on or if I like it.'
Takao shifted while in his arms. Shizu casually looked down at him, thinking he most likely was waking up. Raising his elbow, he struck Takao on the neck, indubitably knocking him out once more.
Shizu carried him through the door walking down an eerie lit stairway leading to the rest of the class. Everyone looked somewhat miserable, and others were badly beaten up. Three teachers standing behind the classmates began to clap with annoying smiles on their faces-
*Flash*
Each student felt a sudden change in gravity. Everyone shifted, trying to catch their balance, but gravity wasn't the only thing. Looking around them, the scenery had changed too within a blink. Now, they were back at the high school, located in one of the underground training stations.
The homeroom teacher we started with spoke and told each of us to see the nurse at the health office to treat our wounds. Thankfully, none were severe.
'Though it sure felt like I was dealt the most pain alongside Mana.'
Shizu laid Takao down, letting the teachers deal with him. Before he could leave for the nurse's office, Taku stopped him. His look showed signs of defeat, but I don't blame him. After all, Takao indeed did a number on our class.
"Shizu. Agh! You... you, I won't allow you to surpass me, understand! I can't even put two and two together. How are you able to take him down without a star? It's almost impossible- his skills were enough to take us down, but it was different for you."
Shizu said nothing.
'No need to remind me. I get that I'm weak, plus you're wrong. You don't know the feeling of always needing aid.'
"Ahhh! This makes my head hurt as if it already didn't. Whatever the reason, know I'll be the top Ranker and! Defeat you to your fullest potential. Got it, Shizu!"
Taku turned away, probably heading to the nurse's office with everyone else.
Shizu dropped his head down once more walking alone in the stadium.
'Why do I even try..'
"No!"
Shaking his head. Trying to force out a smile.
"That's not the right mindset for the future number 1 Ranker. Taku might want to be the top Ranker, and Takao wants to be the god of all Rankers. But I will become number 1!"
A woman's voice came from where the exit was. He turned his head looking in her direction, glancing up and then back down to her eye level.
"Shizu, you surprisingly managed to take out Takao? Pretty impressive, I'll say. Remember, though, don't let your ego get to your head. After all, the tournament has only begun. Humph."
Aikawa spun around gracefully, yet somehow, it still felt arrogant. There was a brief pause as she faced the exit.
*Sigh...*
"Shizu. Thank you. I look forward to our battle."
Walking out of the training room she shouted a few more words that became much fainter.
"That doesn't mean I plan on losing to you in any way now! You still are a 2 star, and the council reminds the strongest…!"
Speechless. Unsure of what to say, he trailed behind, needing medical attention. His body started to get tense with each muscle cramping.
She hid around the corner near the student council's office with her hands intertwined.
'Something about him is different, maybe I was wrong about him... Hano... Shizu... Chisaka... They all make my head hurt...'
'You sure do confuse me, Aikawa?'
Shizu thought to himself.
- - - -
"I appreciate the help."
Shizu got out of bed in the health office. Stretching his arms out, he felt a slight relief from his annoying bruises, and the pain finally disappeared. He walked over to the door but had been stopped by the nurse who subtly spoke to him in a high-pitched tone.
"You sure took a beating out there. Be careful now, wasn't that the end of the first round of the tournament, right? Your class took quite a beating. Be careful now. A 2-star like you can sure get roughed up fast."
'Really, what's up with everyone reminding me I'm a 2 Star? Damn, I understand that already... I can't wait to prove everyone wrong and shed some light on us so-called weaklings.'
Upon leaving the nurse's office, Shizu had a great idea: Inform Ito Sensei about his winnings and how awesome he was on the battlefield. Knowing they both could talk for hours. While on his way to her own room, he was abruptly stopped by a bunch of students with their phones out, laughing and taking photos of him.
*It's him, the 2-star timer. Got rejected by the princess and thinks he can surpass Hano. Your win was just luck, and you should've lost miserably. *
* AHAHAHAHA! *
Shizu's thoughts caved in, and he couldn't tell. Confused because most were making fun of him with the whole dating situation, he was shocked at how they all seemed to know, and others laughed at his first match.
He drew a blank and felt the sweat build-up, becoming increasingly embarrassed. Now he felt ashamed to show his face.
- - - -
Meanwhile in Korea.