"The match between Renji Aihara and Takashi Reed has now ended. Winner Renji Aihara."
RENJI AIHARA
"You hear that Saika we still won." I laughed through the pain of the many cuts blanketing my body. "Shut up Master we wouldn't have taken this much damage if you hadn't underestimated his fighting strength." Her tone was firm, soon as the match ended she had focused her mana reserve into healing my outward wounds. She wasn't a healer so I wouldn't say she HEALED me more so she applied first aid. "It scares me when you get hurt master please never do that again you've never underestimated someone before so why now." I could feel Saika's weariness at my actions she truly feared that I had lost myself. But, I couldn't respond to her… she was right I had no reason to start taunting my opponent but for whatever reason I did.
Medics came. "Renji Aihara we will be taking participant Takashi Reed for medical aid do you require aid as well?" "Nah I'm fine just a change of clothes." "Understood new clothes shall be prepared shortly, please excuse us." And with that they were off carrying Takashi in what looked like a bubble of miasma.
After a while of sitting on the rubble of what was left of the arena after the Battle it began to shift back to its original white square room. A voice called "Participant Renji Aihara could you please relocate out of the venue the next match will be commencing soon." "Sure my bad I'll head out now." The next match, Kasumi is next if I'm not mistaken. She had fought pretty hard if she wins I'll be fighting her next. "She lacks awareness master although it seems you've grown dull as well" she laughed. Kasumi is facing Fumiko next hopefully she doesn't end up like Asahiko.
I walked up the hallway towards the spectator room. How much time has this took all together? Since some kids decided not to participate I'd say right now it's been about 4 hours so around 5? o'clock. "I'm getting kinda hungry, Saika what about you?" "Mmmh I'll have whatever you have master." Saika has always been like that it's not that she can't choose for herself she simply doesn't. "So after our last match we grab some food?" "Agreed"
We arrived at the door of the spectator room the only person here though was Me, Ms.Rockheart, and Ms.Kurutta. "Hey there you are kid, come take a seat let's have a gamble." Gamble? On the matches I'm sure but why? "Shiori your job is to watch these matches with extreme focus and decide these kids training regimen. Not gamble with a minor and as I'm sure you know Mr.Aihara is severely hurt ." It was Ms.Rockheart who spoke this time. "Oh lighten up a bit Misty the kids not a wet blanket surely he won't tell anyone." A huge smile hung on her face. That was a threat , she was demanding I participated in her gamble. I simply gave in and took a seat.
She sat her right leg atop her left and arms horizontally along the edge of the sofa running left and right. "So what are we betting on and what are the stakes?" "The bet is fairly simplistic, We're betting on how long it'll take for Kasumi to lose this match." At first I thought it was a joke. "That's pretty funny but for real what are we betting on?" "Hmm..what makes you think I'm joking about this?" I looked her in the eyes she was dead serious. "You seem to think Kasumi isn't skilled enough to win against Fumiko. May I ask how you came to that conclusion?" "I wouldn't say she isn't skilled enough but more so she isn't capable of stopping Fumiko's mental projection." Saika and her had come to that same conclusion. "Well I'm gonna bet on Kasumi." "It seems I've mistaken you for the logical type when you're the emotional type more. I ignored her but she would normally be right.
It isn't like I was completely biased towards Kasumi even I knew she had little chance to win but based on what her training regimen should've been if she stuck to it. Around two or so years ago she should've inherited the Kishi family technique. 'The Knights Soul' the Kishi family is a protector of peace. I first saw this Knight soul technique from Kasumi's eldest sister. It was around 7 years ago so I was 10. Kasumi and Her Sister Kayomi were often playing with the rest of us Major family kids. It happened when Fumika was arguing with Kayomi she tried to hurt her mentally but a bright gold light enveloped Kayomi and she said she felt no mental pain whatsoever.
To this day we've never seen it again. But when I asked my mother about she told me it was called 'Knights Soul' and it's extremely hard to use on control but appears when something interferes with a knights soul. So if Kasumi has been training properly like she should've in these 5 or so years I didn't see her although it would strain her body she should be able to manage. "I wouldn't bet on the possibility of an uncertain technique master." It was Saika her voice dreary and low as she yawned. "I know Saika in all honesty she probably hasn't trained her body enough to even use the skill."
"Well kid no stakes just an honest gamble can't have you getting addicted to gambling now can I." She laughed position unchanged besides her head leaning back as she laughed." The match was about to begin Ms.Rockheart had her tablet out. I realized since these matches started she had been writing as for what I'm not entirely sure.
The speaker turned on. "MATCH BETWEEN KASUMI KISHI AND FUMIKO SAKKAKU WILL NOW COMMENCE IN ARENA 1"
At the same time a man knocked on the door "I have a change of clothes for student Renji Aihara may I enter?" I needed to change out of these clothes with rips and tears all through them "Ms.Rockheart focus fixated on the screen displaying the images of Kasumi and Fumiko answered "You May." Then the man entered walked over to me handed me a official school uniform. Black Pants and a Black top with the buttons on the top gold and a short rope hanging from the upper pocket end to the other. "Please be advised that school policy is while on these grounds you must wear that uniform unless given permission to change." "Understood" he walked back to the door and bowed as it closed behind him.
I turn my attention back to the screen there Kasumi was her outfit a red pair of shorts and a white shirt. Fumiko same but pants instead of shorts.
The Whistle Sounded
The Area for the match was surprisingly realistic to say the least. It seemed to be this schools very own outside field. As for if we own this field or it's just a creation I'm not sure.
KASUMI KISHI
I hated Fumiko for all the wrong his family did not just to mine but to everyone's. But above even my hatred was my pride as a Kishi Knight. I bowed as the whistle chimed.
Fumiko did not return the honor but instead ran forward in an attempt to sneak attack me. I had already planned for that though. As his fist came hurdling in towards my face I turn my body catch his hand and attempt to throw him. He caught himself mid air and landed and went to fix his hair.
"Not hesitation in aiming for a feminine face gee you haven't changed." "To claim yourself a feminine girl is outlandish. You're clearly a man in females clothing are you not?" He laughed The fact the he can talk like that so casually to a female disgusts me. "Still a scumbag as well, times really never change do they?" He laughed more whilst fixing his hair.
I pulled out my rapier and put it to my chest. "That's fine though all that means is I don't have to see you as a human but a pile of garbage to stick my sword through." His smiling face didn't freeze up at my threat or show any signs of even hearing those words at all. "Say Kasumi, Tell me something. Is Renji strong? I watched that grand magic of his but didn't bother to watch his recent sword match between him and that muscle brained idiot." He wasn't even looking at me but straight through me to him I was nothing more than a temporary warmup until he fought Renji.
I charged forward. I can't use magic offensively like most people do but I have tricks up my sleeve. I pride myself on my ability to move anyways." I leant forward but as I did my vision blurred and one Fumiko shifted into three. I knew my mind would be tampered with so I struck with the point of my sword at three different locations as simultaneously fast as I could. They all felt like direct hits but none of the three moved and instead I was stabbed in my arm. "Huh? When did?" I knew he could manipulate my train of thought but he did more than that he was fast, fast enough to stab me before I could even notice him.
There is no way he was that fast all of a sudden. Fumiko was the type to neglect any training that resulted in sweating. What exactly did he do to me? I can't think I have to empty my mind. "Emptying your mind huh. Should've done that before the match started because now that you didn't I'm in your conscious although I can't guarantee that while emptying mind thing would've really worked." I can't think, my mind is overrun with images of my defeat. Suddenly I felt another jolt of pain in my leg this time. I felt where the pain came from I drew my hand backwards after touching what felt like a wet substance .
"Blood? But you were standing there I had my eyes fixated on that spot this entire time." I knew he would be like this." I've told you Kasumi… I'm IN your mind. I control what you see!" My sight still blurred cleared just enough to see that I wasn't staring at anything." Then there he was again laughing from what sounded like right beside me into my ear. " This is too funny, Kasumi of the Kishi family put up 0 fighting chance against Sakkaku boy. Now that HAS to make the school news." He kept taunting me. In all honesty it got to me if only a little but I ignored him best I could. In the end if I didn't that would just hasten my defeat.
He tapped my shoulder I swung my sword as if to pierce through his stomach. Instead of the feeling of flesh though instead my sword was stuck into a rock. Whilst pulling the sword out another stab this time my upper back. "Cmon Kasumi you know better than to leave your back open in a fight." He was laughing hysterically again. Slowly his laughing became more and more agitating. After I finally dislodged my sword from the rock I returned to the center of the open school branded field this was only a practice there was no need to use 100% just to win this measly match but I still don't wanna lose, not to him. As I walked I made sure to get the feel of the land and where I was once I did that I closed my eyes.
" Kasumi have you lost it? To close your eyes in the midst of battle you must WANT to lose." I took my stance right leg pointing to the right left foot pointed forward. My Right arm hung in the air holding my rapier my left arm was extremely weak due to the stab on my upper back. So my left arm hung to my side my stance was full of flaws but was a defensive position I was sure I could hold without taking more damage. I'm sure he knew that though "A defensive position? Kasumi I'm disappointed truly."
I couldn't use mana very well my whole life it was like when I tried to use it offensively it would sharpen into a pain that became unbearable. I let what little mana I could leak into the area it was only enough to surround me expanding about 4 inches from my body. This means if I can't react in time then I'll get severely injured. I took a deep breath "I got this just focus." I blocked at what I thought was a sword but my plan was it didn't matter if it was a sword or an illusion I would block both as if they were life threatening.
"How boring, is your plan truly to sit and block all match? Even you know you can't win that way." He was right but still I maintained my defensive stance dodging and weaving illusions and attacks alike until I found a solution. What would Lady Raiko do? She'd move while maintaining the stance. As I walked myself through what she would do I copied those actions. She would consider where his opponent is mostly likely to strike next and strike that point in advance. I struck to my right with quickening speed and sure enough I felt a hit. "Gotcha, not so tuff now huh?" Fumiko's face was filled with rage "What— the.. you…. Hit…. Me." Fumiko went mute.
I began to hear whistling slow and soothing enough for me to fall into a trance. I knew what this was. The one ability I wanted to avoid him using, Subservient. "You dare strike blood on my precious face. You dirty noble bitch, I'll show you!" The landscape shifted and a giant bell was slowly rising out the ground and standing atop was Fumiko his gaze focused on me who is standing there unmoving.
RENJI AIHARA
"This doesn't look too good for Kasumi now does it?" Ms.Kurutta spoke in a told you so type of voice. But Kasumi was indeed in a disadvantageous position she needed to do something about that mental projection soon. I didn't think it would take her this long to reach her soul what could she possibly feel conflicted about to the point her knights soul wouldn't activate even in this situation.
Fumiko began ringing his bell. Kasumi was almost destined to lose if she didn't stop this ability now. But my hope that her Knights Soul would activate went void. He had her under complete hypnosis for the remainder of this match knight soul or not she's pretty much finished. He jumped off the bell to stand in front of a scared Kasumi but it was different than with Asahiko Koi he didn't make her scared so much so in a blank trance. He rubbed her cheek and put his hand slowly under her clothes removing her bra at his own pace. My anger boiled I stood up.
"You are not allowed to enter that area under any circumstances unless Kasumi forfeits the match. I know how you feel this is disgusting but there's 8 minutes till that timer rings kid just endure it I know you can." Fumiko continued to touch Kasumis body. under her clothes she couldn't respond to the situation watching through her own eyes but not being able to move her body.
Saika jumped up from her sleep unknowingly ready for a fight due to the welsh of emotion bustling in my head "Master?! What's going on? where are we? what are we doing? She was confused at the sudden change in my emotion. But after a while she too had felt as I had. He kissed her cheek, I immediately grabbed my sword. " 4 minutes kid, just wait he will be punished for violating school rules but we aren't allowed to do anything during the duel." "Kurutta don't let him walk out that door." Ms Rockheart spoke this time her voice firm. From the corner of my eye I seen it… a tear dropped from her eyes.
That was it.
I channeled everything I had into electric mana and dashed down the halls through doors my body aching still from the pain of my last fight and behind me I heard Ms Rockheart yell for Ms Kurutta to stop me. I wouldn't let myself be stopped, I refuse to watch anyone I know and care for be put through anymore pain. The door coming up led to the room where the duel was being held the doors though were reinforced. I pulled Saika out her blade boiling while moving at tremendous speeds through the halls I cut through that door and immediately aimed for the giant bell center place of the room. Slicing clean through with Saika's hot blade after I immediately went after Fumiko's neck in one clean motion but as I went to swing aiming to kill Fumiko Ms Kurutta had stopped me her hand holding my arms. I figure she was strong enough to stop me but never that she was fast enough to keep up. Yea I had injuries but surely I haven't slowed to that extent.
Kasumis clothes were torn and ripped apart now that the bell was cut clean through she was in control of her body she was bawling her eyes out.
I payed it no mind my focus only on killing the man in front of me. Realizing I had no intention of stopping Ms.Kuruttas grip tightened around my wrist. Saika's blade grew hotter in my hands, she wanted his blood. Only when Kasumi threw herself on me still bawling did I stop trying to free myself. Fumiko who had no clue when or how we got there in a matter of seconds he stumbled backwards a shocked expression on his face. "When did you!" I took the jacket I just got off and wrapped it around Kasumis body. I felt someone try to pry Saika out my hands my grip on her wouldn't loosen though. Ms.Kurutta has bent my wrist to the point I had to let go of Saika still in her blade form.
Saika was still tired from all she had done today. her hot blade cooling i let her be taken from me "be gentle she's not an object!" Fatigue had finally caught up with her she was falling asleep fast "wait master where are they taking me?" Her words were sluggish "It's fine Saika get some rest." With that she was sleep.
Then I saw Principle EarthBorn "Renji only your first day and you caused a mess. He laughed, and while although Fumiko's act was inhumane you are not to be excused for your actions either, you are suspended for 2 weeks there is no finals of the practice matches."
Suspension was a light punishment. "Give the boy back his blade" Saika was handed to me and Ms Kurutta finally loosened her grip on my shoulders and wrist. "You are quite fast Renji Aihara to think you made it here and even left a smoldering cut through that giant bell." I ignored her and put Saika back in her holster attached to my waist. Kasumi still crying her arms still wrapper around me. I'm sure it was embarrassing being almost fully stripped in front of fellow classmates. We stood and walked towards the changing room. "All the boys in the changing area should be gone just change in there." She didn't put her armor back on instead pants with knee pads and a simple T shirt. Her crying had turned into sniveling as she clung to my back I simply let her indulge in the sensation of comfort this was supposedly giving her. Eventually after her snivels died down she left my side to the principles office I'm sure. Me though I was to leave the school premises as I was suspended for 2 weeks.
I didn't care too much instead I would use these two weeks to investigate the special students at this school that were supposedly not returned yet and a couple other things.