"Just move a muscle, and I'll blow you a second time."
Katsu hesitates for a moment, weighing his options, but ultimately he knows that he's been defeated. With a heavy sigh, he slumps back down to the ground, defeated but determined to learn from his mistakes and come back even stronger next time.
With Katsu defeated, he takes a moment to catch his breath and reflect on the fight. "I guess we really shouldn't judge a book by its cover," he says with a smile, "Thank you for this fight."
Sayuri nods in agreement, a small smile on her lips. "Thank you too," she replies, "That was pretty fun."
As the two of them stand there, catching their breath and taking in the aftermath of their intense battle, there's a sense of camaraderie between them, mutual respect for each other's skills and determination.
As soon as the match concludes, Nobu rushes to the gate of the arena, effortlessly switching with thin air to appear next to Sayuri. Katsu and Sayuri are taken aback by Nobu's sudden appearance, with Sayuri gasping in surprise and Katsu letting out a frustrated sigh.
"Whoa! Did you spawn or something?" Sayuri exclaims in amazement.
"I just switched," Nobu replies nonchalantly, his eyes gradually turning orange with excitement. "Anyways, pipsqueak, that was amazing! So cool!"
"I know, right?" Sayuri beams with pride as Nobu lifts her and places her on his back. "You saw how strong and cool I was, right? That scary Katsu was no match for me, right?"
Nobu nods enthusiastically. "Yeah, he wasn't able to do a thing! Great job! Both of us made it to the second round."
As the two friends celebrate, Katsu feels left out and annoyed by their behavior. "Umm... Guys... at least consider my presence when you're talking about me," he mutters.
"Oh, Katsu! You're still here!" Nobu turns to face Katsu, feigning surprise. "Didn't see you there, thought you already left!"
"I'm literally more noticeable than that tiny thing on your back!" Shouts Katsu in frustration.
"Participant Nobu," The voice echoes in the arena as it picks the boy's interest, "It's inappropriate to join the arena without previous permission!"
"OH!" Gasps Nobu, slightly shaking as they head back, "S... Sorry about that!"
As they get inside the waiting room, Nobu and Reina keep stealing glances at each other, eagerly awaiting for the voice to announce their match. And, finally, the voice starts echoing once again, leading the watchers to sheer and shout even louder.
"The first match of the second round will begin," It announces, the news roaring all over the arena, "The participants of this epic showdown, Nobu and Reina, are summoned to enter the arena through the north and south gates, respectively!"
"I hope you're ready to get hurt." Chimes in Nobu, eyes gleaming in purple as he exchanges quite a look with Reina, "I've changed after all. I'm not the same old weakling."
I"t's right that you've changed the most between all of us," Admits Reina, his green eyes fixed on Nobu as he raises his clenched right fist, "but I'm still far stronger than you!!!"
all eyes are fixated on the two combatants, including Kaeya and Shinso, who can't help but feel drawn to the mystique surrounding these two powerful Magic Soldiers.
Reina grips his katana with both hands, the glinting blade casting a sharp divide across his focused face. Meanwhile, Nobu's Soul Edge emerges from its dormant state, transforming into a fearsome sword as he raises his right hand to his necklace and tightens his grip. "Kira..." he whispers, calling upon the name of his late friend. "Watch over me!"
With a deep breath, Nobu leans forward, ready to face his opponent with all the strength and determination he can muster. His grip on the necklace loosens, but he feels a sense of reassurance knowing that Kira is watching over him.
The clash of metal reverberates through the arena as Reina and Nobu exchange a flurry of sword swings. Reina is finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with Nobu's lightning-fast attacks and unpredictable moves, which are powered by his raw strength and speed.
Suddenly, Nobu sees his chance and seizes it with lightning reflexes. He employs his Overpower, slamming his sword down with incredible force and pushing Reina's blade back. The sheer strength of the attack almost throws Reina off balance, and for a moment, it seems like Nobu has gained the upper hand.
But Reina is not so easily defeated. With a fierce determination in his eyes, he regains his balance and launches a powerful counter-attack. His blade slashes through the air with deadly precision, and Nobu is forced to backpedal as he blocks the incoming strikes.
"Man, I wish I could master that Overpower as well!" Nobu's Overpower had caught Reina off guard, but he was not the type to make the same mistake twice. With a fierce determination in his eyes, he focuses his mind and unleashes his arcane magic.
"Arcane magic: Arcane Stairs!" he shouts, and the arena erupts in a shower of sparks as a series of shimmering, invisible stairs materialize beneath his feet. With a few quick strides, Reina ascends the stairs and puts some distance between himself and Nobu, his eyes fixed on his opponent with an unwavering gaze.
Reina stands his ground, his focus never wavering as he unleashes a barrage of arcane energy toward Nobu. But Nobu, quick on his feet, switches with the air next to Reina, leaving the attack behind him.
Reina grins, his eyes gleaming with fierce determination. He had been waiting for Nobu to make that move, and now was his chance to strike. He cloaks his katana with arcane energy and lunges forward, hoping to catch Nobu off guard and use his Gentle Wave on him.
However, Nobu was not so easily taken down. With lightning-fast reflexes, he switches at the exact same moment with the arcane barrage that he had left behind a moment ago, leaving Reina face-to-face with that overwhelming spell.
As the battle rages on, the spectators watch with bated breath. Sayuri cheers for Nobu, her voice ringing out above the others. But Satomi, always the strategist, notices something strange.
"Wait a second. How did that barrage just disappear?" she asks, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
As the arcane barrage disappears into thin air upon contact with Reina, the crowd erupts into confusion and awe. Satomi's suspicion is confirmed as Reina reveals his immunity to arcane magic. "I'm afraid arcane magic doesn't work on me," Reina reveals, his voice calm and confident.
Nobu grits his teeth, irritated by this revelation. "Tsk," he clicks his tongue in frustration, his eyes blazing with purple fire.
Reina tries to conceal his magic once again, just as he did in his match with Yagami. With lightning speed, he lunges towards Nobu, attempting to use Gentle Wave on him.
But Nobu's speed is superior. Before Reina can even touch him, Nobu drops to his knees, executing a slick six-step breakdance move. As he does, he kicks out Reina with his legs, expertly taking out the boy's feet and causing him to lose his balance.
Reina's eyes blaze with determination as he chants, "Arcane Magic: Dancing Blade," pouring his arcane energy into boosting his speed. He darts forward with lightning-fast movements, tightly gripping Nobu's leg as he tries to regain his balance. In a stunning display of strength, Reina throws Nobu high into the sky, sending him hurtling toward the clouds.
But Reina is not done yet. He summons his arcane power and creates a series of invisible stairs beneath his feet, defying gravity as he walks towards Nobu as if he's walking on air. The crowd gasps in awe as they watch Reina's spellbinding display of magic and skill.
With a renewed focus, he channels intense arcane energy and unleashes a powerful barrage at Nobu, "Arcane Magic: Arcane Barrage!" The barrage homes in on Nobu, who frantically tries to push the energy back with his sword. But being mid-air has left him at a disadvantage, and the barrage hits him with full force, causing him to wince in pain. Despite the pain, Nobu refuses to give in, and with a determined look on his face, he grits his teeth and prepares to retaliate.
"Open the eye," commands Nobu, his voice low and menacing. As he speaks, the eye on his sword flickers to life, the strange energy within him boiling over as he begins to transform into his demonic form. The sight is both awe-inspiring and thrilling, causing the onlookers to take a step back in fear. With a flick of his wrist, Nobu sends his Soul Edge flying toward Reina. The blade glows with an ominous purple light, hinting at the destruction it could cause upon impact
The attack was swift and unexpected, catching Reina off guard as the sword sails past him. "What the hell is he thinking? Throwing his own weapon at his enemy?" Reina mutters as he kneels to avoid the incoming blade. But Nobu's strategy is not yet complete, for he can't switch with air while mid-air in his current state. Instead, Nobu switches with his sword, reappearing right above Reina's head and glaring down at him.
"Were you wondering why I threw my sword?" Nobu asks, his voice low and menacing. He then implants Reina into the ground with a powerful blow, channeling All For One through his kick. Reina feels his strength waning as he struggles to raise his body, the attack that Nobu just landed was unbelievably unexpected.
Nobu's sword comes flying to his hand with ease, and he falls from the sky with a powerful descent. As Reina watches him fall, he focuses on the right moment to strike. With the agility of a feline, he lifts both legs and uses the momentum to twist and land on his back, catching Nobu off guard as he stops on Reina's feet.
In a split second, Reina raises his katana, but instead of using its sharp edge, he channels arcane energy into the back of its grip. "Arcane Magic: Gentle Wave!" he chants as he brings the hilt down on Nobu's head with incredible force. Nobu tries to resist the impact, but he's overwhelmed by the wave of energy and goes down hard, crashing into the ground, and losing his demonic energy.
Reina pants heavily as he rises to his feet, gripping his katana tightly. He can feel the sweat on his forehead and the burning in his lungs. Nobu, on the other hand, remains standing, his eyes locked onto Reina. He grits his teeth and mutters to himself about the incredible power of his opponent. Reina can't believe it - Nobu isn't showing any signs of exhaustion!
As Reina tries to catch his breath, he tightens his grip on his katana. His mind races as he tries to figure out what to do next. "How is he able to keep going like this?" Reina thinks to himself, amazed by the boy's lack of fatigue. "And Gentle Wave worked only on his demon form. Just... How?"
Kaeya's analytical mind is impressed by Nobu and Reina's abilities. "Gentle Wave," he says, piquing Shinso's interest. "It's a technique that can make an opponent lose their Chi and consciousness, rendering them completely useless in battle. However, when Reina used it on Nobu, only his demon form was nullified."
"Nobu has two consciousnesses right now." Shinso interrupts, explaining the reason behind this phenomenon. "Even though we consider him a demon host, he isn't exactly the same thing."
"In essence," Shinso continues, his eyes locked on the intense sword clash between Nobu and Reina, "there are two souls in his body: one is his own, and the other is Kamaitachi's. When Reina used Gentle Wave, it only worked on Kamaitachi, not Nobu."
"In other words," Kaeya adds, his forehead dripping with sweat after the revelation, "if Nobu wants to achieve his full power, he needs to consume Kamaitachi..."
Nobu's relentless Overpower attacks seem to be too much for Reina to handle, as he stumbles backward and loses his grip on his katana once again. Nobu takes advantage of the situation and charges at him as he faces Reina's chest with his palm.
"Void Push!" He says, unleashing a powerful blow that sends Reina flying across the battlefield. As they both stand there, catching their breaths, their eyes meet with a fiery determination. They know that this battle is far from over and that they must give it their all to emerge victorious.
Reina struggles to get back on his feet, his body aching from the force of the blow. But he refuses to give up, gritting his teeth as he takes a defensive stance. Nobu, on the other hand, remains calm and collected, his eyes glowing with an intense focus.
The air between them crackles with energy, as they both prepare for the next round of their fierce battle. They know that only one of them will come out on top, and they are both determined to be that one.
The spectators watch in awe as the two warriors face each other, ready to continue their epic clash. The tension in the air is palpable, as they wait for the next move. It's anyone's guess who will emerge victorious, but one thing is for sure: this battle will be one to remember.
"Nobu started panting a little, ha!" Reina taunts, his right eye glowing with the intensity of Perfect Vision as he holds his katana tightly, "You finally reached your limits."
As they both return to their fighting stances, their minds can't help but race with the same idea, "This is it. The moment that will decide the winner, once and for all!" They both think in unison, the tension between them palpable.
As they charge toward each other, Nobu skillfully hurls his sword at Reina once more. In a split-second decision, Reina catches the Soul Edge in an attempt to thwart Nobu's last trick, but the moment his hand makes contact with the sword, he realizes it was unlike any weapon he has ever held before.
"It's heavy..." Reina mutters in disbelief, his eyes widening in astonishment as he struggles to maintain his grip. "Oh My God, it's way too heavy, and it's draining the hell out of my magic!" The weight of the sword feels as if it's pulling him down toward the earth itself, draining him of his life essence.
With his balance thrown off by the unexpected weight of the sword, Reina stumbles, and suddenly finds himself face to face with Nobu, who had closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. Nobu's left fist is drawn back and poised to strike, and Reina knows he has only a split second to react.
Time appears to slow down as the two adversaries stand face to face, engaged in a fierce dance of combat. In a lightning-fast move, Reina hurls the Soul Edge away, trying to avoid further drain on his magic. He then swings his katana towards Nobu's neck with the back of its grip, hoping to catch him off guard.
But Nobu is one step ahead, targeting Reina's left hand with his glowing purple eyes while channeling All For One on his left fist. The air around them crackles with energy, as the tension builds to a breaking point. The slightest misstep could mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Nobu's fist connects with Reina's hand with a sickening crunch. Pain shoots up Reina's arm as he grits his teeth and tries to push through it. He knows he can't afford to give up, not now. With a fierce determination, he channels his magic and chants Gentle Wave.
As the spell takes effect, a wave of energy washes over Nobu, draining him of his Chi. The combination of All For One and Gentle Wave proves too much for the Sacred Soldier, and he falls to the ground, completely unconscious and unable to move a muscle.
A thick silence descends over the battlefield, broken only by the sound of the wind blowing through their hair. The sunlight streams down, casting long shadows across the ground. The only movement comes from Reina, still standing as he holds his broken arm after dematerializing his weapon, while Nobu's body is lying still on the ground.
As the silence stretches on, the audience begins to stir. They start to cheer, their voices rising in a deafening roar that echoes across the battlefield. The sound is like a wave, crashing against the rocks and filling the air with electric energy.
Amidst the chaos, Kaeya and Shinso stand in shock, their eyes fixed on Reina. They cannot believe what they have just witnessed, and cannot comprehend how those two have such potential despite their lack of experience.
As the cheers die down, Reina slowly makes his way toward the exit. His face is calm, but his eyes burn with fierce determination. He knows that he has proven himself today, but he can't stop thinking about his next clash with Nobu.
"He still doesn't know a thing about his true powers..." Thinks Reina, heading to the infirmary, "And he was able to give me such a hard time..."
"Dammit... I need to get stronger, I'm still so weak!"
The wind continues to blow, the sunlight shining down on the battlefield. But now there is a sense of victory in the air, a feeling of triumph that cannot be denied. Reina is the winner of the match!
Sayuri and the others rush over to their friends to see how they're doing. Nobu is lying motionless on the bed, despite being awake, while Yagami works on healing Reina's broken arm.
"Hey, Nono!" Sayuri exclaims, a worried expression etched on her face. "You're awake. Are you okay?"
Nobu nods, his eyes dark with the bitterness of defeat. "Yeah, I'm good," he replies. "I just didn't expect things to turn out this way."
"You both did amazing!" Satomi chimes in, trying to lift her friend's spirit. "I'm so proud of you both!"
Reina interrupts with a flirtatious grin. "You're proud of me more, aren't you?" he teases. "Go on, say it!"
Satomi rolls her eyes and walks over to him, grabbing his broken hand and causing him to cry out in pain. "Just take care of this for now," she scolds him, looking annoyed.
Reina nods sheepishly, still cradling his injured hand. "Y... Yes, ma'am," he replies meekly.
"Anyways," begins Nobu, his voice low but steady, "Pipsqueak, Satomi, there's no need to worry about us." He forces a smile, but his eyes remain fixed on the ground.
"We'll be alright, and your match is about to begin, so..." Nobu's words trail off suddenly, and the blackness in his eyes intensifies. He struggles to speak, and Sayuri immediately snaps her fingers in front of his face, trying to get a reaction.
"Nono? Nono, are you alright?" she asks, her face etched with concern.
Nobu quickly turns towards his friends, his eyes widening in alarm as he spots Reina. Without a second thought, he screams, "REINA!!! GET DOWN!!!"
But it's too late. At that exact moment, there's a sudden explosion from the arena, and the force of it shakes the walls of the room where the group is located. The blast also brings an unexpected visitor to the scene, his form appearing after the vanishing of the dust.
"Hello there!" announces Yamato, holding Reina from his broken arm as he gets unconscious after being knocked out by the blast. With a smug spreading across his face, Yamato declares "It's been a while, hasn't it?"