In the arena, Ahiro shifted his strategy, opting for a wooden-handled spear in both hands as he faced off against Mike and his electrified sword. Hoping that the wooden shaft of the spear would provide some insulation against the electrical currents, Ahiro tightened his grip, preparing for the next clash.
As the two opponents engaged, the clash of weapons reverberated through the arena. Ahiro's spear, which was now his offence and defence, proved to be a valuable choice. The wooden handle acted as a barrier against the electric current, sparing Ahiro from the numbing shocks.
Mike, too, recognized the shift in dynamics. His electrifying sword, while formidable, encountered resistance from Ahiro's strategically chosen wooden weapon. The irritating look on Mike's face revealed his frustration at the unforeseen turn of events. However, the relentless fighter in him refused to back down.
Their weapons danced in the air, the electrified sword seeking an opening while Ahiro skillfully parried and countered with the spear. The clash intensified, each move calculated and precise. Ahiro focused on every little move he made, he knew Mike was superior in both Physical strength and his weapon handling techniques he knew a little opening on his side could cause serious damage.
Mike had his frustration growing by the second, his electric attack was feared by everyone was now of no use to him due to some scrawny wooden handle of a spear. he can't believe that he was struggling against someone who he thought was as insignificant as a bug. But during the match, he also understood his superiorities and he knew what he needed to win. Instead of winning using his awakened ability, he would defeat him just using his strength alone, he thought to himself why he needed thunder when he could just squash a bug with his own hands.
The thought of showing his superiority against someone who had earned Iron rank before him, made Mike laugh in happiness, He deactivated his powers and his previous electrified sword turned into a normal sword. he laughed out loud already imagining all the scenarios of his victory as he lunged forward to attack Ahiro once again.
As Ahiro and Mike continued their duel, the clang of the spear against the sword echoed through the arena. The spear danced in Ahiro's skilled hands, a combination of parries, thrusts, and spins. Mike, wielding his sword, displayed a relentless onslaught, his strikes fueled by frustration and determination.
The battle unfolded with a series of intense clashes. Ahiro tried his best to avoid Mike's relentless attacks, using the spear's reach and flexibility to keep a safe distance. Mike, however, pressed forward, closing the gap with swift manoeuvres and powerful strikes.
Even during intense clashes, Ahiro had his focus on each and every movement of Mike. He still remembers what Matser Ruchi had said the day he demonstrated the Snake dance, "A snake only takes just one second to kill off an opponent but he waits for hours" he explained how snakes observe their opponent and take their minute habits and formulate perfect time to strike based on it. and just like this, the most basic and most important thing to do in any battle is to know your enemy.
And now that Mike wasn't using his electrical palms Ahiro was able to notice his fighting techniques he was able to adapt to Mikes's moves. His movements were becoming more fluid, each clash with Mike revealing a bit more of his combat style. The audience watched in awe as Ahiro demonstrated a growing proficiency with the spear. Dodging, parrying, and countering, Ahiro's strategy slowly shifted the momentum in his favour.
Mike, while initially in control, began to notice the change in Ahiro's approach. The spear in Ahiro's hands acted like a snake tangling around Mike's sword aiming at his neck. Mike's attacks, fueled by frustration, grew more intense, but Ahiro's adaptation skills were starting to turn the tide.
With every clash, Ahiro adapted to Mike's combat style, on the other hand, Mike who was previously on the offence had now taken defence, he had no choice but to parry Ahiro's moves which were aimed at him with incredible speed, all directing towards his weak spots.
Mike found himself in a perilous situation as Ahiro's relentless assault intensified with each passing moment. The relentless force behind Ahiro's attacks seemed to increase with the moment, and Mike sensed that maintaining his current strategy would inevitably lead to defeat—a prospect he was unwilling to accept. He could never expect to be defeated by someone whom he had thought to be as insignificant as a bug. He thought he needed nothing to defeat him, so when had he gone wrong, he couldn't understand.
But he knew he had to recalibrate his approach. Stepping back to create some distance, he took a moment to collect himself, inhaling deeply to regain focus. Ahiro could also sense that Mike had a shift in demeanour, his arrogant laugh was no longer there, and his carefree eyes now looked focused.
Mike looked Ahiro in the eyes and said " There is no merit in stretching this battle any longer, I have played enough. Never would have thought I would use this against you so you should be proud to push me this much." there was no criticism in his word, he spoke as if he was stating matter of fact.
Mike grasped his sword with both hands and infused it with a surge of electrifying energy. However, this time, there was a marked difference in the intensity. The electric current coursing through the blade reached unprecedented levels, creating an electrifying aura that surrounded the weapon. The excess energy manifested itself in the form of ethereal tendrils of lightning, dancing and arcing through the air like untamed bolts of energy.
The atmosphere crackled with the unleashed power as the electrified sword became a conduit for the volatile currents. Mike's eyes narrowed with determination as he prepared to unleash this newfound force upon Ahiro. The battleground transformed into a spectacle of surging electricity, and Mike, fueled by a newfound vigour, readied himself for a counterattack that would change the course of the battle.
Ahiro could sense the intensity of the lightning even from a distance and he knew that it was dangerous. his first instinct was to summon a shield but he knew better to waste his stamina. The spectators could also feel that the heat of battle had increased and the climax was near.