They both stepped inside the rectangular ink on the floor and entered different fighting stances. Ryo held his sword with his right hand, leaving the other open, while Haruto held his with both of his hands, holding it at chest level.
Haruto held his stance with fierce eyes, while Ryo contradicted, having an emotionless and dead look on his face.
"Now, let's start!" Haruto yelled out as he swiftly dashed towards Ryo. Upon entering Ryo's range, he smoothly swung his blade horizontally. Ryo easily parried his blade, causing a loud clang to echo.
"Strike the enemy in front, Thundershock!" Haruto chanted under his breath. Upon those words, a yellow lightning shaped like an orb began shooting a series of lightning towards Ryo.
"Ablaze." However, Ryo remained unfazed, easily countering it with the flames from his other hand. The collision of these two elements caused an explosion, pushing Haruto away from there. However, Ryo remained still, and standing, unbothered by the cloud of smoke and the explosion itself.
"That's quite cold," Haruto complimented with a smile. "Thunderstrike." Just like in Ryo's battle with Kyouko, upon the lightning user chanting "thunderstrike", a lightning energy of a certain color will envelope their weapon and body. However, that's not all. Thunderstrike magic allows the user to cast an exploding lightning energy within a certain range.
Ryo was waiting for Haruto to strike. However, he didn't. Haruto only stared at Ryo. Ryo sensed that something was amiss.
A long-range attack perhaps? He thought to himself as he cautiously looked around. At one point, Haruto focused his energy on the ground underneath Ryo. And while Ryo's eyes were away from that point, he used his magic.
"Thunderstrike." An explosive lightning energy erupted underneath Ryo.
"That's very... readable." Cold, and as if he already knew, Ryo dashed out of the area before it could reach him, and lunged towards his opponent.
"W-What?!" He blurted out in surprise as he parried Ryo's attack.
"Let's end this, shall we? Ablaze." His blade began emitting a strong, fiery energy, that slowly and surely, overpowered Haruto. Haruto can't break free from being locked in with Ryo's blade due to its strong force. If he weakens his force, he will be pushed back, which will be an immediate defeat.
Haruto clenched his teeth in desperation as he tried hard to push Ryo's blazing sword back. However, defeat was slowly knocking on his door. He can sense it. Now, cracks began manifesting in his blade.
"Nice duel, Haruto," Ryo said as he finally decided to finish their duel. He calmly exerted more energy on his sword, and with just a few pushes, he was able to break through Haruto's blade completely., his blazing sword melting each metal shard as it passed through.
It was a victory...
Or so he thought.
As he sliced through the blade, Haruto suddenly disappeared from thin air.
Eyes widened in surprise, Ryo immediately turned around. However, Haruto was nowhere to be seen. It was like... he disappeared out of nowhere. Ryo raised his awareness up and tried to sense Haruto's presence.
"There," Ryo whispered as he finally got ahold of Haruto's presence. He was... above him!
Anticipating that, he quickly swung his sword above him, and just like he anticipated, Haruto was above him, with a new sword in hand.
Their eyes locked. Haruto was surprised that Ryo anticipated this move of his. However, he could only smile. In the face of someone strong, this outcome was certainly predictable.
With a forceful swing, Ryo clashed blades against Haruto and easily threw him towards the nearby wall. The force was so strong that it left a small crater upon Haruto's impact.
He fell to the ground, groaning in pain as he tried to stand up. Ryo walked towards him and offered him a hand.
"Good Job." Ryo complimented with a straight and serious face as he extended his hand.
"That outcome was the only ending I knew, but still, thanks." Haruto grabbed his hand and slowly stood up.
The radiating pain from his back, and feet made it hard to stand up, so Ryo assisted him as he walked.
"What kind of magic was that...?" Ryo asked.
"That? That's teleportation magic."
Ryo's eyes widened upon hearing his response.
Teleportation magic is a special kind of magic. It isn't derived from the primary magic types, nor it is made by combining two types. It is special that can be learned by some people. However, just like the concept in "chantless" magic, it requires a certain level.
Up to this day, there isn't a clear requirement on how to attain this magic spell. It is as if it is only for some "chosen" magicians.
"That's some rare magic you have there," Ryo said.
"Not really. This magic runs through my family."
"You're lucky. That's good."
Ryo and Haruto walked towards the nearby bench. Haruto carefully and slowly sat down, as Hina from the other side rushed towards him.
"Are you okay? Let me heal you." She said with concern as she placed her hand at Haruto's injuries. Without any chants, her palms began emitting a greenish, warm light, that slowly healed Haruto's wounds, as if she was reversing time itself.
"Thanks, that feels good."
"Yeah, just stay still."
"Alright."
As Hina was healing Haruto, Ryo glanced over to Kyouko and Airi. Their battle was still ongoing. However, it seems to be one-sided.
Kyouko is moving at a very fast pace, while Airi continuously summoned her ice magic to defend. It's similar to a battle between an assassin and a mage. From the pace of the battle alone, Ryo could easily tell who was going to win.
Speed is a physical skill. However, it could be enhanced through magic. But, from what I can see and sense, Kyouko isn't using any type of magical skill to enhance her speed. Her extremely fast attacks are just a raw, physical skill. This gives her an advantage when it comes to holding out longer In battle.
On the other hand, Airi's strength comes from Magic spells. Her wide variety of ice spells allows for a versatile set of attacks and defenses. However, in the long run, she'd lose, because she'd lose energy much faster than Kyouko., therefore will get tired much faster than Kyouko.
Still, her upcoming defeat isn't solely on just energy consumption, but also on the difference in level.
At one point in the battle, Kyouko summoned lightning energy on her blade and completely shattered Airi's defense. While Airi was occupied with summoning another spell, Kyouko took this chance to end the battle, as she swiftly closed the distance between her and Airi.
At this point, Ryo turned around, having already known the winner of this battle, and walked away.
She pointed the tip of her blade at her neck, so close that it was only half an inch away. Airi fell down on her back in fear, letting out a sigh as she landed.
"I-I lost..." She said.
"That was good," Kyouko said as he sheathed her sword and extended a hand to Airi. She gently pulled her up.
"You were really strong, Fujimoto-san!"
"T-Thank you..." Kyouko replied, albeit a little embarrassed."
They chatted for a moment, Airi raining her with compliments, and Kyouko, not knowing how to continuously take those compliments.
At one point, Kyouko said goodbye and was about to leave, when suddenly, she glanced over at Ryo's direction, who was currently with Haruto and Hina. Ryo also glanced over in her direction, and they locked gazes with each other.
Both of their gazes were cold and fierce. They both have the eyes of a predator, challenging each other. They did not utter a single word, further tensing the atmosphere between them. Airi, Haruto, and Hina noticed the tension between them and immediately became nervous.
Their skills were above them all, and if they were to clash once again, they couldn't stop them.
However, neither of them doesn't intend to fight anymore, nor do they have any reason to.
Kyouko breaks off her stare and she leaves the room.
-------------------------------------------------------
Kyouko took a dip in the hot springs reserved for girls. "I've gotten quite weak, haven't I?" She stared at her palms. Her once dainty, soft palms turned rough for repeatedly holding her sword tightly. This is a mark of her hard work throughout time.
However, she felt disappointed as she looked at her hand. Her strength was not what she expected, and she thought that weakness was beginning to show. Ever since the defeat from Ryo, she realized that it wasn't enough yet.
She can sense something from Ryo's strength, making him an interesting magician. It was as if he was just playing with her. She decided to have a goal: a goal to surpass him.
A defeat was not what I was expecting. He's strong, I want to surpass him.
She thought to himself as a low sigh left her lips. Suddenly, a voice spoke, completely pulling her back into reality. "How pleasant to see you here, Fujimoto." A mature voice spoke beside her.
She slightly glances over to the side. Unexpectedly, the Judge, Ayako Yukime was in the springs, just beside her, staring right at her with her straight and calm gaze. "Eek!" She shrieked in surprise.
"U-Uhm, sorry, h-how long have you been there, A-Ayako-s-san?" She stammers in her speech but manages to complete her sentence.
"I've been here for a while now. I was calling out to you for a few minutes, yet you only stared at your palms." Yukime calmly replied.
The feeling of embarrassment began rising up, as Kyouko's cheeks turned apple red. "I-I'm really sorry..."
"It's fine. Even I, have some time where I would ponder so deeply that I would lose awareness within reality."
"O-Oh." Kyouko didn't know what to reply, and could only stare down at the water, as she felt quite awkward and still embarrassed. "Do you perhaps have a problem you're dealing with right now?" Yukime's calm voice and expression remained, however, she felt concerned about Kyouko.
"I think so..."
"You think so?"
"It's quite unclear and confusing... I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize, Kyouko. Having problems is nothing to be sorry about. If there is something that the council could do to help, do not hesitate to talk to us, especially to your beloved Stella-Senpai, and even Ryujin." Yukime flashed Kyouko a comforting smile.
"Thank you very much, Ayako-san."
"How is your life as a student? Have you been making friends?"
"Uhm... I'm good. I mean... Life... is good... as a student..."
"What's with those series of words? Are you having a hard time?" Her voice was concerned, yet her face remained unchanged.
They were like a mother and a child.
"I-It's good." She said with clear hesitation. Yukime didn't push her any further and went on to change the topic.
"That aside, Fujimoto, how are things on your end as the only first-year member of the council? Have tasks and things been hard?"
"Thank you for your concern, Ayako-san. I can manage it quite easily, and I could finish on time."
"That's great. I hope Ryujin is not putting you in a rough patch."
"..."
"What is the silence for? Is he?"
"Oh, uhm, not really."
"I've heard that he gave you some sort of chore regarding the first years."
"Yes, he asked me to look at their strength."
"So, how are the first-year students? Did anyone pique the interest of our fourth seat?" Yukime grabbed a bottle of orange juice as she talked.
"There's one."
"One?" She asked as she opened the bottle and elegantly took a sip.
"A student named Kyosuke Ryo."
"Kyosuke..." Yukime murmured... A sense of familiarity passed through her. She pondered deeply about who is the familiar "Kyosuke" person. Still, while thinking, her expression remains unchanged. Calm, and straight, as if that expression is permanently plastered on her face.
"Do you know her, Ayako-san?"
"I do not, at least for now. He rings a bell."
"Oh, I see."
Just then, the sound of an alarm ringtone echoed throughout the whole room.
"Our time has reached its end. We should get up, for the council meeting will commence in a few minutes."
"Oh, yes. Let's go."
Both of them rose from the spring and changed into their casual clothes.
After going through an elevator, they finally arrived at the top floor of the elevator, the council's main office.
Maintaining a cold and straight composure, Yukime knocked on the door three times. Then, the red door was opened by Ryujin.
"There you are, Ayako-san, and Kyouko, you too."
"Are we late, Ryujin?" Yukime asked.
"Not really. The fifth, and the president aren't here yet."
"That is good to hear. Fujimoto, let's go."
"O-Okay."
Both of them entered inside, and Ryujin closed the door as they entered.