Rajin's smirk deepened as the draw was announced, his confidence unwavering.
Aramiya Ryuu, you got lucky. We don't face off in the first round, but I'm certain you'll win the first round easily with Ryoko-san by your side.
That just means we'll meet in the final. No one can change that.
He grinned, already envisioning his victory. His team, noticing his expression, grew more confident by the second.
"Rajin's smiling. There's no way anyone can beat us with the Invincible Solitude on our side."
Laughter bubbled up among his division members, and their confidence soared as they stared at the opposition.
The feeling of invincibility was almost tangible.
The chief commander raised his hand, and the atmosphere shifted.
The audience fell silent, waiting for the next move.
"Teachers of the First and Fourth Divisions, bring your students to the center of the arena,"
He called out, his voice booming.
The teachers from both divisions stepped forward, ushering their students to the arena's center.
The crowd's excitement was contagious, and the air buzzed with anticipation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome these young talents to the battlefield!"
The arena erupted in applause and cheers. Students stood facing each other, full of determination.
Shinju Hayato, the former Japan's Strongest, rose from his seat, his presence commanding the entire arena.
He raised his hand, and in an instant, the ground beneath them trembled.
A deep rumbling filled the air as the arena floor cracked open.
In the blink of an eye, a massive battlefield emerged from beneath the ground—an elaborate and dangerous-looking terrain, with jagged rocks, deep trenches, and scattered debris.
The spectators gasped, awed by the sheer scale of the transformation.
The magnitude of power Shinju Hayato wielded was beyond comprehension.
Ryuu, standing nearby, felt a chill run down his spine as the earth shook violently.
Such immense strength…
The ground beneath him trembled with every step.
But then he looked to his side, noticing Ryoko standing unflinchingly, her expression as calm as a still pond.
No fear, no tremble. She was completely composed, even in the face of such overwhelming force.
Ryuu stared at her, perplexed. How is she so unfazed by all this?
Meanwhile, Tomoki Naoto, the chief commander, appeared above the battlefield, his voice booming across the arena, commanding everyone's attention.
"First, both teams will engage in solo battles. Each team will send one member to face the other.
After each battle concludes, the next members will step up,"
He explained.
He paused, ensuring everyone was paying attention.
"All students must approach the officers and draw a slip from the box.
There are six slips, each numbered from one to six. The students who draw matching numbers will face each other in their respective matches.
Those with healing magic will only participate in the team battles."
The students of each division approached the officers and drew slips, their faces tense as they awaited the outcome. The air was thick with anticipation.
"Now, the student with the number one slip from each division, please make your way to the battlefield."
The student from the First Division, Himejima Miyuki, stepped forward, confidence in his stride, but that confidence faltered the moment his eyes landed on his opponent.
He froze. His heart skipped a beat.
Across from him stood Rajin, the Invincible Solitude.
The intense pressure emanating from Rajin was suffocating.
It wasn't just physical strength; it was an aura of dominance, one that made the very air feel heavy.
Miyuki couldn't move. His body locked in place, the weight of Rajin's presence nearly paralyzing him.
"The first battle of the Inter Division Competition will be between Himejima Miyuki of the First Division and the Invincible Solitude, Kurata Rajin of the Fourth Division. Begin!"
The announcer's voice echoed throughout the arena, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
Gasps of excitement and whispers filled the air.
The Invincible Solitude had arrived, and they were about to witness him in action.
Miyuki, barely able to breathe, tried to steady himself.
He could feel the pressure building—like a heavy weight pressing on his chest. His palms were clammy with sweat.
Rajin, on the other hand, stood as calm as ever, his eyes locked on Miyuki with a lazy, confident gaze.
"I'll give you three chances to attack me, with everything you've got,"
Rajin taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance.
"I won't use any magic to defend myself."
Miyuki's face turned red with fury. He had heard the rumors about Rajin's power, but this was another level entirely.
How could anyone be so arrogant?
"You may be Invincible, but don't forget—I'm an A-rank magic user too!"
Miyuki snapped, veins popping in his forehead. His hands shook with barely contained anger.
"Don't you dare underestimate me!"
Rajin didn't flinch. He merely raised an eyebrow, waiting for Miyuki's move.
"Fine," Rajin said coldly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"I gave you a chance. Now, make your move. But don't waste it."
Miyuki's fury boiled over. With a battle cry, he raised his hand, summoning a surge of magical energy.
A wave of raw, destructive power shot toward Rajin with blistering speed.
But Rajin remained perfectly still. His gaze never left Miyuki.
With a swift motion, Rajin raised a single hand, and the air around him shimmered with a burst of energy.
In an instant, the blast aimed at him shattered against an invisible barrier, splintering into harmless sparks before it could touch him.
The crowd gasped.
(Such raw power...)
Miyuki staggered backward, wide-eyed in shock.
His attack hadn't even scratched Rajin.
Rajin's lips curled into a mocking grin. "Is that all you've got?"
He taunted.
"You still have two chances."
Miyuki's face flushed with embarrassment and anger. He wasn't going to back down.
He was an A-rank user, after all. He wouldn't let Rajin make a fool of him.
He took a deep breath, summoning more magic.
This time, the energy crackled around him, stronger, more focused.
Rajin's smirk deepened as he watched.
"Better. But not enough."
With lightning speed, Rajin raised his other hand, and an intense wave of power erupted from him, crashing into Miyuki's attack, overwhelming it effortlessly.
The energy surged around the arena, sending dust and debris flying.
Miyuki, shaken by the force of the blast, stumbled back. His breathing came in ragged gasps. He was out of time.
Rajin took a slow step forward, his presence suffocating.
"Your last chance,"
Rajin murmured, his tone mocking.
"Don't disappoint me."
Miyuki clenched his fists, his body trembling from both fear and frustration.
This was his final chance. He had to prove himself....