The courtyard buzzed with excitement as the next match was announced. Leo could feel the tension in the air, but he remained calm, his mind focused on the upcoming battle. He had made it far in the tournament, and the eyes of the entire academy were now firmly on him.
Rin stood nearby, her expression as composed as ever, though Leo could sense an underlying intensity in her gaze. Mary, too, watched from the sidelines, her usual playful demeanor tinged with curiosity.
The match would be against Satori Tamaba, the student with a reputation for cruelty. Known for her skills in psychological warfare, Satori had a twisted way of breaking her opponents not just physically, but mentally. Leo knew this fight would be unlike the others.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the arena, Satori stepped forward. Her smile was wide, almost unsettling, as she eyed Leo from across the field. She twirled her weapon, a long, slender naginata, with an almost casual air, but there was a sharpness in her movements that hinted at her deadly precision.
"So, you're the one who's been shaking things up around here," Satori said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Let's see what all the fuss is about, shall we?"
Leo didn't respond. He simply raised his guard, waiting for the signal to begin. He knew better than to engage with her taunts.
The referee's whistle pierced the air, signaling the start of the match.
Satori moved first, her naginata slicing through the air with incredible speed. Leo barely had time to dodge, her strike coming dangerously close to his side. She was fast—faster than he expected.
"Come on, Leo! You can do better than that!" Satori laughed, her voice echoing through the arena. She spun her weapon again, aiming for his legs this time. Leo jumped back, narrowly avoiding the strike.
The crowd watched in anticipation, murmuring among themselves. Satori's style was unpredictable, much like her personality, and her unorthodox movements made it difficult for Leo to find an opening.
"Are you scared?" Satori taunted, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "I can smell fear, you know. It's delicious."
Leo's expression remained stoic, though his mind raced. He needed a way to break through her barrage of attacks, but every time he moved in for a counter, she was already a step ahead, her weapon dancing in deadly arcs.
From the sidelines, Rin watched the battle with keen interest. Satori was toying with Leo, using her unpredictability to keep him off balance. But Rin knew Leo wasn't the type to fall for such tricks for long.
"He's analyzing her," Rin thought, her sharp eyes following Leo's movements. "He's waiting for the right moment."
Next to her, Mary leaned in slightly, her arms crossed. "Do you think he'll win?"
Rin didn't answer immediately, her focus still on the fight. "He's not just relying on brute strength. He's trying to figure her out. That's a good sign."
Leo dodged another swing, rolling to the side and quickly getting back to his feet. His endurance was being tested, but he could feel himself adapting to Satori's rhythm. Her movements, while chaotic, followed a certain pattern—one he could exploit.
As Satori went in for another strike, Leo sidestepped and lashed out with a quick jab, catching her off guard. His fist connected with her arm, forcing her to stumble back. For the first time, her playful smirk faltered.
"Oh? So you do have some fight in you after all," Satori said, her tone less mocking and more focused. She adjusted her grip on the naginata, her eyes narrowing. "But I'm not done yet."
Satori lunged at him, her weapon spinning in a blur. Leo moved in closer, using the limited space between them to his advantage. Satori's long weapon became less effective at close range, and Leo pressed the advantage, dodging her swings and landing calculated blows.
From her vantage point, the principal watched the fight with a discerning eye. Leo's progression in the tournament had piqued her interest, but this battle was different. Satori was not just a physical challenge—she was a mental one.
"This will test his resilience," the principal thought, her fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of her chair. "Let's see how far he can be pushed."
Her gaze flickered toward the other members of the Five Swords. Each of them had their own opinions about Leo, but none could deny that he was becoming a force to be reckoned with.
The battle raged on, with Leo steadily gaining the upper hand. Satori's initial confidence had begun to waver, and it was clear she hadn't expected Leo to adapt so quickly.
"You're getting sloppy," Leo said, his voice calm but firm. He dodged another strike and countered with a swift kick, sending Satori stumbling back.
Satori's eyes flashed with frustration. "Don't think you've won yet!"
But Leo wasn't giving her the chance to recover. He closed the distance, disarming her with a swift motion and pinning her to the ground in one fluid movement. The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee signaled the end of the match.
Satori lay on the ground, breathing heavily but still managing a smirk. "Not bad, Leo. Not bad at all."
Leo offered her a hand, pulling her to her feet. "You're tough," he said, his respect for her growing despite her twisted tactics.
Satori shrugged, brushing the dust off her uniform. "I like to keep things interesting."
As Leo turned to leave the arena, he could feel the eyes of the academy on him once again. His victories were stacking up, and with each one, his influence within the school grew.
The tournament isn't the only thing Leo needs to worry about. A shadow from his past is about to emerge, bringing with it new challenges and revelations that will shake the academy to its core.
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