The midday sun hung high over the academy's grand arena, its rays gleaming off the reflective stone floor. The previous matches had set the crowd's expectations high, but whispers filled the stands. Everyone awaited the next competitors.
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"Rajieru vs. Asami."
The proctor stepped forward, his voice carrying above the noise. "Rajieru versus Asami! Begin!"
Rajieru strolled onto the battlefield, his golden eyes glinting with mischief as a grin tugged at his lips. His medium-length black hair, tied in a loose ponytail, swayed as he moved. He shoved his hands into his pockets, clearly in no rush.
Asami was already there, her demeanour calm and composed. She adjusted the sleeves of her grey trial uniform, her fairy-like wings shimmering as they caught the sunlight. Her pastel rainbow eyes watched Rajieru cautiously.
"You look nervous, Asami. Don't worry," Rajieru winked. "I'll go easy on you."
Asami smiled softly, though her tone remained measured. "It's best not to underestimate me, Rajieru."
"The Fight Begins."
Asami was the first to act, her hands glowing faintly with mana. A sudden ripple passed through the air as stones from the arena floor lifted into the air, suspended by her telekinesis.
Rajieru's grin widened. "Oh, pretty."
The stones shot toward him like missiles.
Rajieru didn't move—at first. Just as the first rock closed in, he shifted slightly to the side, letting it whiz harmlessly past his ear. He spun lazily out of the path of the others, each movement smooth and deliberate.
"Is that all?" he teased, his voice laced with laughter.
Asami furrowed her brow, lifting six larger slabs of stone into the air. This time, they formed a spinning shield around her. The barrage resumed, sharper and faster, as her telekinetic control launched strikes from multiple angles.
Rajieru, however, kept moving—his dodges felt almost choreographed. His precognition made it look like he was dancing through the chaos, steps planned before the attacks even happened.
The crowd murmured in amazement, a ripple of excitement spreading as they watched his effortless movements.
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"Rajieru's Counterattack."
"Predictable," Rajieru yawned mid-dodge. "Come on, Asami. You're better than this."
Asami exhaled deeply, shifting tactics. She dropped the floating stones suddenly, the battlefield falling eerily still. Then, with a sharp wave of her arm, an invisible telekinetic force exploded outward in a shockwave.
The ground cracked beneath the pressure, fissures radiating outward as debris flew into the air.
Rajieru skidded back, his ponytail whipping in the wind. He blinked, whistling. "Oooh. I felt that one."
Asami's expression remained calm, but there was a glimmer of satisfaction. "You can't dodge everything, Rajieru."
"You're right," he replied cheerfully. "That's why I don't need to."
Asami's eyes widened as Rajieru suddenly stumbled forward as though he'd tripped. She paused instinctively, sensing an opening. She launched another shockwave, aiming to pin him before he could recover.
But the moment she attacked, Rajieru's grin returned.
"Gotcha."
He twisted, effortlessly avoiding the telekinetic blast, and dashed forward. In confusion, Asami's stones had scattered—her defences were down.
Before she could react, Rajieru appeared just inches away, leaning close. "Don't blink."
He snapped his fingers. In an instant, a thin mana thread he had laid across the battlefield earlier—so fine it was nearly invisible—ignited in a flash of golden light. The sudden detonation of energy erupted around Asami, knocking her off balance.
She staggered back, her wings fluttering as she tried to recover.
Rajieru stopped a few paces away, giving an exaggerated bow. "And that's the match, folks."
The proctor raised his hand. "Winner: Rajieru!"
Asami straightened, catching her breath. She looked at Rajieru, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "You planned that the whole time."
"Guilty," he replied with a wink. "You're pretty good, though. Maybe next time, you'll be the one surprising me."
Asami shook her head with a quiet laugh. "I'll hold you to that."
The crowd erupted in applause, a mix of admiration and disbelief at Rajieru's display. Whispers of his cunning strategy rippled through the stands as the arena reset for the next match. Meanwhile, Giyuu, seated near the edge of the arena, cast a glance toward the field. His cold, enigmatic gaze lingered for a moment before returning to the scroll he was quietly reading.
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"Kotaka vs. Iris."
The atmosphere shifted as Kotaka stepped onto the battlefield. His muscular frame was wrapped in his academy uniform, sleeves rolled to reveal the white cloth wrapped tightly around his arms. His messy bun barely held his dark hair together, loose strands hanging in front of his intense eyes.
The crowd hushed. There was an undeniable weight to his presence, an aura of raw, barely contained energy.
Across from him stood Iris, her expression calm and calculating. Her reflective blue eyes were sharp, and her posture exuded confidence. She tilted her head slightly, her mirror magic already shimmering faintly around her.
"Another brooding one," Iris said lightly. "This should be fun."
Kotaka didn't respond. He simply clenched his fists, a faint yellow flame flickering around them. His voice, when it came, was low and cold. "Don't waste my time."
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"The Fight Begins."
"Begin!"
Kotaka's flames surged instantly, yellow chaos energy roaring to life around him. The raw power seemed barely contained as he launched forward, fists blazing.
Iris didn't flinch. With a wave of her hand, a mirror-like barrier materialized in front of her, reflecting Kotaka's charge.
He struck it with full force. The impact was deafening, but the mirror rippled, absorbing his attack before redirecting a shockwave of flames back at him.
Kotaka slid back, teeth gritted. His flames burned brighter.
"Interesting," Iris mused, stepping forward as more mirrors appeared, surrounding her like a shifting maze of glass. "Bright flames burn fast, Kotaka. Be careful you don't consume yourself."
"Shut up!" Kotaka's roar echoed as he slammed his fists into the ground. A torrent of chaotic flames erupted outward, racing toward Iris.
She raised her hand, and the mirrors bent and reshaped, redirecting the flames harmlessly into the sky. The crowd gasped.
Kotaka's breathing grew heavier. The yellow fire around him flickered wildly, its intensity escalating. His eyes burned with frustration, his mind a storm of emotions.
"Not enough..." he muttered, his voice trembling. "Not enough!"
Iris frowned slightly, sensing the shift. "Kotaka. Control yourself."
But it was too late. The flames exploded around him in a violent inferno, consuming the battlefield. The crowd screamed as the heat rippled through the air. Even the proctors tensed, ready to intervene.
Iris darted back, her mirrors shattering under the pressure. For the first time, her confidence wavered.
"Kotaka!" the proctor's voice boomed, trying to cut through the chaos. "Enough!"
Kotaka didn't respond. His flames raged, his form barely visible through the blaze. For a heartbeat, it seemed he would lose himself completely.
And then—
A single figure stepped onto the battlefield.
The flames seemed to bend away from him, his mere presence silencing the roaring inferno.
It was Giyuu.
The moment his cold, enigmatic aura spread through the arena, the crowd fell deathly silent. Even Kotaka's flames faltered as though recoiling from him.
Giyuu spoke quietly, his voice carrying a weight that froze the battlefield. "That's enough."
To Be Continued...
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