Dust swirled in the arena as Kiyoshi's hands glowed faintly, the beginnings of something enormous taking shape. For the first time, Ardyn's cocky smirk faltered.
"What are you planning, first-year?" Ardyn called, but Kiyoshi remained silent, his concentration unshakable.
The crystal serpents lunged simultaneously, their translucent bodies shimmering with lethal intent. Just as their jaws snapped toward him, Kiyoshi slammed his hands into the ground, releasing a surge of energy.
From the dust, a towering structure erupted—a massive ballista, its metallic frame shining under the arena lights. The sheer size of the weapon left the crowd gasping in awe. The ballista's bolt, a sharpened wooden projectile reinforced with steel, materialized in place. Kiyoshi immediately turned the crank, his muscles straining under the effort as he aimed the colossal weapon.
The serpents were already upon him, but Kiyoshi acted with precision. The ballista fired with a deafening twang, the bolt slicing through the air with terrifying speed. The first serpent shattered into shards of crystal, scattering across the arena in a glittering cascade.
The second serpent hesitated, giving Kiyoshi just enough time to leap onto the ballista and dismantle it into mist, reclaiming the mana used to create it.
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"Ardyn's Counterattack."
Ardyn's expression hardened. "You're full of surprises, but let's see how you handle this."
He raised his hands high, and the arena began to change. Crystal formations burst from the ground, transforming the flat battlefield into a labyrinth of jagged spires and twisting paths. The crowd roared in excitement as the terrain shifted dramatically, favouring Ardyn's control.
Kiyoshi darted into the maze, his mind racing. He materialized a dagger and ran his hand over its blade, using the texture to anchor his focus. He wasn't just surviving—he was learning.
From above, Ardyn manipulated the spires, sending shards and spikes cascading down like a crystalline rainstorm. Kiyoshi ducked and weaved, conjuring a rope to swing from one spire to another, always staying one step ahead.
"Running won't save you!" Ardyn bellowed, summoning a massive crystalline hammer. With a roar, he slammed it into the ground, sending shockwaves rippling through the arena. The spires trembled, their jagged edges cracking and collapsing.
Kiyoshi leapt to a higher vantage point, perching atop one of the crumbling spires. His mind raced as he analyzed the shifting battlefield. He materialized a bow and arrow, quickly loosing shots at Ardyn. Each arrow was deflected by a shield of crystal, but Kiyoshi wasn't aiming to hit—he was testing Ardyn's limits.
"Turning the Tide."
Kiyoshi suddenly dropped the bow and crouched low, pressing his palm to the ground. He closed his eyes, recalling every texture, every detail of the spires around him.
When he stood, he gripped the handle of a newly materialized weapon: a massive Warhammer, its head reinforced with a serrated edge.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Kiyoshi charged straight at Ardyn, who met him head-on with his crystalline hammer. Their weapons collided with a thunderous crack, sending a shockwave through the arena.
Ardyn staggered slightly but recovered, swinging his hammer in a wide arc. Kiyoshi ducked under the blow, using his smaller frame to his advantage. With a swift motion, he slammed his warhammer into the ground, shattering a spire and sending shards flying toward Ardyn.
The shards distracted Ardyn long enough for Kiyoshi to close the distance. He leapt into the air, bringing his Warhammer down with all his strength. Ardyn barely managed to block with his hammer, the impact forcing him to his knees.
"Impressive," Ardyn growled, his voice laced with frustration. "But you're still out of your league!"
With a burst of energy, Ardyn shattered his own hammer, the fragments reforming into dozens of sharp, floating blades. He sent them flying toward Kiyoshi in a deadly swarm.
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"Kiyoshi's Last Stand."
Kiyoshi spun his Warhammer, deflecting as many blades as possible, but a few grazed his arm and leg, drawing blood. He gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a solution.
He dissolved the Warhammer and summoned a shield, using it to block the remaining blades. But Ardyn wasn't done. With a triumphant cry, he summoned a massive crystal spear, hurling it directly at Kiyoshi.
The spear's sheer size left no room to dodge. Kiyoshi dropped the shield and pressed both hands together, focusing every ounce of his remaining mana.
In an instant, a massive chain appeared in his hands, its links glowing with ethereal energy. Kiyoshi swung the chain with precision, wrapping it around the spear mid-flight. With a mighty pull, he redirected the spear, sending it hurtling into a nearby spire. The resulting explosion sent shards and debris flying everywhere.
The crowd erupted into a frenzy, their cheers deafening.
Ardyn's eyes widened in shock as Kiyoshi stood amidst the wreckage, his chest heaving with effort. Despite the cuts and bruises covering his body, his resolve remained unshaken.
"You're full of surprises," Ardyn admitted, his voice quieter now. "But you're running out of time."
Kiyoshi smirked faintly, blood trickling from a cut on his lip. "So are you."
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"The Golem's Wrath."
Ardyn raised his hands, summoning every ounce of his remaining mana. The air around him shimmered as a massive crystalline golem began to form, its hulking body casting a shadow over the arena.
Kiyoshi's expression hardened. He closed his eyes, his hands trembling as he prepared to summon his ultimate creation. The ground beneath him began to glow faintly, the air crackling with energy.
The crowd fell silent, their anticipation palpable.
As the crystalline golem lumbered forward, each step shaking the arena with bone-rattling force. Its jagged body glistened in the arena lights, towering over everything like an unstoppable force of nature. Ardyn stood behind it, his hands glowing as he controlled the massive construct, a confident smirk spreading across his face.
Kiyoshi remained still, his mind racing as he analyzed the golem's movements. His hands trembled slightly as he poured his mana into the ground. Slowly, a massive weapon began to take form—an intricate greatsword, nearly as tall as he was, with glowing runes etched along its blade.
"You think a single weapon is going to save you?" Ardyn taunted, his voice booming. "This golem is indestructible! It's over, first year!"
The golem raised one massive arm and slammed it down toward Kiyoshi. The impact created a deafening boom, sending shockwaves rippling across the arena. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring Kiyoshi from view.
For a moment, the crowd held their breath.
Then, with a burst of energy, Kiyoshi emerged from the dust cloud, the greatsword glowing brightly in his hands. He had planted the blade into the ground and used it to vault himself out of harm's way. Landing with a roll, he immediately sprinted toward the golem, his blade trailing behind him and carving a shallow groove into the arena floor.
"Precision and Power."
The golem swung again, its massive crystal fist barreling toward Kiyoshi. This time, instead of dodging, Kiyoshi met the attack head-on. He swung his greatsword upward with all his strength, the blade colliding with the golem's fist in a brilliant explosion of light and shards.
The force of the collision sent Kiyoshi skidding backward, but the golem's fist cracked, fractures spreading like spiderwebs across its surface.
Ardyn's smirk faltered. "What?!"
Kiyoshi took a deep breath, his muscles aching from the sheer force of his attack. "Indestructible, huh? Let's test that theory."
He dashed forward, his speed faster than before as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Using the golem's massive frame to his advantage, he leapt onto its arm and began scaling it, dodging spikes of crystal that erupted from its surface.
Reaching its shoulder, Kiyoshi plunged the greatsword into the golem's neck. The blade sank deep, and glowing cracks began to spread through the construct's upper body.
The golem roared, swatting at Kiyoshi with its other arm. At the last second, Kiyoshi released the sword and jumped, flipping through the air and landing back on the ground with practiced precision.
The crowd roared in approval, their cheers echoing through the arena.
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"Ardyn's True Strength."
"Enough games!" Ardyn shouted, his hands glowing brighter. The fractures in the golem's neck began to mend as its body regenerated, the damage Kiyoshi inflicted disappearing in seconds.
Kiyoshi narrowed his eyes. "So you can repair it... This is going to take more than brute force."
Ardyn's grin returned. "You're sharp, but not sharp enough." With a wave of his hand, the golem slammed both fists into the ground, causing massive crystal spikes to erupt in every direction.
Kiyoshi jumped onto one of the spikes, narrowly avoiding the attack. He conjured a rope and a grappling hook, using it to swing himself toward Ardyn, bypassing the golem entirely.
Caught off guard, Ardyn barely had time to react as Kiyoshi landed in front of him, conjuring a small dagger in his hand. "Let's see how good you are without your puppet!"
Kiyoshi slashed, forcing Ardyn to step back and break his concentration. The golem stumbled, its movements growing sluggish.
"You're fast," Ardyn admitted, summoning a crystal shield to block Kiyoshi's next attack. "But this fight isn't over."
He retaliated with a burst of crystal shards, forcing Kiyoshi to retreat.
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"Kiyoshi's Gamble."
Backpedalling, Kiyoshi's mind raced. His stamina was draining fast, and he knew Ardyn had more mana reserves than he did. If he didn't end this soon, he'd be at a severe disadvantage.
His eyes darted to the golem, which was still regenerating. A plan began to form—a risky, last-ditch effort that could either secure his victory or leave him completely vulnerable.
Kiyoshi pressed his hands together, focusing every ounce of mana he had left. The air around him crackled with energy as a new creation began to take shape.
"What is he doing now?" Ardyn muttered, narrowing his eyes.
The crowd gasped as Kiyoshi materialized a massive chain, its links glowing with runic inscriptions. He whipped the chain toward the golem, the end wrapping tightly around its legs. With a mighty tug, Kiyoshi pulled the chain taut, immobilizing the construct.
Ardyn scowled. "That won't hold it for long!"
Kiyoshi smirked, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. "It doesn't need to."
He dashed toward the golem, using the chain as a guide. As he neared, he conjured a second greatsword, smaller than the first but just as deadly.
Using the chain to swing himself upward, Kiyoshi reached the golem's head. With a deafening cry, he plunged the sword into its forehead, aiming for the glowing core within.
The golem froze, its entire body trembling violently.
"The Shattering."
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Then, with a resounding crack, the golem's core shattered. Its body began to crumble, pieces falling away like shards of glass.
Ardyn fell to his knees, clutching his chest as the mana backlash hit him. "Impossible..." he muttered, staring at the remains of his creation.
Kiyoshi landed on the ground, his legs wobbling from exhaustion. He turned to face Ardyn, his expression calm but determined. "Looks like you're out of tricks."
"He did it!" a voice from the stands shouted.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices an overwhelming tide of admiration and disbelief.
"The Roar of the Crowd."
Students leapt to their feet, their excitement palpable.
"Did you see that final strike?!"
"He beat a third-year!"
"How's a first-year that strong?!"
Kiyoshi turned his head, scanning the faces in the crowd. Many were strangers, but among them, he caught glimpses of his friends—Sanae, Zoltan, Manjiro, Rin, Rajieru, and Celosia—standing and cheering as loud as anyone else.
"Ardyn's Defeat."
Ardyn groaned as he pushed himself to a sitting position, his body battered but his pride intact. He looked at Kiyoshi with a mix of frustration and respect.
"You've got guts, first-year," Ardyn said, his voice hoarse. "And skill. You've earned this one."
Kiyoshi managed a faint smile, extending a hand to help Ardyn up. "Good fight."
Ardyn hesitated for a moment, then took the offered hand, allowing Kiyoshi to pull him to his feet. As the two stood side by side, the crowd's cheers grew louder, the moment solidifying Kiyoshi's place in the academy's history.
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"The Overseer's Remarks."
Standing at the edge of the arena, a stern figure in formal academy robes stepped forward—the overseer of the trials, Professor Kael. He clapped his hands once, commanding attention, and the crowd gradually fell silent.
"An excellent performance from both participants," Kael began, his voice calm but carrying authority. His sharp eyes scanned the gathered students before resting on Kiyoshi.
"Kiyoshi, first-year candidate, you have exceeded expectations. Victory against a third-year is not an accomplishment to take lightly, and your resourcefulness throughout the trial was commendable."
He then turned to Ardyn. "Ardyn, as a third-year, you have shown us the importance of resilience and the value of pushing an opponent to their limits. You both have demonstrated what it means to embrace the challenges of Kuoh Academy."
Kael paused, letting his words sink in, before addressing the crowd.
"Let this serve as a reminder to all students—our trials are not simply tests of power but of will, intellect, and adaptability. To excel here, you must be prepared to rise above your limits, just as Kiyoshi has shown us today."
The students erupted into applause once more, and their admiration for Kiyoshi renewed.
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"Reunion with Friends."
As the crowd began to disperse, Kiyoshi stepped back, letting the energy of the moment wash over him. Exhaustion threatened to pull him under, but he forced himself to stay standing.
Manjiro appeared first, a grin plastered across his face. "Not bad, kid. You didn't even die. Color me impressed."
Kiyoshi chuckled weakly, his voice hoarse. "High praise coming from you."
Sanae rushed forward, her face a mix of relief and exasperation. "You were amazing, Kiyoshi! But you're also an idiot for pushing yourself so hard!"
"Noted," Kiyoshi replied with a faint smile, wobbling slightly.
Zoltan crossed his arms, his smirk widening. "You've got everyone talking. That was a fight worth watching."
Rin nodded, a rare gleam of approval in her eyes. "I'll admit, I didn't think you'd win, but... you proved me wrong. Don't let it go to your head."
Rajieru bounded forward next, clapping Kiyoshi on the back with surprising energy. "Kiyoshi, my man! That was insane! I mean, the whole 'crash-through-the-barriers' thing? Pure art. I'm officially stealing that move... if I can figure out how to pull it off!"
"You can't just steal moves," Kiyoshi muttered, but the corners of his mouth twitched into a small grin.
Celosia approached quietly, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. "You... you really were incredible," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the crowd's fading buzz. Her violet eyes shimmered with admiration. "The way you stayed calm, even when things seemed impossible... I don't think I could ever do that."
Kiyoshi shook his head. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Celosia."
Her cheeks flushed faintly, but she smiled, warmth radiating from her expression. "Thank you. But... I mean it. You inspire all of us."
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"Whispers of the Future."
As the group began walking out of the arena together, students whispered excitedly about Kiyoshi's performance.
"He's going to be a legend here, mark my words."
"What's his magic? I've never seen anything like it."
"Do you think he could win the school tournament?"
Kiyoshi overheard some of the murmurs but pushed them aside. He wasn't here for fame or glory—this victory was about proving to himself that he belonged.
Kael's parting words lingered in his mind: Rise above your limits.
For Kiyoshi, this was only the beginning.
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