The arena of Dawnl was silent, filled with the tension of the impending final match. The two cadets who had fought their way through the tournament, Isaki and Riku, now stood face to face in the center of the battlefield. The air between them crackled with anticipation, both of them knowing that this fight would determine not only the strongest cadet but also who had the potential to become one of the great warriors of their generation.
In the stands, Instructor Tora crossed his arms, his sharp eyes focused on the two young combatants. He had watched them grow over the past two years, and while he expected greatness from both, what was about to unfold would exceed even his high expectations.
"Begin!" the signal was given, and the battle commenced.
Isaki took the initiative, charging forward with his sword raised. Riku, known for his agility and quick reflexes, sidestepped the initial strike and countered with a swift slash of his own. Their swords met with a sharp clang, sparks flying as metal clashed against metal. The force of their strikes reverberated through the arena, sending a thrill through the watching crowd.
Isaki pushed forward, his sword a blur as he delivered a series of rapid strikes, forcing Riku onto the defensive. Riku parried skillfully, his movements quick and precise, but Isaki's relentless assault kept him on his heels.
Suddenly, Isaki's left hand began to glow faintly. A soft, blue aura enveloped his fist—an impressive feat for a second-year cadet. Instructor Tora's eyes widened in surprise. - He's already able to manifest his Aura externally? Tora thought. - Even if it's still weak, that's rare for a cadet of his level. He might master the second-level Aura by the time he finishes his training.
With his right hand gripping his sword and his left fist charged with Aura, Isaki switched his tactics. He lunged at Riku with a horizontal slash, which Riku barely blocked, but Isaki followed up with a powerful Aura-infused punch aimed at Riku's stomach. Riku, quick as ever, parried the sword strike but couldn't avoid the punch.
The impact sent Riku stumbling back, the wind knocked out of him. The audience gasped as Riku doubled over for a moment, clutching his stomach. But Riku, determined not to fall, gritted his teeth and sprang back to his feet, his eyes blazing with resolve. He dashed toward Isaki, delivering a solid punch to Isaki's side in retaliation.
However, unlike Isaki, Riku hadn't yet mastered the ability to envelop his fists with Aura, making his punch less effective. Isaki winced, but the blow wasn't enough to knock him down. The two stared at each other, their breaths coming in heavy gasps, but neither was willing to give an inch.
The fight continued at a furious pace. Isaki swung his sword with precision, each strike accompanied by bursts of Aura from his left hand. Riku danced around him, using his speed to dodge and deflect as best as he could, waiting for the right moment to counter. But Isaki's relentless combination of sword strikes and Aura-infused punches was taking its toll.
Isaki aimed another Aura-charged punch at Riku, hoping to finish the fight, but in that moment, something unexpected happened. Riku's body pulsed with a faint light, and for a split second, Aura erupted from him, encasing his entire body in a shimmering field of energy.
Instructor Tora's eyes narrowed in astonishment. - Riku too? He could hardly believe it. Even if only for a second, Riku had manifested his Aura externally, a sign of immense potential. - This generation... it's filled with prodigies.
The sudden surge of Aura caught Isaki off guard. Riku, seizing the opportunity, unleashed a powerful strike, knocking Isaki off his feet and sending him flying into the air. The crowd roared as Riku followed up, leaping after Isaki and swinging his sword in mid-air.
But Isaki wasn't done yet. His instincts kicked in, and with a quick twist of his body, he brought his sword up just in time to block Riku's aerial attack. Their swords clashed once again, and the force of the impact sent both cadets crashing back down to the ground, rolling away from each other.
For a moment, it seemed like the battle might end in a draw. Both Isaki and Riku lay on the ground, bruised and battered, their bodies barely able to keep up with the demands of the fight. The arena fell into a tense silence, waiting to see who would rise first.
Slowly, both fighters struggled to their feet. Blood dripped from their wounds, and their faces were set with grim determination. Isaki knew that this fight couldn't continue much longer. He needed to end it, and fast. That's when a memory flashed through his mind—his father, Izaku, teaching him a sword technique he had yet to fully master.
The Lunar Blade.
It was a sword technique composed of seven distinct moves, each one more complex and powerful than the last. At the time, Isaki had struggled even with the first move, but now, standing at the edge of defeat, he realized that this was the only way to win.
He gripped his sword tightly, focusing all his remaining strength. The crowd watched in awe as Isaki's stance shifted. There was a grace to his movements, a flow that seemed almost unnatural, as if the sword itself were an extension of his very soul.
"The Lunar Blade..." he whispered under his breath, feeling the weight of the technique. He only knew the first move, but it would be enough.
Riku, sensing the shift in the air, readied himself. He had never seen Isaki fight like this before, and a small pang of unease crept into his chest.
Isaki's body moved like liquid, his sword carving an elegant arc through the air. The first move of the Lunar Blade was swift and precise, a strike that combined beauty with deadly force. Riku brought up his sword to block, but the force of Isaki's attack was overwhelming.
The moment their blades collided, Riku's sword trembled. The power behind Isaki's technique sent vibrations through the steel, and with a sharp crack, Riku's sword shattered under the pressure.
Riku's eyes widened in shock as the force of the blow knocked him to the ground, his broken sword falling from his hand. Isaki stood over him, his sword poised for the final strike.
But he didn't need to finish. The match was over.
For a few moments, the entire arena was silent, the audience too stunned to react. Then, slowly, the cheers began to rise, growing louder and louder until they echoed through the entire village of Dawn.
Instructor Tora couldn't hide the pride on his face. - Two cadets capable of manifesting their Aura this early, and Isaki… mastering a technique like the Lunar Blade? He smiled to himself. This generation will produce legends.
Isaki extended a hand to Riku, helping his friend up from the ground. Both were exhausted, covered in cuts and bruises, but there was a mutual respect in their eyes.
"You've grown strong, Isaki," Riku said, his voice tired but sincere.
"You too," Isaki replied, his hand still trembling from the effort of using the Lunar Blade.
As they stood together in the center of the arena, the crowd continued to cheer. The tournament had ended, but their journey was far from over. Both Isaki and Riku knew that even greater challenges awaited them in the years to come.
But for now, they had earned their victory.