Chapter Seventeen: Luck, Skill, or Something Else?
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The announcement of Rin and Leon's upcoming fight spread like wildfire, creating a buzz across the Academy. By the time the official notice went up on the duel board, every student was already making bets on the outcome.
"Leon's going to crush him. No way an F-rank stands a chance."
"Are you kidding? Did you see Rin during the drills? He might be holding back some insane ability."
"I'm betting on Leon. He's got the backing, the training, and the experience."
Rin tried to ignore the chatter as he made his way through the courtyard. He didn't care about the crowd's opinions; this wasn't about proving anything to them. It was about making sure Leon didn't think he could keep pushing people around.
Still, as he walked, Rin couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a trap. Leon was arrogant, sure, but he wasn't stupid.
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The Duel Grounds
The Academy's duel grounds were set up like a miniature arena, complete with viewing stands and a shimmering energy barrier that kept stray attacks from harming the spectators. By the time Rin arrived, a sizable crowd had gathered, their excitement palpable.
Leon stood at the center of the arena, his arms crossed and a smug grin on his face. His two lackeys stood by the sidelines, hyping him up and glaring at Rin as he approached.
"You actually showed up," Leon said, his voice dripping with mock surprise. "I half-expected you to chicken out."
"Let's just get this over with," Rin said, stepping into the arena.
Aila was in the front row of the stands, her arms folded and her expression stormy. She didn't say anything, but the look she gave Rin was enough to convey her disapproval.
"Rin, are you sure about this?" someone called out from the crowd.
"Not really," Rin muttered under his breath.
The referee, an older instructor with a no-nonsense demeanor, stepped into the arena. "The rules are simple," he said. "No lethal attacks, no outside interference, and the fight ends when one combatant is incapacitated or yields. Understood?"
Both Rin and Leon nodded.
"Then let the duel begin!"
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The Opening Moves
Leon wasted no time, launching himself at Rin with a speed that made the crowd gasp. His fist was wreathed in a faint golden glow, a manifestation of his rank's enhanced power.
Rin barely dodged, the punch grazing his shoulder. The force of the blow sent a shockwave rippling through the arena.
"Too slow!" Leon taunted, pressing his attack.
Rin ducked under another punch, his mind racing. Leon was faster and stronger, but he was also predictable. Every move was telegraphed, designed to show off rather than be efficient.
"Not bad," Rin said, sidestepping a kick. "For a B-rank, that is."
Leon's face twisted in anger. "You're dead!"
He swung again, this time aiming for Rin's midsection. Rin twisted away at the last second, using the momentum to create some distance.
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A Stroke of Luck
The fight continued, with Rin dodging and evading while Leon grew more and more frustrated. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, their initial certainty in Leon's victory beginning to waver.
"What's he doing?" one student whispered. "He hasn't landed a single hit!"
"Maybe he's just buying time."
Rin, meanwhile, was starting to feel the strain. Dodging was taking its toll, and Leon showed no signs of tiring.
"All right," Rin muttered to himself. "Time to change the game."
Leon charged again, his fists glowing brighter. But as he lunged, Rin noticed something—a loose piece of the arena's flooring, barely visible but perfectly placed.
Rin shifted his weight, angling his movements to guide Leon toward the hazard.
"Is that all you've got?" Rin said, smirking.
Leon growled, lunging forward with a wild punch. His foot caught on the uneven tile, throwing him off balance.
Rin didn't hesitate. He stepped in, delivering a sharp kick to Leon's exposed side. The impact sent Leon sprawling, the crowd erupting in shock.
"Did… did Rin just land a hit?"
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Leon's Counterattack
Leon scrambled to his feet, his face red with rage. "You got lucky," he spat, his aura flaring around him.
Rin raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that what you said I'm good at?"
Leon roared, unleashing a barrage of energy-infused strikes. Rin dodged most of them, but one clipped his arm, sending a jolt of pain through his body.
"Okay, that hurt," Rin admitted, shaking out his arm.
"You're done, Park!" Leon shouted, gathering energy into his hands.
A golden orb of light formed between Leon's palms, its power humming in the air. The crowd gasped, recognizing the move as one of Leon's signature techniques.
"Take this!" Leon yelled, hurling the orb at Rin.
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Rin's Gamble
Time seemed to slow as the orb hurtled toward him. Rin's mind raced. He could try to dodge, but the orb's explosion would likely catch him anyway.
"Guess I don't have a choice," Rin muttered.
He reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around the shard. A surge of energy shot through him, sharp and electric. The shard seemed to hum in response to the danger, its glow intensifying.
"Let's see what you can do," Rin said, holding the shard up.
The orb collided with the shard, and the arena was engulfed in a blinding light.
When the light faded, Rin was still standing, the shard glowing faintly in his hand. The golden orb was gone, its energy seemingly absorbed.
The crowd fell silent, their disbelief palpable.
"What… what just happened?"
Leon stared at Rin, his confidence shaken. "What the hell was that?"
Rin smirked, pocketing the shard. "Guess your big move isn't so impressive after all."
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The Final Blow
Leon charged again, desperation evident in his movements. Rin waited, his stance relaxed.
At the last moment, Rin sidestepped, using Leon's momentum against him. With a well-timed sweep, he sent Leon crashing to the ground.
"Yield," Rin said, his voice calm but firm.
Leon glared up at him, his pride warring with his humiliation. Finally, he spat out the words. "I yield."
The referee stepped forward, raising his hand. "The winner is Rin Park!"
The crowd erupted into cheers and murmurs, their disbelief turning into excitement.
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Aftermath
As the arena cleared out, Aila approached Rin, her arms crossed.
"Well?" Rin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"You're insane," Aila said, her tone a mix of frustration and admiration. "But I guess I can't argue with the results."
Rin shrugged. "Sometimes, luck isn't so bad."
But as he walked away, the shard's weight in his pocket served as a reminder that his so-called luck was far more complicated than anyone realized.