The battles of the round were just as intense as Raiden's own match, each showcasing the diverse Quirks and strategies of the contestants.
In the second battle, Tamaki emerged victorious, though not without significant difficulty. His opponent wielded a Quirk that conjured water in the style of classical Japanese ink paintings. The peculiar nature of the water, behaving more like a viscous, slime-like fluid, made it challenging for Tamaki to land a proper hit. He had to adapt swiftly, combining three animal traits to outmaneuver and overcome his opponent.
First, Tamaki utilized octopus tentacles to maneuver around the arena and launch attacks while maintaining distance. At the same time, he sprouted wings to take to the sky, evading the unpredictable movements of the ink-like water. This combination proved vital as it allowed him to maintain the upper hand. To further counter his opponent, Aoi, Tamaki transformed his feet into fins, enabling him to swim effectively through the viscous fluid. This neutralized Aoi's ability to manipulate the arena to her advantage.
In a decisive moment, Tamaki closed the distance using his tentacles to grab Aoi and hurl her out of the arena. His victory was hard-fought, showcasing his adaptability and the creative use of his Quirk.
Nejire's fight, on the other hand, was swift and brutal. Ruthless was the only word Raiden could find to describe her performance. From a distance, she unleashed an unrelenting barrage of energy waves at her opponent, Ichirame. Despite Ichirame's efforts to defend himself with light constructs, Nejire shattered them one after another before he could form replacements. The onslaught left Ichirame overwhelmed, and the fight ended almost as quickly as it began. Observing Nejire's aggressive strategy, Raiden couldn't help but wonder if she might have conserved some energy for future encounters, given the demands of the tournament.
The final match of the round was between Mirio and Hana, and it stood out for its peculiar tone. Mirio's mastery of his Permeation Quirk allowed him to phase seamlessly into the ground, dodging Hana's sharp, petal-like projectiles. However, it was evident to everyone watching that Hana was still fatigued from her previous battle. Even with the restorative treatment she had received, her movements were sluggish, and her energy waned quickly.
Noticing Hana's state, Mirio's expression betrayed a hint of worry. Despite the circumstances, he understood that he needed to secure victory, even if it felt unfair. Opting for a straightforward approach, he phased behind Hana, grabbed her by the collar, and used her slight weight to his advantage, tossing her gently but decisively out of the arena.
Raiden with much to reflect on, prepared for the next round.
The next round commenced after a much-needed twenty-minute break, allowing the contenders to rest and recover from the grueling intensity of the final phase. Raiden used this time to focus on regaining his mental strength, choosing to distance himself from the others. However, this was harder than usual since the four semi-finalists, all his classmates, shared the same waiting room. The air was heavy with anticipation, and even though no words were exchanged, the tension was palpable.
When Present Mic's energetic voice boomed through the arena, it echoed into the waiting room via the speakers, snapping everyone's attention.
"Weee are now in the semi-finals! today, we've seen incredible battles from our future heroes!!" his enthusiasm was contagious, igniting cheers from the audience.
"for our first semi-final battle, we have two incredibly versatile fighters: raideeeen and tamakiii! they've shown astounding abilities and an amazing capacity to adapt to each challenge, rewriting the meaning of heroism! let's give them a huge round of applause!!"
As Present Mic hyped the crowd, Raiden and Tamaki walked onto the stage. Both moved at a measured pace, their expressions composed yet focused. Tamaki, as expected, appeared nervous, his body trembling slightly at the overwhelming sight of the arena filled with cheering spectators. Raiden, on the other hand, did his best to block out the noise, though the cacophony was harder to ignore than he anticipated.
This wasn't just another fight—it was a battle between friends who had sparred countless times before. By Raiden's estimation, they had gone head-to-head at least twenty times over the past two weeks. Each knew the other's fighting style intimately, which would make this encounter all the more challenging.
As the two took their positions, Present Mic announced the start of the match. But neither fighter moved. The stillness was reminiscent of Raiden's previous battle, but this time it was different. Raiden didn't transform or make any overt moves; he simply locked eyes with Tamaki, his expression unreadable. For two whole minutes, neither took a single step, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
A child's voice from the crowd broke the silence, ringing out in confusion: "Why aren't they moving?"
The crowd murmured in agreement, but on the stage, the fighters remained statuesque, their unspoken strategy unfolding in a battle of wills. This wasn't just about physical strength—it was a test of patience, observation, and the ability to seize the perfect moment.
After a brief standoff, both fighters moved simultaneously, the clash of their abilities igniting the arena. Raiden transformed, his body shifting into his formidable form—a sleek, gray-furred figure with an otherworldly aura. His purplish tail swayed like a serpent in the air, and his horned head radiated a commanding presence. In an instant, he launched himself into the sky, propelled by a burst of psychic energy.
Tamaki, not to be outdone, sprouted large, feathered wings and soared upward to meet him. As he ascended, his body became encased in a brownish-yellow armor composed of overlapping scales, giving him the appearance of a mythical warrior. The scales gleamed faintly under the arena lights as he closed the distance between them.
The two collided mid-air with a thunderous impact. Raiden's mega punch drove into Tamaki's scaled chest, while Tamaki retaliated with equal force. Their collision sent both flying backward, spiraling momentarily before regaining their composure. They hovered in the sky, locked in an intense stare. Neither seemed injured, but the tension between them was palpable.
"That's not your typical armor," Raiden remarked, his voice echoing in Tamaki's mind. Tamaki, used to Raiden's telepathic communication, responded without hesitation. Oddly, in these silent exchanges, his usual shyness seemed to disappear.
"This is pangolin armor," Tamaki explained, his tone calm yet resolute. "One of the toughest animals on Earth. It's not as resistant as, say, seashell armor, but it's lighter, which gives me the speed I need to keep up with you. Plus, it's durable enough to defend against your tricky confusion attacks."
Raiden processed the explanation quickly. Tamaki had always struggled to match his speed, weighed down by the heavy armors he typically used. But now, with this lighter pangolin armor, Tamaki had leveled the playing field.
However, Raiden knew his powers had a unique edge. His attacks weren't just about raw psyshyc force. He had come to understand their true nature during the earlier rounds. Some moves, like Mega Punch, Mega Kick, and Psyshock, targeted physical defenses directly, much like a hammer striking a solid surface. But others, such as Confusion and Swift, operated on a different level. These attacks bypassed physical defenses entirely, hitting an opponent's special defenses instead.
They worked like shockwaves from an explosion, capable of penetrating most armor or barriers with sheer energy. Or like fire, which could ignore solid protection to burn through heat transfer. This duality made Raiden a challenging opponent to counter, as his arsenal could exploit both physical and energy-based vulnerabilities.
Raiden clenched his fists, his psychic energy rippling through the air. Tamaki flexed his wings and adjusted his stance, preparing for the next exchange. The crowd roared in anticipation as the two warriors prepared to unleash their full strength.
Both fighters clashed in mid-air with ferocious intensity. Raiden unleashed two consecutive Confusion attacks, their psychic energy crackling in the air. Tamaki managed to dodge the first, but the second struck him squarely in the chest, momentarily disorienting him. He shook his head quickly to regain his focus and retaliated, conjuring a pineapple bush from his arm. The vines, adorned with spiked pineapples, lashed out at Raiden. The strikes landed, but Raiden gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain, countering with a powerful Psyshock that hit Tamaki dead-on.
Despite Tamaki's improved agility, the aerial battlefield was clearly Raiden's domain. The concentrated psychic energy sent Tamaki hurtling backward, but Raiden didn't waste the opportunity. With a fluid, graceful arc, he closed the gap and delivered a devastating Mega Kick to Tamaki's arm. The impact sent Tamaki crashing to the arena floor, creating a crater where he landed.
Raiden hovered in the air, his sharp eyes fixed on the impact zone. He knew Tamaki wasn't out of the fight yet. Without hesitation, he launched two Swift attacks toward his opponent. The shimmering projectiles exploded upon impact with the arena floor, their force rippling outward. Even the teachers observing the battle exchanged concerned glances—this fight had escalated to a level far beyond what they had anticipated.
From the center of the arena, something truly extraordinary unfolded. Tamaki stepped forward, his form shifting and contorting as he underwent a remarkable transformation.
Before the audience's eyes, he morphed into a majestic golden dragon, his body now a powerful fusion of animal traits. His broad wings, resembling those of a bird of prey, stretched wide, their surfaces glinting in the light, while they were reinforced with the hardened, protective pangolin scales. Vines coiled around his arms like living serpents, adding to his intimidating presence. His legs, now resembling those of a swift rabbit, allowed him to move with incredible agility, while his arms had become as strong and muscular as those of a gorilla, bulging with raw power. Every inch of his body was covered in golden scales, shining brightly, radiating strength and confidence. He stood there like a golden earth dragon, poised and ready to strike at any moment. Witnessing this, Raiden could only mutter in stunned disbelief, "Tamaki, what the hell did you eat?"
"You know," Tamaki's thoughts echoed in Raiden's mind, his mental tone steady and introspective, "in all the time we've fought together, I've realized something Mirio's been trying to teach me since we were kids. I used to think my quirk was creepy—manifesting what I eat into powers? Gross, right? That's what I thought for the longest time."
Raiden listened intently, his psychic connection effortlessly capturing Tamaki's words.
"But then I saw you," Tamaki continued, "transforming into completely new form with every battle, and doing it with such pride. It made me think, maybe my quirk isn't so bad after all."
Tamaki's golden form glimmered under the arena lights as he shifted his stance. "So, I started thinking like a chef: why not mix my ingredients better? Blend them in new ways." His voice, now spoken aloud, carried a mix of excitement and determination. "Second Phase: Chimera—Golden Dragon."
With those words, Tamaki surged forward, his rabbit-like legs propelling him with incredible speed. The wind aided his ascent as he closed the gap between them in an instant. Raiden barely had time to react before Tamaki's vines ensnared him. With a mighty heave, Tamaki threw Raiden toward the crater he had created earlier. He followed up with his full weight, crashing into Raiden's chest like a meteor.
The pain was staggering, and as Tamaki stepped aside, Raiden struggled to create some distance. He managed to retreat, but not before the relentless vines struck him multiple times, leaving him battered and winded.
Raiden's vision blurred as his focus wavered. If this kept up, he would lose the fight. He clenched his fists, willing himself to calm down. Focus, focus. You can't use your powers properly if you panic, he reminded himself. Summoning every ounce of his willpower, he activated Laser Focus, sharpening his mind. But even that wasn't enough to fully steady him.
He closed his eyes, forcing himself to breathe deeply. Calm down. You've been here before. You can turn this around.
Raiden tried to steady his breathing, his mind racing to regain control amidst Tamaki's relentless assault. Focus on the energy flow, he thought, repeating the mantra in his head. Keep it steady. Don't lose control. He twisted and turned, narrowly dodging Tamaki's attacks, feeling the psychic energy within him gradually stabilize and intensify.
Raiden failed to dodge one of Tamaki's devastating attacks. In an instant, a vine shot out with incredible speed, wrapping around his body like a constricting serpent. Before he could react, the vine slammed him forcefully into the floor, knocking the wind out of him. The next thing he knew, the world flipped upside down as he was sent flying, his body hurtling toward the sky, disoriented and momentarily helpless.
Then, just as in previous battles, something clicked. It was as if another piece of an intricate puzzle had slid into place. The energy coursing through him wasn't just stabilizing—it was building. His body felt lighter, his movements sharper, and his mind clearer. "Calm Mind," Raiden muttered under his breath, almost as if naming this newfound sensation made it more real.
In that moment, the chaos around him faded. The frantic, disorganized clash transformed into something serene. Raiden soared higher into the sky, almost weightless, his movements fluid and purposeful, always keeping a vigilant eye on Tamaki below. He felt an overwhelming sense of ease, as if the energy in his body had transformed into a steady river, flowing with unparalleled precision. The peace in his mind brought power to his body. He feelt stronger now—not from leveling up or raw effort, but from sheer focus and harmony.
Raiden realized he was in an incredible state of being, a balance of peace and power unlike anything he'd experienced before. Yet this wasn't just a mental victory; the energy within him was palpable, brimming, almost overloading. And, he had to test it.
As Tamaki pursued him with unwavering determination, Raiden concentrated floating in the air, funneling all his psychic power into his hand. The process was slow and deliberate, especially as he evaded Tamaki's strikes, who soared into the sky, pursuing Raiden.
As Raiden dodged and charged his attack, he could feel it working. This wasn't like his usual psychic attacks; it wasn't refined or elegant like Confusion or Psyshock. This felt primal—raw, untamed power coalescing in his palms.
And then, in a sudden burst of clarity, Raiden unleashed it.
"Hyper Beam," he declared, his voice steady and resolute.
The air around him seemed to distort as the energy was released, a brilliant beam of raw force erupting from his hands. It wasn't just an attack; it was an overwhelming display of power, tearing through the battlefield with a force that shook the very ground below.
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Please leave some power stoneees, this help me a loot, or comment, or add to your library, this way the book can expand to more people.
New MT's move unlocked haha, I tried to display a good fight, I hope I nailed it, leave some comments, everything is welcome.