As Shinra and Yoh approached the battle podium, Raizo's voice echoed through his AI Conduit.
"Stay calm, Shinra. This is your first real fight, and it's the perfect chance to prove yourself."
Shinra exhaled, trying to steady his nerves. "Yeah, but he's just a kid."
"Don't underestimate him," Raizo warned. "He's rich, which means he's got access to top-tier data chips and a high-end AI combatant. Wealth doesn't equal skill, but it does mean he has an advantage. Stay on guard."
Shinra nodded slightly, stealing a glance at Yoh, who was grinning as if he had already won.
Reaching the podiums, both combatants stepped up and slotted their AI Conduits into the linking ports. The screens flickered to life, displaying their profiles and battle readiness. A holographic battlefield began to form between them, signaling the fight was about to begin.
As the battlefield finished rendering, Raizo's form materialized within the holographic arena. He landed in a crouch, his digital body pulsing with energy as he adjusted to the combat space.
"I'm in," Raizo reported to Shinra, rolling his shoulders as he scanned his surroundings. The arena was a sleek, futuristic grid with shifting neon patterns running beneath his feet.
Then, across the battlefield, a second figure began to load in. A brilliant golden light shone from the materialization point, forcing Raizo to squint slightly as the opponent's AI combatant took shape.
When the glow faded, Raizo got a clear look at his adversary— a humanoid figure entirely made of gold. His surface gleamed with an unnatural luster, as if he had been sculpted from molten metal. His face was expressionless, save for two thin, red slits for eyes and a mouth that curved ever so slightly, just enough to exude an air of superiority. Though his body was sleek and featureless, he was unmistakably dressed in a tailored suit, the metallic fabric shifting as he adjusted his cuffs.
Above his head, his designation appeared in bold letters: MIDAS.
Raizo narrowed his eyes, immediately sensing the refined craftsmanship behind this AI. This was no standard-issue fighter—Midas had been designed for precision, control, and power.
"This one's no joke," Raizo muttered to Shinra through their connection. "Stay sharp."
The battlefield flickered to life, revealing an open field bathed in an eerie, digital glow. The ground was uneven, with small rocks scattered across the area, interspersed with larger, jagged boulders. The landscape was designed to create pockets of cover and obstacles that would force the combatants to think strategically, using both agility and wits. The air felt charged with anticipation, as if the entire arena was waiting for the first move.
Midas stood tall on his side of the field, his golden form gleaming under the artificial lights of the arena. With a chilling smirk, he spoke, his voice carrying across the battlefield, commanding attention.
"Are you ready to begin?" Midas called out, his tone dripping with confidence.
Before Raizo could respond, Midas reached down, picking up a small rock from the ground. His fingers glowed with a golden light, and to Raizo's surprise, the rock began to shift, turning into a solid mass of pure gold. With a flick of his wrist, Midas hurled the golden projectile at high velocity.
Raizo's reflexes kicked in instantly. He darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the golden missile as it whizzed past him. The rock crashed into the ground with a resounding *thud*, sending a spray of dirt into the air.
Raizo landed gracefully, taking a moment to admire the speed and precision of Midas's attack.
"Damn," Raizo muttered, adjusting his stance. "I didn't expect him to have a move with such good range."
He could feel the weight of the battle shift. Midas wasn't just physically strong; he had the kind of control over his abilities that allowed him to turn ordinary objects into powerful weapons.
"I'll have to be more careful," Raizo added, mentally preparing for the next exchange as he focused back on Midas, who stood poised for his next move.
Midas stood tall, his golden eyes gleaming as he surveyed Raizo. With a confident smirk, he bent down, grabbing several small rocks from the ground and cradling them in one arm as though they were mere pebbles. His movements were fluid, precise, and his intention was clear—he was about to bombard Raizo with relentless speed.
Without warning, Midas hurled the first rock. It flew with terrifying velocity, whistling through the air. Raizo's reflexes kicked in, his body moving almost instinctively as he sidestepped the projectile, narrowly avoiding the golden stone. Midas followed up with another throw, then another, each rock coming faster than the last.
Raizo continued to evade, his agile movements slipping past each rock with impressive speed. Yet, after a few more successful dodges, Raizo began to notice the toll it was taking on him. His breathing grew slightly heavier, his movements a little slower.
Midas, sensing the shift in Raizo's defense, started walking forward, each step a slow march toward his opponent. He continued to throw rocks, his arm a blur as he released them one after another, each one now coming at Raizo with a sickening speed and precision. Raizo danced around the projectiles, but the strain of evading them was beginning to show.
Raizo's movements were still sharp, but his stamina was fading. He could feel it—his legs were beginning to feel heavier, his breath coming in short bursts. Sweat formed on his forehead, a sign that the constant dodging was wearing him thin. He could feel his energy waning with each passing second, the pace starting to outstrip his usual endurance.
He grit his teeth, a slight grunt escaping his lips as he narrowly avoided another golden rock.
"Shinra," Raizo panted between evades, his voice strained, "look at the screen, keep an eye on my vitals."
As he continued to dodge, the HUD in Shinra's view updated in real time. The following data appeared:
- **Health**: 100%
- **Mana**: 100%
- **Stamina**: 75%
- **Burst Technique Bar**: 10%
- **Level**: 10
Raizo's stamina was depleting rapidly, and his burst technique bar was beginning to fill as he fought. But without the necessary power boost from his stamina, it was clear that he wouldn't be able to maintain this pace for much longer.
"You see that?" Raizo's voice was firm despite the strain. "I'm running low. Gotta keep an eye on my stamina, Shinra, or we're gonna be in trouble."