A hush fell over the courtyard as Ren and Ryuji faced each other, the tension thick as steel. The morning sun glinted off Ryuji's curved blade, while Ren tightened his grip on his wooden training sword.
Master Takeda stepped forward. "This is a formal duel. No killing blows. The match ends when one of you concedes or is unable to fight."
Ryuji smirked. "Try to keep up, Katsuragi."
Ren didn't reply. His mind was already analyzing Ryuji—his stance, his breathing, the way he shifted his weight slightly onto his back foot.
"He's fast."
"Begin!"
The moment the word left Takeda's mouth, Ryuji vanished.
Ren's instincts screamed—left!
He twisted just in time as Ryuji's blade slashed through the space where his neck had been. The wind from the strike grazed his skin.
"Fast!"
Ren jumped back, barely dodging another strike aimed at his ribs. Ryuji pressed forward, his sword a blur. Each attack was precise, his movements refined from years of training.
"If I fight him like a swordsman, I'll lose."
Ren shifted his weight—and instead of blocking, he dodged low, slipping under Ryuji's next strike. In his past life, he had never relied on brute force. Assassins didn't fight fair.
He lunged forward, using his smaller size to get inside Ryuji's guard. With a sudden burst of speed, he aimed his wooden sword at Ryuji's ribs—
But Ryuji spun mid-air, twisting his body unnaturally, and kicked Ren in the chest.
THUD!
Ren flew back, rolling across the dirt. Dust filled the air as he skidded to a stop, coughing. His ribs ached, but he forced himself to his feet.
Ryuji grinned. "You're quick, I'll give you that. But you lack power."
Ren exhaled. His wooden sword was still in his hand. That meant he could still fight.
He adjusted his stance. He couldn't match Ryuji's swordplay directly—but he could adapt.
---
The Assassin's Instincts
This time, Ren took the initiative. He dashed forward, feinting a strike to Ryuji's left.
Ryuji moved to block—but it was a trap.
Ren suddenly dropped low, sliding across the dirt, and swept Ryuji's legs out from under him.
Ryuji's eyes widened as he lost balance. Ren twisted his body and—CRACK!—slammed his wooden sword into Ryuji's stomach.
Ryuji grunted, stumbling back. But instead of anger, his lips curled into a grin.
"Hah. Now that's more like it!"
Without warning, he exploded forward with newfound speed. Ren barely raised his sword in time—
CLANG!
Even though it was just a wooden sword, the impact sent a shockwave through Ren's arms. Ryuji wasn't holding back anymore.
The battle escalated. Sparks flew as wood clashed against steel. Ren ducked, weaved, and countered with his assassin-like movements, while Ryuji responded with overwhelming power and speed.
Then—
CRACK!
Ren's wooden sword shattered.
A split-second decision.
Ren stepped inside Ryuji's reach—too close for a proper sword strike—and headbutted him.
THUD!
Ryuji staggered, dazed. Ren swept his legs again, sending him crashing to the ground. In the next instant, Ren grabbed the broken half of his wooden sword and pressed it against Ryuji's throat.
Silence.
Then—
Master Takeda chuckled. "Match over."
Ren stepped back, panting. His body ached, but victory was his.
Ryuji sat up, rubbing his forehead. Then he laughed.
"Damn. That hurt," he said, shaking his head. "Alright, Katsuragi. You win this one."
He stood, wiping dirt from his clothes. "You're not just some noble brat. You actually fight."
Ren smirked. "I don't fight to impress. I fight to win."
Ryuji grinned. "Then we'll fight again someday. Next time, I won't hold back."
Ren nodded. He didn't just gain a rival today.
He had gained something even more valuable—a worthy opponent.