Part 1
To kick off the tournament, the arena transformed into a square ring surrounded by a shimmering protective dome.
The barrier glowed faintly with NovaTech's most advanced technology… ensuring that no attack, no matter how destructive, could reach the audience.
"Wow… this place is seriously impressive," murmured Luca Romano, tightening his gloves as his eyes traced the dome above.
Across from him stood Yoruka Itsuki, perfectly still. Cold. Expressionless. Like a predator silently observing its prey.
"Tsk… these Japanese people really have no sense of humor," the Italian muttered with a sarcastic grin.
Yoruka didn't respond. Not a word. Not even a twitch. Her gaze stayed locked on him—sharp and unyielding, like the blade of her katana.
The countdown appeared on the central screen.
3… 2… 1… START!
The gong echoed through the arena—and time itself seemed to slow.
Then, in less than a blink, it was over.
Luca barely managed to raise his arm before Yoruka closed the distance.
Her katana flashed like lightning, striking with surgical precision.
His guard shattered instantly—the impact sent him crashing to the floor, the air knocked from his lungs.
"Unbelievable speed!" exclaimed Zao Wei from the commentator's booth.
The crowd erupted in awe.
Luca lay sprawled on the ground, eyes wide, unable to grasp what had just happened.
"So this is… the level of Seisen…" he thought, right before losing consciousness.
The referee raised a hand.
"Winner — Yoruka Itsuki!"
Cheers roared through the stands, but Yoruka only sheathed her katana and turned away, indifferent to the applause.
From the student council's private box high above, Eva Straussburg observed the young samurai closely.
"Yoruka Itsuki…" she murmured, narrowing her eyes.
"She shortened the distance by distorting the space between them… a cosmic string, perhaps. Or maybe she sliced through reality itself."
"Either way, that power is overwhelming… Now I see why NovaTech is so interested in her."
"The members of Oracle really are in a league of their own."
Her gaze shifted to the next match, a faint smile curving her lips.
Down in the arena, Akari Tsubasa made her entrance with infectious enthusiasm, waving to the crowd and bouncing on her heels. Her energy filled the coliseum in an instant.
On the opposite side, Marcus Kane was already warming up, throwing crisp punches into the air like a pro boxer. Each swing crackled with bluish energy, and his confident grin practically gleamed under the lights.
He approached Akari with a cocky smirk.
"Hey, Little boy. Don't worry, I'll go easy on you. I'm not the type to bully children."
A vein popped on Akari's forehead.
"Who're you calling little boy?" she snapped, frowning.
At first glance, her short stature and Seisen's gray-and-red uniform gave her a younger, almost boyish look. From the stands, a few spectators chuckled under their breath.
To them, she looked like a kid pretending to be a fighter.
But those who really knew her… understood that behind that innocent smile lurked overwhelming strength.
"You sure? You don't really look like a woman," Marcus teased with a mocking wink. "Eh, whatever. I'll make sure not to hit you too hard."
Another vein pulsed on Akari's forehead.
"I'll make sure not to send you straight to the infirmary… if you apologize," she said with a tight smile, cracking her knuckles.
The countdown began.
3… 2… 1… START!
Marcus moved first.
His fist, wrapped in blue energy, slammed into the ground with such force that a cloud of dust burst into the air
"Come on, stop hiding!" roared the American, throwing another punch.
But Akari was already behind him. Her body moved with flawless, feline precision.
She spun on her heel and launched a rising kick straight into his back.
The impact rang out… but Marcus didn't even flinch.
The crowd fell silent.
From the analysis booth, rows of holographic screens displayed real-time combat data. Ellie, wearing her smart glasses, adjusted the display as numbers and energy readings began to fluctuate.
"What's going on?" asked Touma, frowning as he watched Akari's stats plummet. "She's not doing any damage…"
"Touma-sama," Ellie replied calmly, her fingers flying across the console, "based on my analysis, Akari's Astra Core output fluctuates according to her emotional state."
"You mean… that provocation threw her off?"
"Exactly. Her core responds when she enjoys the fight. When she gets irritated, her energy disperses."
"In other words, her anger is cutting off her own strength."
Touma muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"It makes sense… she said it herself. Her power comes from her joy."
Opening a communication channel, Touma's voice echoed in Akari's earpiece as she traded blows with Marcus. Each strike from the American pushed her back, step by step.
"Akari, can you hear me?" His tone was steady, commanding.
The girl backed away, panting.
"Touma… I don't know what's wrong…" she murmured, the crowd's anxious murmurs filling the air.
"You need to calm down," Touma said, voice even and composed. "You've lost focus. Your power isn't responding."
She lowered her gaze, frustration burning behind her eyes.
"It's just… his words really piss me off," she admitted, clenching her fists.
"That's exactly what he wants. Maybe not on purpose, but ever since he provoked you, your stats have been crashing," Touma explained, eyes fixed on the fluctuating readouts.
"Not all your opponents will fight fair like you do, Akari."
The audience began to grow restless. A few jeers echoed through the coliseum.
Akari's breathing quickened as she tried to steady the storm of anger swirling in her chest.
Touma closed his eyes for a moment, searching for the right words. He knew he couldn't reach her with logic alone, he had to reach her heart.
"Remember, Akari… don't lose the cheerful, smiling girl you've always been.
Not for the fight—but for yourself."
Akari's eyes widened slightly as she heard his voice.
She drew in a deep breath… and exhaled.
Memories washed over her… laughing with Hina, training with Touma, afternoons trying on dresses with Shizuki…
All those bright, happy moments that made her feel alive.
"I can't let some jerk's words get to me."
"There's nothing wrong with being who I am."
"Since I met them… I've felt truly cared for."
"...Thank you, Touma," she whispered.
When she opened her eyes, a determined light gleamed within them. Her usual warm smile returned to her face.
"What's wrong, boy? Weren't you supposed to be Seisen's strongest?" Marcus taunted, still smirking.
Akari tilted her head slightly.
"Sorry about that. I got a little distracted," she said casually—and then clenched her fists.
"But I take that back. You're going straight to the infirmary."
Marcus swallowed hard, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple.
"Don't think you can scare me, brat."
Akari smiled—softly, but with fire in her eyes—as her knuckles cracked.
In the analysis booth, Ellie turned her holographic display toward Touma.
"Touma-sama, Akari's readings are spiking rapidly. Should I advise her to hold back?" asked Ellie, her voice calm but her hands tense over the console.
Touma smiled faintly.
"No, Ellie… let her enjoy it. She's earned this."
Down in the arena, Akari dashed forward, her silhouette blurring into a crimson streak.
"Rock Body!" roared Marcus, as a stony armor enveloped his entire frame. His skin turned to living rock.
But it didn't matter.
Akari charged fearlessly, the fire within her blazing brighter than ever. Her right fist ignited, wrapped in a crimson flame.
"Let's see if that armor can handle this!"
The impact thundered across the coliseum.
The blow shattered Marcus's defensive shell into a thousand fragments, sending him flying across the arena until he slammed into the energy barrier.
A cloud of dust billowed out.
Silence. Absolute silence.
And then…
"Incredible! 'Harden Body' has been completely destroyed in a single strike!" Professor Zao's voice boomed through the speakers, unable to hide his astonishment.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Marcus Kane lay motionless on the floor, unconscious.
The referee raised a hand.
"Winner—Akari Tsubasa!"
Akari exhaled softly, lowering her fists. A warm, satisfied smile spread across her face.