Renji sits cross-legged near the edge of the training grounds, eyes half-closed, ignoring the whispers still circling through the audience.
Footsteps crunch lightly on the gravel behind him.
Maya is back, and with a new face beside her. It's the 2A student.
Everything about him is clean: posture, hair, the way he stands with his arms behind his back like he owns the ground beneath him.
"Renji Shibata," Maya gestures, "meet Ryou Ibashi. First-ranked student of Class 2A. Spellsword. Top scores in both combat and theory."
Ryou gives a small bow, polite but sharp.
"I've heard about you. You've caused quite a stir for a first-year."
Renji simply stands there.
"I don't usually entertain challenges like this, but… I was curious. You've won every match so far without casting a single spell. Either you're too arrogant, or you're something else entirely."
Maya steps between them.
She backs off and crosses her arms, eyes flicking between them like a referee before a street fight.
The crowd hasn't been told yet. Just a few upper-years catching wind and drifting closer, sensing something off-schedule.
The two boys walk to the center of the arena, silent.
Ryou pulls his blade from a scabbard at his hip. It hums softly with enchantments.
Renji just cracks his knuckles.
Ryou tilts his head. "No weapon?"
"Never tried one."
Maya doesn't bother hiding her grin as she lifts a hand up.
"Three... two... one... begin!"
Ryou vanishes.
In a split second he appears behind Renji.
Renji reacts, but by the time he turns around, Ryou is gone.
He keeps blinking around Renji at a very impressive speed, until suddenly he swings his sword with purpose.
Renji catches the blade with his bare hand. He squeezes tightly.
If I let this go on any longer, I'll lose my blade. I can feel it.
Ryou casts a very quick spell, creating a poison smoke around Renji.
They both take a step back.
Renji speaks. "Are you trying to hurt yourself with that poison?"
Ryou looks confused for a second, then he breaks out in laughter.
"You don't know?"
"Know what?"
"The caster of such a spell can't be hurt by his own poison. Nobody told you that?"
"I..."
"Nevermind that. This next attack will be even faster. Get ready."
Ryou enhances his body with so much magic that it gives him a small, red aura around his body.
He jumps straight at Renji. Renji blocks the hit with his arms, but he gets thrown back into the edge of the arena.
He gets up and brushes it off. Ryou is standing still, taken aback by his opponent's resilience. Renji gets close enough to speak to him.
"I'll give it to you. That was the hardest hit I took so far."
Ryou smiles.
"It will only get harder from here."
Ryou puts his hands together forming a seal and starts chanting.
His fists and blade suddenly catch on fire.
"This next one will sting."
He manages yet again to get in front of Renji in a split second, but as his blade is about to land on him, he misses.
Renji dodged.
"You took that other hit when you can dodge like this? Don't underestimate me."
Ryou's friendly demeanor suddenly changes. His body ignites in blazing fire, his speed nearly tripling.
Renji braces, but this time, the fiery blade catches him full force, sending him crashing to the arena's edge harder than before.
Once the smoke of the ground beneath clears out, all eyes are locked on him.
He rises again. This time, with a hint of blood on his lips. He cleans it off with the back of his hand.
Not bad.
On the other side of the arena, Ryou's expression changes.
That... was my strongest hit. Who... no, what is this guy?
His confidence falters, replaced by a grudging respect as he cracks a tired smile. He sighs. As a calculated man, he knows when he's in too deep.
Ryou raises a hand, slowly.
"I surrender."
Maya reacts.
"The winner is Renji Shibata!"
The arena explodes. Applauds are finally honest. Renji's strength can't be ignored anymore.
Ryou walks toward Renji and extends his arm.
As mutual respect formed, Renji reciprocates. They shake hands with a smile.
"You're something else, you know that? How are you so strong without using magic?"
"Well..."
Before he can finish his sentence, Maya comes around and grabs him close to her.
"I have great news! I'm starving though, let's get something to eat. All three of us."
A silver-haired girl appears out of nowhere.
"Can I come too? That was such an intense fight. It was... exhilarating."
Renji and Ryou look at each other with a straight face. They're both not loving the idea, but with Ryou being Ryou...
"Of course! Let's go together."
Renji pierces Ryou with his glance. He can't be the party killer now. He accepts defeat and gives a simple nod.
The silver-haired girl speaks again.
"My name is Rena by the way. Rena Tsukino."
They all exchange full names.
"I know a place with great food nearby." she says.
Maya scoffs. "We have the best food right here."
"Let's make a bet."
Maya thinks for a second and reluctantly agrees.
Renji and Ryou think nothing of it. They're just cruising by.
As they begin moving, it seems like everyone is watching Renji with a mixture of awe, acknowledgement, and even animosity in some cases.
This was a big win.