As they stood there arguing, Inara walked past, heading toward the edge of the district. Her eyes landed on Itsuki for just a moment. He stood there with his hands in his pockets, laughing at something Takumi had said.
She kept walking but something about him felt... off. Her ability, Nature's embrace stirred. The connection linking her to all living things, reached out on its own, seeking the energy of those around her—even without her consent.
The moment it touched him, it was suddenly repelled by an unknown force.
Inara stumbled, a dull ache pulsed behind her eyes, like she'd walked into a wall she couldn't see. She stopped, looking back over her shoulder.
Itsuki still hadn't moved.
What the hell was that? The thought came and went as Inara pressed her hand against her forehead, rubbing slowly.
I must have used my ability too much today… She sighed, shaking her head. The vines and barriers must have drained more Honshitsu than she'd realized.
Inara exhaled slowly and continued walking, forcing herself not to look back.
"Next match!" Instructor Haruki's voice cut through the crowd's noise. "Listen for your names!"
The crowd noise swelled as Haruki took out the wooden box again. The remaining warriors watched, knowing that one misstep could end their dreams.
"Next round!" Haruki lifted the wooden box and shook it, tokens clinking inside.
His hand dipped in, fingers brushing over smooth wood before pulling one out.
"Itsuki Naoya!"
Haruki's hand went in again and out came a different token.
"Drayce Harkin!"
Itsuki stepped into the arena; the air smelled of smoke and scorched vines. Then in came Drayce. He was built like a veteran fighter; chiseled muscles, prominent veins running up his forearms, a body honed by years of training.
Even from fifteen feet away, Itsuki could feel the weight of Drayce's energy pressing against him. No mistake, Drayce was a Tier-two warrior!
Realizing this, Itsuki let out a heavy sigh. His instincts took over at once, he drew his katana and positioned himself before the instructor could say a word.
Haruki pulled back. "Are you both ready?"
A sharp nod from each.
"Start!"
Itsuki charged forward, trying to land the first hit. He unleashed a powerful lunge, his weapon aimed true, anticipating the clash. However, before his strike could connect.
Drayce vanished!
The air rippled and then he was at Itsuki's side, so close that his shadow devoured him.
The hel— Itsuki turned slightly, trying to dodge, however, he was too slow.
Drayce's fist connected with his ribs.
Crash!
Itsuki slammed into the floor, air bursting from his lungs.
His vision flickered, but he forced his body to roll away. He barely got out before the next blow came down, breaking the ground where he had been.
The battle had barely begun, and already, his blood painted the ground crimson. He staggered to his feet, a thin stream trickling from his split lip.
Quiet fell over the audience. Everyone's eyes were wide and fixed on the action which was playing out in front of them.
How is he this fast? Itsuki's mind raced as he wiped blood from his face.
He steadied himself and lunged again.
As he neared Drayce, he swung his blade directly at his opponent's head. Dust exploded from the force of his movement.
Drayce turned.
Sidestepped.
Slash!
The blade cut only air.
Before Itsuki could recover, Drayce was already inside his guard. A fist slammed into his back. The impacts drove the breath from his lungs.
Itsuki stumbled back. His vision blurred at the edges but he didn't stop. He shifted his weight, angling his blade left. When Drayce moved to counter, Itsuki pivoted right and slashed horizontally.
The blade cut across Drayce's forearm.
Blood welled from the wound.
Drayce looked down at the cut, then at Itsuki. Something shifted in his expression.
He came forward again, faster this time.
Clang! Clang!
Itsuki raised his blade to meet the onslaught but each impact rattled through his arms, steel ringing against hardened flesh. The pressure was immense! His strength waned with each parry, his arms growing heavier. Drayce's attacks pushed him back, step by step.
After several minutes of this, Itsuki reeled backward, gasping for air. He'd been on the defensive the entire time, barely holding back Drayce's relentless attacks.
I can't win like this... He gritted his teeth. Across from him, Drayce stood unfazed. He rolled his shoulders with casual indifference, as if the last several minutes had been nothing more than a warm-up.
Drayce cracked his knuckles. "Reiken Shun—Spirit Fist Blink!"
Energy began to gather around his right fist, a visible distortion in the air that crackled. He shifted into a low martial stance, weight coiled like a spring. The ground beneath his feet cracked from the sheer pressure.
His form blurred, then vanished in a ripple of displaced air.
He reappeared directly in front of Itsuki, his fist mere inches from his face. The displaced air whipped against Itsuki's skin.
That speed again! Itsuki's senses went on high alert. He dropped low, bending at the waist as the fist zipped above his head. In the same motion he pressed forward with his katana in a wild stab aimed for Drayce's heart.
The blade pierced through—
Drayce smiled.
The figure rippled and dissolved into nothing, scattering like smoke.
Itsuki's eyes widened. An afterimage?!
The real Drayce appeared behind him, and the condensed energy in his fist detonated on impact.
Pain exploded across his back. His bones felt crushed, his lungs empty, his thoughts scattered.
Itsuki's body flew through the air like a rag doll, out of the arena… CRASH!
He slammed into the district gate, denting the metal inward.
"ITSUKI!"
His friends' voices sounded distant and muffled. Through the ringing in his ears, he heard footsteps rushing toward him, people shoving through the stunned crowd.
Instructor Haruki was rooted to the edge of the arena. He sighed and looked away in disappointment; he expected more.
Itsuki was unable to move, his body wouldn't respond. Blood ran warm down his face, pooling beneath him. Blurred figures appeared above him—his friends, their faces twisted with panic and fear.
His peripheral vision went first, the world fading into a black tunnel. The last thing he saw was a hand reaching for him before everything went black.
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