Chapter 28: A Draw
The instant they collided—
BOOOOOOOOM!
A pillar of black, gold, and blue mana erupted into the sky.
The arena shook violently.
Stone tiles shattered.
Powerful winds swept across the spectator stands.
Students shielded their faces.
Some stumbled backward.
Others simply stared in horror.
"...This is insane!"
"They're only first-years!"
"I can't even see them!"
Inside the cloud of dust...
The sounds of swords clashing continued.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
The explosions never stopped.
---
Professor Adrian's face darkened.
"If this continues..."
"The arena won't survive."
Headmaster Orion nodded.
"...Wait."
"They're almost at their limit."
---
The dust slowly began to settle.
The crowd finally caught sight of the two boys again.
Kai's breathing had become heavy.
His uniform was torn across the shoulder.
A streak of blood ran down his arm.
Across from him...
Vee wasn't in much better condition.
His clothes were ripped in several places.
Bruises covered his body.
Even with his Light affinity healing him, he couldn't recover as fast as Kai was injuring him.
Vee wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"...You hit really hard."
Kai answered calmly.
"So do you."
Vee smiled.
"I'm framing that compliment."
"I wasn't complimenting you."
"You've said that before."
The crowd laughed despite the tension.
---
Without another word...
They charged again.
BOOM!
Their swords met.
Neither gave way.
Kai suddenly swept low.
Vee jumped over the attack.
While still in the air...
He twisted his body.
His sword slashed downward.
Kai blocked at the last second.
The impact forced him to one knee.
Vee landed smoothly.
"You almost had me."
Kai stood.
"So did you."
---
For several more minutes...
Neither warrior gained the advantage.
Every attack was answered.
Every feint was read.
Every opening disappeared before it could be exploited.
Professor Selene whispered,
"They've memorized each other's movements..."
Headmaster Orion replied quietly,
"...No."
"They're creating new ones."
---
Kai inhaled deeply.
Lightning exploded around him once again.
This time...
Flames flickered for the briefest moment beneath the lightning.
Only Vee noticed.
"Fire..."
"So you really were hiding it."
Kai realized what had happened.
The tiny flame disappeared immediately.
His expression remained unchanged...
But Vee smiled knowingly.
"I'll keep your secret..."
"For now."
---
Both boys gathered the last of their mana.
Their bodies screamed from exhaustion.
Their arms felt heavy.
Their breathing was ragged.
Yet...
Neither lowered their sword.
Vee laughed softly.
"You know..."
"If we keep this up..."
"We're both going to miss dinner."
Kai tightened his grip.
"...Focus."
"I am."
"I'm thinking about food."
Even some of the professors couldn't help smiling.
---
The two rushed forward one last time.
Lightning roared.
Darkness surged.
Golden light wrapped around Vee's blade.
The pressure became unbearable.
Professor Adrian's eyes widened.
"Headmaster!"
Headmaster Orion disappeared.
Professor Adrian vanished beside him.
---
Just as the two swords were about to collide—
WHOOSH!
Two overwhelming waves of mana crashed between them.
BOOOOOOM!
Kai's attack was forced upward.
Vee's strike was pushed into the ground.
The resulting explosion sent both boys flying backward.
They rolled across the arena before finally stopping.
Silence.
The dust slowly settled.
Headmaster Orion stood between them.
Professor Adrian stood beside him.
Neither looked pleased.
The arena...
Was in ruins.
Half of the stone floor had been destroyed.
Deep cracks stretched from one end to the other.
Several training dummies had been blown apart.
Professor Adrian slowly looked around.
Then back at the two exhausted students.
"...Would either of you care to explain..."
"...why my arena now looks like a battlefield?"
Vee slowly raised one trembling hand.
"In our defense..."
Professor Adrian stared at him.
"...Don't."
Vee lowered his hand.
"...Fair."
The audience burst into laughter.
Even Kai closed his eyes for a moment, looking as though he was suppressing the urge to sigh.
Headmaster Orion folded his arms.
"The duel ends here."
"Result..."
He looked from Kai...
To Vee.
"...A draw."
The crowd exploded.
"A DRAW?!"
"The Apex couldn't beat Kai?"
"Kai couldn't beat the Apex either!"
"They're equals!"
---
Kai slowly stood.
So did Vee.
Both were exhausted.
Both had smiles hidden beneath their fatigue.
Kai walked toward Vee.
The arena fell silent again.
Everyone expected another challenge.
Another argument.
Instead...
Kai extended his hand.
"You've grown stronger."
Vee looked at the hand.
Then smiled brightly.
"I knew you liked me."
Kai's expression remained blank.
"...Don't misunderstand."
Vee laughed and shook his hand anyway.
"Too late."
The crowd erupted into applause.
Even the second-year students stood.
They had just witnessed something unforgettable.
As Kai turned to leave, Vee called after him.
"Hey!"
Kai stopped.
"I still think rivals are just aggressive friends."
Kai stood silently for a few seconds.
Then...
Without turning around...
He replied,
"...You're still annoying."
Vee grinned.
"I'll take that as progress."
Laughter echoed throughout the ruined arena.
Headmaster Orion watched the two boys walk away in opposite directions.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"The future of this Academy..."
"...is going to be very interesting."
The first great rivalry of the new generation...
Had officially begun.