The morning sun cast long shadows over the Rebal Academy grounds, the buzz of the ongoing tournament filling the air. Kaito tightened the strap on his bag, his eyes glowing a faint orange as he prepared for his next battle. The crowd was growing larger, whispers of his earlier victory spreading fast.
"Next up, Kaito Tadashi versus Minoru Saito!" the announcer's voice echoed through the arena.
Minoru stepped forward—his eyes a sharp blue, a rare variant that shimmered like the ocean in sunlight. His reputation was fierce: telekinesis master, known for controlling entire arenas with his power. Kaito eyed him carefully, knowing this fight would be a true test.
Minoru smirked. "Orange eyes, huh? Let's see if your clones can keep up with this."
The match began in a blur. Minoru's telekinetic waves sent debris and dust flying, forcing Kaito to summon multiple clones, scattering to avoid the assault. Kaito's eyes burned brighter, five clones forming in perfect sync, each mirroring his moves. The battle was fierce, a dance of speed, power, and strategy.
In the crowd, Akia cheered wildly, her pink hair catching the light. "Come on, Kaito! You got this!"
Backstage, Tae watched silently, his green eyes narrowing—not with pride, but something darker. He clenched his fists as he observed Kaito's fight. The pain in his chest was sharp, jealousy and frustration bubbling up.
Later that evening, Tae trained alone in the gym, sweat dripping down his face. He slammed a punch into the heavy bag, over and over. "Why does Kaito get all the attention?" he muttered under his breath.
A voice echoed from the shadows. "You're stronger than you think, Tae."
Tae spun around to see a tall figure cloaked in darkness, their eyes glowing a faint crimson. "Who… are you?"
The figure stepped forward, a smirk on their lips. "I'm someone who can help you unlock your true potential. The power you deserve. All it takes is a choice."
Tae's eyes flickered—red, green, then back again. His mind raced with doubts and anger. "I'm tired of being second."
The figure nodded. "Good. Embrace the darkness within, and you'll surpass even Kaito."
---
That night, Tae sat alone, staring at his reflection. For the first time, his eyes shimmered with a new color—dark crimson mixed with his usual green.
Meanwhile, Kaito lay on his bed, unaware of the storm brewing just beyond the horizon.
Sorry this chapter wasn't as long