Scene 1
Reina uncrossed her arms, resting them calmly at her sides. A faint, challenging smirk lifted her lips as she spoke, her voice steady and teasing.
"So… are you ready, Haruto?"
Standing opposite, Haruto answered with fire in his tone.
"I was waiting for this moment, Reina!"
He dashed forward with full speed, closing the distance in a heartbeat. Reina remained rooted in place, her hands relaxed by her sides, smiling with quiet confidence as if daring him to try.
Haruto swung a rapid series of strikes—low kicks, sharp punches, and a sudden spinning jab. But Reina slipped past each one effortlessly, her footwork light and precise, her body weaving just out of reach with that same calm smile.
Growling in frustration, Haruto pulled back and launched a powerful kick. Reina's hand snapped out, catching his leg mid-air. In one smooth motion, she countered—her foot whipping up and slamming into his chin.
Thwack!
"Ghuh—!" Haruto's mouth jerked open with a sharp sound as his body was knocked back by the force.
Reina tilted her head with that same smirk.
"What happened, Haruto? Keep yourself steady. This is only the beginning."
Gritting his teeth, Haruto rushed in again. This time he dropped low, sliding across the ground with two sweeping kicks aimed at Reina's legs.
"Huh?" Reina blinked in surprise.
The first kick brushed against her shin harmlessly, but the second struck with full force, throwing her balance off. Haruto sprang to his feet and spun, driving a fierce kick toward her back—
—but Reina snapped her arm behind her, blocking the strike with her forearm. Twisting in one swift turn, she slammed her fist across Haruto's face.
Crack!
Haruto staggered and dropped to the ground. Reina exhaled calmly.
"Enough. How much more will you hurt yourself? Admit defeat, Haruto."
But Haruto pushed himself back up, fire burning in his eyes.
"Give up so easily? Never! If I want to become a Hunter, I have to win this test. I won't stop until I do!"
He charged again, fists flying in a relentless storm. Reina deflected each one with practiced ease, barely shifting her stance. Suddenly, Haruto slipped around behind her. Reina's eyes widened as he raised his hand, mimicking the draw of an invisible sword, aiming straight for her neck—
—but she caught his wrist instantly, her body moving before his strike could land. Her knee shot upward in a sharp arc.
"W-wait—!" Haruto's face drained of color as the kick lined up dangerously.
"N-no no no no! If that lands there, I'm done for!!"
At the last instant, Reina bent her leg and drove her knee hard into his stomach instead.
BAM!
"Gahhh!" Haruto's breath burst out in pained gasps, spit flying in tiny droplets as he staggered back, clutching his abdomen.
"That wasn't any lighter either…" he groaned, barely standing.
Reina raised an eyebrow. "So? Have you given up now?"
Panting, Haruto shook his head and steadied himself.
"No… not yet. You wanted hand-to-hand combat, right?"
Confused, Reina tightened her guard.
"What are you planning now?"
Haruto bolted toward her, unleashing a wild flurry of punches. His strikes came faster, sharper, each swing forcing Reina to step back. For the first time, the momentum leaned his way. He slipped her guard and landed a sharp hit across her cheek.
Thwack!
"Kh—!" Reina's head jerked with the impact.
Haruto doubled his pace, raining down blows with frantic energy. But Reina, regaining her calm, blocked and parried as she spoke.
"Haruto! Out of all these desperate swings, only one or two actually carry real strength—like that one just now. The rest? Worthless."
Then, lowering her guard, she chuckled.
"Ahahaha…"
Haruto's anger spiked.
"Fine then! Let's see you laugh after this!"
He drew back a punch filled with everything he had—but Reina's counter came first.
Her fist slammed into his chest with brutal force.
BOOM!
Haruto's body shot backward as if ripped away by invisible force, crashing near Einzuro.
Thud
!
Reina brushed off her hands and turned.
"Sensei, that should be enough. I've already won."
But Haruto stirred, groaning as he tried to rise. Einzuro's eyes widened in surprise.
"He's… still not down?"
"Sensei!" Reina pressed. "Say it! Who won?"
"Wait," Einzuro said quietly. "Just wait."
Haruto straightened slowly, stretching his aching body with a grimace.
"Are you kidding me… she's too strong. Every punch, every kick—it hurts like hell. How can I possibly beat her…?"
Reina smirked again.
"Oh? Still standing? Then here's a simple challenge. If you complete it, I'll admit defeat. But if you fail, you accept your loss."
"What kind of challenge?" Haruto asked, frowning.
Bending down, Reina picked up a stone. A faint glow of magic shimmered over her palm, coating the rock in a dark aura.
"Catch this."
Haruto shouted impatiently. "Reina! Just throw it already!"
With casual ease, Reina tossed the stone forward.
Haruto smirked. "Hmph, too easy." He reached out, ready to snatch it.
But the moment it struck his hand—
CRACK!
The weight slammed his arm down, driving it deep into the ground. Dust burst into the air as cracks split across the earth around him. Haruto's eyes widened in shock.
"Wh-what the—?! My hand—It's stuck! Get this thing off me!!"
Einzuro's brow furrowed.
"Reina! I told you not to use magic."
Reina walked closer, sheepish but unfazed.
"Sensei, it was just to check… maybe I overdid the weight. I even needed magic to lift it myself."
Haruto struggled, shouting. "At least help me get free then!"
Reina sighed and placed her hand on the rock. With a flash, the glow vanished. The stone dropped harmlessly to the ground, allowing Haruto to pull his arm out.
"See, Sensei? She cheated! That means I win, right?" Haruto demanded.
Einzuro shook his head.
"Idiot. You lost at the very start. Reina was just toying with you the whole time."
Haruto clenched his fists.
"Hand-to-hand… it's impossible to beat her. Every strike was unbearable. How is she this strong? Aren't girls supposed to be weaker? Sensei, tell me—I want to be this strong too!"
Einzuro exhaled slowly, the faintest smile touching his lips.
"Of course… after all, she is his daughter."