April 25th-Today was the day.The Shoin Tournament was about to start today.50 participants fighting for Akari Tachibana-Makoto Kageyama's daughter,who is also known as ''The Shoin Master''.
Each participant had his own room,where they can think about their tactics,inner thoughts and etc.On each one's door,there was its Shoin element.
10am-Renjiro,Ren and Kenji arrived at the Divine Crucible,where they would watch the opening fight of the tournament.The battle between the Obsidian Shoin user-Ishida Amakaze versus the Storm Shoin user-Kazuki Yukimura.
"Holy shit man,its so populated here!" said Renjiro
"Indeed,it wasnt that populated when we fought." replied Kenji
Little did they know that the fight that was coming was one of the most anticipated fights of the year,because the last year edition,the final was between two fighters with the same Shoin.
The stadium lights dimmed for a moment. A deep hum rolled through the Divine Crucible as thousands of spectators rose to their feet. Then—Boom!
Pillars of light shot upward from the arena floor, forming five massive symbols in the air: Fire, Water, Metal, Storm, and Obsidian. Each symbol flickered like a living spirit, the energy of countless Shinketsu swirling inside.
A solemn voice echoed through the stadium:
"Welcome… to this year's Shoin Tournament!"
The crowd erupted. Fireworks made of elemental energy burst across the sky — flames twisting into dragons, wind exploding into spirals, metal sparkling like falling stars.
At the center of the arena, a ceremonial platform rose from underground. Priests in white robes walked in a circle, chanting as streams of Shoin energy flowed around them. This marked the Kessokuritsu, a tradition to bless the fighters and prevent the battlefield from collapsing under their power.
Renjiro leaned forward in awe."Damn… they really go all out."
Spotlights converged on a single figure descending from above on a floating platform — the commentator, Ryo Tanbara, a charismatic former champion known for his loud voice and dramatic flair.
He grabbed the crystal microphone, grinning.
"Ladies and gentlemen, warriors and Shinketsu spirits… it's time!"
The crowd screamed.
"Before we begin the first match, let's review the rules of the Divine Crucible!"
He raised three fingers.
"Rule One: A fighter loses when they are knocked out, immobilized, or surrender.""Rule Two: Killing your opponent is a last resort.If you can escape killing your opponent,do it.""Rule Three: No external tools, drugs, seals, spell tags, or Shinketsu crystals are allowed."
He paused.
"And finally…"
"…all competitors must obey any direct order from the officiators. Disobedience results in immediate disqualification."
Ren elbowed Renjiro."Why do I feel like they skipped something important?""Because they did," Kenji muttered.
The stadium went silent when Ryo raised his arm again.
"Now… for the opening match!"
A drum beat echoed like thunder.
"Fighter One: Representing the Obsidian Shoin — the Black Fortress of the East — ISHIDA AMAKAZE!
A towering, muscular figure stepped onto the platform as obsidian spikes rose behind him like a crown. Black dust swirled around his boots with every step.
His Shinketsu appeared behind him for a brief second — a hulking creature made of stone and glowing cracks.
The crowd roared.
"And his opponent…"
A blast of wind swept through the arena, scattering dust.
"The Gale Wolf of the North! Master of the Storm Shoin — KAZUKI YUKIMURA!
Kazuki emerged in a rush of swirling wind, a blue scarf fluttering behind him. His Shinketsu silhouette flickered like a wolf made of lightning.
Renjiro felt a chill."These two… they're monsters."
The arena lights suddenly dimmed. A circular platform of black stone rose from beneath the ground, ringed by shimmering Shoin wards. The air thickened with tension.
A deep gong echoed.
"First match — begin!"
The crowd exploded.
Ishida Amakaze stepped forward first. His right forearm ignited with a harsh black glow as the Obsidian Shoin mark splintered into jagged geometric lines crawling across his skin.
Kazuki Yukimura answered as arcs of electricity danced across his arm. His Storm Shoin mark resembled swirling thunderclouds, spiraling outward as if the skin itself were rolling.
Renjiro leaned forward from the spectator stands, stunned.
"Holy hell… their auras are massive," he whispered.
Kenji nodded. "That's Stage 2. Their marks evolved once. What you see is the result."
The ground vibrated beneath the two fighters.
Ishida inhaled sharply.
"Obsidian Stage Two—Kokuyō Hagai."
His body erupted into black crystalline shards, forming armor-like plates over his shoulders and arms. The platform beneath him cracked from the sudden increase in weight and density.
Kazuki grinned back.
"Storm Stage Two—Tenkū Myakudō."
A cyclone of lightning burst around him, wind whipping violently as electricity spiraled upward, forming a column of sparks that tore a hole through the arena roof's energy barrier.
The crowd roared. This was what they paid for.
Without warning, Ishida launched himself across the arena. The stone floor cratered beneath his feet as he accelerated with impossible weight.
He swung his arm — a blade of obsidian forming at the elbow.
Kazuki barely dodged as the blade sliced clean through a stone pillar outside the ring, pulverizing it.
BOOM.
A shockwave rattled the arena.
Kazuki replied instantly, thrusting his palm forward.
"Raisen!"
A bolt of lightning shot from his hand, striking Ishida's chest and sending him skidding backward — but the obsidian armor barely cracked.
Ishida wiped dust from his chin.
"You hit like a stormcloud. Weak and loud."
Kazuki cracked his knuckles."Big talk for a man hiding behind a rock."
Ishida slammed his palms together.
"Kokuyōchū Ryūki!"
Massive black spikes erupted from the floor, forming a forest of jagged crystal around him. The air hummed with raw pressure; the pillars were sharp enough to slice steel.
Renjiro felt chills.
"That's… terrifying."
Kenji's face tightened."Ishida grew up in the Stone Mines of Amatsu. He lost his family in a collapse caused by illegal Shinketsu mining. He trained to turn the 'weak stone' that killed them into an unbreakable weapon."
Kazuki shot upward, carried by spiraling winds.
"He's not the only one with a tragic past," Kenji added as the wind buffeted the arena.
"Storm Shoin users are rare. Kazuki survived a lightning strike at eleven — the bolt awakened his Shoin. Almost died from it. Since then, he swore he'd master the storm instead of running from it."
Kazuki hovered above the spike field, arms outstretched.
"Fūrai Sange!"
Lightning shards rained down like a storm of spears. Each bolt struck a pillar, exploding it into obsidian dust.
Ishida raised an arm, blocking most of the barrage — until one bolt slipped through and struck him in the ribs.
He stumbled.
Kazuki smirked."Not so unbreakable after all."
Ishida slammed his fists into the ground.
The entire arena shook.
"Koku Kyozō!"
The crystal spikes merged together, forming a massive black titan towering over the arena — easily building-sized — its body glowing with the same jagged patterns as Ishida's mark.
Kazuki's confident face froze.
"Alright… that's big."
The titan swung its arm.
WHOOOOM—
A shockwave of pure force blasted Kazuki midair, sending him crashing through the barrier and into the far wall. The wards flashed, barely holding.
Kazuki coughed, wiping blood from his lip.
"Fine. You want big?"
Lightning spiraled around him, merging into a sphere of violent energy. His eyes glowed white.
"Arashi-Ō Keitai!"
He shot upward. Thunder roared. His body became encased in swirling lightning — wind and power forming wings of storm behind him.
The arena audience screamed in excitement.
Ren whispered:"I didn't know Stage 2 could go that far…"
Kenji:"That's why only a few ever reach it."
Kazuki raised both hands.
"Tenretsu no Yari!"
A gigantic spear of pure lightning formed, its tip vibrating with enough force to carve through mountains.
Ishida roared, controlling his titan.
"Kyoshin Shūgeki!"
The giant obsidian titan lifted both arms, forming a hammer the size of a house.
The world slowed.
Wind stopped.
Light dimmed.
Both attacks collided.
The explosion tore through the arena, shattering half the barrier, cracking the stadium seats, and sending shockwaves through the Divine Crucible itself.
Obsidian shards and lightning spiraled into a vortex of raw Shoin energy.
When the dust settled—
Kazuki was kneeling, chest heaving, steam rising from his skin.
Ishida's titan had shattered.
Ishida himself was on one knee, bleeding, obsidian armor crumbling away.
Both stared at each other.
Then Ishida collapsed first.
Winner: Kazuki Yukimura!
The crowd erupted.The battle was over.It could've been only the first fight,but-thats how each battle would go.49 participants remains.