Zen's glare turned cold as he watched the grinning Karu.
Karu chuckled softly, flames licking the floor around him. The heat radiated outward, almost making Zen sweat. Almost.
The flames continued to flare. Karu's brow furrowed for a moment. "Oops," he muttered. "I guess I'm losing control… which I shouldn't, considering how weak you are. But after all…"
His gaze sharpened, locking on Zen. "You're not ready for my full power," he growled.
He breathed slowly. The flames retracted, leaving only black dust drifting through the air. His eyes remained cold, unwavering.
Sensei's lips curved into a faint smile as he lifted his hand. "GO!" he shouted. A slash of yellow mana shot between Zen and Karu, tearing through a nearby tree and collapsing it to the ground, sending a few birds scattering.
Karu's lips curved into a small, approving grin as he glanced toward Zen.
Zen's body tensed but he forced himself to breathe steadily. "Calm down, Zen. This fight's just training. Nothing too serious… I mean, how strong can he b—"
"Karu!" Zen gasped, scanning the battlefield.
"Tap," Karu whispered mockingly, ducking under Zen's swing.
Zen's eyes widened. Karu grinned." Why so predictable? The grin accompanied a swift sweep of Zen's legs.
Zen slammed into the ground, coughing as pain shot through his ribs. Karu's expression hardened, steel in his eyes.
"Damn," Zen muttered, leaping backward at light speed, cracking his knuckles before looking back at Karu. He frozed..
The ground cracked beneath his feet, lava splintering as the red heat warped the air. Sweat beaded on Zen's brow as Karu's deadly red mana pulsed.
"I'll be number one… that's what you told the chief, and you think you can make it? Tch Don't make me laugh" Karu muttered, voice deliberate. His eyes glowed red as he glared at the ground, then lifted a hand in controlled rage, grinding his teeth.
"Such ego pisses me off… especially when it's never earned," he continued, slow and savoring each word. "And the most hilarious thing…" He pointed a finger at Zen. "You're not even worth my ten percent."
Karu glanced at Zen, sweat dripping, before raising his hand higher.
But Zen… his eyes flicked downward. A faint, ominous purple mana leaked from him, shaking his very presence. The air seemed to pulse around the boy.
The fight erupted.
Karu's fists collided with Zen's defenses in a blur. Lava hissed under their feet. Blows slammed, strikes landed, dodges flowed — faster than the eye could track.
Zen twisted, dodged, and struck back, each motion a burst of precision and power. Flashes of red and purple mana illuminated the battlefield as they exchanged rapid attacks.
"Karu!" Zen shouted, swinging from above. Karu ducked, laughter escaping him. "Too slow!" he taunted, sweeping Zen's legs in a lightning blur.
Zen slammed backward, hitting the ground hard. Pain shot through his ribs, but he rolled with it and sprang to his feet, black mana swirling faintly around him.
Karu's grin vanished. His eyes burned brighter as he lunged forward, heat from his flames turning the air molten.