---
Natsu cracked his knuckles, a cruel grin spreading across his face.
The boy in front of him barely had time to react before Natsu moved. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of him, grabbed his face, and slammed him into the ground.
A loud crack echoed across the training field. Natsu laughed. "Too easy."
Suddenly, the boy began to shine, energy radiating from his body. A massive explosion of light erupted, and Kirota's eyes widened.
Natsu staggered back, his clothes shredded, leaving only his shirt intact. He coughed.
"Damn… the demon's standing back up."
Kirota studied him carefully. He looks like a boy… but he's unbelievably strong.
Natsu grinned. "That means I don't have to hold back anymore."
He charged again, fists ignited with fire. The demon boy went flying, crashing into a tree. But within moments, he healed and launched a counterattack. He moved so fast that before Kirota could react, a kick sent him sprawling across the ground.
Suzuka's eyes narrowed. "That's not just a normal demon… it's eaten a Ka Ball."
Kirota frowned. "How do you know?"
"No demon can move like that," she said, pointing at the demon's forehead. A blue ball glimmered there.
Kirota's eyes widened. "That means… we might not make it out alive."
"Why isn't the teacher doing anything?" Kirota asked.
Suzuka shook her head. "I don't know. But we have to hold it off somehow."
Eriya was trembling. "We're going to die… we're going to die!"
Kirota grabbed her shoulder, his expression firm. "We just have to keep fighting. If we give up… we will die."
The demon walked toward them, relentless.
Suzuka leapt forward, sword drawn. "First Forms: Water Surface Slash!"
A wave of water surged toward the demon, slicing its body. But the injuries healed almost instantly. It roared, sending out a shockwave that slammed Suzuka into a wall.
Kirota clenched his fists. "We have to keep fighting."
Eriya rushed in with her attack. "Gale Surge: Winter Cut!" The slashes hit, but again, the demon healed faster than they could damage him. One kick sent her flying across the field.
Kirota staggered back, muttering, "Damn… I'm so weak."
The demon appeared in front of him, almost punching him through his stomach. A massive hole opened, and blood poured out, but Kirota refused to stay down.
Suddenly, a vision flashed in his mind: the same man sitting on a chair in the void.
"Zarkoth… do you want power?" a deep voice asked.
Kirota's heart raced. If I can… give me that power.
The shadow of Zarkoth smiled. He clapped his fingers, and the blood on the ground began to rise, forming a swirling crimson river around Kirota.
Kirota was engulfed.
---
In the real world, his eyes snapped open, glowing red. He stood tall, the wounds on his body closing instantly.
The demon blinked, watching in shock as red lines began to glow around Kirota. He smiled. "Finally… I am back."
Looking at his hands, Kirota whispered, "Zarkoth… the Demon King."
The demon lunged, moving faster than ever, but Kirota caught its foot effortlessly, breaking it with a single motion. The creature roared in pain.
"If you think you can defeat a Demon King…" Kirota said, his voice cold, "…you must be kidding."
He formed a diamond shape with his hands. "Hell Gate!"
A massive gate tore open behind the demon, and a gigantic hand shot out, grabbing it and pulling it inside. The field fell silent, except for the distant shouting of the trapped demon. The gate vanished.
Kirota smiled, brushing blood from his hand. "That was… too easy."
Suddenly, Renjior appeared out of nowhere. Zarkoth looked at him.
Renjior grinned. "Still in there, Kirota?"
Zarkoth laughed. "No. I am Zarkoth, and I'm out of here."
Renjior moved faster than the eye could follow, landing a precise strike on the back of Kirota's neck. Kirota went unconscious for a moment, eyes returning to normal.
The cameras in the field clicked back on, and a calm voice announced, "Team Kirota… wins!"
The other students murmured in confusion. "What just happened?"
Renjior walked forward and picked up the blue ball, holding it up with a knowing smile.
---