Hajime moved.
The ground shattered beneath his step, gold light streaking forward.
His fist met Rei's blade mid-swing; sparks burst like lightning.
Rei slid back half a step, impressed.
"Not bad."
Hajime didn't stop. He drove forward—two punches, one kick—each faster, sharper, glowing with raw power.
Rei parried and twisted away, his own aura flaring brighter to match the rhythm.
Each clash made the air vibrate. Blue fire met gold seiki, explosions echoing through the ruins.
Izumi called from the side.
"Enough! You'll bring the mountain down!"
Neither listened.
Hajime's movements were instinctive, unrefined, but fierce.
He wasn't losing, he was adapting.
For a brief moment, his blows matched Rei's tempo.
Rei blocked another strike, heat washing over him.
"You're strong. But you're thinking like a farm kid, not a fighter."
"And you think I need your approval?" Hajime spat back.
Hajime's next punch cracked Rei's chestplate, sending him sliding backward through the dirt.
Rei steadied himself, a faint, creepy grin forming.
"Finally. I was getting bored."
He raised his sword, Uriel's Flame (ウリエルの炎 / Urieru no Honō), igniting the blade.
Blue-white fire spiraled outward, forming a halo of heat that bent the light around them.
Hajime squinted through the glare, breathing heavy. His shirt was torn, skin glowing faint gold beneath sweat and soot.
He's toying with me... I can feel it.
But I can still move. I can still fight.
He lunged again.
Their auras collided head-on—Seiki (聖気) against Seiki (聖気).
The explosion leveled the ground around them, leaving only smoke and flame.
Rei cut through the haze, his expression unreadable.
Hajime barely dodged the next swing; the edge of the blade scorched his arm.
He bit back a yell, countering with a hook to Rei's ribs that forced a grunt from the Commander.
"He's adapting mid-battle, incredible," Rei muttered.
"Shut up, and take this seriously!" Hajime screamed.
Hajime's fists glowed brighter, gold and silver intertwining like a storm of light.
He threw a final punch straight into Rei's blade.
The impact was deafening.
Energy burst outward in waves, flattening the remaining trees.
Both men slid backward.
Rei's twin-edged blade hummed with light; Hajime's arms trembled, skin smoking from overuse of seiki.
Izumi's voice was faint through the roar.
"Hajime—stop! Your body can't take much more!"
He ignored her.
Pain filled his body, but his eyes stayed locked on Rei.
"I can still fight…"
His aura spiked, then faltered.
The gold and silver light became unstable, flickering like a candle in the wind.
Rei's grip on his sword loosened. "He's at his limit."
Hajime's body shook violently. His skin cracked with golden light; blood boiling in his arms.
Still, he staggered forward, fists raised.
"I'm not… done yet—DAMN IT!"
The world tilted.
Sound faded.
Everything began to collapse inward.
And then—
Time itself seemed to pause.
All the light pouring from Hajime's body folded inward, compressing into a soft golden-white glow.
A new voice. Deep, calm, ancient spoke through him.
"創世覚醒 — Genesis Awakening (Sōsei Kakusei)."
Rei lowered his blade, eyes narrowing. "There you are, Adam."
The glow stabilized.
Hajime's wounds sealed; his breath evened. When he looked up again, his eyes were white-gold, no pupils, and no emotion.
Adam was now in control.
"Commander Rei Kurayami of the Celestine Order," Adam said quietly. "You've seen enough to know this man is special."
Rei grinned faintly, fire bursting from his sword.
"You think so? Let's find out."
They met again.
Rei's blue-white flame clashed with Adam's golden radiance.
Each hit shook the earth, leaving shockwaves rippling for miles.
Izumi threw up a barrier around herself just to stay standing.
Adam's movements were perfect.
No wasted energy. No hesitation. Every step, every strike precise.
Rei countered with power and pride, his flames cutting through the smoke like sunlight through clouds.
But Adam didn't give ground.
He slipped under a swing, driving a palm into Rei's ribs.
The Commander staggered.
Rei swung upward, sparks flying.
Adam caught the blade with one hand, aura flaring.
The air cracked; Rei's armor splintered from the pressure.
Adam's next strike launched him backward into the dirt, leaving a crater beneath his body.
Rei coughed once, then laughed through blood.
"You didn't hold back… good."
Adam's eyes dimmed slightly.
He stepped back, letting the aura dissipate.
The light faded from his eyes, his voice vanishing like a receding tide.
"Genesis Release."
Hajime collapsed to his knees, unconscious before he hit the ground.
Izumi rushed in, catching him. Her hands flared green—Verdant Seiki (翠の聖気 / Midori no Seiki) stitching burns and bruises shut.
"Both of you are insane," she muttered.
Rei groaned, sitting up slowly. "He's strong, but he could be stronger."
Izumi glared. "You're not helping."
She exhaled and traced a sigil in the air.
A circle of light bloomed around them.
"Forbidden Fruit Art: Eryndral Elysium (禁断果術・エリンドラル・エリュシオン)!"
The air shimmered. A portal opened, and Eryndral's vast green canopy was visible beyond.
Izumi helped lift Hajime. "Let's go. Queen Sylvara's waiting."
Rei stood, retrieving his broken blade. He looked at Hajime for a moment.
"You did well, kid."
He stepped through first. Izumi followed, carrying Hajime into the light.
The clearing fell silent.
Only smoke and sunlight remained, and from the blackened soil, a single green sprout rose toward the sky.