CRAAAAASH!
HEYYYY!
Everyone in the room suddenly froze. The clinking of forks stopped, conversations hung mid-sentence. All heads turned at once toward the source of the sound.
Akira and Alex stood near the door, watching the battlefield with serious and slightly angry expressions.
Akira furrowed his brows.
"Didn't I tell you all there's no fighting outside the training area?"
His voice echoed throughout the entire dining hall.
Kaito and Shiran paused for a moment.
Akira continued.
"And if you overuse Quiri energy like that, the power will destroy you from the inside."
At that moment, Alex stepped in. His voice was colder but sharper.
"During a real attack, you'll instantly lose the energy your body needs. So the responsibility is on you… and on Yuki."
That sentence made everyone's expressions turn even more serious.
Haruto lowered his head.
"Yeah… he's still in the infirmary."
Then he looked at Kaito.
"If you're going to fight, take it to the training area."
Kaito and Shiran glared at each other.
Then, at the same time, they nodded.
"Fine."
(Training Area)
The scene changed in an instant.
The vast training ground was lit by night lights. The stone floor was covered in cracks, and the air was thick with tension.
A crowd had gathered around.
Kaito stood in the center.
Shiran stood opposite him.
Silence filled the air.
Kaito took a deep breath.
"Let's begin."
And he moved.
Blue lightning swirled around his body. The energy spiraled down his arm like a vortex.
"Lightning Chain!"
He charged forward instantly.
The chain-shaped electric energy shot toward Shiran.
Shiran narrowed his eyes.
"Interesting…"
He didn't retreat at all.
Instead, he slammed his palm onto the ground.
"Shadow Shield."
Dark purple shadows rose from the earth.
The lightning chain smashed into the shadows.
KRAAAAASH!
Light and shadow collided.
The ground shook.
The crowd took a step back.
Daichi clutched his head with both hands.
"They're going to destroy the training area!"
Sora sighed.
"I told you…"
Ren and Zen at the same time:
"Whoa…"
"Is this real?"
Kaito leapt backward.
The lightning beneath his feet expanded.
"Be faster!"
Shiran smiled faintly.
"I can keep up with your speed."
Suddenly, he vanished from the ground.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"Wha—?"
A shadow appeared behind him.
Shiran.
"I'm right here."
Kaito spun around immediately.
But it was too late.
Shiran's purple energy slammed into his shoulder.
BOOM!
Kaito was sent flying, but he twisted in mid-air before hitting the ground, balancing himself with lightning.
"Nice!"
He attacked again.
At the Edge
At the very back of the crowd, Kazeki sat in his wheelchair, watching the fight intently. His eyes were wide open.
"So… bright…" he whispered.
The staff member beside him looked around worriedly.
Right then, a voice came from behind.
"When did you get here?"
Kazeki flinched.
"ZEN?!"
Zen grinned mischievously.
"Don't worry, I came quietly."
Kazeki tensed up even more.
"How?!"
Zen pointed.
"Look over there."
Kazeki turned his head.
And froze instantly.
Ren was standing right beside him.
"Hey."
Kazeki nearly fell out of his wheelchair.
"WHEN DID YOU TWO GET HERE?!"
Ren chuckled softly.
"We've been here the whole time."
Zen giggled.
"You just didn't notice."
Kazeki covered his face.
"You two are really scary…"
Ren nodded.
"People usually say that."
Zen added:
"But we're fun too."
Kazeki hesitantly looked back at the fight.
"I'm just… watching a bit…"
The staff member next to them sighed.
"Keeping these kids here is impossible…"
Battle Area
Kaito charged forward again.
"Lightning Chain!"
The blue energy spiraled and shot toward Shiran.
Shiran narrowed his eyes.
"Shadow Shield."
Purple energy rose.
KRAAAAASH!
The impact shook the entire area.
Haruto squinted.
"This level… isn't normal."
Daichi held his head.
"This place won't last much longer…"
Sora sighed.
"I told you…"
Kaito leapt back.
"Be faster!"
Shiran smiled.
"You too."
Suddenly, Shiran vanished.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"Again?!"
A shadow appeared behind him.
But this time, Kaito turned at the last second.
"Got you!"
Lightning exploded.
Shiran was blasted back but didn't fall.
The crowd held its breath.
Akira watched from afar.
"It's getting even more serious…"
Alex stood beside him.
"Energy levels are rising."
Kaito clenched his fist.
"Don't think it's over!"
Shiran smiled as well.
"I was thinking the same thing."
Both of them moved at the same time once more.
And the fight continued with even greater intensity.
But by now, everyone knew…
This wasn't just a training session.
It was a real display of power.