The murmurs continued:
"Could he really be from the Thunder Clan?"
"It's a possibility."
"Do you still think he stands a chance?"
Some of the students were stunned and began whispering among themselves, wondering if anyone knew the truth.
"It seems you haven't been studying," their instructor said calmly. "The Thunder Clan was the strongest clan in the entire valley, just below the Light and Dark Clans. They were responsible for maintaining order after the First Clan. In fact, they were the ones who actually stopped the First Clan War. That is why they are so highly respected."
He paused.
"Now, my students, watch carefully. This may very well be a once in a lifetime learning experience."
BOOM!!
The entire crowd fell silent as Zachy was struck in the face. It was the first clean hit anyone had seen land. Zachy staggered, momentarily unbalanced.
Then he leapt back into the fight.
Once again, Xavier and Zachy exchanged blows each strike precise, each one delivered with maximum force. The impact was terrifying. The arena itself began to crumble beneath their power.
One instructor attempted to intervene, but the sheer force of their attacks kept pushing him back. The shockwaves spread across the valley. Soon, all the instructors tried to step in, but it was useless.
Suddenly, Xavier was sent flying out of the arena.
The battle spilled beyond the battlefield. Zachy reinforced his unbreakable coat and launched himself toward Xavier.
Xavier dodged.
Lightning flashed wildly as Xavier countered, while Zachy's fortune twisted events in his favor, preventing fatal blows. Then Zachy summoned his blade.
~ The Clover Clan possesses a technique that allows them to seal objects inside the petal of a four-leaf clover, making it easy to carry weapons or supplies. ~
"You can't do that" Zachy laughed.
But then Xavier summoned his katana. The dragon symbol on the blade grew more complex and began to glow, so detailed that you could tell what it was not like the previous times.
The stakes rose instantly.
The fight intensified, steel clashing against steel. Yet Xavier could tell neither of them was gaining ground. In strength, technique, and raw ability, they were evenly matched.
So Xavier called lightning from above.
A bolt crashed down toward Zachy.
Zachy dodged effortlessly and countered by summoning massive plant vines that lashed toward Xavier. Xavier sliced through them but that was when he felt it.
His energy was rapidly declining.
~ Clan abilities are not 100% created; They are converted from one's own bodily energy or from surrounding life. When that supply runs out, reserves are used. Xavier had rarely tapped into his power before, so his reserves were quite large. However, releasing such an enormous amount for the first time without any control caused his body to burn through it recklessly. ~
If he continued like this, he would collapse.
Thinking quickly, Xavier maneuvered the fight back towards the centre of the arena back to where it had begun and where it would end.
He began concentrating all his remaining energy into his right arm, preparing a final blow. To hide his intentions, he continued attacking, even though some of his strikes failed to connect.
Just as Xavier was about to launch the fully charged blow, he had a realisation .
~ If Zachy had never fought seriously before… wouldn't he also struggle to control his full power? ~
At that moment, Xavier noticed it, Zachy had been charging energy into his left arm and it seemed like he had been doing that much longer than Xavier.
They had thought the same thing.
Their eyes met.
Both smiled with determination.
Determination burned between them.
They charged.
But just before their final blows could collide, the instructors pulled them both back, but the overwhelming force of their gathered power erupted. The shockwave consumed the arena and rendered both boys unconscious before either attack could land.
The entire arena was blown away.
The crowd were stunned not just by the fight, but by the destruction it had caused.
The battle was over.
The entire school was tasked with the repairs of the arena, which took three full days.
Everyone continued talking about the clash between the outsider and Zachy. Curiosity spread like wildfire. They wanted answers.
But Xavier remained unconscious for over three days.
The doctors said he had completely exhausted his energy. He simply needed time to recover.
And then...
After one full week of recuperation…
Xavier woke up.