🏰 In Front of the Hyōga Estate
After leaving the forge, Yuma followed Enji through the quiet residential streets.
Finally, they stopped.
Before them stood a massive mansion. White columns, finely sculpted balconies, tall windows reflecting the light. The place radiated authority, history, and power.
Yuma stared.
"…Wait. This is your house?"
Enji scratched the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed.
"Yeah… it's the family house."
The gates slowly swung open.
Six servants stood in perfect alignment along the path. At the center, an older man in a sharp black suit and white gloves bowed with precise formality.
"Master Enji. Welcome home."
"Thanks, Alfred."
The man straightened, his eyes sharp and calm. Then he looked at Yuma.
"And this young man?"
Yuma straightened instinctively.
Enji placed a hand on his shoulder.
"This is Yuma. We met on the road. He became my companion… and a trusted friend."
A quiet pause.
Alfred studied Yuma from head to toe — not with suspicion, but with calculation, like sizing up a new warrior.
Yuma inclined his head.
"Nice to meet you."
Alfred gave a small, approving smile.
"Alfred, head butler of the HyĹŤga family. Pleased to meet you, Master Yuma."
"'Master'?"
Enji laughed softly.
"Don't mind him. He's always like that."
The other servants suppressed small chuckles. The air lightened.
Enji turned back to Alfred.
"I want to test the new training ground. Father said it's been upgraded."
Alfred's eyes glimmered slightly.
"Indeed. Runic reinforcements have been added to handle higher mana output. Follow me, please."
🌿 The Arena
They moved through the house and stepped out to the back garden.
A vast green expanse lay before them. Perfect lawns. Ancient trees. Silent fountains catching the afternoon sun.
Yuma's eyes widened.
"I usually train… in the forest."
Enji smiled.
"I did too. Before."
Then they arrived.
A monumental circular arena. Stone walls carved with runes, raised platforms around it.
"This is my training ground," Enji said.
"I trained here before… though my father made a few upgrades."
Yuma exhaled in awe.
"Whoa… this is amazing."
They climbed onto the arena platform.
Yuma began warming up. Shadowboxing, light footwork, shoulder rotations. Then he stopped, eyes locking with Enji's.
"Reishin told me you were a genius at combat…
And after what I saw with the bear…
I want to face you."
Enji's eyes went serious. Memories of their journey flashed. He lifted his head.
"Alright. I want to fight you too. I think this will teach me something."
They stepped closer. A silent pact.
Alfred climbed calmly to the edge of the arena.
"If you'll allow me… I'll act as referee."
Yuma raised an eyebrow.
"You?"
"I've served three generations of HyĹŤga warriors," Alfred said, composed.
"Combat authorized. Killing is forbidden. Victory is by incapacity or surrender."
He raised his hand.
"Protection dome system."
Runes lit up. A giant translucent dome enveloped the arena.
The other five servants took positions at the stands, quietly watching.
Alfred lowered his hand.
"Begin."
⚔️ The Duel
Silence.
Breathing slowed. Mana rose.
Around Yuma, red heat pulsed, arcs of electricity coiling around his arms.
Around Enji, frost spread across the ground, light flames dancing over his shoulders. Fire and lightning. Ice and fire. Two forces in perfect opposition.
A blink.
BOOM.
Yuma vanished. Electric propulsion.
He appeared in front of Enji, fist encased in concentrated flames.
Enji slid sideways on a thin layer of ice beneath his feet. The punch grazed his face. He countered immediately.
Ice-covered elbow to the ribs.
Yuma twisted. Barely dodged.
He slammed his palm into the ground. Electric surge. Spin kick with fire.
Enji leapt. Snapped his fingers. Mini ice lances formed, dropping toward Yuma.
Flames flared. Steam rose.
Yuma vanished in the mist.
Electric lightning struck. Left hook, knee charged with current, spinning kick.
Enji blocked the first, absorbed the second while sliding back, barely ducked the third.
He stomped the ground. Frost spread. Yuma lost traction.
Enji glided forward on ice. Flaming punch to the chest. Yuma was sent flying.
He rolled and stood instantly. Smoke rose from his jacket.
"Not bad…" he muttered with a grin.
Close-Quarter Combat
Yuma didn't charge directly. He zigzagged, sparks leaping from every step.
Enji alternated temperature. Ice to slow, fire to push distance.
Yuma appeared at his flank. Uppercut electrified. Enji blocked with ice. Barrier cracked but held.
Backfist fire. Duck. Pivot. Elbow. Knee. Ice grab attempt. Explosion of flames. Ice shattered.
The critical moment.
They both stepped back, breathing heavy. Scorched ground, melting frost.
Enji stabilized his fire. Waited.
Yuma charged anyway. Disappeared. Appeared behind him. Lightning fist.
Enji dropped backward. Heel struck Yuma's chin. Sweep. Three ice blades at point-blank. Shoulder slashed.
The Final Exchange
Yuma exhaled. No restraint. Fire blazed, electricity surged. Straight trajectory. Ice wall ahead? He broke through.
Face-to-face. Fist to fist. Fire vs. fire. Ice vs. lightning.
Explosion. Dome shuddered.
Enji swung a last hook. Yuma absorbed partially, pivoted, and delivered an electrified punch to the solar plexus.
Flaming shoulder strike. Enji flew back.
Silence. Steam rose. Mana dissipated.
Yuma stood. Exhausted. Burned. Cut.
Enji on one knee, smiled tiredly.
"You know… first time I've lost to someone my age… and I didn't expect it to feel this good."
Yuma laughed breathlessly.
"First real victory for me… and I'm happy it's against you."
They both fell onto their backs, staring at the sky, laughing.
"Jules, get them healing potions," Alfred said calmly.
The servants hurried.
Sunset bathed the arena. Scars of battle shimmered.
Not an ending. Just the beginning.