The arena was loud again.
Students gathered around the field as the instructors prepared the next stage of the tryouts. Yesterday had tested endurance and control.
Today was different.
Today was combat.
One of the instructors stepped forward.
"The next trial will be one versus one combat."
Excited whispers spread through the crowd.
"You will face another student in controlled combat. Victory is decided by knockout, surrender, or a clean decisive strike."
The instructor looked across the field.
"Prepare yourselves."
Students began pairing up.
The first match started quickly.
Aqua Mizuno stepped into the arena, holding her trident. Her opponent rushed forward confidently, but the fight didn't last long.
Aqua spun her trident and sent a powerful wave of water crashing forward.
Her opponent slipped and fell instantly.
"Match over."
Cheers came from the crowd.
Next came Rin Ketsuki.
He walked into the arena carrying his scythe across his shoulder. His opponent hesitated the moment blood droplets began floating around Rin's hand.
The fight lasted only a few seconds.
Rin swung once.
The blood spikes forced his opponent to surrender immediately.
"Match over."
Rin walked out with a smirk.
"Too easy."
Then Daichi Iwamoto stepped forward.
The ground trembled as stone gathered around his fists.
His opponent attacked first, but Daichi slammed his foot down.
The earth rose instantly, knocking the other student off balance.
One heavy strike later, the fight was finished.
"Winner: Daichi."
Daichi walked away without even looking back.
The crowd murmured.
These students were strong.
Then the instructor called the next match.
"Koi Ren versus Raide Shinkai."
Koi stepped forward.
Across the arena stood Raide, spinning his nunchucks slowly in his hands. Small sparks of electricity crackled along the metal.
Raide grinned.
"Well… this should be fun."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Raide moved first.
Lightning flashed around his nunchucks as he rushed forward with incredible speed.
Koi barely blocked the first strike with Koru.
Clang.
The electricity ran along the blade.
Raide attacked again.
Fast.
Unpredictable.
Koi dodged the second strike and countered with a quick slash.
Raide jumped back instantly.
"Ooooh, nice!"
He rushed forward again, spinning the electrified nunchucks in wide arcs.
Koi blocked two strikes but the third one slipped past his defense.
The impact knocked him backward.
The crowd reacted.
But Koi stood up again.
He tightened his grip on Koru.
Raide smiled wider.
"You're tough."
The fight continued.
Koi dodged several attacks, trying to find an opening.
He even managed to land a small strike against Raide's arm.
But Raide was simply faster.
Another lightning-fast attack knocked Koi to the ground.
This time the instructor stepped forward.
"Match over."
Raide lowered his nunchucks.
Koi sat up slowly, breathing heavily.
Raide walked over and offered a hand.
"That was awesome."
Koi looked surprised.
"You're not mad?"
Raide laughed.
"Mad? That was the most fun fight I've had today."
Koi accepted the hand and stood up.
Raide grinned.
"You've got guts. I like that."
From that moment, the two became good friends.
But not everyone was impressed.
Nearby, Daichi Iwamoto watched with a cold expression.
He shook his head slightly.
"No element… no real power…"
He spoke loud enough for Koi to hear.
"And he still thinks he belongs here."
Koi didn't answer.
He simply walked away.
Later that night, Koi returned home.
The moon hung high above Ochisuita.
Most people were already asleep.
But Koi stood alone in the training field again.
Koru rested in his hands as he practiced his strikes over and over.
Again.
And again.
And again.
The sound of the blade cutting through the air echoed in the quiet night.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Watashi stepped into the field.
He watched silently for a moment.
"You lost."
Koi didn't stop training.
"I know."
Watashi picked up a wooden sword.
Then he stepped forward beside him.
"Good."
Koi looked at him.
Watashi raised the sword slightly.
"Then train harder."
The two of them stood under the moonlight.
And the training continued.