Morning sunlight passed through the classroom windows as Tejas sat quietly near the back seat, staring outside.
For once…
Everything felt normal.
No sudden attacks.
No chaos.
No pressure.
Just another school day.
And somehow—
That felt strange to him.
The teacher's voice echoed through the classroom, but Tejas barely listened. His fingers tapped lightly against the desk as his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Why does today feel so off…?
After classes ended, Tejas headed toward the volleyball court for practice. The sharp sound of shoes scraping against the floor and teammates shouting filled the gym.
Usually, the intensity helped clear his mind.
But not today.
Even while practicing, his focus kept breaking.
His spikes lacked power.
His timing felt late.
Something inside him was restless.
After practice, Tejas walked into the empty washroom and stood silently in front of the mirror.
Water dripped slowly from the sink.
His reflection stared back at him.
Then—
Dronzar's voice echoed in his mind.
"What's wrong with you?"
Tejas frowned slightly.
"…Everything feels off today."
Dronzar let out a quiet chuckle.
"Why? Because for once your life isn't surrounded by drama?"
Tejas stayed silent for a moment.
"…Maybe."
"Stop overthinking," Dronzar replied calmly. "Focus on today's match."
Tejas splashed cold water onto his face.
But the uneasy feeling remained.
Evening arrived.
The battlefield stood silent beneath the darkening sky.
Mizuki watched nervously from a distance, her hands clenched tightly together.
"Please…" she whispered softly. "Don't let either of them get hurt."
At the center of the battlefield—
Ks stood waiting.
The cold wind moved around him calmly, unlike before.
Then—
Tejas arrived.
Flames slowly ignited around his axe as he stepped onto the field.
Their eyes met.
For a moment—
Silence.
Tejas smirked slightly. "I honestly thought you wouldn't show up."
Ks smiled back.
"But I'm not a coward."
His eyes sharpened.
"I'm Ks."
Tejas's smile faded instantly.
"Then don't run away this time."
Flames exploded around his axe.
"Let's begin."
At the same moment, Ks summoned his sword and rushed forward without hesitation.
Clang!
Fire and steel collided.
Tejas blocked the strike effortlessly before knocking Ks backward with the handle of his burning axe.
Ks slid across the ground but quickly regained balance.
Inside his mind, Dragoon's voice echoed urgently:
"Don't drag this battle out."
Ks narrowed his eyes.
"Why?"
"The longer the fight continues," Dragoon replied, "He is stronger in long term fight. Finish this quickly."
Before Ks could react—
Tejas raised his hand.
"Fireball."
A massive sphere of flames shot forward at terrifying speed.
Boom!
The attack hit Ks directly, dropping him onto one knee.
Blood spilled from his mouth as smoke rose from his body.
Ks clenched his teeth painfully.
"Damn…"
His breathing grew heavy.
"Even now… I still can't match his skill."
For a moment—
Doubt crept into his mind.
But then—
He slowly pushed himself back up.
"I can't back down now…"
Tejas stared at him with growing frustration.
"This is nonsense!" he shouted. "Someone like you can never defeat me, Kshitij Sharma!"
From the sidelines, Mizuki's voice trembled.
"Ks… please… you can do this."
Ks closed his eyes for a brief moment.
Then—
He took a deep, calm breath.
When his eyes opened again—
They were different.
"This time…"
A blue sphere slowly appeared behind him, glowing brightly in the darkness.
"I'm not losing again."
Tejas froze for a second.
Mizuki's eyes widened with pride.
"He finally did it…"
Suddenly—
Ks's surroundings changed.
His soul had been pulled into another dimension.
A vast ocean stretched endlessly beneath the sky.
Standing before him was a giant turtle, larger than a mountain itself.
Unlike Dragoon or Dronzar—
Its presence felt calm.
Peaceful.
Ks stared in shock. "Who… are you?"
The turtle looked down at him with ancient eyes.
"My name is Aqualith. "
Its voice echoed like waves crashing against the sea.
"Ks… your determination has reached me."
Ks stood speechless.
"You fought despite fear. Despite weakness. Despite pain."
The turtle slowly raised its head.
"For that… I grant you the power of water."
A bright blue light surrounded Ks completely.
The ocean trembled.
And in the next instant—
He returned to reality.
Tejas was already charging toward him.
But before the attack could land—
A massive water barrier appeared automatically in front of Ks.
Boom!
The flames exploded against the water shield.
Tejas's eyes widened.
Before he could react—
Ks moved.
Water flowed around his arm like a raging current.
"Water Strike!"
His punch landed directly onto Tejas's face, sending him flying backward across the battlefield.
Tejas wiped blood from his lip.
Then—
He smiled.
"Impressive."
Flames erupted around him again as he charged forward relentlessly.
The battlefield turned chaotic.
Fire clashed against water repeatedly.
Explosions shook the ground.
Ks countered every attack with flowing water while Tejas overwhelmed him with raw destruction.
Minutes passed.
Both warriors became exhausted.
Their bodies were covered in injuries.
The battlefield itself had been completely destroyed.
Finally—
Both stood on opposite sides, breathing heavily.
Tejas smiled darkly.
"Playtime is over, Ks."
Flames exploded into the sky behind him.
Dronzar roared loudly.
"Fire Bird: Flame Charge!"
A gigantic flaming bird formed above Tejas, radiating terrifying heat.
Ks tightened his grip on his sword.
Water gathered around him.
He stood ready.
"Come."
Tejas launched the attack.
The blazing bird rushed forward—
But suddenly—
Tejas's expression changed.
His energy was unstable.
The flames spiraled wildly out of control.
"No—!"
The attack changed direction.
Straight toward Mizuki.
Everything happened in seconds.
Mizuki froze.
Tejas's eyes widened in shock.
Before anyone could move—
Ks stepped forward.
And placed himself directly in front of the attack.
Boom!!!
The explosion swallowed him completely.
Silence filled the battlefield.
And when the flames disappeared—
Ks stood there barely conscious…
His body completely burned and injured.
But behind him—
Mizuki was safe.
Ks lok at her and pass a faint smile