Chapter 5: Chapter 4: Academy Pt. 4

March 6th, 2000 [2 PM, Ranks Arena]

It's been three days since the start of classes. The Solo Ranks servers have been active since they started. Kaizu and I were in one of the ranks arenas placed inside and around the school. The seventh battle had finished. Kaizu was writing down notes about each fighter.

"Are you done?" I asked him.

"Yeah, but I know more will happen. I'll just stay here."

Someone walked in. It was the one and only Akiro Hijame.

"Kaizu Kirigashi. I call you down to fight," Akiro said aloud.

Everyone looked back and forth at the two. They were excited about the match-up.

"Alright, let's just get this over with," Kaizu said calmly.

The whole arena exploded into shouts and screams as Kaizu walked down the steps. Both of them walked onto the platform. A transparent barrier surrounded the platform. It's only been a few days since classes started. Rivalries have started.

"Battle Mode: Rank System! Start!" they yelled.

Two screens lit up showing their names, stats, etc.

"Alright. Let's begin!"

3rd Person POV

Kaizu and Akiro were ready to fight. One more excited than the other. Akiro wanted to see the length of power. Kaizu took it like any other match. He was calm.

"Earth Resonance: Geo Spikes!" Akiro yelled as he placed his palms against the ground.

Shortly after, spiked made from the dirt rose and directed the points toward Kaizu.

"Fire!"

The spikes flew at him. Kaizu just deflected them with a simple aura shield. Kaizu just ran toward him, hoping to end this quickly. He didn't seem to have the same expression as when facing Hyuri. Instead, he had a colder look on his face. Then he conjured a katana in his left hand.

"You can do it, Kaizu!!" Hyuri and the other spectators yelled.

Akiro makes one as well. And then-

Clang!

They each push with a strong force. It seems almost balanced. As if they were equal in strength no matter what. They tried to overwhelm the other.

"This'll be a bit more difficult than I expected," Kaizu said.

"Oh?"

The two clashed blades multiple times. They didn't hold back. They swung hard. Akiro hit Kaizu's sword out of his hand and stabbed him. Everyone in the room gasped.

"Yeah! That's right I took down your-"

He got cut off. He looked down and saw the katana he had just used to stab Kaizu in his own body.

"What the hell-," he mumbled. "But I just stabbed you."

"And I stabbed you. Give up?"

"Not yet!"

Akiro's hand covered in Earth Aura chopped the blade in half. Kaizu jumped back. He wanted to keep a distance. Akiro rushed him attempting to hit Kaizu. Kaizu just parried each time. Then, he swept at Akiro's legs and he fell. Kaizu grabbed his katana and raised it above Akiro.

"Alright, alright you win Kaizu," Akiro surrendered.

A robotic voice spoke, "Winner: Kaizu Kirigashi!"

The arena burst into cheers. Some chanting his name. His katana vanished and he walked off the platform. Akiro stood up and left. Soon after, people crowded around Kaizu. It was like he was some sort of celebrity.

"Bye, Kaizu! I gotta go somewhere!" Hyuri shouted.

Kaizu just waved as he was surrounded. Hyuri jumped down the steps and ran out.

***

Hyuri's POV

[7:50 PM, Behind Dorm Building]

The sky was a red-orange color. Clouds scattered across the blazing sky. I was lying down, my head resting on my hands staring at the sky. I've lost count of how long I've been out here. An hour? Three hours? Four? The whole time I was here I was just thinking. This new school was alright. But I guess it was still too early. Suddenly, I heard footsteps against the short grass.

Somebody peered their head around the corner. I turned to see who it was. Haruka. I guess she was looking for me.

"Hey, Hyuri."

"Hey."

A short greeting. She walked to the opposite side of me and sat down. She stared at the sky with me. I wondered what brought her out here.

"What are you doing out here, Haruka?" I asked.

"I came here looking for you," she answered.

"Looking for me? Why?"

She stared at the floor for a moment then said, "I guess I was worried."

"It's alright. You don't have to worry about me."

***

March 7th, 2000 [Noon, Ranks Arena]

You are reading story The Aura-Verse [Re:written] at novel35.com

I walked into the arena. Everyone was crowded in one spot. I didn't know what was happening. I looked up a bit and it was Akiro. Eventually, people noticed me and rushed toward me.

"Hyuri Katsuyo! You've finally arrived!" Akiro exclaimed.

"Huh?"

"I challenge you!" He shouted.

"Okay."

We both walked onto the platform. The usual transparent barrier formed. He gave me a cold glare. I returned the favor. It was time to show what I can do.

"Battle Mode: Rank System! Start!" We shouted.

Now, it was recognized as a ranked match by the system. I conjured a standard broadsword in my right hand. Akiro summoned his katana in his left. There was a few seconds of silence.

Clang!

The sound of the clash rang out. We were both pushing against each other's swords. Then, we both pulled our swords back and clashed again. He swung at different angles trying to land a hit. I blocked every one of them. Akiro was getting frustrated. He probably thought this would've been an easy match for him. But I was pushing back slowly.

"You're good. I apologize I have to do this," he placed his palms on the floor.

It was the spikes! I readied myself to parry each one.

"Release Element: Vine Prison," he said with a grin.

"Wait wha-"

Before I could finish, dark-green vines shot out from the ground. They grabbed my legs, arms, etc. I couldn't move at all. He stood up and walked closer to me.

"You thought it was the spikes from before, huh?"

He knew. I didn't know what he'd do next. I was immobilized.

"Since you're all wrapped up with vines. I guess that makes things easier for me," he smirked. "You know. I thought you had potential. But now I just think you're a small little ant trying to fight a big and strong spider."

Akiro gripped his katana tightly. And he stabbed my chest.

"Anything else you want to say?" he asked.

"Just one thing..."

I closed my eyes and focused my energy on them both.

"And that is?"

"Karai: Aoi!"

I opened my eyes. I felt pressure on them. Which meant it was working. Right now my eyes weren't the usual light purple. They were an illuminating light blue. This was the Karai. A technique passed down from my bloodline. And now I was actually using it.

"What the hell is up with your eyes?!" Akiro asked.

"Don't worry about it," I told him. "Lightning Resonance: Shockwave!"

I sent out a surge of electricity to disintegrate the vines. It worked. I pulled out the katana Akiro stabbed me with. I had two swords at my disposal.

"I guess this will be harder than expected. But whatever I will take you down either way," Akiro said.

He jumped back. A few yards at best.

"Earth Resonance: Vine Barrage!" Akiro yelled.

Vines shot out and headed toward me. 

"Sword Style: Dual Blade Strike!"

I began hacking away at the mass amount of vines coming at me. I couldn't let any one of them hit me. It felt likes minutes had gone by. My arms began to tire out. I had to end it sooner or later.

Thud!

I had kicked Akiro down. He walked toward him. He looked up at me. Was he scared?

"I didn't even see you move!"

Right before I lifted one of the blades I felt spikes all over my back. Then, I got stabbed. Akiro stabbed me with his katana.

"I... surrender," I said, exhausted.

I collapsed and then everything went dark. It was over. I lost.

To Be Continued...

Extra Stuff:

Akiro Hijame's Stats

Power - 60

Strength - 59

Speed - 63

Agility - 62

Defense - 59

Stamina/Endurance - 72

Overall - 63/100 [C Rank]

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