Announcer: And now, emerging from the shadows… a descendant of the Valehart family Lucien Valehart!
Everyone felt Lucien's presence heavy with pride, unmoved by cheers or doubt. As he walked into the fighting arena, the crowd's cheering grew louder. Even the spectators in the balcony leaned in, intrigued.
Student 1: Man… I already feel sorry for the one who has to fight him. Talk about rotten luck.
Student 2: Yeah, out of all the people, he had to go against Lucien? Well… it's not like we're gonna save him. Haha!
Student 3: laughs
Announcer: And as for the opponent… please welcome Shiro Asahina!
Student 3: Eh? Isn't that a girl? Wait… did the announcer say Shiro? Isn't that a boy's name?
Student 4: Wait, are you telling me that's a boy? And why did they only say his name?
Student 5: He just really looks like a girl
Lucien's eyes shifted toward the girl. The air around her felt strangely familiar… and after a moment, Lucien remembered who she was.
Lucien: It was you… So what are you, huh? You were supposed to be a boy. You're a disgrace to every man on the planet.
Shiro didn't respond. He raised her hand toward an arena helper and spoke calmly just loud enough to catch.
Shiro: Excuse me.
Helper: Me? Yes, what can I do?
Shiro: Can I borrow a katana? If it's not a problem.
Her words shocked everyone even those watching from the balcony. I mean, what did you expect? Who in their right mind shows up to a fight without their own katana?
While everyone whispered behind her back, Shiroalready looking half-dead didn't pay them the slightest attention.
Helper: You… need a what?
Shiro: A katana, please. A long one, if you can. Maybe the longest you've got. Thanks.
As the helper walked off to fetch the katana, Lucien spoke again.
Lucien: Oi! Who do you think you're ignoring me?! You don't answer my question and then show up without a katana?!
Shiro tilted her head, confused, as if she hadn't understood a single word Lucien had said. That only angered him more.
Finally, the helper returned with the katana Shiro had requested. At first, people thought she was just some fool but now, a wave of confusion rippled through the crowd. The katana was nearly four and a half feet long. It was hard to imagine how anyone could even wield a blade that massive.
With everything in place, the announcer spoke hesitantly:
Announcer: Umm… Well then… Let the fight begin!
Lucien: Not making the first move? Fine by me. I'd like to finish this quickly I'm a busy man, you know.
Shiro (quietly): Well then… don't mind me
Shiro shifted into an attack stance, muttering something under his breath. Then before anyone could blink he closed the gap between him and Lucien in a flash, swinging upward from below.
Important: A person can only use their Art Style with their own katana.
Lucien dodged the blow.
Student 6: Whoa! Did you see that?! That's some serious physical strength!
Student 7: If he thinks that's enough to take down Lucien, he's so dead…
With the battle truly beginning, Lucien activated his Art Style.
Lucien: Art Style: Fire Second Form: Infernal Crest!
A fiery barrier surrounded him an offensive-defense form that counters and attack at the same time worst nightmare for close-range attackers.
Shiro backed up the moment he saw the flames. He escaped the barrier just in time.
Lucien: Backing up already? I thought you were here to attack me. Haha! Looks like that was just a dream for someone like you!
Then Lucien launched another move.
Lucien: First Form: Crimson Trio!
Three vertical blades of fire shot forward one after another. Lucien didn't let up his attacks came in relentless waves. But Shiro, relying completely on physical skill, began dodging the flaming strikes, closed the gap just like before again.
This time, he used a decoy move from the left to throw Lucien off then launched a real strike from the right.
Lucien took the bait.
And just like that… in their very first exchange, Lucien Valehart took the first hit.
Student 4: Whoa! Did you see that?! That kid just landed a hit on Lucien!
Student 2: Now that's impressive…
It was a shallow cut. But for a noble… hit by some nameless stray?
Lucien, furious, lost his composure and yelled:
Lucien: You dare… Who do you think I am, you piece of shit?!
Suddenly, the air thickened Lucien's mana surged like a storm about to break. Shiro sensed the change and understood immediately: Lucien was about to unleash something serious.
He slid one foot back, lowered his center of gravity, and gripped the hilt firmly. Holding the blade horizontally at his right side, he settled into a fixed attack stance.
Lucien raised his katana to the sky and roared:
Lucien: Now die you shit. Sixth Form: Pyrocl—
Before he could finish the chant… someone interrupted.
The match was abruptly halted.