The hall was deafener than before when Rui and Xia stepped into the ring. Every seat was filled, students from every grade straining forward, ready to witness the explosion that had been building up since day 1-C set foot in the academy. Even through the roar, tension was sharp enough to cut steel.
Rui rolled his shoulders, his smirk unshakable. His crimson scarf fluttered faintly in the breeze, the same arrogant confidence gleaming in his eyes. Xia stood opposite, calm and upright, her golden aura flickering faintly around her hands. No unnecessary words, no wasted movements—her silence alone challenged Rui's bravado.
The referee raised his hand. "Match six: Rui versus Xia. Begin!"
Rui exploded into a sprint of speed, his attacks unleashing the raw fury of an predator attacking. His fist rushed through the air in a flutter of Qi. Xia whirled away from it, her movement fast and precise, her palm brushing across his arm as she cast his energy back. Rui descended, but his sneer only increased.
"You can never parry me?" he taunted, his voice booming above the impact.
Xia's eyes went cold. "No. I'll smash you head-on."
Her Qi ignited, a sheen of gold spreading from her feet as she rushed in. This time she didn't lead with her dancer's steps—she met Rui blow for blow. His fist collided with her palm, the shockwave shattering the arena floor beneath their feet.
The crowd roared.
Up in the stands, Lian's heart pounded in his chest as he watched. He leaned forward, hands gripping the railing. "They're… too evenly matched," he muttered, his eyes flicking between every blow, every counter.
Chen crossed his arms beside him, his brows furrowed. "No. Rui's forcing Xia to burn more energy. Look at his footwork—he's baiting her into heavier responses."
But Xia isn't failing either," Fei Min protested from across from her, her voice strained. "Each time Rui pressures, she responds neatly. She's retarding him."
Lian remained silent, but he couldn't turn his head. He knew the strength of Rui. He'd experienced it himself. But Xia… the manner in which she resisted him, steadfast, caused something to move within his breast.
In the ring, Rui changed quickly. His strikes hardened, his movements a blur. He spun low, sweeping his leg out, then continued with a nasty kick at Xia's abdomen. She crossed her arms, parrying it, retreating back across the broken stone. Dust burst up around her feet, but she did not fall.
She inhaled once, deeply, then launched forward again. Her fist glowed gold as it slammed into Rui's shoulder. The impact rang like thunder, sending him skidding sideways. The smirk faltered just a fraction.
"Not bad," Rui muttered, rolling his shoulder. "But if you're putting everything into single strikes, you're already losing."
He blurred forward again. Xia was ready this time, parrying high and counterattacking with a knee to his ribs. But Rui spun in midair, hammering elbow down at her head. She raised up her forearm just in time, the impact shaking through the arena like steel on steel.
The stadium exploded—each parry more knife-sharp than the last, the two combatants fighting like fire against steel.
Among the students, there were whispers.
"Rui's unstoppable. Xia won't last much longer."
"No, look closer—she's matching him step for step!"
"She's holding her ground against Rui of all people… that's insane!"
Lian clenched his fists, jaw tight. "She's strong enough. She can hold on." His words were quiet, but Chen shot him a glance, reading the tension in his voice.
Down on the circle, Rui's forehead beaded with sweat, but his grin remained. Xia gasped harder, her aura burning more with each punch. Neither of them had the advantage, yet each strike sent the crowd standing on their feet, cheering.
Rui wiped his lip with the back of his hand, grinning as he stood upright. "This is enjoyable. Don't break too early, Xia. I want to enjoy this."
Xia adjusted her stance, golden Qi swirling tighter around her fists. Her eyes were calm but unyielding. "I'm not the one who's going to break."
The referee's eyes flicked between them, sweat trickling down his temple. The fight was only heating up—and already the stone floor beneath them looked like a battlefield.
Above, the 1-C students silently held their breaths. The fight of Rui and Xia had only begun, but already it was changing how they understood them both.
Lian leaned forward once more, his heart racing. He knew this was not just a fight about winning—it was the fight of pride, power, and something so much deeper welling up inside them. And it was barely finished.