Chapter 26: Rivals
The evening wind swept through the arena.
Thousands of eyes remained fixed on the two boys standing at its center.
No one spoke.
No one dared to blink.
Professor Adrian stepped forward.
"This duel will continue under Academy rules."
"No killing."
"No attacks after the match is stopped."
Kai nodded once.
"I understand."
Vee raised his hand.
"I also promise not to accidentally destroy the Academy."
Professor Adrian looked at him.
"...'Accidentally?'"
"I make no promises if it's on purpose."
The entire arena burst into laughter.
Kai remained expressionless.
Professor Adrian sighed.
"...Begin."
---
The instant the word left his mouth—
BOOM!
Kai vanished.
"So fast!"
A second-year widened his eyes.
His wooden sword appeared in front of Vee's face.
CLANG!
Vee barely blocked it.
The impact forced him back several meters.
"He's faster than before..."
Kai didn't give him time to think.
Another slash.
Another.
Another.
His attacks came like a relentless storm.
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
"He's overwhelming the Apex!"
Vee smiled as he parried another strike.
"I knew taking a break after forty duels was too much to ask."
Kai answered with another swing.
"I didn't ask you to fight forty duels."
"Fair."
CLANG!
Their swords collided again.
Neither gave an inch.
---
Kai spun low, aiming for Vee's legs.
Vee jumped.
Kai immediately followed with an overhead strike.
Vee twisted in mid-air.
Their swords met once more.
CLANG!
The shockwave rippled across the arena floor.
Leon folded his arms.
"They're monsters."
Aurelia never took her eyes off the fight.
"...Neither of them is holding back."
---
Kai attacked again.
His movements were sharp.
Efficient.
Every strike carried the intent to win.
"He's reading my rhythm..." Vee thought.
"Then I'll change the rhythm."
Instead of stepping back...
Vee stepped forward.
Kai's eyes narrowed.
The unexpected movement forced him to adjust.
Vee smiled.
"There you are."
He struck.
Kai blocked.
But Vee's second attack came from an unusual angle.
Then a third.
Then a fourth.
The pace completely changed.
For the first time...
Kai was the one defending.
The audience gasped.
"The Apex turned it around!"
---
Wood splinters flew as their practice swords clashed repeatedly.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Neither boy noticed the cheers around them.
Their entire world had narrowed to a single opponent.
Strike.
Block.
Counter.
Adapt.
Again.
Again.
Again.
Minutes passed.
Sweat rolled down both of their faces.
Neither had landed a clean hit.
Professor Adrian frowned.
"...They're improving during the fight."
Headmaster Orion smiled faintly.
"That is what true geniuses do."
---
Kai suddenly retreated three steps.
He inhaled slowly.
His breathing steadied.
Vee blinked.
"...You're calming yourself."
Kai didn't answer.
Instead...
He disappeared again.
This time...
He was even faster.
"So that's what Professor Selene meant..."
"Calm mind..."
"Faster body."
Kai's sword flashed like a bolt of lightning.
Vee barely ducked.
A strand of his white hair floated to the ground.
He stared at it.
"...You owe me a haircut."
Kai ignored him.
Another strike.
Vee sidestepped.
Then laughed.
"I should start charging you barber fees."
Even some professors chuckled.
---
Kai pressed the attack harder.
Vee continued smiling.
Not because the fight was easy.
But because...
He was enjoying it.
"This is fun."
"Really fun."
Kai thrust forward.
Vee shifted his body just enough.
Then—
Slash!
A thin cut appeared on Kai's left cheek.
A single drop of blood rolled down his face.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Kai slowly raised his fingers.
He touched the blood.
Looked at it.
Then looked back at Vee.
The crowd exploded.
"He drew blood!"
"The Apex actually drew first blood!"
"Against Kai!"
Leon shot to his feet.
"He actually did it!"
Even Aurelia looked surprised.
Professor Adrian's expression hardened.
"This fight just changed."
Kai stared at the blood on his fingertips.
Then...
For the first time...
A smile appeared on his face.
It wasn't warm.
It wasn't friendly.
It was the smile of someone who had finally found an opponent worth everything he had.
Vee blinked.
"...Uh-oh."
He scratched his cheek.
"I liked you better when you looked bored."
Kai raised his sword.
His voice was calm.
But carried a dangerous excitement.
"Now..."
"...I'll stop holding back."
A powerful surge of mana erupted around him.
The air trembled.
The arena floor cracked beneath his feet.
Students instinctively stepped backward.
Leon swallowed hard.
"...He's serious."
Vee tightened his grip on his own sword.
His playful smile slowly faded.
For the first time since entering the arena...
His eyes became completely focused.
"Finally..."
He whispered.
"A real fight."
The wind howled between them.
The duel...
Had only just begun.