Soul burn

Lucaria breathed, as Hirokoshi circled around her. She sat, knees touching the floor, eyes focused.

"This is going to be one of your last major lessons with me. It certainly isn't going to be a cakewalk. If you're not mentally prepared today, and you have some loose ends to tie, come back when you're ready."

Lucaria smirked.

"Loose ends? Me finishing this session is one. 'Course I'm ready."

Hirokoshi nodded.

"Then, listen closely, even if that's sometimes a challenge for you."

"Hey!"

"Am I wrong?" Hirokoshi asked, tilting his head.

Lucaria paused, then shrugged her shoulders, saying "Everyone is blessed with different skills. My set just doesn't seem to include keeping my mouth shut."

"Ah! So the drama student is self aware."

"Lucaria pouted. She looked up at her Master, whose smile was slowly fading from his face, his eyes clouding with seriousness.

"As much as I might not admit it, it's clear to see that you're pretty much a prodigy in the realm of this whole 'being a phantom' thing. Since we plan to introduce you into the TFL's ranking free for all soon with Natasha and Katlyn from the guild, I think it's time you formally learn about the final ability that those who walk this path gain access to, while they ascend the 7 ranks of strength."

"Soul burn, right?"

"Don't interrupt the big speech." Hirokoshi sharply whispered, while flicking her on the head.

"Though, since you admit that listening isn't your strong suit, how about we skip that for now, and get straight into combat."

His eyes began to glow a vibrant red, but deep inside that blaze, a nigh complete circle began to form, with its light bursting forth.

"Fight to the last. Your will…"

"Must be endless."

Lucaria teleported behind Hirokoshi, about to throw a punch, but he twisted incomprehensibly quickly, blasting the hand aside, before delivering two punches into her stomach, one into her liver.

Lucaria felt as though she would wretch, and blinded by pain, started to show the motions for jumping backwards, gritting her teeth. But as she began to do so, her perspective changed. She saw Hirokoshi in front of her, in the same position she was in. Before she had time to process, she was hit with a vicious kick to the chin, making her stumble backwards.

Hirokoshi ran towards her, planning to finish this bout completely. But just as he was about to throw a devastating hook punch, three planks rose from the floor, catching the blow filled with a great amount of resonance.

"You know you're gonna have to pay for that?"

"Just add it to the endless list of things I need to repay."

"Good to know you still have a sense of humour."

Hirokoshi dropped down, leg retracted, before, while spinning, he brought it crashing into Lucaria's calf.

Lucaria cried in pain, with her outburst breaking the environment.

"Hey, don't scream so loud. It'll disturb the neighbours." Hirokoshi exclaimed

"What neighbours?" She questioned, as two spears materialised beside her head, and began to dive towards him. "They were all chased away after they saw your face."

Hearing this, Hirokoshi smirked. The circle consumed by flame in his pupil flashed once more. Then, Hirokoshi was beside Lucaria's head, spears stuck in the ground, already mid kick. She raised her hand to block, but the kick blew her backwards, feet scraping against the ground, traces of blood from the intense friction seen on the floor.

"What did I say about promising not to anger stronger people?"

"Sorry."

"Anyway, back to the lesson, since your hunger for battle is hopefully satiated. The different powers we achieve are quite limited in possibility, with slight changes to ideals of combat and techniques being the key to victory in every encounter. But Soul burn gives its user the ability to overwhelm. But not without cost."

"So, I can get place swapping teleportation?"

"No." Hirokoshi said, flicking her on the head, which, funnily enough, knocking her out.