Chapter 22: The Unseen Strike

The arena was alive with excitement as Karma entered, the roar of the crowd reverberating through the air. He had won two fights so far, pushing him into the top eight of his block. But now, standing across the massive stone platform, was **Kai**, a wizard of immense power, known for his mastery of long-range spells and unrivaled mana reserves. Kai's reputation preceded him—an adventurer who was not only proficient in magic but deadly when given space to work his spells.

Karma inhaled deeply, the strategy he had meticulously prepared playing over and over in his mind. He had gone through every scenario, every potential weakness in Kai's approach. **Avoid long-range combat. Close the gap quickly. Use the element of surprise.** He reminded himself of these points as he steadied his nerves.

Across the arena, Kai stood tall, his elegant robe flowing in the wind, his staff lightly gripped in one hand. There was a calmness in Kai's expression, but his eyes burned with intensity, as if he were already calculating his victory.

"**This will be a tough fight, but we've prepared for this, Shiro,**" Karma whispered to his tamed monster, the white rabbit hidden beneath his coat thanks to the **Miniaturization** spell.

The arena fell silent as the referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the battle.

"**Three! Two! One! Fight!**"

The instant the countdown ended, Kai immediately began chanting, his mana pooling into the tip of his staff. A shimmering blue aura surrounded him as he started to cast an advanced spell, one that would surely annihilate Karma from a distance.

Karma wasted no time. **Speed was the key**, and with **Skill Share** activated, he borrowed Shiro's heightened reflexes and agility. His plan was simple—get in close and avoid the bombardment of spells that Kai was undoubtedly preparing. He zigzagged through the battlefield, dodging invisible mana waves and moving closer and closer to Kai.

As Karma had expected, Kai didn't immediately notice Shiro's absence. From Kai's perspective, it appeared as though Karma was fighting without a monster companion. And why wouldn't he? Kai likely believed his overwhelming magical prowess would be enough to crush any monster Karma could summon.

With each step, Karma felt his heart pounding in his chest, the distance between him and Kai shrinking. **Almost there…** he thought, his mind laser-focused. The plan was working too smoothly. Kai continued chanting, unaware of the danger creeping toward him.

Just as Karma closed within striking range, he whispered the words to **Synchronization**, merging his senses and abilities with Shiro's. His body flooded with power, his muscles tensing with newfound strength, and his vision sharpening. His ears elongated slightly, mimicking Shiro's, and his reflexes reached an entirely new level. He could feel the air shift around him, every sound and movement amplified as the bond with his tamed monster deepened.

With a swift motion, Karma summoned his sword from his **spatial wristband**, the sleek black blade materializing in his hand. He rushed forward, ready to end the fight before Kai could unleash his spell.

But then, everything changed.

Kai's chanting suddenly stopped. His lips curled into a knowing smile, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "**You should never underestimate your opponent, tamer.**"

Before Karma could react, Kai, the seemingly delicate wizard, moved with lightning speed. In one swift motion, Kai delivered a perfectly timed uppercut straight to Karma's chin.

Karma's eyes widened in shock. **An uppercut? From a wizard?**

The impact sent him flying into the air, his body weightless as pain shot through his jaw. He felt his feet leave the ground, his vision blurring as he was launched backward. The world around him spun, and before he knew it, his body hit the stone floor of the arena with a heavy thud. The sharp taste of iron filled his mouth as he coughed up blood, the pain radiating through his entire body.

The crowd gasped at the unexpected turn of events, murmurs of disbelief spreading through the stands. A wizard—known for his long-range prowess—had just landed a physical blow that knocked Karma off his feet.

Karma groaned, his hand clutching his side as he struggled to get up, his vision still swimming. He wiped the blood from his mouth and staggered to his feet, his legs shaky but determined.

Kai stood tall, his calm demeanor replaced with a predatory grin. "**What's wrong, tamer? You didn't expect a top-class adventurer like me to not know hand-to-hand combat, did you?**" Kai said, his voice filled with amusement.

Karma's mind raced. How had he not seen that coming? Wizards were supposed to be fragile, reliant on their magic from afar. But this… this was something entirely different. Kai was clearly no ordinary wizard.

Before Karma could fully recover, Kai extended his staff and began casting once again, his hands moving in quick, practiced motions. Streams of energy swirled around him, and before Karma could react, several spells shot out, aimed directly at him.

With his synchronization still active, Karma managed to dodge the first few attacks, his body moving with a speed that matched Shiro's agility. But it wasn't long before he realized something was wrong. Each spell that Kai launched seemed to force Karma in a specific direction, corralling him into a corner of the arena. The blasts were coordinated, pushing him toward a trap.

Kai's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as Karma dodged another spell. "**You think you can keep up, tamer?**" he called out, his voice dripping with confidence. "**But these spells aren't meant to hit you—they're meant to lead you. Right into my hands.**"

As Karma turned to avoid another incoming blast, it was too late. Kai had maneuvered him perfectly. The wizard dashed forward with incredible speed, closing the gap between them in an instant. Karma barely had time to raise his arms in defense before Kai's fist collided with his gut, knocking the wind out of him.

Karma stumbled back, gasping for breath, but Kai wasn't done. With a flurry of well-aimed punches, Kai struck Karma three more times—once to the side, once to the ribs, and finally, a brutal blow to the chest that sent Karma reeling.

"**I'm not just a wizard, tamer,**" Kai said, his voice low and dangerous. "**I'm a warrior, too. You should have been more prepared.**"

Karma's vision blurred as he staggered back, pain coursing through his body. He had underestimated Kai, and now he was paying for it. His entire strategy had been based on the assumption that Kai would rely solely on his magic, but this—this was something else entirely.

Then, something inside Karma snapped. A slow, menacing laugh bubbled up from his throat. It started soft, barely audible, but then it grew louder, echoing through the arena. It was a chilling, almost maniacal sound—a laugh that sent a shiver down the spines of everyone watching.

Kai froze, his confident smirk fading as he stared at Karma, who was now standing tall despite the pain, his eyes gleaming with a sinister amusement.

Karma tilted his head slightly, his laughter filling the air. "**You think this is over?**" His voice was eerily calm, still laced with that dark chuckle. "**You forgot about my companion, Kai. You thought I was alone. But you've forgotten about Shiro.**"

Kai's eyes widened in sudden realization, but it was too late.

From above, a blur of white descended rapidly. Shiro, who had been hidden in the sky thanks to **Miniaturization**, had returned to full size. The rabbit hurtled toward Kai with incredible speed, its body a blur of motion. Before Kai could even raise his staff to defend himself, Shiro slammed into him, delivering a devastating kick to the side of his head.

The impact was thunderous. Kai's body crumpled under the force, his eyes rolling back as he collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The entire arena fell silent, the crowd too stunned to react.

Karma stood over Kai's fallen body, breathing heavily but smiling in satisfaction. He glanced down at Shiro, who had landed gracefully beside him, and extended his fist.

"**Good job, buddy,**" Karma said, his voice softer now, but still filled with pride.

Shiro, with a small hop, bumped Karma's fist with its head in a celebratory gesture.

The referee rushed forward, his voice loud and clear as he declared, "**Winner—Karma!**"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their shock giving way to excitement and admiration for the underdog who had once again defied the odds.

Karma grinned, wiping the blood from his chin as he basked in the victory. This fight had been a wake-up call, a reminder that in the tournament, no opponent could be taken lightly. But more than that, it had been a reminder of the bond he shared with his tamed monsters—especially with Shiro, his most loyal companion.

As he and Shiro walked off the battlefield together, Karma knew that the challenges ahead would only grow tougher. But for now, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment.

They had won—and they had done it together.

---

**Author's Notes:**

This chapter showcases the unexpected twist in Karma's battle with Kai, highlighting how not all opponents are what they seem. Karma's chilling laugh and reliance on his bond with Shiro bring a dynamic shift to the battle, emphasizing the importance

of strategy, unpredictability, and trust in his companion. The next challenges await, but for now, Karma celebrates his hard-earned victory.