XVII: Wendigo.

The third round began, with Raiden opening against Chopper. Both contenders entered the stage slowly, neither in a rush. Step by step, they ascended into the arena. For once, even Present Mic held back, his usual exuberance tempered to create a more intense atmosphere. Instead of shouting, he let some traditional nordic music set the tone, giving the competitors a moment to focus.

Raiden's serious demeanor stemmed from two observations he had made during Chopper's previous fights.

First, he was certain Chopper could fully transform, and it wasn't just a simple reindeer-like adaptation—there was more to it.

Second, Chopper had ranked sixth or seventh in the entrance exam. That wasn't a position to be taken lightly. Although he was from Class 1-B, Raiden knew this didn't make him any less capable; they had the same classes, almost the same training, and the same opportunities to grow stronger. For these reasons, Raiden approached this match with the same gravity as he would with any of his classmates.

The two boys locked eyes across the arena, a silent exchange of determination passing between them. The tension was palpable. The moment Present Mic finally shouted, "STAAAAART!" both of them charged at each other, their movements almost reckless, seemingly without strategy.

As they clashed, their transformations activated simultaneously. Raiden's instincts were proven correct. Chopper's body shifted dramatically, growing taller and more menacing. His fur turned a rich brown, covering his now muscular, two-legged form. However, the most chilling change was his face—his features morphed into a grotesque skull, giving him the terrifying appearance of a creature from legend. He was like a wendigo brought to life, an embodiment of primal strength and fear.

Raiden, undeterred, underwent his own transformation. His body grew larger, enveloped in sleek gray fur. His form exuded power, his tail taking on a purplish hue that contrasted with the rest of his body. Instead of ears, horns protruded from his head, their sharp contours adding to his imposing presence. His transformation was swift but deliberate, reminiscent of a warrior prepared for battle.

The arena was silent for a moment, the crowd mesmerized by the raw intensity of the two opponents. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, the real fight began.

Both combatants exchanged a flurry of basic blows, their movements sharp and calculated. Raiden leveraged his telekinesis to amplify his physical strength, while Chopper relied solely on his transformation, which seemed to grant him immense, natural power.

Each strike carried weight, and every dodge was narrowly executed, but neither backed down as they continued their furious clash.

From an outsider's perspective, it appeared they were throwing everything into the fight. However, to more discerning observers, it was clear this was a test—a calculated gauging of each other's strength and capabilities.

Raiden quickly realized he was at a disadvantage in raw physical strength, it was slight, but enough for him to notice.

Acknowledging this, he broke the stalemate by taking to the sky, using his ability to fly. In one swift motion, he ascended high above the arena and spun downward with incredible speed, his leg glowing brightly as he unleashed a devastating Mega Kick.

The glowing strike descended like a meteor, forcing Chopper to dodge at the last second. Despite his speed, it was evident he struggled to evade, in one motion Raiden made a crater in the arena.

In retaliation, Chopper ripped one of his antler-like horns free and hurled it with precision. Raiden sidestepped the projectile effortlessly, wasting no time before counterattacking. He rushed forward, his hands glowing with energy, and launched a barrage of Swift attacks directly at Chopper's face.

Sixteen radiant stars shot through the air, each finding its target with explosive accuracy. Smoke and debris enveloped the arena as the attacks made contact. Raiden hovered above the ground, his sharp eyes fixed on the cloud of smoke, waiting to assess the outcome.

As the dust settled, Raiden's anticipation turned to surprise. Surrounding Chopper was a cocoon-like structure formed from his antlers, shielding him completely. When the last wisps of smoke cleared, the antler cocoon receded, revealing Chopper unharmed and standing tall.

Raiden's lips curled into a faint smile, and his glowing eyes sharpened further. With a tone of renewed determination, he muttered, "Interesting."

It had been a long time since Raiden faced someone who could match him so evenly, leaving him uncertain of what his opponent would do next. Yes, he usually fought with his classmates, and it was pretty difficult, however, Raiden knew their abilities and could predict what they could do next. but this opponent was different, Raiden had no idea what he could do next. 

The same was true for Chopper. From his perspective, Raiden was an unpredictable adversary, possessing an impressive variety of abilities.

Most Quirks only granted a single power, but Raiden had already displayed three—his glowing Swift stars, the power of flight, and the devastating kick. And based on what Chopper observed in Raiden's earlier fight, there was at least one more ability yet to be revealed.

"You are quite troublesome," Chopper growled. In his transformed state, his voice was a harsh mix of raspy tones and guttural snarls, sending an unsettling chill through the air. For a fleeting moment, it almost made Raiden flinch. 

Refusing to show any weakness, Raiden decided to turn the tables, using Chopper's strategy against him. With a calm yet unnerving demeanor, Raiden responded, "So are you." However, instead of speaking aloud, he sent the message directly into Chopper's mind, using telepathy to amplify the unsettling effect. 

The brief pause between their exchanges ended as Raiden took advantage of the lull. Another barrage of Swift stars erupted from his hands, the eight radiant projectiles streaking through the air toward Chopper. Once again, Chopper's antlers grew almost instantaneously, forming a protective barrier around him.

This time, however, Raiden noticed something significant: Chopper's ability to manipulate his antlers was far more versatile than he initially realized. The reindeer-like boy could control the growth and direction of his antlers at will, shaping them into any structure he desired. The antlers sprouted from his head and twisted into a precise form, seamlessly adapting to deflect every star in no time they formed a protective barrier around Chopper.

Raiden's sharp eyes narrowed as he took in this discovery. "So, that's how it is," he muttered to himself, now knowing better the functionalityty of Chopper poweres, his mind already strategizing his next move.

Laser Focus, Swift

With a glow in his eyes, Raiden locked onto Chopper's vulnerabilities. Clapping his hands together, he unleashed a barrage of radiant stars, this time aimed with precision at the weak points in Chopper's protective structure. The stars struck true, creating small but critical fractures.

Raiden wasted no time. As the explosions erupted, he surged forward with incredible speed, activating another of his abilities—Mega Punch and Mega Kick. Each attack radiated with energy, sending powerful waves of force crashing into Chopper's cocoon.

Raiden's strikes, aimed at every weak spot, shattered the protective barrier piece by piece. The sheer strength of his assault was overwhelming, sending Chopper hurtling across the arena. The impact was so intense that Chopper was almost flung off the platform, but with remarkable agility, he extended his horns and anchored himself just in time to avoid elimination, there Raiden realized his physical attacks had more impact on this opponent that the one at distance.

"You guys from 1-A are something else," Chopper growled, his voice raspy and cold. "I was saving this for the finals, but it seems I'll have to use it now."

Without hesitation, Chopper's body began to transform again, this time becoming encased in a layer of white, skeletal armor. The bony plating covered him entirely, giving him an appearance straight out of the underworld—menacing and unsettling.

From his vantage point in the air, Raiden observed the transformation carefully, his mind racing to assess the situation. This power... it's twofold. First, he can transform into that humanoid-reindeer form, and second, he can generate bone-like structures from his horns, extending them to reinforce his body and surroundings.

Raiden's brow furrowed as he continued analyzing. This ability gives him extraordinary defense. Breaking through his armor is no easy task, and even if I manage to, he can regenerate it almost instantly. To defeat him, I'll need to strike with precision, twice or thrice, no, at least in rapid succession, without wasting too much energy. Otherwise, I'll burn out too much before the final.

The tension in the arena was palpable as the two combatants locked eyes, their next moves looming like a storm on the horizon. Suddenly, they charged at each other. Raiden's energy surged outward in purple ripples, while Chopper grew blade-like extensions of bone from his body. Recognizing the imminent danger, Raiden clapped his hands and sent eight stars with a Swift attack toward Chopper.

The stars exploded on impact, but as the smoke cleared, what emerged was a reinforced reindeer, his skeletal armor now thicker and more menacing. Smoke hissed off his bones, which regenerated at an incredible pace.

Raiden sent two pulses of psychic energy toward Chopper. The waves hit their mark, causing the boy to stumble. The psychic attack disoriented and hurt him, but it wasn't enough to bring him down, He was defenitely resistance at Raiden special attacks at distance having less effect than the pysical one.

As Raiden surged forward, he calculated his options. Breaking through Chopper's defenses required either overwhelming psychic force or an attack with significant blunt impacts, such as his Mega Kick or Mega Punch. But those abilities demanded more energy and couldn't be executed continuously like regular strikes, no like confusion or energy based attacks that he already dominated. He could manage one of each, before needing recovery time.

Confusion and swift worked effectively with almost anyone, but it seemed less impactful against Chopper's reinforced body. It's like his Quirk doesn't just strengthen his exterior—it fortifies him from the inside out or dissipated the energy related attacks. Raiden realized.

At that moment, clarity struck and looked confimation. "Your Quirk reinforces your defense against energy-based attacks," Raiden said aloud, his voice steady with newfound understanding. "It also allows you to grow your bones at an accelerated rate, even outside your body. Plus, you can reshape them into weapons, shields, or even extra armor, right?"

Chopper stood silently, his skull-like face emitting faint wisps of smoke. "Bingo," he rasped, his voice altered by the eerie mask. Raiden swore he saw the flicker of a smirk.

This confirmation solidified his suspicions—Confusion wasn't as effective because Chopper's Quirk bolstered his special defenses. If energy attacks aren't enough, maybe it's time to try something new.

An idea sparked in Raiden's mind. "What if I combine my psychic powers with physical strength?" he muttered.

Without hesitation, Raiden rushed forward, launching a Mega Kick in a sweeping arc aimed at Chopper's skull. Predictably, Chopper grew more bone from his arm, forming a shield. Raiden's strike shattered the barrier, but the opening was too brief to follow up effectively.

Confusion wouldn't suffice here, but perhaps mixing it with his physical attacks could change the outcome, that way he could make more blunt damage. As he concentrated, psychic energy coalesced in his hand, as he did so, something clicked in Raiden's mind.

Unlike before, this energy didn't spread out as a wave. Instead, it condensed into a concentrated force, forming a vibrant purple rift. "Psyshock!" Raiden exclaimed as he unleashed the attack.

The concentrated energy hit Chopper like a hammer, striking his arm directly. Chopper flinched in genuine pain, flying backward into the corner of the ring. Raiden didn't waste the opportunity. Closing the distance in an instant, he delivered a devastating Mega Punch to Chopper, who was still recovering from the surprise of the hit.

The Mega Punch struck Chopper square in the chest, sending him hurtling out of the ring.

The boy couldn't react in time and fainted midair, his body falling limp. This battle had been more intense than any of Raiden's previous matches. As Chopper's defeat became evident, a shiver ran through Raiden's body, and almost immediately, a brilliant light illuminated his arm. The number six, previously etched there, transformed into a glowing seven. A surge of vitality coursed through him, partially washing away his fatigue and restoring a portion of his energy while amplifying his power.

Silence descended over the arena as the competition's assistants rushed in to check on Chopper's condition. Raiden didn't remain idle. Despite the strain it would place on his stamina, he floated over to Chopper's side, placing a steady hand on the boy. With a soft murmur, he invoked Life Dew. Gentle, shimmering water flowed from his palm, enveloping Chopper and beginning the healing process. While it wasn't a complete restoration, it was enough to ensure the boy was out of immediate danger.

Once the assistants signaled an "okay" to the crowd, Present Mic's voice erupted across the stadium, announcing Raiden as the winner of the first fight in the third round of battles. The crowd roared in approval, their cheers echoing through the arena. Raiden, still catching his breath, allowed himself a small, quiet moment of relief before preparing for whatever came next.

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Hello, guys. here I will leave patreon in case you want to read ahead of time. +4 chapterrs.

Here we have the introduction of the concepts SP.ATK and SP.DEF, integrated into the story. Previously, I focused on the MTs and level moves, and now that we're ready with these concepts, I've introduced the next ones. The idea is to introduce them gradually and avoid an info dump in the story.

please drop some power stones that could help me a lot.