Elias vs Yui Rakamaki

Elias felt a cold shiver creep up his spine. This guy must hate me, he thought, his confusion turning to irritation.

Oliver nodded, his expression calm. "Of course, sir. Just remember, the Wardens don't want any serious injuries. They're here to inspect the Ikonas, their fighting potential, and knowledge. After that, they're sent into the course track for an initial run."

Elias frowned and crossed his arms. "Hey, you say that like you have something against me, Yui. What's the deal?"

Yui's tone didn't change, but there was a faint edge to his words. "It's the same cocky attitude every time. Of the seven Ikona users I've tested so far, you all carry this hidden sense of superiority."

As Yui spoke, Oliver stepped forward, tossing a sleek, silky uniform toward Elias. "Change into this," he said simply.

Elias caught the uniform but frowned. "Then why was I told to wear the suit I have on now?"

"You'll find out later," Oliver replied, his tone blank. "This is so you don't get killed."

Turning back to Yui, Elias shrugged, pulling at the straps of his outfit. "Maybe you're just venting about something else. I don't have any superiority complex. I'm just trying to do what I can."

Yui remained silent, watching as Elias slid into the training uniform. The material fit snugly, its design both lightweight and firm in the places that mattered. Once it was on, Yui motioned toward him.

"To activate the suit, press the switch near your heart," Oliver instructed. "It will stab and connect."

"Stab and connect?" Elias repeated, his voice tinged with skepticism. He placed his hand over his chest, where a faint blue circle lit up under his palm.

Lines traced outward from the circle, spreading across his body as he felt the unmistakable prick of needles along his skin.

 The sensation was sharp but not overwhelming, leaving a slight ache in its wake.

"Oliver. Leave," Yui said flatly, his tone sharp and unyielding. His cold eyes narrowed, and for a brief moment, Elias caught sight of a faded scar cutting across the left side of his face.

Oliver hesitated for only a second before pulling out a stopwatch. "I'll be back in one hour to collect him for a debrief with Geras. Be mindful of what you do," he said curtly, turning to walk away.

Elias glanced between the two men, his irritation bubbling. "Hey, what exactly is going on? No one's told me anything."

Oliver didn't answer, continuing his exit. Yui, however, spoke up, his voice dripping with disdain. "Isn't it obvious? Those above us want you tested in battle settings because all the other tests haven't shown much. And personally, I don't mind kicking you into the dirt to make sure you learn your place."

Elias clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as Yui's words struck a nerve.

"You are nothing but a weapon now," Yui continued coldly, motioning for Elias to raise his hands. "Put them up."

Elias hesitated, confused. "What do you mean—?"

"20% activated," Yui said, cutting him off as he pressed a hand to his chest. The faint hum of his suit filled the air. A whisper followed, almost mechanical: "Allotted range."

Before Elias could make sense of it, a sharp shock of pain exploded in his stomach. Yui had vanished from his sight for a brief moment and reappeared, his fist buried in Elias's gut.

"I said keep your guard up," Yui growled.

Elias's body folded as the blow sent him flying. His ears rang as he hit the ground, bouncing once, twice, before rolling to a stop. The sharp sting of the impact coursed through him, and he instinctively clutched his stomach. Something's broken, he thought grimly, only for the suit to chime in with a calm notification: "Attack disrupted. 75% energy reserves remaining."

"Elias! What just happened?!" Dot's panicked voice filled his mind.

Groaning, Elias pushed himself up, his legs shaky but determined. "Alright, Dot. Let's show this asshole what we can do… whatever it is we do," he muttered, brushing dirt off his uniform.

He turned to face Yui, his expression hardening. "Okay, I get it," Elias said, his voice steady despite the throbbing in his gut. "Just so you know—I have no idea what my Ikona can actually do."

Yui's lip curled into a faint sneer. "Not surprising, coming from a military reject," he said, crossing his arms as if Elias wasn't worth his time.

Elias exhaled slowly, focusing. "Dot, create a metal pole," he said, his voice low but determined.