This is the real Duel

"First Stage..."

"Of Thunder..."

"Darkness of Storm."

With those words, Avasyu vanished.In an instant, he was in front of Ash.Faster than anyone could react.

His fist slammed into Ash's stomach.

BOOM!

The impact sent Ash flying across the field. His body crashed into the training hall's wall with such force that cracks spread outward like a spiderweb before the stone gave way. A deep thud echoed as he hit the ground.

The watching students felt the impact—an invisible shockwave pushing against their chests, making their breath hitch.

But in that split second before he was sent flying, Ash saw something.

Time slowed for him.

He saw Avasyu's fist—glowing white veins snaking up his arm, alive with surging electricity. The raw power flowing through Avasyu's body was unlike anything he had seen before.

And yet…Ash smirked.

"I'm excited."

He climbed out of the broken wall, dusting off his uniform. His crimson eyes flickered with something fierce.

"It's been too long since I found a worthy opponent."

Then—his energy erupted.

"First Stage..."

"Of Fire..."

"Sparks of Flame."

Ash's body ignited.

Flames coursed through his veins, flickering beneath his skin like molten lava. His entire being radiated heat—his aura shifting from a mere glow to a burning inferno.

"I'm ready."

Then, he moved.

Ash bent low, coiling his muscles like a spring before launching himself forward. The fire in his veins boosted his jump, propelling him toward Avasyu like a meteor.

In midair, his right fist clenched.

The moment he reached Avasyu—BAM!

A devastating punch crashed into Avasyu's left cheek.

A shockwave erupted from the impact.

The sheer force knocked students off their feet—those without powers collapsed to the ground, unable to withstand the pressure. The field trembled.

But Avasyu?

He didn't even budge.

Electricity crackled across his skin, absorbing the force. His cheek barely reddened from the blow.

Then…

Avasyu smirked.

Before Ash could react, Avasyu grabbed his arm in a tight grip.

With terrifying strength, he swung Ash like a ragdoll and hurled him back toward the broken wall.

CRASH!

Ash barely had time to brace himself.

Avasyu didn't stop.

Before Ash could recover, Avasyu leaped into the air, aiming to drive his foot into Ash's chest upon landing.

But this time—

Ash dodged.

He rolled to the side just in time.

The moment Avasyu's foot touched the ground—

BOOOOM!

The wall collapsed.

Stone and debris exploded outward, shaking the entire training hall.

This wasn't a normal fight.

This was destruction.

And then Ash noticed something.

Avasyu's eyes—

They weren't the same.

They burned with something else.

There was no playfulness, no restraint.

Only pure instinct.

A dangerous, uncontrollable force that cared only for battle.

A chill ran down Ash's spine.

"He's losing control."

If Avasyu kept fighting like this, someone could get seriously hurt.

There was only one way to stop him.

Ash clenched his fists.

"I have to fight him seriously... and win."

Summoning every ounce of his strength, he charged forward.

Just as Avasyu turned, Ash's flaming fist swung upward.

UPPERCUT!

The force sent Avasyu flying.

He crashed several meters away, hitting the ground with a deep thud.

For the first time in their fight—

Avasyu felt the damage.

Ash exhaled, his flames flickering wildly around him.

"He's strong. Maybe even stronger than me in his first stage."

But Ash wasn't done yet.

This fight was just beginning.

Then Ash walked toward Avasyu.

Slow. Deliberate.

Avasyu struggled to push himself off the ground, his body shaking from exhaustion and pain. His vision blurred, but through the haze, he saw Ash's approaching figure.

First, the steps.

Then, the clenched fists.

Then—Ash's glowing crimson eyes.

A flicker of recognition flashed through Avasyu's mind.

But before he could react—

BAM!

Ash's fist slammed into his face.

"Do you know me?"

Avasyu didn't answer.

SMASH!

A second punch, this time from Ash's left hand.

"Where are we?"

Still, Avasyu said nothing. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes remained void of recognition.

Ash gritted his teeth.

"Wake up, you bastard. You succeeded."

And then—

THWACK!

A powerful kick crashed into Avasyu's jaw.

His body skidded across the dirt, dragging for several meters before coming to a stop.

The sheer intensity of their battle had not gone unnoticed.

By now, instructors had gathered around the field. Murmurs spread among them.

"This isn't a sparring match anymore..."

"They're going to destroy each other."

Among the watching instructors stood her.

The Academy's Assistant.

Unlike the others, she had been observing the fight since the moment Avasyu sent Ash through the training hall wall.

Her sharp eyes flicked toward the Principal, who stood silently in the distance, arms crossed.

She stepped forward.

"Permission to interfere?"

The Principal didn't hesitate.

"Granted."

The moment those words left his lips, she moved.

Ash raised his fist once more, ready to deliver another blow—

But before his punch could land—

WHOOSH!

A figure materialized between them.

SNAP!

With a swift motion, she caught Ash's punch in her palm.

The impact should have sent shockwaves. Should have shattered the ground.

But it didn't.She absorbed it completely.

Ash's eyes widened.Before he could react, a new problem arose—

Behind her, Avasyu stirred.

His instincts were still running wild.

He stood up.

His right hand clenched into a fist, surging with lightning.

The air around him shifted.

Electricity crackled in the ground beneath his feet, lifting dust and debris as the energy built up.

His veins glowed once more.

Then—

He lunged.

A devastating punch, aimed straight at her.

But she didn't flinch.

Instead, with a calm expression—

She raised her left hand.

And caught Avasyu's electrified fist.

BOOM!

The air exploded outward, dust and sparks scattering in all directions.

But she remained standing, completely unshaken.

With an iron grip, she tightened her hold on Avasyu's wrist.

Then, in one swift motion—

She struck him.

A precise hit to the pressure point between his neck and shoulder.

Avasyu's eyes widened for a brief second—

Then his body collapsed.

Unconscious.

She exhaled, looking down at him for a moment before turning her gaze toward Ash.

"You."

Her voice was steady, firm.

"Come to the Principal's office. You have a lot to explain."

Ash stayed silent for a moment, then scoffed, shaking off the tension in his fists.

"Tch. Fine."

With that, she lifted Avasyu's unconscious body and carried him toward the academy's medical wing.

Before leaving, she turned to the gathered students.

"The duel is over. Go back to your studies."

And just like that—

The duel had ended.

But this time—there was no victor.

No clear result.

Only the destruction left in their wake.