Chapter 2: Detention Duels

The day after the Hellion attack, the students of Sector 7 Academy were still shaken. The school's outer walls had suffered damage, the emergency drills had failed miserably, and, most notably, Kai Takashi had casually wiped out a Hellion in front of everyone.

Most students avoided Kai, whispering rumors about his true power. Some thought he was cheating the ranking system, others speculated he was a secret government weapon. But the person most irritated by Kai's actions?

Luna Everhart.

She sat stiffly in her seat, tapping her pen against her notebook, staring daggers at Kai, who was, as usual, lounging in his chair with a smug grin.

"You're unbelievable," Luna muttered.

Kai turned his head lazily. "Ah, I see you've finally noticed my charm."

Luna scoffed. "You're hiding something. No E-Class should be able to do what you did yesterday."

Kai gave her an exaggerated gasp. "Are you saying I, Kai Takashi, might actually be special? I'm flattered, Cherry Blossom."

Before Luna could retort, the teacher entered the classroom. "Kai. Luna. Stay after class."

The entire room went silent.

After School – The Duel Begins

Kai and Luna stood before Instructor Kurogane, one of the academy's top combat trainers. The old man was built like a retired war general, and his glare alone could make grown soldiers sweat.

"You two seem to have issues," Kurogane said, folding his arms. "So, instead of wasting my time with lectures, we're settling this with a duel."

Luna's expression tightened. "A duel?"

Kai smirked. "Well, this just got interesting."

Kurogane gestured to the combat arena, a holographic training field built for sparring matches. "No Hellions this time. Just you two. First to disarm the other wins."

Luna immediately stepped forward. "Fine by me."

Kai sighed dramatically. "You just can't resist spending more time with me, huh?"

Luna cracked her knuckles. "I'm going to wipe that grin off your face."

Round One: Kai vs. Luna

As soon as the match started, Luna charged forward, summoning a sleek arcane spear from thin air. Her movements were precise, her form near flawless.

Kai barely dodged her first strike, feeling the spear whistle past his cheek.

"Not bad," Kai mused, summoning his energy blade.

Luna's eyes flickered with suspicion. She had seen SSS-Class weapons before, but Kai wasn't supposed to have one.

"Where did you get that?" she demanded.

Kai simply grinned and lunged.

Their weapons clashed, sending bright sparks flying.

Luna twisted, using her superior footwork to land a quick hit against Kai's shoulder. But instead of dodging, he let the hit land, spinning into a counterattack.

"Sloppy," Kai teased. "You're playing it too safe."

Luna gritted her teeth, realizing his plan too late.

Kai suddenly switched styles, shifting from an evasive stance to full offense, overwhelming her with unpredictable swings.

Luna blocked, but Kai's movements were too erratic. His attacks didn't follow any formal technique—it was chaos.

"Ugh, you fight like a madman!" Luna growled.

Kai winked. "That's the idea."

Final Clash

Luna had never lost a duel before. But something about Kai's style made him impossible to predict. He wasn't stronger than her—he was just too chaotic to read.

She needed to end it. Now.

Summoning all her magic, Luna leaped into the air, spear crackling with pure energy, and threw it straight at Kai's chest.

Kai's smirk widened.

He vanished.

One second, he was there. The next, he was behind her, blade pressed against her neck.

Luna's eyes widened.

She had lost.

Kai leaned in slightly. "Looks like you owe me a rematch, Cherry Blossom."

Luna huffed, stepping back.

"Tch. You got lucky," she muttered.

Kurogane nodded approvingly. "Interesting match. You two actually complement each other well in battle."

Both Kai and Luna looked horrified.

"Like hell we do!" they said in unison.

The instructor only chuckled. "Dismissed."

As they left, Luna cast Kai a long, unreadable look.

"That sword… it's not E-Class, is it?" she finally asked.

Kai stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Nope."

Luna narrowed her eyes. "Then what is your real rank?"

Kai's smirk faded slightly. He hesitated, then said, "Something no one else is supposed to have."

Luna's heart skipped a beat.

What the hell was Kai Takashi hiding?