Chapter 7: The Silent Battle
(无声之战 - Wúshēng zhī zhàn)
The cold night air thickened as Bai Zhen Qi lunged forward, his Heaven's Vein crackling like blue lightning around his hands. His movements were fluid, precise each attack carrying the weight of an expert fighter.
Raiko could feel the raw power behind them, but he didn't panic.
Instead, he exhaled.
Stay calm. Control the flow.
He sidestepped Bai Zhen's first strike, feeling the energy brush past his ribs. Another attack followed a sharp palm strike aimed at his chest.
Raiko twisted his body and let the force pass him by, narrowly avoiding a direct hit.
Bai Zhen's silver eyes glowed in the dark. "Still holding back?"
Raiko didn't answer.
But he knew one thing he couldn't let this fight drag on.
Bai Zhen wasn't just testing him anymore.
With every strike, his attacks became faster, stronger, more refined. He was pushing Raiko into a corner, trying to force out his true strength.
But Raiko had spent years learning how to hide.
He countered with a well-timed kick, forcing Bai Zhen to step back. The moment his opponent's footing wavered, Raiko surged forward, aiming a punch straight for Bai Zhen's ribs.
Thud!
The impact connected, sending Bai Zhen skidding backward.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then Bai Zhen straightened, rubbing his side with a smirk. "Not bad."
Raiko remained expressionless. "You done?"
Bai Zhen's smile widened. "Not even close."
Suddenly, the air around him shifted.
Raiko's instincts flared danger!
Boom!
Bai Zhen slammed his palm into the ground, and instantly, blue lightning surged outward, illuminating the dark forest.
The ground trembled. The trees around them crackled, their leaves burning away from the sheer force of the energy.
Raiko barely had time to react before a bolt of Heaven's Vein Qi shot toward him.
He moved fast.
Ducking low, he rolled to the side, avoiding the blast. But Bai Zhen was already there, waiting.
A fist came toward his face.
Raiko raised his left arm, blocking just in time.
He's too fast.
Raiko gritted his teeth. His left-hand power could only do so much against someone like Bai Zhen.
If he wanted to end this…
He had to fight smarter.
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes watched the battle from the trees above.
Lian Mei crouched on a thick branch, her dagger resting in her palm. Her sharp gaze never left the two boys below.
"So he really was hiding something…" she murmured to herself.
Bai Zhen was strong stronger than most students at Azure Sky Academy. Yet Raiko was matching him, even without revealing his full strength.
It was impressive.
But more than that… it was dangerous.
"If he keeps this up, someone else will take notice," Lian Mei whispered.
And if that happened, Raiko's secret would no longer be safe.
Back on the ground, Bai Zhen launched another attack. This time, he feinted left before twisting his body mid-air, aiming a spinning kick at Raiko's side.
Raiko had seconds to react.
Instead of dodging, he stepped inward, closing the gap between them.
Bai Zhen's eyes widened too late.
Raiko drove his elbow into Bai Zhen's chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
Thud!
Dust rose as Bai Zhen coughed, struggling to catch his breath. He looked up, his silver eyes filled with something new surprise.
"You…" He coughed. "You're not normal."
Raiko took a step back, expression unreadable. "Neither are you."
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Then, Bai Zhen laughed.
"Hah… Alright, I admit it. You're better than I thought." He sat up, shaking his head. "No wonder you ended up here."
Raiko frowned. "What do you mean?"
Bai Zhen gave him a knowing smirk. "You'll figure it out soon enough."
The battle had ended, but something had changed.
Bai Zhen now knew Raiko wasn't just some weak student at Azure Sky Academy. He was someone worth paying attention to.
"You're strong," Bai Zhen admitted. "But one day, I'll make you fight me seriously."
Raiko didn't respond.
But deep down, he knew the truth—this wouldn't be their last battle.
And next time…
He might not be able to hold back.