Chapter 49: Bloom of Crimson Will

As the crowd settled from the explosive match between Tetsu and Raven, the arena buzzed with excitement once more. The next fight was about to begin.

Announcer:"Now stepping into the arena—representing Rising Dawn Academy—Hana Yume!"

A roar of cheers echoed as Hana stepped into the arena, her long brown hair tied back with her crimson ribbon, but today, something new glimmered in her hair.

Nestled just above her ear was a crystalline hairpin, shaped like a delicate flower. It shimmered faintly, catching the sunlight with every step she took.

Behind her in the stands, Eri leaned forward, whispering to Kael and Tetsu with a small grin."That hairpin? Custom-built. It enhances focus and reaction speed. Doubles as a dagger, too, if needed."

Tetsu, still red from earlier, muttered, "You really think of everything, don't you?"

"I try," Eri said, eyes locked on the arena.

The announcer called out Hana's opponent:"Facing her is Jin Ogaru, representing Storm Fang Institute!"

A tall boy with a confident smirk and a jagged lightning bolt tattoo on his neck entered the arena. Sparks danced across his knuckles as he cracked them.

"Didn't expect to fight someone so… delicate-looking," Jin said, his tone cocky.

Hana didn't respond with words. She simply exhaled, closed her eyes for a brief second, and focused.

The hairpin glowed faintly. In her mind, the world slowed just a bit. Her breath steadied. Her heartbeat calmed. She could feel every shift in the air around her.

The match began with a thunderous gong.

Jin came in fast, electricity crackling from his fists, aiming to overwhelm Hana quickly. But she wasn't there when he struck.

She had already moved.

Dodging with fluid grace, Hana spun around behind him, her reaction speed sharp as lightning. She jabbed forward—not with her fists, but with precision strikes aimed at Jin's pressure points.

Crack!

One landed just beneath his shoulder, causing his arm to spasm.

Jin growled. "You little—!" He swung around with a surge of electric energy, but Hana ducked low, her hand reaching up to her hair.

Click.

In a single motion, she pulled the hairpin free, and it extended into a small crystalline dagger. Elegant yet deadly.

With a fierce look in her eyes, she slashed—not to injure, but to disable. The blade caught his leg just enough to disrupt his footing, sending Jin stumbling.

"You shouldn't underestimate people based on how they look," Hana said softly, her eyes locked on him.

Jin roared in frustration and channeled a powerful current through the ground, sending a wave of electricity toward her.

She narrowed her eyes, focused again—the hairpin pulsed.

Time slowed. She could see it. Feel it.

Her body moved like water. She leapt to the side, landed, rolled, and came up with a burst of motion, bringing the blunt end of the dagger down on his shoulder.

Boom.

Jin hit the ground, gritting his teeth.

The crowd was stunned at her control, her calm. She wasn't flashy like Kael or wild like Tetsu. Hana was efficient, graceful… and dangerous.

As the referee counted down, Jin tried to stand but faltered. The match was over.

"Winner: Hana Yume!"

Cheers erupted from the stands.

Kael smiled quietly as he watched from the balcony."She's amazing…" he muttered.

Eri smirked. "Told you the hairpin would work."

Tetsu laughed. "Remind me to never tick her off."

As Hana exited the arena, she glanced up at her friends. Her eyes locked with Kael's for just a second—and though her face remained composed, a tiny blush crept across her cheeks.

Kael smiled back… a bit too long.

Tetsu nudged him. "You're staring."

"Shut up."

The tournament continued, but Hana had already bloomed—and the whole arena had just witnessed it.