Chapter 50: Lightning vs Shadows

The stadium's thunderous energy reached a peak as the next round was announced. After Hana's graceful victory, anticipation rippled through the crowd. But this match had a different weight to it—a tension that made even the breeze feel heavy.

Announcer:"Up next! Representing Rising Dawn Academy… Ryuu Takashi!"

The crowd roared again as Ryuu stepped into the arena, his lightning-blue jacket fluttering with each step, his katana strapped across his back. His icy expression never changed, but his aura was blazing—electric and fierce.

Tetsu leaned toward Kael in the stands."He's serious. I haven't seen him like this since the entrance trials."

Kael nodded. "He can feel it too. This next guy… isn't normal."

The announcer's voice dropped an octave, almost like the air itself didn't want to call the name.

"And facing him… representing team Darkshade… Sable Veyne."

The stadium went cold.

A tall boy stepped into the arena, dressed in all black. His presence was suffocating. His hair was deep ash-gray, and his eyes were a chilling violet that almost seemed to pierce through flesh. The moment his feet touched the ring, the atmosphere distorted—like reality was rippling around him.

The moment Ryuu saw him, he tensed.This one… is different. He's the strongest one yet.

From the stands, Kaede Mizuno's eyes narrowed."Sable… Veyne…?" The name triggered something in his mind, but it slipped away like mist.

Kael, watching intently, gritted his teeth."His energy… it's off. Too dark. Too twisted."

Even Hana subconsciously held her wrist."He feels like… the one we fought before. But worse."

Sable didn't bow. He didn't speak. He simply raised one hand, and the shadows under him twisted upward, coiling like living serpents.

Announcer:"Begin!"

BOOM.

The ground exploded as Ryuu dashed forward, unsheathing his blade in a flash of lightning. The clash of katana against a swirling shield of shadow lit the arena in black and blue sparks.

Sable didn't budge. With one flick, the shadows expanded—forming claws, chains, and tendrils, whipping through the air in a chaotic barrage.

Ryuu leapt, flipped, and twisted through them, sparks bursting from his feet as he surfed the ground with electric speed. He slashed one tendril, only for it to regenerate instantly.

"You control darkness?" Ryuu asked mid-dash.

Sable finally spoke, his voice cold and hollow:"I am darkness."

The arena trembled as the shadows formed a dome around them both, plunging the crowd into silence. Only the outlines of Ryuu's glowing blade and Sable's violet eyes could be seen through the veil.

Inside, Ryuu fought blind—until he closed his eyes and listened. The hum of the shadows. The hiss of tendrils. His breathing slowed, his grip tightened.

"Lightning Style: Pulse Step."

CRACK!He vanished in a surge of lightning, reappearing behind Sable with his blade mid-swing.

But just before it connected, a massive tendril shot from the ground and intercepted the slash. Ryuu's eyes widened as the tendril morphed into a shadowy arm and punched him in the gut, sending him flying across the ring.

"Ugh—!"

He slammed into the barrier, coughing as smoke drifted from his coat.

Sable raised his hand again."Come on. Show me that Rising Dawn spark."

Ryuu wiped blood from his lip, standing."You'll regret asking for it."

"Good," Sable muttered. "Make me regret something… if you can."

Their energies flared, lightning crashing against darkness once again.

Above, Kael clenched the rail."Ryuu... be careful."

Tetsu muttered,"This fight's not ending anytime soon."

And it wouldn't.Not until one of them broke.

But Ryuu Takashi didn't break.And Sable Veyne didn't bend.

Not yet.