Chapter 75: Childhood Clash – Kael vs. Tetsu

The arena was in ruins.

Stone tiles cracked, craters scarred the floor, and the sky above felt tense from the sheer pressure radiating off Kael and Tetsu as their auras clashed midair. The two friends had gone past tactics. Past training. This was raw instinct now—heart vs. heart, childhood vs. evolution.

Kael darted in with Voidstep, narrowly missing Tetsu's elbow. Tetsu spun, arms glowing bright with kinetic charge, launching a Burst Drive Punch that split the air.

Boom.

Kael barely blocked—his armguards cracked, the void alloy flickering from overuse.

From the stands, Eri's face flushed slightly, cheeks tinged red as she whispered under her breath, "Tetsu's… grown since I last saw him."

Kaede, arms crossed beside her, gave a rare raised brow. "He's no longer just Kael's sidekick… He's standing on his own."

Down below, Tetsu's breath was ragged, blood dripping from his lip. He grinned, voice low.

"You still with me, Kael?"

Kael chuckled, wiping sweat from his brow. "You think I'd tap out before you?"

They both launched again, fists meeting in the center of the arena with a thunderous shockwave that sent cracks all the way to the barrier walls. Kael's eyes narrowed—his power surged.

"Void Overdrive."

A burst of black and violet energy pulsed from his body, slowing time for just a blink. In that window, he pivoted, channeled his last bit of control into his leg, and struck.

"Void Sever—Flash Arc!"

A diagonal arc of energy slashed upward across Tetsu's chest—not to harm, but enough to destabilize his balance. Tetsu staggered.

Kael shot forward, elbow to gut, shoulder to chin, flipping Tetsu off his feet before slamming him into the arena floor with a final palm strike. A crater formed beneath the impact.

The crowd held its breath.

The dust settled.

Tetsu lay flat, groaning, eyes wide but unable to move.

The announcer roared:

"Victory—Kael Renji!"

Kael stumbled back, exhausted, dropping to one knee beside his best friend.

Tetsu coughed, smiling. "You win again…"

Kael grinned back. "You almost had me. You're not the same kid who used to cry when I beat you at tag."

Tetsu laughed weakly. "Shut up, man…"

They bumped fists as the medical team ran in.

In the crowd, Hana cheered. Ryuu just smirked, whispering, "He better still have something left. He's fighting me next…"

Kael looked up at the sky as the cheers echoed.

Only one match remained.