Fighting (3)

Kazuma came in low, his fists trailing superheated air as he aimed for Haruto's midsection. But Haruto was ready this time. He crossed his held sword with one of the floating blades, creating an X-shaped barrier that caught Kazuma's punches. The impact sent shockwaves through both weapons, but they held firm.

"Getting smarter," Kazuma grunted, trying to push through the crossed blades. "But you're still thinking too defensively!"

He suddenly grabbed both light swords with his bare hands, his heat power flaring to maximum intensity. Where his palms touched the blades, the air sizzled and popped, but the weapons of pure light didn't melt or break. Instead, they just got brighter, as if they were absorbing his heat and converting it into more power.

"What the—" Kazuma started to say, but Haruto was already moving.

The third sword, the one that had been floating freely, shot forward like a spear and punched through Kazuma's shoulder. Not deep enough to cause serious damage, but enough to make him let go of the other two blades with a cry of pain.

"My turn to get creative," Haruto said, and this time he really let loose.

All three swords began moving in a complex pattern around Kazuma, weaving through the air like they were performing some kind of deadly dance. They struck from different angles, forcing him to dodge and weave desperately. One blade would slash at his head while another went for his legs, and the third would try to pin him from behind.

Kazuma was fast, but even he couldn't keep up with three separate attacks coming from all directions. Small cuts started appearing on his arms and legs as the light blades found their mark. Nothing serious, but enough to slow him down and make him more cautious.

"Damn it," he panted, pressing his back against the fence. "This is like fighting three people at once."

"Actually, it's like fighting one person who doesn't have to worry about getting tired," Haruto corrected, advancing steadily. The timer showed five minutes left, but he was feeling confident now. He was starting to understand his power, to really feel how the swords responded to his will.

Kazuma wiped blood from a cut on his cheek and smiled grimly. "Alright, kid. You want to see what I can really do? Fine. But don't blame me if you get burned."

He pressed both hands against the roof again, but this time, instead of just heating the surface, he poured everything he had into it. The concrete didn't just glow red – it started to actually melt, turning into a pool of molten rock that spread outward from where he stood.

The heat was incredible. Haruto had to back away quickly as the superheated air made it almost impossible to breathe. His school uniform was starting to smoke, and he could feel his skin burning just from being near the molten concrete.

"Can't get close now, can you?" Kazuma taunted, standing in the middle of the lava pool like it was a warm bath. "Your fancy swords won't help you if you can't reach me!"

But Haruto had learned a few things during their fight. Instead of trying to get closer, he sent all three swords forward at once, using them like long-range weapons. They cut through the superheated air, their light seeming to burn even brighter in the hellish environment.

Kazuma deflected one with a blast of heat, dodged another, but the third one got through his defenses and sliced across his chest. The wound wasn't deep, but it was enough to break his concentration.

The moment his focus wavered, the molten concrete began to cool and harden. Within seconds, it had returned to its normal state, leaving Kazuma standing in the middle of a circular patch of cracked and blackened roof.

"Shit," he muttered, looking down at the blood seeping through his shirt. "That actually hurt."

"It's over," Haruto said, his three swords forming a triangle around Kazuma. "You're trapped, you're injured, and you're running out of steam. Just give up."

Kazuma looked around at the glowing blades surrounding him, then back at Haruto. For a moment, his expression was unreadable. Then, slowly, he started to laugh.

"You got me. Fair and square." he said, raising his hands in surrender.

The swords continued to hover around him, but Haruto didn't lower his guard. "Just like that?"

"Just like that," Kazuma confirmed, sitting down heavily on the cracked concrete.

The timer in Haruto's vision hit zero, and new text appeared:

[Congratulations on completing the mission!] Reward: 500 EXP. Select a skill to upgrade:

- Moonlight Sword (Level 1: 324/1000

- Abyssal Devourer (Level 1: 289/1000)

Haruto stared at the glowing interface floating before him. "If I upgrade Moonlight Sword to Level 2, will I be able to summon an extra blade?" he wondered. But hesitation flickered—what if Abyssal Devourer held hidden potential? Sighing, he split the EXP evenly, allocating 250 to each skill.

 • Moonlight Sword: 574/1000 EXP

 • Abyssal Devourer: 539/1000 EXP

But Haruto barely noticed the interface. He was too busy staring at Kazuma, who was now looking at him with something that might have been respect.

"So what happens now?" Haruto asked.

"Be careful, do not use your power too stupidly. There are so many dangerous things."

"What kind of dangerous things?"

"The kind that involve people like us," Kazuma said cryptically. "The Awakened. We're not the only ones with powers, you know. And not all of them are as reasonable as I am."

"Look," Kazuma continued, "I know we got off on the wrong foot. But maybe we can work together on this. You've got the power, and I've got the knowledge. Could be a useful partnership."

"You want to work for me now?"

"Work with you," Kazuma corrected. "I'm working for..."

Haruto looked at his three floating swords, still glowing softly in the afternoon light. A few hours ago, he'd been just another transfer student trying to fit in at a new school. Now he was apparently some kind of supernatural warrior with responsibilities he didn't understand and enemies he'd never met.

"This is all happening too fast," he said finally.

"Yeah," Kazuma agreed. "Welcome to the world of the Awakened. Nothing's ever simple anymore."

The school bell rang in the distance, signaling the end of the lunch period. Soon, students would be wondering where they were, and someone would probably come looking for them.

"We should get back," Haruto said, willing his swords to disappear. They faded into motes of light that scattered on the wind.

"Yeah," Kazuma said, pushing himself away from the fence.

As he descended the rooftop stairs, a cacophony of voices erupted. Hundreds of students clustered below, buzzing like agitated hornets. The moment they spotted Haruto—alone—their whispers exploded into raucous cheers.

"Kazuma's nowhere in sight!"

"Haruto won?! No way!"

"That loser actually beat Kazuma?!"

Haruto ignored the frenzy, but the crowd's disbelief and excitement swirled around him like a storm. Some glared, others jeered—yet beneath the noise, one truth rang clear: Kazuma had fallen. The school's hierarchy trembled, and Haruto… had just become its newest variable.