The entire arena was eerily silent, a heavy weight hanging in the air.
The crowd, still reeling from Carol's merciless display of power, stood frozen in shock.
Taguchi's desperate cries still echoed in the minds of many.
Carol's cruelty had shaken the spectators to their core, and the aura of bloodlust that lingered from her victory seemed to hover above the battlefield.
It was now clear: the First and Fourth Divisions were locked in a tie, each having claimed three points in the solo battles.
All eyes were now on the team battle, where the final winner would be determined.
However, before that, the solo battle between the Second and Third Divisions was about to begin.
Both teams moved toward their designated spots around the arena, each competitor preparing for what was to come.
Shinju Hayato raised his hand, causing the ground beneath them to tremble as a new battlefield materialized from the earth itself, forming a wide, open area designed for combat.
Two officers, each carrying six slips, approached the teams.
One by one, each member of the teams drew their slip, returning to their designated corners after seeing who their opponent would be.
The tension in the air grew thicker as the audience eagerly awaited the next battle.
Tomoki Naoto, stepping forward to address the crowd, his voice booming across the arena, announced the start of the second solo battle.
"Dear spectators,"
Tomoki began, his voice carrying across the still arena,
"the second battle of the first round, between the Second Division and the Third Division, will now begin!"
A chorus of excited murmurs rippled through the crowd.
They were about to witness the battle of a lifetime, the first time an S-rank magic user like Tatsuno Ryoko would fight in front of them.
Shigeru, standing off to the side, watched eagerly.
He had already seen Ryuu's capabilities and knew that today's battle would test the strength of everyone involved.
He was particularly interested to see how Ryuu would handle the challenges that lay ahead.
"The first match of the second battle will now begin!"
Tomoki continued.
"Competitors, please step forward!"
As the crowd's energy surged, the tension in the air seemed to tighten.
Everyone's eyes were on the Second Division, awaiting the first competitor.
A stillness settled over the team before Seichii, with a fierce determination written across his face, stepped forward.
"I guess it's me first,"
Seichii muttered to himself, eyes narrowing. His heart raced in his chest as he prepared to face his opponent.
Before he could take another step, however, a hand fell on his shoulder.
He turned, surprised to see Ryuu standing there, his expression unreadable.
This was the first time Ryuu had spoken to anyone that day.
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Seichii looked into his friend's eyes and instantly understood—Ryuu wasn't giving him a command or advice, but rather offering silent support.
Seichii let out a small chuckle.
"This guy… always so serious."
With a final nod to Ryuu, Seichii squared his shoulders and moved toward the battlefield, his mind set on proving himself worthy—not just in front of Ryoko or Masumi, but most of all, in front of Ryuu.
Seichii had always known there was something different about his childhood friend.
Ryuu's power had always been on another level, but it was only recently that Seichii had fully understood the gap between them.
The magic bowl turning an azure blue during the selection was the final sign that Ryuu was destined for greatness.
Seichii could never catch up, but today, he would show that he wasn't a mere spectator in his friend's rise.
As he stepped onto the battlefield, his opponent stood waiting, her face a picture of innocence.
A young girl, no older than Seichii, stood with a bright, welcoming smile on her face.
Her presence seemed angelic, and the crowd was immediately charmed by her demeanor.
But Seichii wasn't fooled. There was something off about her.
Suddenly, a faint but insidious pressure that weighed down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
His heart thudded painfully, and a deep sense of unease coiled within him.
(What is happening? Why is the air so heavy? Why does it feel like I can't breathe?)
Seichii's confusion intensified as the pressure on his chest grew stronger.
Suddenly, a loud voice rang out from the edge of the battlefield.
"I-IT'S A B-BLOOD DRAINING ARRAY!!"
The voice belonged to none other than Tatsuno Ryoko, her tone sharp with realization. The crowd gasped in shock as the girl's sweet smile shifted into a sinister smirk.
"Oh, my secret got out," the girl mocked, her voice dripping with malice.
The transformation in her expression was jarring.
The innocent, angelic façade was gone, replaced by a predatory grin.
Ryoko's shock was evident as she scanned the battlefield in disbelief.
"She deployed an Intermediate-level Array… and so perfectly,"
Ryoko muttered, her voice tinged with admiration and concern.
"I didn't sense it until it was too late."
Even Ryoko, was stunned by the girl's expertise.
Deploying such an array, especially one that drained blood, was no easy feat.
It was a technique often reserved for the most experienced—yet here was a young girl, deploying it flawlessly.
Seichii, now fully aware of what was happening, was struggling to stand.
The Blood Draining Array was draining his life force, sapping the very essence of his strength.
He was trembling uncontrollably, his body fighting against the invasive force. Blood began to leak from his mouth as his strength began to fade.
"Kgh!" Seichii coughed, the crimson stain on his lips confirming his worst fears.
Both Ryuu and Masumi rushed toward Ryoko, concern etched on their faces.
"Ryoko-san!" Ryuu cried out.
"What is the Blood Draining Array? What's happening to Seichii?!"
Masumi, standing beside him, was visibly distressed. Her eyes were wide with panic. Ryoko, sighing heavily, turned to face them.
"The Blood Draining Array is an upper Intermediate-level Array,"
She explained.
"Anyone who comes within a hundred-meter radius will begin to feel the effects—their blood is drained away and converted into the deployer's strength.
It will continue until the array is deactivated or the deployer is defeated."
Ryuu and Masumi turned back toward Seichii, their hearts heavy with worry.
He was barely able to stand, his knees buckling under the strain.
Blood seeped from his wounds as his body was slowly torn apart by the array.
Masumi's eyes filled with tears.
The sight of Seichii in pain was unbearable.
Without thinking, she dashed toward the battlefield, her feet pounding against the ground.
"MASUMI-SAN, STOP!"
Ryoko called out, but it was too late.
The crowd gasped as Masumi ignored the warning and continued her run.
She reached Seichii's side, kneeling beside him.
"Seichii-kun!"
She cried, her voice trembling.
"Stand up! I know how hard you've worked! Don't let it all go to waste!"
Seichii looked up at her, his vision blurry. But when he heard her words, something shifted inside him.
Her voice was a lifeline, a beacon of hope. She believed in him.
"Stand up, Seichii-kun! Aramiya-kun, Ryoko-san, and I—we're all here with you!"
Tears welled up in Seichii's eyes. The pain in his chest was unbearable, but Masumi's words reignited the fire inside him.
Slowly, shakily, he pushed himself to his feet.
"Seichii!" Masumi exclaimed, a smile breaking through the tears.
The girl standing before him, still grinning maliciously, tilted her head.
"What's this? A love bond?"
she sneered.
But Seichii's glare was unyielding. The smirk on his face was gone, replaced by a look of pure determination. He wasn't going to give in.
The atmosphere around the arena shifted as Tomoki Naoto stepped into the battlefield, raising his hand. The moment had arrived.
"The first match of the second battle, between Sengoku Seichii of the Second Division and Ozawa Rika of the Third Division, begins now!"
And with that, the match began in earnest, a battle not just of power, but of will. Seichii had his back against the wall, but he was determined to stand tall—no matter what.....