Ren immediately raised his arm and swung it, aiming a straight punch at my face. I leaned back just in time, arching my body away as his fist narrowly missed me. A warm sensation trickled down my forehead; I felt a slit appear on my skin. What? Why did a slit appear?

In a flash of instinct, I summoned a rope from the shadows and wrapped it around his arms, my hands moving with precision. I pulled hard and threw him behind me.

He landed with barely a sound, like a whisper against the ground. But I could see him in motion, his fists punching the air as if he were channeling all his frustration and energy into those blows. Yet somehow, I felt the force of those punches as if they were aimed straight at me. How is the force reaching me? I crossed my arms to block the impact.

Ren leaned forward, coiling like a spring before dashing toward me, his right leg snapping out to deliver a kick. I'll dash sideways. There's no way he can land that. I darted to the right, moving with everything I had, but he swung his leg at me, the movement fluid and calculated. The moment his foot connected, I raised my left hand to block the kick. The impact jolted through my arm, and I struggled to recover.

I can't let him get the upper hand. I countered with a jab aimed straight at his chest. Even as my fist made contact, I sensed something strange—the strike felt sluggish, as if time had briefly warped around us. He backpedalled, widening the space between us, but even though my punch hit him, it felt like it had been in slow motion. Why did my punch slow down?

"Atom Chain!" Ren shouted, sending a wave of explosive energy crashing toward me. The air vibrated, and I felt the shockwaves ripple through my body as I braced myself.

"Ouch. Akarui is getting cooked." Akira flinched, like he felt the pain all the way there. "Yep." Kaede agreed, nervously chuckling.

"Shadow Portal!" I summoned a portal and jumped out behind him, hoping to catch him off guard, but he pivoted instantly, a flicker of determination in his eyes.

"Crimson Flash!" Ren unleashed a rapid series of punches and kicks, each blow connecting with punishing force. I staggered back, feeling each impact resonate like a drum in my chest. "Oooff." Kaede flinched.

I need to turn this around! I thought, forcing myself to focus. I aimed a swift uppercut at his chin, but he ducked just in time, his movements so sharp and precise that it was almost mesmerizing. He countered with a quick knee strike that knocked the wind out of me. I gasped, trying to regain my breath.

"Not bad," he taunted, sweat glistening on his forehead, his breath coming in heavy bursts. "But you'll have to do better than that!"

I can't let him underestimate me. I gritted my teeth, summoning my katana, feeling its reassuring weight in my hand. It was my lifeline, a source of strength in this chaos.

"Deranged Slashes!" I shouted, unleashing a flurry of rapid strikes aimed at breaking through his defences.

Ren was quick, but I could see the fatigue beginning to creep into his movements. He retreated slightly, but just when I thought I had an opening, he lashed out again with another "Crimson Flash," connecting with my side. I winced, but I refused to back down.

I scrambled to my feet, determination fuelling me. "God Force!" I shouted, channelling my energy into a powerful punch, launching it straight at him. The force of the blow reverberated through the air, and I could see him bracing himself, eyes wide with surprise.

But Ren wasn't done yet. "Condense!" he called out, hardening the air around him and creating a barrier that absorbed my punch's force. I watched in disbelief as he regained his balance, breathing heavily but still standing strong.

He's adapting. I need to change my approach. I thought, glancing around for an opportunity. My heart raced, but I refused to show my fear.

"Shadow Portal!" I shouted again, disappearing into the darkness and reappearing behind him, swinging my katana in a decisive arc.

He spun around just in time to block my attack, but the momentum pushed him back. "You're strong, but I won't give up!" he yelled, throwing a punch that caught me off guard.

"Atom Chain!" he shouted, launching another wave of kinetic energy. I barely managed to dodge, the explosion sending shockwaves through the arena, rattling my bones.

I have to keep pushing! I thought, the adrenaline coursing through me. I summoned my katana again. "Deranged Slashes!" I yelled, slashing at him with renewed fervour, desperate to find my mark.

But Ren was way too quick for me. He sidestepped my attack with ease, a sinister smirk spreading across his face that sent chills down my spine. "Crimson Flash!" he shouted, landing a brutal kick to my midsection. I gasped as the wind rushed out of my lungs and I hit the ground, struggling to catch my breath.

"Okay, focus," I muttered to myself, scrambling back to my feet just in time to block another punch. His strikes were like a blur—jabs and hooks coming at me from every direction. "Dude, chill!" I managed to say, my voice strained.

Ren's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as a dangerous intensity flickered within them. "You'll have to do better than that!" he replied, his tone low and threatening. He dashed forward again, landing a flurry of punches that I barely managed to dodge. "God Force!" I yelled, throwing a powerful punch aimed right at him.

"Condense!" he called out, and just like that, my punch hit a wall of force. It felt like hitting a trampoline—my momentum just bounced right back at me. "What the heck?" I grumbled.

Ren laughed, a sound that felt more like a warning than amusement. "You really think you can hit me that easily?" He snapped his fingers, and suddenly I felt a wave of sound slap into me, knocking me back a few steps. "Dude, what did I ever do to you?" I gasped, trying to catch my breath.

"It's what you guys did to me!" He shot back, the mockery fading, replaced by a chilling seriousness. "The Configure technique has been in the Nakamura clan for generations. The Hikaru clan too! It's the ultimate fusion of the Illusion and Atom techniques."

"Wait, what do you mean it was in the Hikaru clan?" I asked, trying to buy myself some time.

Ren clenched his fists, and I could see blood starting to seep from his palms. "The leader of the Hikaru clan sealed it away because they thought it was too dangerous. But that seal only lasted 500 years. The youngest descendants of both clans will inherit it."

"Your technique?" I said, piecing it all together.

"That's right! My technique! The Configure technique gives me the ability to create illusions and manipulate atoms." He was practically glowing with excitement, but the darkness in his gaze made me uneasy. "And you're just my punching bag today."

It all clicked. He spreads out the atoms around him, making himself faster. I barely had time to think before he launched another barrage of punches. Then he condenses the atoms, and suddenly my attacks feel like they're moving in slow motion. I grinned, determination flooding back in. "I understand now! Your damn attack pattern!"

I charged at him again, katana in hand, swinging with everything I had. "Deranged Slashes!" I yelled, my sword cutting through the air. Ren dodged to the side, laughter bubbling up, but there was an edge to it. "Nice try!" he taunted, his voice low and mocking, a predator toying with its prey.

But I couldn't afford to hesitate. I felt the weight of his presence, a dark energy radiating from him as he called out, "Duplication!" In an instant, two more Rens materialized, flanking him on either side, their expressions mirroring his cold confidence. Everyone's mouths dropped.

"Seriously?" I muttered, my heart racing as I realized I was now surrounded. "This is just unfair!"

"Crimson Flash!" all three Rens shouted in unison, and I barely managed to dodge the incoming kicks. They were moving like a well-rehearsed dance, and I was the uninvited guest stumbling all over the place. Ren's laughter echoed around me, chilling and unsettling.

With one quick swing, I hit one of the fakes with the hilt of my katana, and he exploded in a shower of sparkles. "One down!" I declared, feeling a rush of adrenaline.

Ren watched with a twisted grin, the corners of his mouth stretching in a way that felt unsettling. "Wow, you're really getting the hang of this! Too bad there's still two more to go!"

But the remaining two didn't seem to care. They lunged at me, and I blocked one punch but got hit by the other. "Ugh! Focus!" I scolded myself, glancing around for a plan.

"Shadow Portal!" I shouted, disappearing into a rift. I reappeared behind them, and they spun around in confusion. Perfect! I swung my katana at one, but he ducked just in time.

"Nice move!" he teased, and I felt the rush of energy as he kicked at me. I barely avoided it, stumbling back. This isn't good. I thought.

Summoning my katana again, I charged up my energy. "Shadow Portal!" I called out again, vanishing just as they both lunged for me. I popped out behind them again, my katana ready to strike.

"Let's finish this!" I shouted, adrenaline pumping through my veins. "God Force!" I yelled, throwing a powerful punch straight at one of the Rens. He barely had time to react before I connected, and he shattered into light.

Feeling pumped, I turned to face the last Ren. "You think you can take me on?" I challenged, a grin creeping onto my face, but it felt forced.

"Crimson Flash!" he shouted, lunging at me. I quickly blocked his kick, my heart racing. "Deranged Slashes!" I yelled, swinging my katana in a wild flurry of strikes.

He dodged a few, but I was relentless. Just as he was about to counter, I shouted, "Shadow Portal!" and vanished again. Where is he? Ren looked around. I opened a small crack right above the duplicates. All right! Let's see who is fake. All sight. Ren made more duplicates. All of them didn't have an aura. He must have unlocked Aura Concealer. Well, I'll just guess. I jumped out and hit a Ren with my hilt, and it disappeared. I kept repeating till there was one left. I jumped out. He chuckled, "Well, I have the chance to finally use my most powerful move yet! Realm: Memorial Coffin."

I hit the ground hard, gasping for air as I took in my surroundings—Tokyo, but twisted and dark, a memory come to life. Nothing changed—the date and time—except the people.

"Not again. No, no, no."

Ren stood before me, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Well, my realm has people go crazy by reliving their trauma, so... good luck." With a snap of his fingers, the ground beneath me crumbled away, plunging me into darkness.

I landed with a thud, the familiarity of the scene hitting me like a freight train. The shadows loomed large, the air thick with the weight of my past. I could almost hear the echoes of old fears whispering around me.

Before I could gather my thoughts, the mist coalesced, forming that same figure from my nightmares—the cloaked figure with the black mask and the serrated machetes. My heart raced as I remembered the pain and the loss. Stay calm. It's just an illusion.

But he felt real enough. I gripped my katana, ready to go. I charged forward, shaking off the memories that were creeping back in. Each swing of my blade was intentional—I was determined to show that I wasn't that vulnerable kid anymore. Well, even though it was fake.

The figure laughed, and honestly, it was a sound I was getting really tired of. I pushed through it, refusing to let my past take over. I aimed for his neck with a solid swing, feeling the energy build up inside me. "Stay put, you piece of trash!"

I lunged and shouted, "God Force!" My punch landed, and with it came a huge explosion that shattered the illusion around us. Smoke swirled everywhere, and when it cleared, there was Ren, looking completely unfazed in the darkness. "Not bad. You broke the illusion. But let's keep going. Crimson Flash."

Before I could blink, he charged at me, raising his leg for a kick. This blue energy was released from his leg.

"Condense," he called out.

I managed to catch his leg just in time by unsummoning my katana, but the force jolted my arms. There was this crazy five-centimetre gap between his foot and my hands because of the compressed atoms. I yanked his leg and slammed him into the ground, trying to throw him off balance. I raised my leg and stomped on Ren. But he had his atom barrier already summoned. He grabbed my leg and yanked me away, leaving me airborne. I was spinning vertically. I summoned my katana with a shadow portal behind. I slipped into it.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I reappeared behind Ren, "Is that all you've got?" I shot back, focusing energy into my katana, ready for whatever came next.

Ren shot me a smirk, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "You really think you can take me lightly?" He punched me while still looking away. It was so fast, I think he glitched. I felt like a fighter jet flying. I landed, but not without scraping my back while doing it.

He let loose a wave of energy, and I had to sidestep to avoid it. It whizzed past me, and I swung my katana, channelling dark energy into my strike. "You're in for a surprise." My sister told me a way to break a realm. Akarui. There is a way to break a realm. You overpower it with your own. Well, I don't know how to use a realm, but I believe them. If I really unleashed a realm, this should work. "Realm: Eternal Night." I summoned a dark orb. It started growing. It burst. Rens pitch black realm was overpowered. It shot at Ren. Ren crossed his arm, summoning a beam, trying to save his realm. The beam collided with the orb. Yes! At first, everything was pitch black. A small light surrounded us. Then it was crystal clear.

My realm was still—a vast darkness illuminated by molten rivers that crackled beneath the floor. Every step Ren took echoed, sending ripples through the misty ground, but the darkness remained thick, pressing in from every angle. My muscles felt charged, like the realm itself was feeding me strength. Ren's face twisted, a hint of irritation flashing in his eyes as he caught his breath. It worked! I feel more powerful.

Without a second thought, I charged forward, closing the distance between us with a single, rapid step. My fist drove into his midsection, forcing him back, his body almost blurring with the impact. I didn't give him a chance to recover, launching a series of relentless punches aimed at his ribs, shoulders, and jaw. He blocked some and deflected others, but a few connected, sending shockwaves through his frame.

Ren staggered, gritting his teeth as he barely dodged a strike aimed for his temple. He responded with an explosive counter—a swift, open-palm strike aimed at my chest. I twisted, dodging just in time, but the force of the air around his attack sent vibrations through my ribs. He wasn't pulling any punches now. His eyes narrowed, and he shifted into a traditional stance, lowering his centre of gravity.

"Think I'd let you have all the fun?" He taunted, his voice tense.

I raised an eyebrow. He's taking this seriously now. Good. Now I can fight without worrying.

Ren launched himself at me, closing the gap in an instant. His movements flowed, sharp and precise, like a martial artist in his prime. His fists and feet became a blur of motion—each jab, each kick, calculated and efficient. I ducked under a high kick, feeling the wind from the strike whip past my face, and retaliated with a sweeping leg aimed to destabilize him. But he anticipated it, leaping up, using my own move as leverage to bring down a crushing elbow toward my collarbone.

I crossed my arms to block, feeling the impact jar through my bones. "Not bad!" I grunted, twisting his arm to pull him off balance, but he slipped out of my grasp, flipping backward and landing smoothly. The way he moved reminded me of a dancer, every action flowing seamlessly into the next, as if he were performing a choreographed routine rather than fighting. He dashed to me, raising his leg. I caught his feet, threw his down, and kicked him while he was still falling.

Without hesitation, I surged forward, drawing my katana from the shadows. The weapon shimmered as it emerged, imbued with the dark energy of my realm. I slashed at him with fluid, calculated strikes, each swing infused with the essence of my abilities. The air crackled with tension as I closed the distance, the blade's edge gleaming ominously in the light. He managed to evade the worst of the blows, narrowly dodging as I pressed the attack.

Ren raised his hand, and I braced myself. "Crimson Flash!" he shouted, his body blurring as he darted forward, his speed almost too quick to track. I twisted, feeling his presence flicker on all sides, dodging one strike but catching a glancing blow on my shoulder. The force was immense—enough to send a dull ache deep into my muscles.

I staggered back but quickly gathered myself, shifting my stance to regain my balance. Ren pressed on, his next attack a flurry of punches that came at me like a hailstorm. I focused, letting my instincts take over. I parried and dodged, feeling the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Each hit that landed was a reminder of how fierce he could be. His determination was palpable, and it fuelled my own resolve.

Drawing on the dark energy surrounding me, I summoned my power, channelling it into my blade. "Deranged Slashes!" I shouted, unleashing a series of slashes imbued with shadows. The blades of energy tore through the air toward him, a storm of darkness aimed to overwhelm. Ren's eyes widened, and he instinctively moved to counter.

"Resounding Force!" he declared, his voice cutting through the chaos as he summoned his own energy. A shockwave erupted from his palm, colliding with my slashes and creating an explosive clash of power. The force sent ripples through the air, vibrating with raw energy. The ground beneath us shook, and I felt the impact resonate through my feet.

We both staggered back, each trying to regain our footing. I could see the determination etched on Ren's face, a mixture of focus and frustration as he realized the magnitude of my strength. But he wasn't one to back down easily.

With a deep breath, I prepared myself for the next round. I could see the sweat glistening on his forehead, a sign that he was pushing himself to his limits. He lunged at me again, and this time I prepared for the full force of his attack.

"Atom Chain!" he yelled, a fierce determination in his eyes. I felt the air shift as a chain of energy shot from his hand, wrapping around my katana and binding it momentarily. I grunted as I felt the tension tighten, pulling my weapon and me toward him.

Thinking quickly, I released my grip, letting the katana slip from my fingers as I used my own momentum to roll away from his grasp. I hit the ground and, with a swift motion, summoned my weapon back to my hand from the shadows. It materialized just in time for me to catch Ren's next attack.

His fist came at me like a bullet, and I met it with the edge of my katana. The clash sent a shockwave through my arm, but I held my ground, using the force to pivot and strike back. I yelled, channelling my energy into a powerful thrust. The dark energy erupted from my blade, aimed directly at him.

He reacted with lightning speed, twisting to the side and narrowly avoiding the attack. But I could see it in his eyes; the longer this fight went on, the more he struggled to keep pace. I could feel the tide beginning to shift in my favour.

As he regained his stance, I took a moment to assess my surroundings. The terrain was uneven, strewn with debris from our earlier exchanges. It was chaotic, and I could use that to my advantage. With a flick of my wrist, I unleashed a wave of shadowy tendrils, sending them snaking toward him. They whipped around, creating a barrier between us, and I watched as he struggled to maintain his footing.

"Impressive," I acknowledged, scanning the clones. "But not enough."

Drawing on my dark energy, I focused, summoning a ripple of force that sliced through the air. "Rift Vortex!" I declared, opening a swirling portal that sucked in the surrounding shadows, amplifying my energy. The clones began to falter, their forms flickering in and out of existence as they tried to maintain the illusion.

In the chaos, I saw the real Ren's position shift slightly—a telltale sign. I lunged forward, my katana ready, and with a swift motion, I cut through the last of the clones. "You can't hide forever!" I shouted, feeling the adrenaline surge as I focused on the real target.

Ren's eyes widened, and in that moment of realization, I struck. My blade connected, not with flesh but with his hastily raised arm. The impact sent him staggering back, and I pressed the advantage, following up with a powerful kick that sent him crashing into the debris behind him.

He landed hard; the breath knocked from his lungs, but he was not finished yet. With a fierce determination, he pushed himself up, panting heavily. "You're strong, Akarui," he admitted, his voice strained. "But I won't give up."

I smirked, my confidence surging. "You've given it your all, Ren. But this is my realm, my domain." I stepped closer, the shadows swirling around me, amplifying my presence. "And in this realm, I have the upper hand."

He braced himself, and I could see the flicker of defiance in his eyes. "Then let's see how far your advantage takes you!"

With that, he surged forward again, his fists striking out with renewed vigour. I met his strikes with my katana, each clash echoing in the air as we exchanged blows. The battle raged on, and I felt the exhaustion creeping into my muscles, but I pushed it aside.

As we danced around each other, I noticed the way he started to anticipate my movements more. He blocked a swing aimed for his midsection, countering with a swift jab to my gut. I winced but deflected it with a quick twist, redirecting his momentum.

"Nice try!" I taunted, flipping backward to create distance. "But you'll need more than that!"

He charged again, this time with a newfound ferocity. "You think you can toy with me?" he yelled, unleashing a series of rapid punches that felt like they were powered by sheer will. I ducked, weaving between his attacks, but one managed to land squarely on my cheek, snapping my head to the side.

I regained my stance and grinned, tasting the metallic tang of blood. "That's more like it!" I shouted back, embracing the thrill of the fight. "Let's see how long you can keep this up!"

Our movements became a blur as we fought, each strike fuelled by our mutual determination. I felt the shadows around me pulse, responding to my energy as I infused my next attack with dark essence. "Shadow Blade!" I cried, summoning a blade made entirely of darkness. It flickered in and out of existence, crackling with power as I aimed it directly at Ren.

He met my gaze, and for a moment, I saw a flash of uncertainty cross his features. But it was quickly replaced by resolve. "I won't let you have the upper hand!" he shouted, gathering his energy. "Atom Chain!"

With a fierce determination, he launched another chain of energy at me, but this time I was ready. I sidestepped the initial attack and thrust my Shadow Blade forward, tearing through his energy and sending the remnants spiralling into the ground. The clash echoed like thunder, and I felt the ground tremble beneath our feet.

With the opening I had created, I lunged forward, channelling all my dark energy into my katana. "Deranged Slashes!" I shouted, unleashing a whirlwind of strikes, each imbued with the weight of my power. The dark energy crackled around me as I moved, and I could see the fear in Ren's eyes as he struggled to keep up.

He parried the first few strikes but quickly began to falter under the relentless onslaught. I could feel his energy waning, his movements slowing as I pushed him back. "This is it!" I shouted, pouring everything I had into one final, decisive blow.

"Crimson Flash!" he roared, launching himself forward.

He's not holding back anymore. This is the chance for me to also not hold back.

I growled, brushing off the pain. Before he could pull back, I extended my hand and muttered, "Shadow Portal." A swirling darkness erupted beside me, drawing in the light around it. I slipped through, reappearing behind him in an instant, my katana already slicing through the air. He barely turned in time to block, the clash of metal ringing out like a gunshot.

Ren staggered, his eyes narrowing as he breathed heavily. "Duplication!" he called out. Shadows seemed to peel off him, forming into identical copies that surrounded me on all sides. Each clone moved independently, all mirroring his intensity and precision.

Great, now I'm fighting an army.

The first clone lunged forward, striking low while the second aimed high. I spun, parrying the high strike and dodging the low kick, but another clone seized the moment to strike me in the ribs. I grunted, absorbing the hit and countering with a sharp elbow to its jaw. The clone dissipated in a dark mist, but three others took its place.

"You're not getting away that easily," Ren said, his voice overlapping as his clones closed in. They attacked in tandem, their movements synchronized in a brutal, relentless rhythm. I ducked, dodged, blocked, and struck back, but the numbers were overwhelming.

I felt a powerful blow land across my back, then another on my side. A clone grappled my arm, twisting it just enough to immobilize me as another went for a kick straight to my head.

But I wasn't done yet. "Deranged Slashes!" I called out, summoning a flurry of dark energy-infused strikes. My katana cut through the clones, each strike dissipating them with a flash of dark light. I fought with renewed fury, driving back each shadow with a vicious slash, sending shards of darkness scattering through the mist.

One by one, the clones fell, until only Ren remained. I could see the strain on his face as he panted, yet he still managed a smirk. He raised his hand, his fingers forming into a sharp, focused point. "Atom Chain," he whispered, the air around him vibrating with an ominous hum.

I braced myself, instinctively reinforcing my stance. In the next instant, a chain of rapid explosions erupted toward me, each blast amplifying the last in a violent sequence. I leapt back, narrowly dodging the initial shockwave, but the second hit caught me off guard, sending me flying back. My realm trembled, the ground itself cracking under the force. I landed hard, feeling the sting of cuts and bruises across my arms and torso.

This is getting ridiculous. He's more dangerous than I gave him credit for.

Through the haze, I pushed myself up, determined not to let him have the upper hand. As the dust settled, I could see him standing there, arms crossed, waiting.

"Ready to surrender?" he asked, his voice mocking.

I wiped a trickle of blood from my mouth. "Not even close."

He snarled, eyes flashing as he prepared another move. But I was ready, gripping my katana tighter. This time, I would be the one to push him.

Before he could react, I dashed forward, my speed enhanced by the realm's energy. My footwork shifted, using close-range strikes, each motion drawing on my training. I aimed a punch to his ribs, followed by a swift knee to his gut. He blocked with difficulty, his expression showing the strain of each impact. I could see his balance waver as I went for a spinning kick, sending him stumbling backward.

He recovered, but barely, his stance more guarded. "Not bad..." he muttered, clearly on edge. But I didn't let up, pressing in with a relentless barrage of strikes, each one forcing him further back.

I could see his frustration building as he clenched his fists, then finally called out, "Fine! Round two—Realm: Memorial Coffin!"

A dark orb appeared behind him, the size of him, pulsating with ominous energy. He raised it high, and I felt the air shift, the walls of my realm trembling as his power clashed against it.

"Oh, not again..." I muttered, my heart pounding. But I wasn't going to let him dominate. Gathering my focus, I clenched my fist and countered, shouting, "Realm: Eternal Night!" Half of my realm transformed into Ren's pitch-black Memorial Coffin realm. They started to combine.

The two realms collided in an explosion of energy, each force pushing against the other. The clash sent shockwaves rippling through the space, tearing at the fabric of both realms. The energy built up, neither giving way, until finally, they both shattered in a blinding burst of light and darkness.

As the smoke cleared, I blinked, adjusting to the new surroundings. The arena came into view, with our classmates watching, eyes wide in awe and disbelief. "What just happened?" Kaede said in awe. "I don't know. Did Ren unleash a Realm? And I think Akarui overpowered it." Akira responded, his eyes wide.

"Uhh! This is tiring!" Ren screamed

"Tell me about it."

"Shut up! Dismantle." He raised his fist. It started to pulse with blue energy. "One hit, and this will separate your atoms. Making you vanish into thin air." "What?"

"You heard me right." He dashed towards me. "Black Hole." I unsummoned my katana and created a huge black orb in front of me. The centre of gravity shifted to the orb. Ren moved faster. He was sucked into the hole. "White Hole." The black orb turned white. The gravity suddenly twisted. Releasing a force that repelled everything away with a blinding light. Ren was thrown away. He regained his balance and stood back on the floor. I stopped the White hole, stopping the light. Ren was standing tall.

On the border line. Ren was pale as he looked down to see him standing on the borderline. No. Not like this. Damn it! He clenched his fists, squeezing them till blood started to ooze out. "Round 3! Akarui wins!" Mr. Sigan exclaimed. The class erupted in cheers. Ren quietly walked away. Leaving behind a small trail of tears. I walked back to the bleachers where Sakura, Akira and Kaede were seated. Oh wait. "Wait. I didn't see your names, Akira and Sakura." "Oh, don't worry, I am participating in round 3 to even things out with round 2's winners, and Akira is going to even things out with round 4." "Oh."

Mr. Sigan cleared his throat, "Ahem. Well, Match 4 contestants: Jao Pedro and Noah Maxwell! Please come to the centre of the circle!" "Well! Sit down and enjoy the show." Kaede said.