The arena buzzed with anticipation, a palpable energy crackling in the air. Every recruit, instructor, and commander from Azeron Academy had gathered around the stone ring, their eyes fixed on the two young fighters at its center. Renjiro and Kairro faced each other, their gazes locked in intense defiance, each a silent promise of victory. This final trial was more than just a ranking match—it was a culmination of their rivalry, a battle for respect and standing among their peers. Towering stone walls enclosed the ring, and blue banners bearing the academy’s phoenix sigil fluttered in the breeze, framing the scene against the clear sky.

The two combatants were silent as they crouched, reading each other, preparing for the clash. Then, as if in unison, they lunged forward, fists and feet blazing with Lumina energy. Their first strikes collided with a crackling force, sending a shockwave that reverberated through the arena. Each punch and kick left blazing trails of Lumina light in the air, the crowd transfixed by the sheer skill and ferocity of the fight. Both fighters moved with unyielding intensity, a deadly dance that captivated everyone watching.

Goro watched from the edge of the ring, eyes wide and jaw set. His usual easy grin had disappeared, replaced by a look of tension as he watched his friend give everything he had against Kairro. Further back, Yumeru stood with her arms crossed, her expression calm yet unreadable, her gaze steady on Renjiro. She knew the secret he held and understood the gravity of the risk he was taking today.

Kairro’s relentless power began to drive Renjiro back. His movements were faster and more forceful than ever, fueled by a fierce determination to dominate his rival. Renjiro dodged and countered, gritting his teeth as he blocked a powerful punch, but the force of Kairro’s aggression was almost overwhelming. The crowd murmured as Kairro pressed forward, his strikes fast and brutal, his every move radiating raw strength.

In the stands, Commander Vaelis leaned forward, her eyes narrowed with scrutiny, while General Seraphus observed intently, his arms folded as he gauged each combatant’s abilities. Finally, Kairro seized an opening, landing a rapid series of blows that left Renjiro staggering. A final punch to the gut and an elbow to the back sent him crashing to the ground, gasping for air. Kairro stood over him, a triumphant smirk spreading across his face as he sneered down at Renjiro.

“You thought your training would make you strong enough?” Kairro’s voice dripped with disdain, his smirk widening as he watched Renjiro struggle to rise.

Renjiro gritted his teeth, refusing to let the pain consume him. Memories of his village, his friends, and his family flashed through his mind, fueling his resolve. I can’t fall here. Summoning every ounce of Lumina within him, he drove his fists into the ground, feeling a surge of energy rise from deep within.

He took a stance, crouching low like a sprinter ready to launch, and whispered a single word: “Accelerate.”

In a flash, his body was surrounded by a brilliant blue aura. Steam rose from his skin, his veins pulsing with Lumina as he launched himself forward in a blur. Kairro barely had time to react as Renjiro struck from his left, then his right, each hit swift and precise. Kairro staggered, momentarily dazed as he tried to track Renjiro’s blistering speed.

Frustration twisting his features, Kairro summoned Lumina daggers in each hand, brandishing them defensively as he prepared for Renjiro’s next move. Renjiro mirrored him, channeling Lumina energy into twin blades at his sides as they squared off. They charged, clashing in a series of powerful strikes that sent sparks flying across the arena, each impact resonating like thunder.

As they moved, Renjiro caught glimpses of the others watching. Goro’s face was tense, his fists clenched at his sides, a mixture of worry and awe in his expression. Beside him, Nira and Esmir from Squad Mist exchanged wide-eyed glances, both captivated by the display of skill and power. Thyros from Squad Storm watched with a scowl, his arms folded, a grudging respect evident in his gaze as Renjiro matched Kairro blow for blow.

With one final clash of their blades, both fighters leaped back, breathing heavily. They stared each other down from opposite ends of the ring, the tension between them thick in the air. Kairro’s stance wavered, his energy visibly drained, while Renjiro stood steady, his gaze unbroken. The crowd watched, holding its breath.

Then, Kairro’s legs gave out, and he dropped to one knee, gasping for breath. Renjiro raised his fist in victory, the crowd erupting in cheers, their voices echoing across the arena.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

Goro let out a shout of relief, clapping his hands in celebration as he grinned at Renjiro. Across the ring, Yumeru nodded once, a faint smile crossing her lips as she acknowledged the victory, her gaze lingering on Renjiro with an almost knowing look.

But then, as the applause continued, a single drop of blood hit the ground.

A strange hush fell over the arena. Renjiro, still holding his raised fist, felt warmth trickling down his arm. He glanced down, his heart skipping a beat as he saw the streak of red staining his skin—a human reaction that was unmistakable.

“Blood…?” someone murmured, their voice filled with disbelief.

Shock rippled through the crowd as realization dawned on them. “He’s human!” a voice cried out, followed by a collective gasp. “A human wielding Lumina?” another voice echoed.

Renjiro looked up, his heart pounding as he took in the expressions around him. Goro’s face was frozen in shock, his wide eyes fixed on his friend, struggling to process the revelation. Thyros from Squad Storm took a step back, his mouth open in astonishment, while Nira and Esmir exchanged uneasy glances. Kairro’s smirk had faded, replaced by a stunned look as he stared at Renjiro, his expression mirroring the crowd’s—a mixture of disbelief and confusion.

Only Yumeru remained calm, her face composed as she glanced around at the others, though a subtle tension lingered in her gaze. She had known, yet she understood the weight of Renjiro’s secret being exposed so publicly.

Meanwhile, far from the arena, Rei walked briskly through the dimly lit halls of the Azeron Citadel’s prison cellars, his mind replaying his encounter with the captured Red Clan commander. Rei’s mission to interrogate the prisoner had taken an unsettling turn. The man, bound in heavy chains, had spoken with a defiance that Rei had not expected.

“What are you plotting?” Rei had demanded, his voice was cold and commanding.

The Red Clan commander had only chuckled, a dark, unsettling sound. “You Guardians think you’ve won? You should have killed me while you had the chance.”

A faint, pulsing glow on the man’s wrist had caught Rei’s attention, his instincts flaring. “What is that?” he had asked, his tone edged with suspicion.

The prisoner’s smirk had widened, his eyes gleaming with dark satisfaction. “It’s too late, Guardian. They’re already on their way.”

Without hesitation, Rei released a burst of Lumina, silencing the prisoner before he could say more. In one swift motion, he mounted his Phalyx and rode at full speed back toward the academy, his mind racing.

Back in the arena, a piercing cry split the air, snapping everyone’s attention skyward. High above, red trails of energy streaked across the sky—the unmistakable mark of Red Clan forces approaching. Panic rippled through the crowd as shock turned to fear.

Commander Vaelis was on her feet in an instant, her face set in grim determination but also wide-eyed with disbelief. General Seraphus stared up at the red-streaked sky, his expression one of deep alarm. He turned to Commander Vaelis, his voice tight with confusion. “How did they get through the dome? This location is undetectable from outside our defenses!”

Commander Vaelis’s gaze hardened, but even she could not hide her unease. “Unless someone has fed them information… or they’ve found a way to bypass our barriers.” Her eyes narrowed as she scanned the horizon, thoughts racing as the implications set in. This was no ordinary invasion—it was a breach they had never thought possible.

Recruits and instructors alike exchanged horrified glances as they began to realize the severity of the situation. Some gasped, others whispered urgently. For the Red Clan to appear within the Academy grounds was unthinkable; their secure dome was hidden, its coordinates a well-guarded secret known only to the highest-ranking officials.

General Seraphus barked orders, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Recruits! Make for the evacuation zone now! All senior officers, ready the defenses! We’ll sort out how they got here later.”

Renjiro and Kairro exchanged a glance, their rivalry forgotten in the face of the new threat. Without hesitation, they turned and joined the other recruits, sprinting toward the evacuation route that led to the safety of the Citadel. All around them, Guardians and instructors moved into formation, preparing for the battle that was swiftly approaching.

As the recruits fled, Renjiro stole a glance back, catching sight of the chaos erupting behind him. Guardians and Red Clan warriors clashed, blue and red Lumina lighting up the field as the academy’s defensive shields hummed to life. General Seraphus fought at the front lines, his Lumina energy blazing like a beacon as he rallied the defenders.

Among the fleeing recruits, Goro stayed close to Renjiro, his expression a mix of confusion and concern as he glanced at his friend. “Renjiro… you’re… human?” he whispered, disbelief coloring his voice even as they continued to run.

Renjiro’s jaw tightened, but he nodded, glancing over at Goro. “I’ll explain everything later. For now, we need to get to safety.”

Goro nodded, swallowing hard, his trust in Renjiro unshaken despite the shock. Around them, Nira and Esmir from Squad Mist shot wary glances toward Renjiro, but their loyalty held firm as they focused on reaching the evacuation zone.

Yumeru brought up the rear, her calm demeanor a grounding presence even as chaos reigned around them. She caught Renjiro’s eye, giving him a subtle nod that seemed to say, I’m with you.

As they ran, Renjiro looked back at the academy grounds one last time, watching as Guardians clashed with Red Clan invaders in a blaze of blue and red light. The path ahead was uncertain, but for the first time, he knew he wasn’t facing it alone.