Chapter 14: 500 Degreez

Day 7 of 2nd Fire Cycle, 1995 g.c.

The moment Mom called out for the match to start, Luda wasted no time. His eyes blazed with a determined fire, and in an instant, his aura exploded outward, filling the air with a scorching heat. The energy radiating from him was intense, like standing too close to the sun. I was getting a bit anxious, but [Dominus Superbiae] kicked in and calmed down those nerves with a cool sensation.

I felt the tug of his Ultra Skill [Ready to Die] attempting to seize control of the battle before it even began. But I was ready. [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] blocked the domination attempt, and I felt the resistance ebb away as my barriers held firm. Luda’s aura was impressive, but I had no intention of letting him dictate the flow of this fight.

In a flash, Luda launched forward, his speed blurring the air like a bolt of lightning. His fists crackled with golden arcs of energy, the heat from his approach prickling my skin even through the layers of my mana shield. His shout rang out as he closed the distance between us, his voice booming with raw intent.

“Enhanced Yang Mana Arts: Golden Fist!”

Before I could blink, his fist came down with the force of a meteor, the sheer pressure enough to shatter a mountain. The world seemed to slow for a split second, my mind catching up with the assault rushing toward me. But I didn’t flinch. I didn’t need to.

The invisible barriers surrounding me flickered, shimmering with an ethereal glow as they absorbed the blow in an instant. The impact hit like a wrecking ball, and for a brief moment, the world erupted around us. The ground beneath us cracked and split open, dust and debris shooting up in a violent storm as the air around us ignited with raw mana. The force should’ve sent me flying, but instead, I stood anchored, unmoved.

I felt the hit travel through my barriers, the energy from his attack rippling against the layers of spatial pockets within, twisting and dissipating harmlessly. The shockwave pushed outwards, slamming into the distant onlookers, forcing them to shield their eyes. The earth groaned under the pressure, but all I felt was a slight tickle, like a breeze brushing my skin.

Luda gritted his teeth, eyes wide as he saw me standing there, untouched, my gaze locked onto him. His fist was still pressed against the barrier, trembling from the force of his own failed attack. His knuckles glowed, veins bulging with effort, but it was pointless. The space between us distorted, swallowing his power whole.

“Not bad, my nigga,” I muttered, my voice low but clear, cutting through the chaos.

I could feel [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] humming in the back of my mind, its analysis already breaking down every aspect of his technique. Calculations ran at light speed—angles, energy output, even the subtle shifts in his posture. He wasn’t just strong—he was calculated. But so was I.

My heart remained steady, my breath calm as my mind dissected the moment. The pressure of his energy still lingered in the air, but I had already moved past it, already formulating the next steps. His golden aura crackled around him, the remnants of his attack fading into the ether. I could see the frustration in his eyes, the disbelief etched into his features.

“Ain't shit sweet,” I thought, my smirk barely visible. His power was impressive, no doubt. But power alone wouldn’t get the win.

Luda’s eyes narrowed, sensing that brute force wouldn’t be enough. He leaped back, hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as he chanted again, “Didn't dodge huh? Superior Fire Mana Arts: Cardinal Embracement!”

A wave of searing flames erupted from his outstretched palms, roaring toward me like a living inferno. The heat was intense enough to melt steel, but I wasn’t fazed. With a thought, I summoned [Wind Mana Arts: Wind Cutter], a razor-sharp gale that sliced through the flames, parting them down the middle and leaving me untouched.

Luda didn’t let up. “Hope you can swim—Superior Water Mana Arts: Hydro Missile!” Water surged around him, condensing into a high-pressure projectile that shot toward me with blinding speed. This time, I moved.

With [Wind Mana Arts: Flash Step], I vanished from his line of sight, reappearing behind him in an instant. The missile crashed into the ground where I’d just stood, exploding in a torrent of water and steam.

Luda spun around, eyes wide as he realized my position. “Damn it, you’re fast! Enhanced Fire Mana Arts: Flaming Arrows,” he hissed, swinging his arm in a wide arc as he unleashed a flurry of flaming arrows. The air sizzled as the fiery projectiles screamed toward me.

I didn’t even flinch. My barriers absorbed the arrows with ease, the flames dissipating harmlessly against the invisible shield. The smell of burnt grass and dirt coated the air.

“You’ll have to do better than that, Luda, you know my family has a lot of you Hotboy ass niggas,” I taunted, my voice calm and measured.

Luda’s frustration was visible, but he didn’t lose focus. He clasped his hands together, summoning a glowing disc of light above him.

“Hyper Solar Mana Arts: Sun Disc, HAAAA!” he commanded, sending the blindingly bright construct hurtling toward me.

This was more like it. I could feel the dense compound Fire & Yang Mana packed into the spatial dividing disc, its heat and radiance far beyond the previous attacks. But I wasn’t about to let it hit me. I had something special for magic spammers; [Energy Devour]. With a simple gesture, I raised my hand, and space itself warped around the disc, swallowing it into a pocket dimension within my left hand's palm.

The disc vanished without a trace, leaving Luda momentarily stunned. “You… you absorbed it?” he stammered, disbelief etched on his face.

“Energy Devour is the skill's actual name,” I replied, tapping the side of my head. “You’re not the only one with tricks. Now, my turn.”

I thought about how far I had come since my first fight with a goblin, although Luda was currently on par with my Mom's sparring power, he was nowhere near as experienced. I couldn't help but let a devil's smirk lace my face. Things were different from those years. I was now in control.

I activated my [Kinetic Eyes], and everything around me slowed; the world pulsing with the rhythm of my rapid heartbeat. Luda stood across from me, his aura blazing, but I was already moving before he could blink. My body surged forward at the same light speed he had used against me earlier, the world blurring in my wake.

In an instant, I was upon him. I swung my left hand toward his head with the speed and precision of a boxer, a smooth and practiced motion. But Luda, quick as ever, raised his arm to block. Our mana collided, crackling in the air as my fist met his defense. The force of the block sent a wave of heat radiating from the point of contact, but I wasn’t done.

Without hesitation, I followed through. My boxing instincts kicked in—his block had left an opening, and I exploited it. I twisted my body, pivoting smoothly on my feet, and slammed my right fist into his side, aiming for his ribs. The moment my knuckles connected, the sound of impact echoed through the air like thunder.

Luda tried to cast a defensive barrier, a shimmering golden shield, but it shattered as soon as my fist made contact. The fragments of mana scattered like glass as my punch plowed through it, slamming into him. The sheer force sent him sliding backward, feet digging into the ground for thirty yards as he tried to regain his balance, his aura flickering.

I didn’t waste a second. With a flicker of mana, I cast [Flash Step], the air around me distorting as I moved faster than light. I appeared on Luda's blindside, his defenses faltering for just a moment. That was all I needed. I spun with the momentum, driving a powerful roundhouse kick toward him. My foot connected with his torso, and the impact sent him flying across the field, his body tumbling through the air like a ragdoll.

The knights watching the match could barely keep up.

"Not only has he developed a way to make his barriers impervious to the prince's attacks," Edwind’s thoughts raced, "but he's also matching the prince's speed while his [Journey of Ra] power-up has him at his physical limits. This child could be the greatest ally or the biggest threat to the Kingdom of Braye. How will you approach this, Your Majesty?"

Vericka’s gaze was locked on the fight, analyzing. "If Prince Luda doesn’t do something about Xiro's space manipulation, he won’t be able to land a hit on him."

"I can't even keep up," one of the younger knights whispered in awe. "They're moving too fast."

The veteran next to him nodded grimly. "I can barely, and right now the Prince is on the ropes."

"Is Xiro invincible or something?" Alex’s voice trembled as he watched the battle unfold, his eyes wide.

Steez grinned. "Yeah, big bro’s out of this world. I can't wait to beat him one day."

Luda slowly rose to his feet, panting, his aura still blazing, but I could tell it was taking a toll. His energy was immense, but his mana reserves weren’t limitless. He was burning through it fast, the cost of maintaining [Journey of Ra] visibly wearing him down.

I locked eyes with him, a calm smirk tugging at my lips. "Luda," I called out, "how much do you know about mana?"

He wiped the sweat from his brow, his breath labored. "I know enough to weaponize it."

I shook my head. "Maybe you do, but you don’t seem to understand how to be creative."

His brow furrowed, his pride clearly bruised. "I beg your pardon?"

"Your use of mana is straightforward. Very rigid. Very stiff. Very boring," I said, shrugging. "You’re all basic with it. But there’s more to it than that."

That's when I heard him, "[Journey of Ra] analyzed. Creating [Neutrino Rush] personal skill."

I felt [Midnight Star: Belial] stir deep within, a low, rumbling growl vibrating through my core. His voice slithered into my mind, rich with anticipation. "Let’s show him how we get down."

Suddenly, it hit me—a rush so overwhelming, I could barely catch my breath. Belial’s excitement surged through my veins like a hurricane, a destructive river of power igniting every fiber of my being. My Bio Mana roared to life, rising to impossible heights. It was like doubling my strength in an instant, my already vast mana pool swelling, expanding until it felt limitless, boundless.

The silver and indigo flames that danced around me blazed brighter, their intensity searing the air. They weren’t just flames anymore; they were living, breathing entities, writhing with raw energy. The air around me sizzled, vibrating with power, the crackling sound like a hundred thunderstorms compressed into a single moment. I could feel it all—every spark, every flicker of mana coursing through the atmosphere, bending to my will.

The ground beneath me gave way, splintering and cracking, the force of my radiating energy too much for it to bear. A spiderweb of fissures spread outward, chunks of earth lifting into the air, trembling under the weight of my unleashed power. The heat from the flames licked at my skin, yet I felt no pain—only the overwhelming sensation of control, of pure dominance. Each breath I took tasted of ozone and fire; sharp and electric, as if the very air had been saturated with power.

Luda’s eyes widened in shock. His aura flickered, destabilizing under the pressure of what he was witnessing. The battlefield itself seemed to warp around us, the thick, heavy weight of our combined mana distorting the very fabric of reality. The sky dimmed as if the heavens themselves were shrinking away from the raw, untamable force radiating between us. Time felt sluggish, the world bending and twisting, unable to keep up with the intensity of the moment.

Every muscle in my body thrummed with power, my senses heightened to the point of overload. I could hear the earth groaning beneath me, feel the pulse of mana in the atmosphere, taste the metallic tang of magic thick in the air. The sheer magnitude of the [Neutrino Rush] boost reverberated through me, a multiplying of my strength that felt almost too vast to comprehend. It was intoxicating—no, overwhelming. A storm I barely contained.

Luda could sense it, too—the impossible surge of energy swelling within me, ready to be unleashed. His disbelief was palpable, and his stance wavered as he tried to process the sheer amount of mana building around me.

It was time to show him what real control over mana looked like.

I raised my hand slowly above my head, feeling the familiar rush of Bio Mana surging through my body. With [Water Control], I formed a sphere of shimmering water in my palm, the droplets coalescing into a perfectly smooth orb. But I wasn’t done. I began weaving in [Transmutation], breaking the water molecules apart into their base elements—Hydrogen and Oxygen. The energy pulsed between my fingers, the hydrogen and oxygen swirling in perfect harmony as I separated them with [Air Control] and [Molecule Manipulation].

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I focused the oxygen away, letting it dissipate into the atmosphere while sealing the concentrated hydrogen into a large, translucent bubble floating above my palm. The air hummed with the raw energy contained within it.

Behind me, I heard Alex gasp in confusion. "What in the world is that? Is he creating a huge bubble?"

Steez, standing beside him, narrowed his eyes in curiosity. "I've never seen him do this attack before."

Vericka, watching closely, her senses heightened, furrowed her brow. "Xiro... what are you doing? My senses are screaming at me. That bubble... it feels dangerous."

Edwind’s eyes widened as realization dawned. "He even understands the elements this deeply? He’s using water and air to create a natural bomb!"

Luda, across the battlefield, looked uncertain. His gaze flickered between the massive hydrogen bubble and my calm expression, clearly not sure what to make of the threat. His face hardened, and with a swift motion, he raised his palm toward me.

"Shut him down—[Mage Silence]!" he shouted, the skill firing directly at me.

The air shimmered as the skill tried to clamp down on my abilities, but to his shock, nothing happened. I didn’t flinch, didn’t stop. I just smirked.

"You think I’m chanting to use my mana?" I chuckled, shaking my head. "You’ve got a long way to go."

Frustration flashed in Luda’s eyes as he realized his silence spell had no effect. Running out of ideas, he clenched his fist, summoning a blazing sword of pure Yang Mana, the blade burning with intense Fire Mana. The air around it warped from the heat, waves of shimmering energy radiating from his weapon.

Without another word, I launched the hydrogen-filled sphere toward him, the bubble streaking through the air with deadly precision. Luda’s instincts kicked in, and he reacted quickly, swinging his fiery-light sword down to cleave the sphere in two.

I couldn’t help but laugh. "Yeah, this world still has a lot to learn about nature and science, my nigga."

From the sidelines, I heard Sir Edwind shout in panic, "Prince, no!!" But it was too late.

The moment Luda’s flaming blade made contact with the hydrogen bubble, the heat ignited the concentrated gas. The explosion was instantaneous. A deafening roar erupted from the point of impact, and the sky lit up with a brilliant flash of fire and energy. The blast wave hit like a sledgehammer, the air rippling as the force expanded outward.

Realizing he underestimated me, Luda was caught in the heart of the explosion; his mana shield barely holding against the sheer power. Flames roared around him, and the shockwave knocked him off his feet, sending him flying across the battlefield. His body tumbled uncontrollably through the air, trailing sparks and debris before crashing into the ground, skidding for several yards before finally coming to a stop.

The explosion was so intense that even his blazing mana aura couldn’t protect him fully. The force of the blast pierced through, momentarily overwhelming him. For a few seconds, everything was still, the air filled with the lingering heat and smoke from the blast.

Luda lay motionless, temporarily unconscious, his body smoldering from the intense energy of the explosion. The field was silent, the knights staring in stunned disbelief at the sheer destruction caused by the hydrogen bomb.

I lowered my hand, the adrenaline still rushing through my veins as I surveyed the damage.

As the smoke cleared from the explosion, I caught sight of Alex and Steez, both frozen in place with wide eyes. Alex looked stunned, his mouth slightly agape, clearly trying to process what he'd just seen.

"Bro... what in the world was that?" Alex finally managed, his voice filled with awe.

Steez, though just as shocked, wore a grin. He glanced over at Prince Luda, who was still crumpled on the ground, motionless from the impact. "Man, that was way too much force to take to the face," he said, shaking his head. "The Prince didn’t stand a chance."

Sir Edwind stood nearby, his usually calm demeanor cracked by sheer amazement. "A gas bomb... using elemental manipulation like that... I’ve never even thought of such a tactic." His voice carried admiration. "To think he can manipulate the elements with this level of creativity."

I could feel Vericka’s eyes on me, her gaze sharp as she assessed the situation. Her expression didn’t betray much, but I knew she noticed. She always paid attention to the little things. The fact that I was still standing there, no fatigue, no visible strain, while the Prince lay out cold, probably caught her off guard. And yet, Luda’s mana—an ocean of energy—was still pouring out of him like a broken dam.

"Figured you’ve never seen hydrogen before," I said casually, glancing his way with a smirk.

A charged tremor rippled through the air before Vericka could step in and call the match. I felt it before I saw it—a jolt of power erupting from Luda. His Ultra Skill, [Ready to Die], had ignited. Like a switch being flipped, his eyes snapped open, burning with renewed fervor. The Prince’s chest heaved as [Overcompensation] roared to life, announcing its presence with a twisted sense of authority.

«Installing: Mana Disruption. Installing: Spatial Control.»

The ground beneath Luda quaked as he was yanked violently back to his feet, his face set in a grim determination. His aura had transformed—still fierce but now... refined, colder, like a freshly forged blade. The flood of energy around him diminished slightly as if he was channeling it into a more focused, deadly form. Yet, Luda’s gaze remained locked on me, oblivious to the shift.

"Okay, okay," Luda called out, his voice rough but confident. He flexed his hand, and the mana surrounding him surged again. "I'll give you that... The first round's yours."

I chuckled, recognizing the fierce pride in his tone. Luda wasn’t backing down—this nigga was revving up.

Without warning, Luda yelled, "[Mana Disruption]!"

He came at me like a bullet, his mana-created sword gleaming with a lethal edge. The fire in his eyes was back, burning brighter, more intense. He aimed directly for my chest.

Inside my head, Tsukuyomi’s voice calmly echoed a warning. "The spatial area around us is being distroted. Your spatial control is being negated. Beware of pocket dimensions closing."

The air around me warped, almost as if the very fabric of space was rejecting me. My [Future Sense] went off, blaring inside my mind with danger signals. I knew the strike was coming; saw it clearly in my mind, but I decided to take the brunt of it anyway. I had to know what I was dealing with.

The moment Luda’s sword met my barrier, it shattered through the first layer, then another, and another—until I felt the raw force of the blow slam into me. The impact lifted me off my feet, my body hurtling across the battlefield like a ragdoll before I collided with a tree. The wood splintered behind me, leaves shaking loose as I fell to the ground, dust and debris scattering around me.

From across the field, Luda’s grin grew wider. "There we go! Looks like you can be touched after all."

Steez let out a shout, excitement tinged with disbelief. "Oh snap, he actually hit Xi!"

I could hear the knights of Braye cheering in the distance, their collective voices ringing out in support of the Prince. "Woo, go Prince Luda!"

But as I pushed myself up, brushing the dirt and grass from my Gi top, I couldn’t help but smile. I was completely unfazed, not a single mark on me.

"Curious," I said, rolling my shoulder as if shaking off dust, "but [Physical Damage Cancel] really made that light work."

Luda’s frustration was becoming palpable, the edges of his aura flaring erratically. I could see it in his eyes—the disbelief, the anger. He’d never fought someone with this level of defense before, and it was wearing him down. Still, he wasn’t one to give up. I watched as he stilled for a moment, gathering himself. The air around him shimmered with a weak spatial distortion, and I realized what he was attempting—he was trying to create a barrier like the one I had used earlier.

Though rough around the edges and far from perfect, the attempt was impressive. A faint layer of energy flickered to life around him, a crude version with a separate dimension meant to protect him.

"You’re pretty amazing, my nigga," I said, genuinely impressed. I couldn’t help but smirk as I let my curiosity get the better of me. "But I'm better."

Luda exhaled sharply, his frustration still evident but his determination cutting through it. "Look, my mana’s running low," he admitted. His voice was edged with exhaustion, but he was still standing tall. "Let’s get to the final attack."

I raised an eyebrow. "We skipping to the ending? Fine."

Without hesitation, Luda fell into a battle stance, his body taut with focus. The sheer amount of mana pouring out of him was staggering, condensing into the glowing blade of his mana longsword. The air around us crackled with the raw energy he was forcing into his weapon.

"Xiro," he called out, his eyes never leaving mine, "do you know about the stories told of you?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

He continued, his voice growing steadier, more resolute. "Many villages, from here to Braye, speak of a Majin child stronger than any artist. A kid of the Mikazuki clan... the true child of prophecy, they whisper. They say you’ve been slaying beasts throughout the Janell Forest. They praise your genius with mana."

I could hear the bitterness in his tone, the weight of those rumors crushing him. "For months," he went on, his grip tightening on his sword, "I’ve heard these stories as I made my way here. I started doubting myself, doubting my existence. Then I find you—the great and impressive Devil of Velonica—and you seem to care nothing for these people. You do nothing to improve your lands or the lives of your subjects. Yet they label you as the true savior to defeat the Trappers? How could I not feel offended?"

Luda’s voice rose, his anger bubbling to the surface. "I don’t ever want to be compared to someone who’s not putting in the work I’m putting in. We are not the same!"

I stood there, listening to his rant, and it clicked. The beef he had with me wasn’t about the fight—it was about the rumors, the weight of expectations. He was still young, still figuring the world out. To him, I was a symbol of something that didn’t match up with the stories he’d heard. It showed how much he still took at face value.

But Luda wasn’t a bad kid. No, he was trying to do the right thing—trying to live up to the ideals he’d been taught, and my existence messed with that.

Luda gritted his teeth, finishing the last part of his technique. His Yang Mana release was focused entirely on his sword now. The blade in his hand glowed like the Sun, searing bright, crackling with intense energy. His eyes locked onto mine, filled with all the frustration and determination he’d been holding back.

I reached into my [Yin Mana Arts: Shadow Storage], feeling the familiar weight of my Ninjato as it materialized in my hand. I drew the black blade and pointed it toward the ground, never breaking eye contact with Luda. As I coated the mythril blade with Yin Mana, an ultraviolet hue of ethereal energy wrapped around it, swirling with the cold, dark power of the moon.

Behind me, I could hear Vericka’s thoughts, though I didn’t need to look at her. "So it’s finally coming to an end," she mused, sensing the shift in the air.

Steez, always one for the drama, was hyped. "They’re going for the knockout!" he exclaimed.

Alex, barely able to contain himself, shouted, "Let’s go!!"

The tension between Luda and me was thick as we both locked in, the battlefield shrinking in our minds until it was just the two of us. Then, in a flash, we bolted toward each other with blinding speed, our swords drawn back, ready to finish it.

"[Enhanced Body]!" Luda roared, amplifying his attack power and defense as he lunged. His sword glowed even brighter, a devastating force behind his swing.

But I had other plans.

"Lunar Reflection," I whispered, activating the counter technique.

The moment our blades met, there was a split second of stillness—a brief pause where everything hung in the balance. Then, Luda’s sword buckled as the technique took effect. All the energy and mana he had poured into his attack rebounded off my blade, reflecting right back at him.

The impact triggered a reactive explosion from the point of contact between our blades, engulfing me in the middle of it. Purple and gold energies collided, swirling and tearing through the air. Smoke and dust rose in thick clouds, completely obscuring the battlefield. The sheer force of the explosion knocked the Knights of Braye off their feet, while Vericka, Alex, Steez, and Sir Edwind shielded their faces from the wind pressure that followed.

Luda's newly formed multi-layer barrier cracked under the sheer amount of energy being thrown at it. The barrier managed to reduce some of the damage, but it wasn’t enough. The force of the reflected attack sent Luda flying across the field, his body crashing into the dirt with a resounding thud.

Sir Edwind, wide-eyed and bewildered, called out, "What in the world was that?"

Alex’s voice was filled with excitement. "Yo, who won?"

Steez, still processing what had just happened, said, "I can’t believe... he might’ve pulled that off."

As the smoke slowly began to clear, I could see Luda on the far side of the field, unconscious. His mana sword had already started to evaporate, the last remnants of his energy fading away. The once-raging aura surrounding him was completely gone. He wasn’t getting back up.

And then, out of the dissipating dust, I stood tall. My ninjato, cracked and crumbling in my hand, had barely survived the technique. It shattered into pieces, falling to the ground at my feet. The aura of energy surrounding me began to fade as I pulled my mana back, re-suppressing it until it vanished completely. My eyes, glowing crimson from [Kinetic Eyes], dimmed back to their normal silver color as I deactivated the ability.

The fight was over.

I stood there, still feeling the lingering buzz of mana dissipate as my body relaxed from the tension. My eyes found Luda, sprawled across the battlefield, his once fiery mana sword evaporating into the air like steam from a hot spring. I couldn't help but smile—he put up a hell of a fight.

“Luda,” I called over, my voice raspy from the battle’s strain. "You don’t know the work I’ve been putting in. But I gotta thank you for one thing... You’ve sparked a storm within me.”

The Knights of Braye immediately rushed to the prince’s aid. Sir Edwind led the charge, his glasses whistling in the wind as he sprinted to Luda’s side. Even in his haste, there was a calm to his movements, like he’d done this a thousand times before.

"Quickly, someone with healing magic!" one of the veteran knights barked, his voice full of urgency.

"I’ll take care of it," Edwind said, already channeling his mana. "Superior Yang Gem Arts: Greater Heal!"

He tapped his staff on the ground, and the golden amber gem at its tip glowed. A soft hum filled the air as the gem pulsed with holy light, enveloping Luda in a cocoon of healing energy. The glow was mesmerizing, shifting through shades of harlequin green and gold, like watching a sunset spill across the sky. I could feel the warmth of the spell from where I stood, washing over the battlefield like a calming breeze after a storm.

"I can't believe someone beat Prince Luda," a rookie knight muttered, eyes wide.

"You idiot," another knight snapped. "The prince only gets stronger when he loses. You’ll see. This won’t be nothing."

Sir Edwind glanced at Luda as he tended to his wounds, a flicker of thought passing across his face. "Seems you may have just found someone who matches your work ethic, Your Majesty."

Meanwhile, Alex and Steez came running toward me, Alex beaming with excitement.

“Yo, cousin!” Alex slapped me on the back, his hand stinging my shoulder. "I didn’t know you were that strong! And what was that move you pulled at the end there?"

Before I could answer, Steez chimed in, a knowing smirk on his face. “He used Mom’s technique. I remember her teaching that to Kimmi and me. ‘Lunar Reflection,‘ right?”

I laughed, a little bashful. “Hehe, yep. I knew he was expecting something flashier, so I had to pull that trick out of the bag.”

Vericka walked over, her eyes warm with pride. “I’m proud of you, Moonlight,” she said, her voice soft but full of strength. “You kept your cool and used your head in that fight.” She leaned in, pressing a kiss to my cheek, the way she always did when she was especially proud of me.

I wiped the sweat off my brow and finally let myself breathe. The adrenaline still coursed through my veins, but her smile grounded me.

Behind me, I heard a groan as Luda stirred. The healing magic was doing its job, bringing him back from the brink. As he sat up, his eyes immediately locked onto me, then flicked to the crowd of my family standing around. The realization that he had lost hit him hard, but instead of bitterness, there was something else in his expression—respect.

Luda’s gaze lingered on me, and I could almost see the gears turning in his head, analyzing everything I’d done during the fight. It wasn’t disappointment in his eyes—more like recognition. The fire was still there, but it had shifted. Now, it was a desire to get stronger, to push himself further.

For a second, neither of us spoke. Just two kids who had thrown everything we had at each other, now standing on opposite sides of the battlefield. I gave him a huge, cheesy grin and threw a thumbs up his way. No malice. No hard feelings. Just respect.

Luda looked at me, blinked in surprise, then returned the grin with his own thumbs up. It was a simple gesture, but it meant a lot. There was no doubt in my mind that this wouldn’t be the last time we crossed blades. And next time? He’d come at me even stronger.

The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the battlefield in shades of red and gold. The winds carried the scent of earth & sweat, and the sounds of the knights preparing to leave blended into the background. I felt the energy slowly drain from my body, the high of the battle giving way to a quiet, comfortable exhaustion.

As I sheathed my broken ninjato, I glanced one last time at Luda, now surrounded by his men. Our bond, newly forged in the heat of battle, was the kind that only warriors could understand. He would push me to be better, just as I’d do for him.

The storm had settled, but a new one was on the horizon.

Shit was getting interesting.

[End of Chapter]