Whoooosh!
Ito dashed forward, white aura blazing around him.The stone vanished into the sky, swallowed by the sun's glare.
Gakurei stood calm at the center of the ring.
Ito closed in.
But just as he reached, Gakurei caught his wrist mid-charge, spinning gracefully to hurl him aside.
Ito skidded but regained his footing, diving back in—lower this time, aiming for Gakurei's center.
A sharp pivot.A silent redirection.No strikes.Only clean, practiced control.
They clashed—grabs, counters, footwork.
No hits landed.No ground lost.
BOOM!!
The rock crashed into the earth, a thunderous impact that echoed across the clearing.
Both still stood inside the ring.
Breathing heavy.Unyielding.
"Okay, that's enough," Zayden stepped forward, hands in pockets, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. "Now it's your turn, Kajin."
Kajin smirked and rolled his shoulders."Heh… guess I'll show you how it's done."
He closed his eyes and took a calm breath.
White aura slowly rose around him—not wild like Ito's, but calm, precise.No sparks. No sound. Just focus.
Ito watched, eyes narrow, studying his brother's movements.
Then—In one smooth motion, Kajin hurled the stone skyward.
FWOOSH!
It streaked up like a comet, leaving a white trail behind.
Kajin casually reached into his pocket, pulling out a small booklet.
With a smug grin, he held it out. "Brought something just for you."
Gakurei squinted. "What the hell is that?"
Kajin tossed it. Gakurei caught it.
"How to Make Your Little Sister Happy – Beginner's Edition."
Silence.
Then… a sigh.
"…Damn it," Gakurei muttered, stepping out of the circle.
Kajin blinked. "Huh?"
Still gripping the booklet, Gakurei said plainly, "I've been trying for years. If this works… it's worth more than anything."
He walked off solemnly, flipping to page one.
Zayden blinked twice. "...What else can I even expect from him…"
Ito, Sara, Shion, and Eriska stared, speechless.
Not one of them could process what just happened.
BOOM!
Kajin's rock landed, sending dust and cracks through the earth.
Zayden looked at it and sighed."…What Kajin did doesn't count," he muttered.
"YOU IDIOTS!!"
Eriska's scream exploded through the clearing.
She leapt to her feet, eyes blazing like a firestorm."This is supposed to be a challenge, not a comedy show!"
She stormed forward, but Shion tackled her by the arms.
"E-Eriska! Calm down! Calm down!"
"I'm not calming down!! I'm gonna throw him across the forest!!"
Kajin simply smirked. "Relax. We'll settle it with damage output."
Ito nodded, eyes steady. "Yeah."
From the shattered earth, it was obvious—Kajin's throw left the deeper mark.
Zayden crossed his arms. "Well… guess we have our winner."
Kajin folded his arms, triumphant."Told you, lil' bro—I don't hold back."
Ito didn't react. On the surface, he was calm.But inside…
A storm raged.
Did I… really lose? Just like that?
Chief Kaito's eyes.His words.That promise.
If I lose… we'll never be allowed to enter again.
His hands clenched at his sides.
Not like this. Not when everything's riding on me.
He stared at the cracked dirt.
He had lost.
Zayden stepped up with a sigh. "Looks like Kajin wins the round."
The words hit harder than the stone ever could.
A soft hand rested on Ito's shoulder.
"You okay? You were spacing out," Sara asked gently.
Ito blinked. "Oh… sorry. It's nothing."
Sara smiled and offered him her flag. "Then take mine."
"Huh? What about you?"
"I don't care. I just want you to keep going."
Then Zayden held his flag out."Ito, take mine instead. I'm not really into this tournament thing."
Shion joined in. "Me too. Take mine. I wouldn't have made it this far without you."
Ito stared, eyes wide.
Three hands. Three flags.
Relief flooded him.
He could move forward.He still had a chance.
But then…
His gaze dropped.
And his fists curled.
"…No."
Sara blinked. "Huh?"
"I can't," he said, louder now. "I can't accept this."
Zayden frowned. "Why not?"
"Because I didn't earn it," Ito said, voice shaking.
"I made a promise… and if I break that, then what was the point of any of this?"
His voice cracked.
"I failed. And if I move forward using someone else's strength—then I don't deserve to move forward at all."
The silence after was heavy.
Sara's hand lowered.Shion's smile faded.Zayden looked down.
Then—
"Everyone, get ready!"
Host Rock's booming voice rang through the forest.
"We're four minutes from the final round! If you don't hurry… you won't make it!"
Around them, scattered students burst into motion—running, shouting, clutching their flags.
The final round loomed.
Time was running out.
Pressure thickened.
And somewhere in that tension…
Ito stood motionless.