The air snapped with pressure. Thorns jutted from every shadow, twisting like living snakes. The enemy Bloom user stepped forward, his red eyes glowing brighter than before.
Riku's heart thundered.
But the ring on his finger pulsed—like it was alive. He could feel the warmth in his chest, running down to his fingertips, blooming in sync with his breath.
The petals around him spun.
"You're not touching him," Riku repeated, stepping between the injured student and the stranger. "Back off."
The man chuckled, amused. "Protective, huh? That's cute. But let me show you something…"
With a snap of his fingers, thorned vines erupted from the ground—dozens of them, slithering at Riku like wolves on a scent.
Riku reacted instinctively.
With a sweeping motion of his arm, the petals shot out like shuriken, slicing through the vines mid-air. The pieces sizzled, vanishing into red mist.
But more came.
He dashed forward—feet barely touching the ground. His vision sharpened, movements enhanced. The Bloom made his body lighter, faster… like he was dancing on air.
He clashed with the stranger, palm striking forward with a burst of crimson petals.
The man deflected it with a whip-like vine.
They circled each other, petals clashing against thorns, slicing, cracking, dodging.
For a second—it felt thrilling.
But Riku wasn't ready.
A thorned vine snuck under his guard and slashed across his ribs.
He gasped and stumbled back, blood blooming against his shirt.
"Still green," the man sneered, walking closer. "I've killed Bloomers ten times stronger."
Riku grit his teeth, steadying his breath.
He glanced at the injured student—unconscious, curled against the wall.
No more running.
No more failing.
He tightened his fist.
The ring on his hand flared.
And suddenly—the petals turned black.
The air trembled.
The enemy froze, confused. "What—?"
Riku charged.
He moved like a blur, striking with a wave of blackened petals. They carved the air, slashing through vines, cracking the enemy's defense.
One landed—direct hit to the chest.
The stranger flew backward, crashing through the alley wall.
Silence.
The petals faded.
Riku collapsed to one knee, panting, bleeding—but upright.
The other student stirred, barely conscious. "Y-You saved me…?"
"I… guess so," Riku muttered, before passing out.
—
When he woke up, he was in the infirmary.
Airi was sitting beside him, arms crossed, eyes soft but sharp.
"You're an idiot," she said. "You could've died."
Kaito poked his head in. "Dude. That was badass."
Riku groaned. "What happened to the guy?"
"He vanished," Airi said. "But he's part of a group. The Bloom Hunters. They kill or recruit anyone who awakens."
Riku looked at her, dazed. "How do you know that?"
She stood up, eyes shadowed. "Because I'm not just here to flirt with you in class."
Pause.
"I'm here to protect you."
—
Elsewhere, in a dim room filled with red vines, the enemy Bloom user knelt before a taller figure cloaked in silver.
"I found the boy," the man said, panting. "He's strong."
The silver figure didn't speak for a moment… then smiled.
"Good," he said softly. "Let's see if he's strong enough to carry the weight of the Bloom King's throne."
---