i reincarnated in to my Novel

The atmosphere between Henry and Dakota was charged, though neither seemed particularly tense. They stood facing each other, the quiet hum of distant voices in the school fading into the background. Henry adjusted his stance, a glint of determination in his eyes, while Dakota's expression remained neutral with just the faintest flicker of amusement.

Dakota: "So, we're doing this?"

Henry: "Looks like it."

Dakota tilted his head slightly, his tone casual but steady.

Dakota: "You know, you don't have to be so dramatic about it. It's just a fight."

Henry smirked, not rising to the bait.

Henry: "You don't have to act so relaxed. It's not like you've won yet."

Dakota: "Fair enough."

Without any further warning, Henry stepped forward, his movements sharp and calculated. Dakota reacted immediately, blocking the punch aimed at his jaw, their clash beginning in earnest.

Henry moved quickly, his strikes focused and relentless. Dakota blocked or dodged most of them with ease, though the intensity of Henry's attacks forced him to stay on the defensive.

Dakota: "You've gotten faster."

Henry: "And stronger."

Dakota tested Henry's words with a quick jab toward his ribs, but Henry deflected it with precision, using the momentum to aim a kick at Dakota's side. The impact landed, forcing Dakota to step back.

Dakota: "Alright, I'll give you that one."

Henry didn't let up, pressing forward with a flurry of strikes. Dakota met him blow for blow, their movements fluid yet fierce, each testing the other's limits.

Dakota finally pushed back with a well-placed kick, creating enough space to regain his footing. He dusted off his sleeve, his gaze sharp.

Dakota: "You're not pulling any punches today, huh?"

Henry: "You said it yourself—it's just a fight."

Dakota couldn't help but chuckle under his breath.

Dakota: "Touché."

The tempo of the fight shifted as Dakota went on the offensive. His strikes were swift and precise, forcing Henry to focus entirely on defense. Still, Henry held his ground, his movements measured and confident.

Henry saw his opportunity in a brief lapse in Dakota's rhythm, countering with a sharp uppercut that grazed Dakota's chin.

Dakota stumbled back, wiping at his jaw with the back of his hand.

Dakota: "Alright, maybe I deserved that."

Henry: "You deserve a lot worse."

Dakota's grin returned, though it lacked its usual cockiness.

Dakota: "We'll see about that."

The fight resumed, both moving with renewed energy. Henry's strikes began landing more frequently, his confidence growing with each successful blow.

Dakota quickly adapted, his movements becoming more unpredictable. He dodged a straight punch, using the opening to aim a sweeping kick at Henry's legs. Henry jumped back just in time, retaliating with a quick jab that Dakota barely avoided.

Dakota: "You've been practicing."

Henry didn't respond, instead launching another powerful attack that forced Dakota to block with both arms. The force pushed Dakota back several steps, though his stance remained steady.

Henry: "You should've expected that."

Dakota: "I did. Just giving you a false sense of security."

Henry rolled his eyes, unimpressed.

The fight continued with neither gaining a clear advantage. Henry's confidence didn't waver, even as Dakota's skill pushed him to his limits.

Henry: "You're stalling."

Dakota raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Dakota: "Or maybe I'm just enjoying myself."

Henry: "Then you're about to be disappointed."

With a burst of speed, Henry closed the distance, landing a clean hit to Dakota's shoulder. Dakota winced but quickly countered, grabbing Henry's arm and twisting it just enough to throw him off balance.

Dakota capitalized on the moment, delivering a series of calculated strikes that forced Henry onto the defensive. Each blow was precise, targeting weak points in Henry's defense.

Henry managed to block most of them, though the strain was starting to show. Still, he refused to back down, his determination unwavering.

Dakota: "You're tougher than I remember. I'll give you that."

Henry: "And you're just as annoying as I remember."

Dakota laughed lightly, stepping back for a brief pause.

Before either could make their next move, a voice cut through the tension.

Amelia: "Henry! We've got it!"

Both fighters turned to see Amelia, Luna, and the rest of Henry's group rushing toward them. Amelia held the relic in her hands, its faint glow illuminating the shadows around them.

Amelia: "It's time to go!"

Henry straightened, his expression unreadable as he glanced back at Dakota.

Dakota: "Looks like you've got bigger priorities."

Henry: "For now."

Without another word, Henry turned and joined his group.

Amelia: "Are you okay, Henry?"

Henry: "I'm fine. Let's just move."

The group didn't waste any time, retreating with the relic in hand. Dakota and his team stood watching as they disappeared into the distance.

Alex approached Dakota, his expression serious.

Alex: "You let them leave."

Dakota shrugged, rolling his shoulders.

Dakota: "It wasn't the right time to end it."

Emily crossed her arms, her gaze lingering on the path Henry's group had taken.

Emily: "You think they'll come back?"

Dakota: "They always do."

The group fell silent for a moment before Dakota turned to them, his tone light once more.

Dakota: "okay since Henry's group and Lucas group have 1 relic, and we have 1 relic, that means we're tied. And I think there is 1 more relic left, since I'm pretty sure I heard them announced that. So let's go get that final relic, so we don't lose to them okay."

Michael: "wow we only allied with you today, but you're already doing such a good job, like you worked with us for years."

Dakota thinking: well of course, me and you worked with our friends for years, ever since childhood. And looks like I hadn't forgot how to work with them, maybe they can help me defeat the dark mage. Yeah the dark mage won't have mana in this world, so that's good.

Dakota:"ok let's go and find this Final relic."

With that, he turned and walked away, his hands in his pockets and his usual smirk returning.