NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11: Competition (2)
As Shirakawa Yuki stepped off the stone platform, the next pair of competitors immediately ascended, their footsteps heavy with anticipation.
The red-haired boy spoke first, his tone sharp and aggressive. "Name's Ye Feng. Martial spirit: Crimson Flame Tiger. Level 12."
His opponent, a muscular, bald boy with a long black staff resting casually on his shoulder, grinned. "Xiao Xiao. Martial spirit: Obsidian Staff. Level 12."
Xiao Xiao cracked his neck and smirked. "You'd better give up now. I might accidentally crush you if I go all out."
Ye Feng's eyes gleamed with anger, his pride clearly provoked. "Don't look down on me!" he barked. A yellow soul ring flared around him as he shouted, "Tiger Claw Rend!"
Ye Feng's hands transformed into razor-sharp claws glowing with faint yellow light as he charged forward, his movements swift and feral.
Xiao Xiao grunted, gripping his staff tightly. The golden patterns at both ends of the weapon began to shimmer. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and roared, "Heavy Strike!"
The black staff slammed down with immense force, meeting Ye Feng's claws mid-air. The clash sent shockwaves rippling across the platform.
Ye Feng's eyes widened in shock as the weight of Xiao Xiao's attack overwhelmed him. His claws cracked audibly, his arms giving out under the sheer force. He let out a scream of pain as he collapsed onto the ground, his martial spirit dissipating.
The red-haired instructor frowned slightly but waved his hand decisively. "Take him down. Next pair, get ready."
Two staff members rushed onto the stage to help Ye Feng off, his face pale from the pain. Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao stepped down, his expression unreadable, though a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Shirakawa Yuki observed the fight from the crowd, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "That staff technique was interesting," he mused, replaying Xiao Xiao's precise timing and heavy strike in his mind. "It's like he increases the weight of his weapon at just the right moment.."
His stomach growled, cutting his thoughts short. "I need food," Yuki muttered to himself, pushing through the crowd toward the cafeteria.
As Yuki slurped down a bowl of steaming broth, faint cheers drifted in from the square. He set down his spoon and wiped his mouth. "The first round must be almost over," he thought, rising from his seat.
By the time Yuki returned to the square, the last fight of the first round was concluding. A swordsman's gleaming blade disarmed his opponent, sending the latter crashing to the ground. The crowd roared in approval.
The red-haired instructor stepped forward, raising his hand to silence the audience. "The second round will be a melee. All eight remaining competitors will fight at once. Remember, no attacks are allowed after a participant loses their combat effectiveness or admits defeat. The last person standing will be declared the winner of this round. You have ten minutes to prepare!"
Yuki's eyes narrowed. "A melee? That's unexpected. The academy must want to test our adaptability under chaotic conditions." A faint smirk played on his lips. "Perfect. Gun techniques excel in close-quarters chaos."
Ten minutes later, the remaining eight competitors climbed onto the stone platform, each staking out their position in silence. No one made the first move, aware of the danger of becoming an easy target.
Hua Jiaojiao, standing directly across from Yuki, suddenly spoke up, her voice carrying over the quiet tension. "Shirakawa Yuki, how about an alliance? We can take out the others and then settle this between us."
Yuki raised an eyebrow, surprised by her offer. They had barely interacted before. Still, the instructor hadn't mentioned alliances being against the rules. After a moment's consideration, Yuki nodded. "Fine by me."
A scoff came from a young man with a yellow headband. "You think teaming up makes you invincible? Don't get cocky just because you're so-called geniuses!" He summoned his martial spirit and charged straight at Yuki, his voice filled with disdain. "I've had enough of your arrogant attitude!"
Yuki didn't flinch. His voice was ice cold. "Pathetic."
Before the boy could reach him, Yuki calmly raised his arm and fired a shot from his conjured spirit weapon—a pair of sleek black pistols.
The bullet, shimmering with soul energy, struck the boy's leg with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed across the platform as the boy let out a piercing scream and collapsed, clutching his shattered limb.
"Ahhh!" the boy cried, his face pale and drenched in sweat. He skidded across the stone surface, finally coming to a stop a few meters away from Yuki.
"Shut up," Yuki muttered, stepping forward and kicking the boy hard in the stomach. The impact sent him sliding across the platform before he slumped unconscious.
The remaining six competitors froze, their faces pale with fear. At the end of the day, they were still kids, and Yuki's ruthless efficiency rattled them to their cores.
The red-haired instructor signaled for staff to remove the injured boy. One of the white-robed assistants hurried up, casting a wary glance at Yuki before carrying the boy off the platform.
Yuki dusted off his hands and turned to Hua Jiaojiao. "You take the three on your side. I'll handle these three."
Hua Jiaojiao smirked. "Deal."
Yuki fixed his gaze on the three nearest to him, his tone cold and commanding. "Surrender now, or end up like him." He gestured to the blood trail left by the boy he had just defeated.
The two girls among the trio hesitated before quickly admitting defeat, stepping down from the platform without looking back.
The last boy glanced nervously at the girls, then at Yuki. Swallowing hard, he muttered, "I... I give up!"
As the boy left the platform, Yuki smirked, his eyes scanning the remaining competitors. "Now things get interesting."
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