The Heart of Zero

The man's expression hardened, his eyes gleaming with a sinister coldness.

Yahageshii's fiery fist roared toward the man, but with a subtle sidestep, the man's figure dissolved into a wisp of shadow, evading the attack effortlessly. Yahageshii froze for a brief moment, his gaze sharp. Before he could react, his body lurched forward as a powerful punch slammed into his abdomen, disrupting his fiery aura.

From the side, Shingin surged forward, his water-blue aura crystallizing into a razor-sharp blade, slicing toward the man with precision. The man spun around and caught Shingin's wrist with an almost casual motion, sending a wave of crushing energy through his body. With a flick of his hand, the man hurled Shingin toward the edge of the rooftop.

"You think you can corner me so easily?" the man sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. He unleashed a wave of cold, black energy that rippled across the rooftop, scattering Yahageshii's flames and Shingin's torrents. The overwhelming force pushed both of them several steps back.

Shingin and Yahageshii exchanged a glance, their breaths labored but their fighting spirit undeterred. Yahageshii wiped the blood trickling from his lips, grinning through the pain. "Shingin, this time, we go all out. Even if it's a gamble, we fight."

Shingin gave a small nod, his aura flaring once more. Yahageshii charged again, his flames blazing like a wild beast, while Shingin unleashed waves of icy-blue water, surging like a tempest. The two moved with synchronized precision, attacking the man from opposite directions.

The man's eyes narrowed as he raised his hands, conjuring black energy that wove into a solid barrier. Yahageshii's fire and Shingin's water clashed against it, creating a dazzling explosion of light. Yet, their combined might barely left a scratch.

Standing nearby, Ryuosho leaned lazily against the railing, seemingly indifferent to the chaos. As his gaze shifted to his fingers, he noticed something peculiar: faint sparks of blue-white electricity danced across them. Startled, he stared at his hand, sensing an unfamiliar power stirring within him.

Yahageshii noticed the flicker of electricity and shouted, "Shingin! Give Ryuosho a boost! Even that slacker might be useful with some power!"

Shingin hesitated, glancing at Ryuosho. Reluctance clouded his thoughts—he knew sharing his alien soul would pull Ryuosho into their dangerous world. But when their eyes met, Shingin caught an uncharacteristic resolve in Ryuosho's normally laid-back demeanor. For the first time, there was a silent understanding between them.

With a deep breath, Shingin extended his aura, guiding a stream of water-blue light into Ryuosho. The rooftop darkened as ominous clouds gathered overhead. In the span of a heartbeat, a deafening crack of thunder echoed, and lightning tore through the sky, striking Ryuosho directly. He stood amidst the electrical storm, his figure illuminated by blinding flashes of yellow-blue lightning.

Yahageshii and Shingin turned, stunned. Encased in spiraling lightning, Ryuosho looked like a god of thunder, his usually lazy gaze now sharp with an edge of surprise and excitement. Around him, arcs of electricity crackled, radiating raw, untamed energy.

Far below, students at the athletic meet paused to stare upward, captivated by the storm gathering over the rooftop. Riyugi and Myouka stood by the infirmary window, their faces pale with concern. The ominous energy was undeniable.

The man's expression darkened as he turned to face Ryuosho, his confidence shaken by this unforeseen development. Yahageshii, Shingin, and Ryuosho now stood together, their combined energies pulsating through the air—fire, water, and lightning colliding in a volatile dance.

Yahageshii clenched his fists, his flames reigniting with fervor. "With this lazy bum's thunder backing us, maybe we can actually win!" Without waiting for a reply, he lunged forward, his fiery aura blazing even brighter.

Shingin followed from the side, his water-blue energy surging like a tidal wave. Ryuosho hesitated for a moment, marveling at the power coursing through him. Then, with a grin, he joined the fray, electricity crackling around him as he launched himself into the battle.

The man sneered, his cold gaze sweeping over them. Twisting his hands, he summoned a black energy barrier, solid and impenetrable. Yahageshii's fire and Shingin's water struck it simultaneously, but the barrier held firm. Ryuosho, however, raised his hand, and arcs of lightning spiraled toward the shield. The moment the electricity connected, a deafening crack resounded as the barrier trembled.

The man staggered back, his composure faltering as the barrier shattered under Ryuosho's lightning strike. Yahageshii and Shingin seized the opportunity, pressing their attack. Fire and water surged forward like raging floods, converging on the man with relentless force.

But the man, regaining his focus, roared in defiance. Dark energy coalesced around him, forming a blade that slashed through the air, slicing apart their combined assault. As Yahageshii and Shingin were forced back, the man prepared to retaliate.

Before he could strike, a massive bolt of lightning, brilliant and blinding, ripped through the sky, crashing into the rooftop. The impact shook the entire building, shattering windows and sending debris flying. Below, students screamed and scrambled for cover, staring in awe and terror at the spectacle above.

From the infirmary window, Riyugi and Myouka could only watch helplessly as the rooftop became a battlefield. Riyugi's hands trembled, her worry etched into every line of her face. "Please... don't let them..." she whispered, her words trailing off.

On the rooftop, Ryuosho stood in the aftermath of the strike, electricity crackling around him. Yahageshii and Shingin, battered but unyielding, prepared for the next clash. The man rose slowly, his figure shrouded in dark energy. Though visibly shaken, his voice remained icy.

"It seems I underestimated you," he said, his tone laced with venom. "But no matter. Today, I'll show you what true power looks like!"

The rooftop, already on the brink of collapse, became the stage for an escalating storm, as fire, water, and lightning united against the shadowy force. The battle was far from over.