POV: Aria Akari
What can I do?
As Rai sprinted towards me, I decided to confuse him by flashing around him at high speeds with the intention of landing a surprise attack on him, but as I appeared beside him and tried to land a spinning heel kick into his head, Rai had parried my leg away with his hand, fully aware of my antics as his calculative eyes brought rise to an unsettling sensation within me as he then forced me into an uncomfortable exchange of hand-to-hand combat.
I knew that his hand-to-hand combat was better than my own, which is why I opted to use my Aspect in order to turn the tides to my favor, but even with the advantage of my Aspect, I feel as if I won't be able to touch him even if he gave me more than three hours.
During our exchange, Rai seemed untouchable as his agile, yet masterful movement proved to be superior to my own, despite my physical prowess being enhanced by my own Aspect as Rai weaved and parried my every attack while landing several light-handed attacks in between, avoiding any opportunity to truly harm me as the power of his attacks throughout our spar has begun to diminish.
Was Sarah right all along?
Amidst our exchange, I was beginning to become desperate as I sacrificed my body and allowed Rai to the chance to land a heavy palm strike into my chest in order to land a single attack on him, but what I assumed would be unpredictable was already foreseen by Rai, who weaved my strike and avoided the chance I had given him as instead, he slipped under my arm with such finesse that for a moment, I almost found myself succumbing to despair.
Is Rai really that much stronger than me?
Hesitant and demoralized, I was unable to anticipate Rai's next move as he grabbed my extended arm while placing his other hand on my waist and with an immediate motion, he flipped me upside down, disorienting my senses briefly as he then kicked my abdomen with a spinning back kick, applying just enough force to avoid hurting me as I was sent tumbling backwards through a thicket of trees until I arrived within a small, fluorescent bed of flowers that rested in a secluded portion of the forest.
Yeah, he's just too strong for me.
Embraced by the soft cushion of flowers, I gazed into the coruscating night sky as among the blanket of stars that knew no bounds, I began to question my own worth as I singled out a random star within the vastness of space.
Growing up, I was deemed as a genius among geniuses.
During my childhood, I truly believed that statement as my Aspect manifested earlier than most, not to mention, that Aspect was none other than Light Manipulation, an Aspect that only one in a billion are born with, but as I grew up, reality struck me as I realized that in this world, there are geniuses that I can't even begin to fathom as their existence made me question if calling me a genius was appropriate or nonsensical.
I could name many geniuses that surpassed my own imagination such as Arthur or Zayn, but despite these geniuses that seemed to be blessed by the heavens themselves, I believed that one day, I could catch up to them or even surpass them, regardless if I was truly a genius or not as when it came to any exam, whether it be written or practical, I scored among the top.
I'm only a first-year student and yet, I'm ranked twentieth within one of the four prestigious hero academies in Jiyu.
With hard work and dedication, I truly believed that I could surpass all of them, but as I spar with Rai, I'm beginning to question my own existence once more as despite the overwhelming advantage I have over him, I'm unable to do anything against him.
As of now, I can't imagine myself landing a single attack on him, let alone I can't even imagine myself achieving my dream anymore as if I'm struggling to land a single attack against a handicapped Rai, then what right do I have to strive for something as grand as becoming the greatest hero?
If I was considered to be a genius among geniuses, then what would Rai be considered as?
If Rai is the sun that shines brilliantly, am I just a dying star that's destined to fade away into obscurity?
"Life is really unfair, isn't it?" I mumbled as tears were beginning to well within my eyes.
If I were to dream of something more appropriate for my aptitude, then-
"What do you think you're doing, Aria?" Rai reproached, his tone laced with anger as his voice saved me from drowning in despair, prompting me to match his gaze until he suddenly grabbed the collar of my windbreaker and jerked me closer to his face as I was startled, yet slightly flustered from his unexpected action as my face was no further than several inches away from his own.
"Rai, what are you-"
"You don't seriously believe that you're going to become the greatest hero with that kind of mindset, right?" Rai questioned, but his tone sharpened as I noticed a fury growing within his eyes, which glared directly into my own as he tightened his grasp on the collar of my windbreaker.
"There are people who would sacrifice everything just to have a speck of your potential and yet, regardless of their birth status or innate talent, they continue to push themselves relentlessly everyday in order to achieve their dreams, despite the adversities that stand before them."
"If you intend to chase your dreams with a half-assed mentality such as your own…"
"Then I suggest you give up as someone who can't even believe in themselves doesn't have the right to dream." Rai rebuked as he dropped me back into the bed of flowers and began walking towards the exit of the facility while I pondered on his harsh words, which struck me deeply as I felt a mix of emotions, but among my emotions, one truly resonated with me as his condescending attitude irked me, causing me to clench my fist in exasperation as the despair that I nearly succumbed to had vanished.
I don't have the right to dream?
Who do you think you are?
I'll admit that you're right about me doubting myself, but who are you to tell me what I can and can't do?
You may be stronger than me, but despite the difference in our power, you don't have the right to tell me whether I can achieve my dream or not!
As I stood from the ground, my mind became clear as for the first time since our spar had begun, I was able to properly think as I felt my aura began to grow along with my Aspectual Force, which had intensified as my brain began to flow with such creativity that I was able to gain further insight into my own Aspect, allowing me to enter an unfamiliar trance-like state as time began to slow around me.
Forget landing a strike.
With my sudden development, my intensifying Aspectual Force had piqued Rai's interest as he stopped in place and turned around to match my gaze, but despite our spar being completely one-sided in Rai's favor for nearly an hour and a half, I felt strangely confident as a thought that I would have never imagined before suddenly appeared within my mind.
I'll prove you wrong.
"Prepare yourself, Rai."
"I'll show you how serious I am about my dream." I uttered as I positioned myself into a fighting stance, prompting Rai to face me fully as he remained unfazed until a faint smile broke through his frown.
I'll make sure you regret underestimating me and on top of it all…
"Are you sure you'll be able to do it?" Rai asked as he activated his Aspect and released his Aspectual Force, which was terrifying to experience as the pressure it exuded was suffocating and yet, despite my uneasiness, I remained strong, removing all doubts from my mind as the newfound power surging within me made me feel as if I could even perform a miracle.
"I'm absolutely certain of it."
I'll even defeat you.