Kenzo and Matteo stared fixedly at each other. Matteo wore a calm smile, while Kenzo tried once again to steady the trembling of his hands.
—Come on, Kenzo. I've already made my move, now it's your turn —Matteo said, stepping back into a defensive stance.
Kenzo nodded, then swept his katana sideways through the air as he spoke:
—Earth Technique —ten small stones appeared, trailing the arc of his swing.
Matteo held his katana before his body, its tip aimed straight at Kenzo's throat. His smile shifted into one of anticipation, eager to see his true attack.
Mid-flight, the little stones transformed into thrusts from Kenzo's katana. In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance to less than two meters.
—Ghost Rocks!
Matteo's eyes widened slightly; Kenzo's strikes were too close for him to activate his technique. With astonishing speed and reflexes, he began parrying as fast as he possibly could.
Even so, several thrusts found their mark, slicing his face, shoulders, and arms. The last one cut into his left knee, throwing his balance off and bending his legs beneath him.
Kenzo didn't hesitate. He stepped closer, raised his katana high above his head with both hands gripping the hilt, and brought it down in a powerful slash.
Matteo, still with bent legs, looked up at him. In one fluid motion, he lifted his katana diagonally across his face and blocked the blow.
The two katanas clashed violently. Matteo gritted his teeth, straining against the immense pressure. Kenzo's strength was overwhelming, making it impossible for Matteo to push him back.
—Gravity Technique… —Matteo muttered through clenched teeth—. Reverse Gravity!
Kenzo's katana suddenly felt incredibly light. He was stunned as his strength seemed to vanish. Matteo seized the chance to shove him away and free himself.
Kenzo stumbled backward from the push, but quickly regained his stance. Matteo returned to his original position, though his knee still throbbed from the cut.
—That was amazing, Kenzo —he said, his smile returning.
—Thank you. That's the first time I've improvised something like that. I really didn't think it would work.
—But it did. You had me on the ropes.
—Your technique is incredible too. You can get yourself out of tight spots so easily.
—Thanks… —Matteo paused—. Have you ever seen a Marked One use one of their Marks?
The soft, swirling wind seemed to stop dead at his question.
—No. Never —Kenzo replied. He felt the shift in the air, just as the students watching from the stands did.
—Good —Matteo held his katana with both hands, blade pointed down—. Then… let me be the first to show you.
Kenzo's eyes went wide at his words. The entire arena fell silent, holding its breath.
—Is he really going to use one? —Zeik murmured mostly to himself.
The tip of Matteo's blade tapped lightly against the ground with a clear, delicate chime. In the hush of the arena, the sound seemed to linger for seconds.
—First Mark —Matteo slowly closed his eyes. His breathing stayed calm, slow, and steady—. Mark of Weight…
Beneath his temple, a small black circle the size of a coin appeared, ringed with a sharp, swirling pattern from which fine cracks spread outward across his cheek—as if his very skin were splitting open.
A low vibration hummed through the ground, soft but unmistakable. Kenzo's breathing grew ragged just looking at it.
The students and several teachers watched with mouths agape, awestruck. No one could look away. Up in the infirmary, Rika's eyes widened further, a flicker of worry crossing her face.
The only one whose expression didn't shift at all was Termomix, his gaze flat and empty.
Arien and Naeris swallowed audibly. They—and Kenzo—knew this was very bad news.
—A-after such a long tournament… THE FIRST MARK HAS FINALLY BEEN REVEALED! —the announcer's voice trembled with emotion.
Before Kenzo could react, Matteo appeared at his side in an instant. Crouched low, he drove a punch straight toward his abdomen.
Kenzo's hands moved instinctively, raising his katana to block.
—His speed just increased! —he realized.
The blow slammed into the blade—but Matteo's strength had grown too. Kenzo was sent flying back toward the arena wall. The stands shook. Arien and Naeris stood frozen. Rika pressed both hands to her mouth, holding her breath.
From the dust of impact, Kenzo emerged, head bowed. His hands shook on the hilt, his body streaked with blood. He breathed heavily, yet slowly.
—Can you still move? —Matteo asked, genuinely impressed.
Kenzo walked toward him, each step heavy and labored. Matteo raised his katana high in one hand.
—I see you can. But let's bring this to an end —he swung down. A massive cutting gust tore through the air toward Kenzo.
It struck him in the chest, opening a deep wound and making him cough up blood. Naeris gasped, covering her mouth.
Still, Kenzo didn't fall. He stood firm and kept advancing. Fresh blood dripped from his injury.
—His will is incredible —Matteo thought with growing concern.
He tightened his grip.
—Gravity Technique: Burden Rain.
Dozens of small cutting blades shot toward Kenzo.
Kenzo didn't defend himself. Every cut bit into his skin, and with each one, he felt his body grow heavier.
—Just give up already, Kenzo! —Matteo told himself.
The teachers grew alarmed, certain Kenzo was already at his limit… though the director knew better.
Medics stood ready at the arena gates. The announcer lifted his microphone to call the match, but—
The moment Kenzo planted his next step, the ground beneath him cracked. Everyone froze—even Matteo.
Pushing off the shattered earth, Kenzo launched himself forward. Matteo's eyes went wide. He tried to retreat, but Kenzo swung upward.
The blade missed, leaving only a shallow cut along Matteo's ear. Kenzo's chest and abdomen lay exposed—Matteo readied to strike— but… following the upward swing, Kenzo brought the katana crashing down, striking Matteo hard with the pommel.
Matteo could only grit his teeth and take the blow. His eyes rolled back; he swayed, dazed and unsteady.
Kenzo pulled back to catch his breath as Matteo's legs struggled to hold him upright.
Matteo recovered after a few moments and looked up again.
—Damn it… —he breathed—. We're both at our limit…
Though Matteo hadn't suffered many cuts, maintaining his Mark was taking a heavy toll, and that last blow had shaken him badly.
—Yeah… —Kenzo's body had nothing left to give.
—Then… let's finish this! One final strike…
—Just one…
Silence fell over the coliseum as both tightened their grips and raised their katanas. No more techniques—only strength and steel remained.
They held their blades high… and brought them down with every last ounce of strength.
—LET'S END THIS!
—NOW!
Two cutting waves tore toward each other, and at the last moment, both sides veered aside. Whoever stood firm after the impact would win.
Kenzo's final attack came fast, splitting into two halfway there. Matteo threw his arms up instinctively, but the blows landed—deep cuts tearing across both arms. Matteo clenched his teeth, arms falling limp at his sides. The pain was so great he could no longer lift his katana.
Kenzo took Matteo's strike as well and crumpled, badly hurt. He coughed, blood pooling on the ground.
The crowd was stunned. Zeik and Liang couldn't believe what they'd just seen. Kael remained outwardly calm, but his gaze never left the arena.
Rika's eyes went wide, pupils dilated, mouth hanging open. Naeris and Arien stood frozen. Varek, Haruki, and Kaien watched Kenzo with clear alarm.
Matteo stared at the gashes on his arms for a moment, then looked up again—watching as Kenzo, despite the pain he must be in, dragged himself up once more, that same unyielding resolve in his eyes.
A soft, admiring smile touched Matteo's lips.
—You don't have to get up, Kenzo —he said gently.
Kenzo tried anyway, until he was standing—legs trembling, his body barely responding, eyelids feeling heavy as lead. His hands could barely keep hold of the hilt.
—Kenzo, don't push yourself any further. I can't lift my arms anymore… and you're still standing. You've won.
Kenzo looked up sharply, confused. He thought he'd misheard. The crowd remained silent. Kael closed his eyes, as if he'd known this would happen.
Matteo turned and walked toward the exit, pausing halfway to glance back over his shoulder.
—You didn't come this far by chance. You're here because of your effort —he said, and kept walking.
Kenzo drew a shaky breath, then let it out slowly, still in disbelief.
The announcer looked to the director for guidance. The director simply nodded once, eyes never leaving the arena.
The announcer understood and turned back.
—EIGHTH MATCH OF THE THIRD ROUND, CONCLUDED.
WINNER: KENZO HOLT.
Arien and Naeris cheered at the top of their lungs, joined by many others in the stands.
—The First Mark has been defeated… —Floch whispered, awestruck.
Rika let out a quiet breath of relief, a faint smile touching her lips.
Matteo paused before leaving and looked up toward his friends.
—Well then… guess I really do earn back those hours of sleep.
Zeik chuckled softly and Liang beamed.
—Yeah, you do, dummy —Liang called out.
Matteo pressed a hand to his chest, relieved.
—Phew… Thanks. I'm definitely going to need them.
Kenzo, still in shock, sank back onto the ground, tears pricking his eyes.
—I won… —he whispered, too exhausted to move—. Thank you…