Morning sunlight spilled over the hills surrounding Riku's house.
Hidden beneath the old stone floor of the building was a place only a few people knew about—
The Secret Arena.
Stone walls reinforced with Core-resistant metal.
Launch platforms carved into the ground.
Old symbols glowing faintly as the system powered on.
Riku stepped down the stairs first.
Toma followed, stretching his arms.
"…Every time I come here, I remember how crazy your family is."
Mira walked in last.
Her eyes scanned the arena—not impressed, not afraid.
"…So this is your battlefield."
Riku nodded.
"Yeah. Built back when my village still trained Core users openly."
---
⚙️ Preparing the Spirit Cores
The arena hummed.
Riku opened a small circular case and took out his Spirit Core—
a disc-like device pulsing with blue and faint violet light.
He clicked it into his Core Gauntlet.
CHAK.
Just like a launcher locking into place.
Bolt appeared beside him in spirit form, lightning flickering calmly.
Toma whistled.
"Still can't believe you guys literally launch your spirits like that."
Mira pulled out her own Core.
Different.
Slim.
Silver-lined.
Quiet—but heavy with pressure.
She fitted it onto her gauntlet with a smooth motion.
CLICK.
The floor beneath them lit up.
> ARENA MODE: ACTIVE
DUEL FORMAT: CORE VS CORE
Riku took his stance.
Mira did the same.
For a moment—
everything went silent.
---
🚀 The Launch
Riku inhaled deeply.
"Bolt…"
Lightning crackled around his arm.
"…let's go."
He pulled back his launcher handle.
"SPEED POST — THUNDER DASH!"
SHHHH—KRAAASH!!
The Spirit Core shot forward, spinning violently as Bolt burst out in a streak of blue lightning, skidding across the arena floor before leaping upward.
The shockwave rattled the walls.
Toma shielded his face.
"Yup. Still insane."
Mira didn't flinch.
She pulled her launcher back—slow, controlled.
"Spirit—respond."
Her eyes sharpened.
"SPEED POST — SILVER VEIL."
WHOOOO—
Her Core launched smoothly, no explosion—
just a sudden drop in pressure.
A pale, elegant spirit form unfolded mid-air, gliding like mist before snapping forward with precise speed.
Riku's eyes widened.
"…Fast."
Their Spirit Cores collided—
CLANG!!
Energy sparks exploded outward.
The arena trembled.
---
⚔️ First Clash
Bolt skidded back, claws digging into stone.
"You felt that, right?" Bolt growled.
"She's strong."
Riku smiled—excited, focused.
"Yeah."
Across the arena, Mira stood calmly.
"…You're not bad either."
She raised her launcher again.
"But don't hold back."
Riku's grip tightened.
Lightning flared brighter than before.
"Wouldn't dream of it."
The symbols on the arena walls began to glow—
This fight had officially begu
n.
---
⚡ End of Chapter 17
Next:
Chapter 18 – "When Speed Meets Control"
> Power vs precision.
Instinct vs technique.
And the beginning of a true team.