The entire arena fell silent.
Everyone stared in shock.
Kazuki… had completely changed.
His sword glowed with a brilliant golden light, expanding in size as if it held divine power. His aura surged violently, shaking the very air around him
"This… this is impossible!"
"How can he do something like this?!"
Even Professor Li Wei couldn't hide his reaction. Cold sweat dripped down his face.
What is he trying to do?
Has he gone mad…?
Aira whispered, her voice trembling.
All the students were stunned.
"Is he really going to fight like that?" one student muttered.
Another replied in fear,
"I think… Ayal won't survive this."
"Look at him…"
"He looks like a god."
Kazuki's hair had grown longer, flowing wildly. Even his clothes had transformed, radiating an overwhelming presence.
From above, one of the professors smirked.
"Now… this is getting interesting."
Another professor replied,
"Do you really think someone like him can win?"
The first one shrugged.
"I don't know. One of them possesses Seven Mana… and the other is a top-tier sword master."
"This might be… entertaining."
In the Audience
Among the seated group, a girl and a boy were arguing.
"What do you think about him?" the girl asked.
The boy immediately replied,
"Of course Kazuki will win."
The girl smiled faintly.
"Do you really believe that?"
The boy frowned.
"What are you trying to say?"
"If you were smart… you would understand."
That angered him.
"Are you insulting me?! You dare mock me?!"
"If you don't believe me… ask him."
He turned to another student.
"Hey! Who do you think will win?"
But the student didn't respond.
He looked closer… and froze.
The student's eyes were glowing red—filled with anger.
"Hey! Are you listening?!"
He shook him.
Suddenly, the student snapped back.
"Huh? What happened?"
"You weren't even listening!"
"Sorry… I was thinking."
"About what?"
"…Nothing."
Then he said quietly,
"Kazuki… won't win."
The others were shocked.
"What do you mean?!"
He continued,
"We've fought Ayal before.
Many times. Together."
"And we never won."
"No matter how many times we attacked him… it didn't matter."
"He took thousands of hits… and still stood."
"And now… Kazuki has entered his true form."
"That's why… Kazuki won't win."
He looked around.
"What do you think, Hikari?"
But she was already leaving.
"Hey, you're not going to watch?" Kaide asked.
Hikari shook her head.
"No… I don't feel good. I'm going to my room."
Kaide smirked.
"You're afraid your friend will lose, right?"
Hikari stopped for a moment.
"…No. It's not that."
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye… Kaide."
She walked away without looking back.
Kaide watched her leave, whispering,
"So… you're scared too."
The Duel Begins
Kazuki stepped forward.
"I heard many things about you… Ayal."
"And now… I've seen your true nature."
"There's a demon inside you."
"I never thought… I would have to kill you in front of everyone."
He rushed forward—
But suddenly—
Ayal vanished.
"What?!"
Before Kazuki could react—
Ayal appeared behind him.
His sword pierced forward.
Kazuki barely managed to dodge, jumping back.
"You're good…" he said.
Ayal laughed.
A terrifying, chilling laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHA—!!"
The entire arena froze.
Even Kazuki felt fear.
He had fought many demons before…
But never someone like this.
Even Professor Li Wei frowned.
This boy… is no ordinary being.
If this continues, everyone will realize… he has Seven Mana.
But I can't stop this duel…
Sword Duels were absolute.
Unless one side surrendered—
It would continue until someone lost.
And surrender… was not allowed here.
Battle of Monsters
The fight escalated instantly.
It looked less like a duel—
And more like gods clashing.
Alya, Aira, and Hinata watched in disbelief.
"How is he this strong…?" Aira whispered.
"We thought Ayal would be punished…"
"But this… this is insane!"
Kazuki focused—
But in that moment—
Ayal appeared behind him again.
"You should always stay focused in battle…"
"Or your enemy… will kill you."
A blade pierced Kazuki's stomach.
"W-What…?!"
Blood spilled.
Kazuki dropped to one knee.
But before collapsing—
He gathered all his remaining strength.
"If I fall… then you must fall too!"
He unleashed a powerful strike—
Blasting Ayal far away.
Aira rushed forward.
"Ayal! Are you okay?!"
Ayal stood up slowly from the distance.
Meanwhile—
Kazuki lay on the ground, bleeding heavily.
He struggled to stand…
Holding his stomach, he walked toward Ayal.
"…I thought this would be easy."
"But I need to tell you something…"
"There really is… a demon inside you."
And then—
He collapsed.
The arena fell silent.