The next day, Tiger arrived at school as usual. Everything seemed normal at first, but shortly after entering the school grounds, his teacher approached him with an unusually serious expression.
"Tiger," his teacher said, "today, you're going to fight Icchi."
Tiger stopped for a moment and looked at him. "Sir... but why?"
"It's a friendly match," his teacher explained. "We simply want to see who is stronger in combat—you or Icchi. I know this decision was made rather suddenly, but it was the choice of the teachers and the school principal."
Tiger remained quiet for a moment before nodding. He didn't seem particularly excited or nervous. To him, it was simply another fight.
Soon afterward, an announcement echoed throughout the school.
"All class teachers, please bring your students to the fighting ground immediately."
The students immediately became confused. As they were being taken toward the fighting ground, whispers began spreading through the crowd.
"Why are we all being taken there?"
"I don't know," another student replied. "Maybe we're going to watch someone's fight."
Meanwhile, Tiger's teacher walked beside him and decided to give him a warning before the match began.
"Tiger, let me tell you something before you go in. Icchi is as powerful as Leon... perhaps even more dangerous because she has more advantages in battle. She is one of the strongest fighters here, so don't underestimate her. You may have defeated her in the hurdling championship, but fighting is completely different."
Tiger listened silently.
Then, without saying anything, he continued walking toward the arena.
By the time he arrived, the fighting ground was already surrounded by students and teachers. The atmosphere was beginning to grow exciting as everyone wondered what was about to happen.
The announcer's voice echoed across the area.
"Everyone, please pay close attention. The first fighter entering the arena is... Tiger!"
The crowd immediately reacted with surprise.
"Tiger again?"
"Who is he going to fight this time?"
Some teachers exchanged glances.
"This might become one of the best battles we've ever seen at this school," one of them said.
Another nodded. "I was thinking the same thing."
Tiger entered the fighting area and waited quietly for his opponent. He stood calmly in the center, looking toward the entrance.
Then the announcer spoke again.
"And now... entering the arena is Icchi!"
The students immediately became even louder.
"What?! Icchi?"
"She's one of the strongest girls in the entire school!"
"Tiger might not be able to win this one."
Tiger watched silently as Icchi walked toward the arena. She wore a blue-and-white outfit, her appearance standing out as she entered the fighting ground. Unlike Tiger, however, Icchi seemed completely prepared.
The two finally stood across from each other.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
Then the announcer raised his voice.
"The match will now begin in..."
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
The battle began.
Icchi immediately rushed toward Tiger and launched her first attack, but Tiger quickly moved aside. Her strike missed him by only a small distance.
Icchi's eyes narrowed.
He dodged that...?
Without wasting another second, she raised her hand—and an ice sword suddenly formed.
The audience reacted in surprise as Icchi attacked again.
Tiger avoided several strikes, but one of the attacks managed to cut him slightly. Small cuts appeared on his hand and cheek. They weren't serious, but Tiger immediately realized something important.
She's really as strong as Leon...
The battle continued.
Icchi kept attacking with her ice sword while Tiger carefully defended himself and avoided her attacks. The sound of their movements echoed throughout the fighting ground as the audience watched in complete concentration.
Then Tiger suddenly counterattacked.
With one powerful strike, he shattered Icchi's ice sword.
The entire arena went silent.
Icchi stared at the broken pieces of ice in shock.
The audience couldn't believe what they had just witnessed.
"He destroyed her sword...?"
Icchi slowly looked back at Tiger.
Instead of giving up, she raised both hands.
This time, two ice swords formed.
The crowd became excited again.
The battle continued with even greater intensity. Icchi attacked from different directions, attempting to overwhelm Tiger with the advantage of having two weapons, but Tiger continued avoiding her attacks.
Eventually, however, Tiger found an opening.
The battle came to an end.
Tiger had won.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
The entire fighting ground was filled with shock.
Icchi had been defeated.
Even Tiger's teacher stood silently for a moment, surprised by how much Tiger had improved.
Then he finally smiled.
"You've become a much better fighter, Tiger," he said. "Well done."
Tiger simply nodded.
The day eventually came to an end, and Tiger left the school grounds. By the time he began walking toward his rental home, night had already fallen over the city.
After everything that had happened, Tiger continued walking quietly through the streets.