The arena had fallen strangely quiet.
Only moments earlier, the battlefield had been alive with the deafening roar of combat. The thunderous collision of fists had echoed throughout the arena, lightning had torn across the sky, and waves of heat had rolled over the spectators as Kasai and Shōgeki Kūki exchanged blows.
Now, however, the atmosphere had changed.
The cheers had died down.
The murmurs had faded.
Even the spectators seemed reluctant to breathe.
It was the kind of silence that descended upon a battlefield when everyone realized that the fight had reached a decisive point.
At the center of the arena, Kasai slowly raised his fists.
His breathing was already heavier than before, and several small cuts could be seen across his arms and face. Sweat ran down his temples and disappeared beneath his jaw.
Across from him stood Shōgeki Kūki.
The captain of the Kūki clan's branch stood completely upright, his posture relaxed and his expression calm.
There wasn't even a hint of fear in his eyes.
That composure irritated Kasai.
He tightened his fists.
Immediately, flames began crawling across his arms.
They started as small flickers around his knuckles before spreading over his forearms like living creatures. The crimson flames intensified with every passing second, illuminating Kasai's face with an orange glow.
The temperature around him rose sharply.
The air itself began to distort.
Behind Kasai, Sora watched with both hands tightly clasped against her chest.
Her eyes never left him.
She remembered the wager.
She remembered what was at stake.
If Kasai lost this fight, she would no longer be permitted to remain with him.
Her position as head of the Kūki clan demanded that she sever their relationship.
Kasai couldn't afford to lose.
Not now.
Not when Sora was counting on him.
Not when everything they had built together was hanging on the outcome of this battle.
Kasai slowly inhaled.
The flames around his body surged.
Then he lowered his stance.
His eyes locked onto Shōgeki.
"Fire Dragon Inferno Knuckle!!!!!"
The moment Kasai activated the spell, an enormous surge of Fire Dragon energy erupted from his body.
The flames surrounding his right arm exploded outward before immediately condensing around his fist.
They formed something resembling a gigantic flaming gauntlet.
Crimson and orange flames twisted around his knuckles, constantly roaring and snapping through the air. The sheer heat was intense enough to cause the stone beneath his feet to darken.
Kasai bent his knees.
His muscles tightened.
Then—
He vanished forward.
BOOM!
The ground beneath his feet cracked from the force of his acceleration.
A trail of flames erupted behind him as Kasai crossed the distance between himself and Shōgeki in an instant.
His burning fist came straight toward Shōgeki's face.
Shōgeki didn't move.
Kasai's eyes sharpened.
Got you!
His fist slammed directly into Shōgeki's cheek.
BOOOOOOM!
A violent burst of flames erupted from the point of impact.
Fire swallowed Shōgeki's upper body, while a powerful shockwave expanded across the battlefield.
Dust and loose debris were blown away.
Several spectators instinctively raised their arms to shield their faces from the heat.
Kasai's fist remained pressed against Shōgeki's cheek for a brief moment before he pulled it back.
He immediately stepped away.
Smoke and flames obscured Shōgeki's body.
Kasai breathed heavily.
That had to hurt.
The flames gradually began to disappear.
The smoke cleared.
Kasai's eyes widened.
Shōgeki was still standing.
He hadn't fallen.
He hadn't even staggered.
His head remained slightly turned from the impact.
Slowly, Shōgeki returned his gaze toward Kasai.
A small smirk appeared on his face.
"Is that the best you can do?"
Kasai stared at him in disbelief.
"You're kidding..."
Shōgeki raised one hand and wiped the corner of his mouth.
A tiny trace of blood remained on his fingers.
That was all.
Kasai's expression hardened.
He clenched his fist again.
"Fine."
The flames around his arm intensified.
"Fire Dragon Inferno Knuckle!!!!!"
Kasai surged forward again.
This time, instead of aiming for Shōgeki's face, he drove his burning fist directly into his stomach.
BOOM!
Another explosion of flames erupted.
Shōgeki's body was engulfed in fire.
Kasai didn't stop.
He twisted his waist and immediately drove another punch toward Shōgeki's ribs.
BOOM!
Another explosion.
Another punch.
Another burst of fire.
Kasai's fists became a blur.
"Take this!"
BOOM!
"How about this?!"
BOOM!
"AND THIS!!!"
BOOOOOOM!
Every strike released another explosion of Fire Dragon energy.
The battlefield trembled beneath their feet.
Kasai continued his assault without giving Shōgeki a single opportunity to retaliate.
His fists struck from every direction.
The stomach.
The ribs.
The chest.
The shoulder.
The abdomen.
Each impact produced another violent eruption of flames.
Yet Shōgeki simply endured.
He stood there and absorbed every blow.
Kasai's breathing became increasingly ragged.
Sweat streamed down his face.
His shoulders began to ache.
His fists were starting to hurt from the repeated impacts.
But Shōgeki still hadn't been pushed back.
What the hell is this guy made of?
Kasai pulled his fist back.
He stared at Shōgeki through the flames.
Even after taking that many direct attacks, Shōgeki's expression remained composed.
Then Shōgeki finally raised his arm.
"It's now my turn."
Kasai's eyes widened.
"What—?"
Shōgeki disappeared.
For an instant, Kasai lost sight of him completely.
His instincts screamed.
Behind me?!
Kasai barely turned.
A fist suddenly appeared in front of his face.
He immediately crossed both arms over his chest.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The impact was monstrous.
Kasai's entire body shook.
The force of the blow traveled through his arms and into his torso, sending a violent shockwave through his bones.
His feet left the ground.
"GAH!"
Kasai was launched backward.
He crashed onto the battlefield and rolled several times before finally stopping.
Dust erupted around him.
Sora immediately stepped forward.
"Kasai! Are you okay?!"
Kasai groaned.
He slowly pushed himself upright.
His arms were trembling.
The muscles in his shoulders burned.
He looked down at his forearms.
They were already bruising from the impact.
Kasai swallowed.
"What was that...?"
He looked toward Shōgeki.
"Why was his punch so heavy... even though I blocked it?"
Shōgeki lowered his fist.
"You should consider yourself fortunate that you blocked it."
Kasai gritted his teeth.
He planted one foot against the ground and slowly stood.
His knees shook for a moment.
He steadied himself.
Then he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"I can see why they call you..."
Kasai looked directly at his opponent.
"Shōgeki the Death Blow."
Shōgeki's expression remained unchanged.
Kasai glanced down at his trembling arms.
"If I hadn't blocked that attack just now..."
He looked back up.
"Who knows what would've happened to me."
Shōgeki said nothing.
Kasai clenched his fists.
"The worst part is..."
His eyes narrowed.
"That's just your regular strength, isn't it?"
Shōgeki's eyes narrowed slightly.
Kasai continued.
"You're still not even using your Elemental Art."
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Shōgeki's face.
"I see."
He slowly lowered his body into a fighting stance.
"You're very observant."
Kasai's expression became serious.
"Now I understand the difference in power between us."
Shōgeki's gaze remained fixed upon him.
Kasai's flames continued to burn around his arms.
He suddenly realized something.
This entire time, Shōgeki hadn't been fighting seriously.
He hadn't used an Elemental Art.
He hadn't unleashed some hidden technique.
He had simply been relying on his physical strength.
And that alone had been enough to overpower Kasai.
Kasai's jaw tightened.
Then his eyes shifted toward Sora.
She was still watching him anxiously.
He remembered why he was fighting.
He couldn't afford to give up.
"Sora is counting on me to win."
Shōgeki suddenly moved.
His body shot forward.
Kasai immediately raised his arms.
BOOM!
Shōgeki's fist collided with Kasai's guard.
Kasai's feet scraped violently against the stone as he was pushed backward several meters.
Yet this time, something felt different.
Kasai's eyes narrowed.
Strange...
He lowered his arms slightly.
His forearms were still trembling from the impact.
It's heavy.
He could feel the force of Shōgeki's punch vibrating through his bones.
But then Kasai realized something.
It isn't as heavy as before.
His eyes widened slightly.
An idea began forming in his mind.
"Fire Dragon Hellfire Breath!!!!"
Kasai opened his mouth.
A tremendous torrent of Fire Dragon energy erupted from his lungs.
A gigantic wave of flames surged across the battlefield.
The fire roared like a living beast as it swept toward Shōgeki.
Shōgeki crossed his arms.
The flames struck him head-on.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The entire battlefield was swallowed by fire.
Kasai stood his ground, watching carefully.
The flames continued to burn for several seconds.
Then the smoke slowly began to clear.
A silhouette appeared within it.
Shōgeki emerged from the flames.
His clothes were slightly scorched.
A few strands of hair had been singed.
But he was still standing.
Shōgeki brushed some ash from his shoulder.
"I'm impressed."
Kasai's expression remained tense.
Shōgeki looked at him.
"But that isn't enough to take me down."
Kasai gritted his teeth.
The battle continued.
One attack followed another.
Kasai charged.
Shōgeki countered.
Kasai blocked.
Shōgeki struck again.
Kasai retaliated with another flaming attack.
The battlefield became a constant exchange of fire and physical force.
Every collision shook the arena.
Every spell sent waves of heat across the battlefield.
Neither fighter was willing to surrender.
But as the battle continued, Kasai began noticing something.
Something strange.
Whenever he attacked, Shōgeki's next attack seemed to become stronger.
Kasai ducked beneath a punch.
He immediately retaliated.
His flaming fist slammed into Shōgeki's shoulder.
Shōgeki absorbed the impact.
Then he counterattacked.
Kasai raised his arms.
BOOM!
The force still pushed him backward.
Kasai stared at Shōgeki.
Whenever I attack...
His eyes narrowed.
He counters me with an attack that's heavier than his previous attacks.
Kasai jumped backward and created some distance.
Shōgeki didn't immediately pursue.
Kasai began thinking.
It's like he's benefiting from every attack I land on him.
His eyes moved toward Sora.
She stood several meters away, watching the battle carefully.
Kasai's mind began connecting the pieces.
Sora has an incredibly powerful defensive ability.
He looked back at Shōgeki.
And Shōgeki is the captain of the branch that protects the Kūki clan.
His expression became thoughtful.
Maybe his ability is similar to hers somehow.
Shōgeki suddenly spoke.
"Trying to figure out my ability?"
Kasai froze.
"I—"
Shōgeki stepped forward.
Kasai barely had time to react.
BOOM!
The punch struck him directly in the stomach.
Kasai's eyes widened.
"GH!"
His body folded around the impact before he was thrown backward.
He landed hard against the stone.
Kasai coughed and slowly lifted his head.
Shōgeki calmly walked toward him.
"My ability is known as Shock Pulse."
Kasai's eyes widened.
Shōgeki continued walking.
"It's a rather complex ability. However, once mastered, it can greatly enhance an Elementalist's combat capabilities."
He stopped several meters away.
Then he raised his fist.
"Shock Pulse allows me to store the damage I receive from attacks."
Kasai stared at him.
"So that's why..."
Shōgeki nodded.
"And I can release that stored energy whenever I choose."
He clenched his fist.
A faint pressure began building around his arm.
"When I release that energy, the force of my attacks becomes significantly heavier than normal."
Kasai slowly stood.
His expression finally changed.
"So that's why your punches keep getting stronger."
"Exactly."
Kasai looked at the bruises covering his body.
Everything suddenly made sense.
Every punch.
Every counterattack.
Every moment when Shōgeki had seemingly grown stronger.
He hadn't been ignoring Kasai's attacks.
He had been storing them.
Kasai's own strength had been feeding Shōgeki's ability.
"But why would you tell me this?"
Shōgeki's expression remained calm.
"Because knowing my ability won't save you from losing."
Kasai frowned.
Shōgeki lowered his fist.
"Besides..."
He looked directly into Kasai's eyes.
"We both know our abilities counter each other."
Kasai's expression hardened.
Shōgeki continued.
"Your ability is called Extreme Heat."
Kasai's eyes widened.
"How do you—"
"Extreme Heat allows you to increase the strength and intensity of your spells as long as you continue casting them."
Shōgeki raised one hand.
"Your flames become more powerful as the battle continues."
Kasai stared at him.
"Meanwhile, my Shock Pulse becomes stronger whenever I receive damage."
The two abilities were almost mirror opposites.
One grew stronger through continuous offense.
The other grew stronger by receiving that offense.
"Your strength feeds mine," Shōgeki said. "And my strength forces you to become more aggressive."
Kasai's teeth clenched.
"A perfect match."
"Indeed."
For several seconds, neither of them moved.
Then Kasai suddenly laughed.
"So that's why you've been letting me hit you."
Shōgeki didn't answer.
Kasai's smile slowly disappeared.
"But how do you know about my ability?"
Shōgeki's gaze shifted toward Sora.
"Someone like you, who constantly accompanies the Sky Musketeer, is bound to leave behind a few rumors."
Kasai's expression became serious.
"The Sky Musketeer..."
Shōgeki looked back at him.
"A female Elementalist said to possess a barrier blessed by the Sky Dragon itself."
Sora remained silent.
Kasai already understood where this was going.
"Your point is?"
"The Sky Musketeer is accompanied by an Elementalist whose strength is said to rival that of Arashi Ryūgū's Scorcher."
Kasai's eyebrow twitched.
Shōgeki continued.
"They say his flames are just as dangerous as Moyasu, the Scorcher."
He looked directly at Kasai.
"The knight who protects the Sky Musketeer from harm."
A faint smile appeared on Shōgeki's face.
"The Hellblitz Knight."
Kasai sighed.
"I see."
He scratched the back of his head.
"So the rumors about me really did spread."
"Most rumors are exaggerated."
Shōgeki's expression became slightly mocking.
"Although I have to admit, one part seems accurate."
Kasai frowned.
"What part?"
"You can't even protect Sora."
Sora immediately stepped forward.
"That's not true!"
Kasai looked toward her.
"Sora..."
"It's okay."
Kasai lowered his head.
"He isn't wrong."
Sora's eyes widened.
Kasai stared at his hands.
"I can't protect you."
"Kasai!"
"I've tried."
His voice was quiet.
"I've always wanted to become strong enough to stand beside you."
His fingers slowly curled into fists.
"But there are moments when I'm not strong enough."
Sora's expression softened.
Kasai looked away.
"I hate those moments."
His voice trembled slightly.
"I hate knowing that you might be in danger and I might not be strong enough to stop it."
Sora shook her head.
"I don't want to hear that, Kasai!"
Kasai looked up.
"You've protected me several times already!"
Sora stepped closer.
"Don't listen to Shōgeki's words!"
Her voice trembled, but she didn't back down.
"He wasn't there when we spent our lives together!"
She pointed toward Shōgeki.
"He wasn't there when we risked our lives together!"
Her eyes became watery.
"He wasn't there whenever we protected each other!"
Shōgeki remained silent.
Sora took a deep breath.
Then she looked toward Kasai.
"Do you remember that terrorist base we infiltrated?"
Kasai's eyes widened.
"Sora..."
"You got reckless."
She smiled sadly.
"You let your guard down."
Kasai's expression changed.
He remembered.
The terrorist base.
The gunshot.
The split-second decision.
He remembered seeing the weapon aimed at Sora.
He remembered moving before he could even think.
And he remembered the pain.
Sora's voice trembled.
"I was about to get shot."
Kasai looked away.
"But Kasai pushed me out of the way."
Sora's eyes glistened.
"He got shot instead of me."
Kasai remained silent.
"Sora..."
She turned toward Shōgeki.
"He protected me."
Her voice became firmer.
"He didn't hesitate."
Shōgeki's expression remained unreadable.
Sora stepped closer to Kasai.
"So don't tell him he can't protect me."
Kasai looked at her.
For a moment, he couldn't find the words to respond.
Then Sora turned back toward Shōgeki.
"Shōgeki."
Her voice was quiet now.
But there was determination behind every word.
"If being the head of the Kūki clan means I can't be with Kasai..."
Her hands trembled.
She swallowed hard.
"Then..."
Her voice nearly broke.
"I-I'll quit being the head."
Kasai's eyes widened.
"Sora..."
"I'll leave the Kūki clan."
The battlefield fell completely silent.
Kasai stared at her.
Even Shōgeki seemed genuinely surprised.
He looked at his cousin for several seconds without saying a word.
Then he slowly sighed.
"So..."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Looks like my cousin really does love you."
Sora's face immediately turned bright red.
"W-What?!"
Kasai blinked.
Shōgeki lowered his hands.
"I give up."
Kasai stared at him.
"What?"
"It's your win, Kasai."
Shōgeki's expression became calm once more.
He looked directly at the young Elementalist standing before him.
"Kasai, the Hellblitz Knight."
He extended his hand.
"As the head of the branch of the Kūki clan, I give you my blessing."
Kasai stared at the offered hand.
For a moment, he didn't move.
After everything that had happened, the outcome felt almost unreal.
He had entered this battlefield believing that he would have to defeat Shōgeki to earn the right to remain beside Sora.
He had been prepared to fight until he could no longer stand.
Yet the answer had never been about strength alone.
It had been about whether he was truly willing to stand beside her.
Kasai finally stepped forward.
He firmly grasped Shōgeki's hand.
"But..."
Shōgeki's expression became serious.
"Protect her."
Kasai's smile disappeared.
"With your life."
Kasai's eyes hardened.
"I will."
His grip tightened.
"I promise to protect Sora with my life."
Sora covered her mouth.
Her eyes began to glisten with tears.
"Kasai..."
Shōgeki nodded.
"Then I have nothing more to say."
Sora wiped the corner of her eye.
"Thanks, Shōgeki."
The tension that had filled the battlefield finally began to disappear.
The flames surrounding Kasai faded.
The pressure surrounding Shōgeki vanished.
The wager was over.
The fight was over.
And after all the anger, threats, injuries, and flames, Kasai had finally earned what he had been fighting for.
The freedom to remain beside the person he loved.
Sora walked toward him.
Kasai looked at her.
Neither of them said anything for several seconds.
Then Sora smiled.
Kasai smiled back.
For the first time that day, there was no battlefield between them.
No clan standing in their way.
No wager.
No threat of separation.
Only the two of them.
And somewhere within the arena, the spectators finally erupted into cheers.
The Hellblitz Knight had won.
But this time, Kasai's greatest victory had nothing to do with defeating an opponent.
It was the promise he had made.
A promise he intended to keep.
No matter what awaited them in the future.