The enormous collision between Shougo's combined Yaki and Yami and Akira's Aether Reaper shook what remained of Reikosha Academy. The ground trembled beneath everyone's feet as dark and radiant energy twisted together across the courtyard, swallowing the area in dust and debris. For several seconds, nobody could see Akira. Even Yura had stopped moving, staring into the enormous cloud while trying to sense any trace of her presence.
Kimimaru remained on one knee, breathing heavily after releasing the Astral Lock. His hands trembled slightly from the strain, but he refused to collapse. "I had her..." he muttered, staring into the smoke. "For a moment, I actually had her."
Kairo tightened his grip around the Black Spartan. "That attack should have stopped her, right?"
Shougo didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the smoke as his Yaki and Yami slowly faded from around his body. "Don't assume anything yet."
The smoke began to move.
A faint metallic sound echoed through the courtyard.
Clang.
Everyone became silent.
Another sound followed.
Clang.
Then a figure slowly emerged.
Akira.
Her silver hair was covered in dust, and several parts of her clothing had been damaged by the explosion. She stood completely still, holding the Aether Reaper against the ground. Her breathing was slightly heavier than before, but there was no fear in her eyes.
Yura stared at her.
"...She's still standing."
Akira lifted her head.
Her gaze moved toward Kimimaru.
"You."
Kimimaru slowly stood.
Akira's eyes narrowed.
"That technique."
Kimimaru raised his Zweihander.
"What about it?"
"It touched something you shouldn't have been able to touch."
Kimimaru's expression changed.
Akira slowly lifted the Aether Reaper.
"But it won't happen again."
She disappeared.
Kimimaru barely reacted.
A silver flash appeared directly in front of him.
CLANG!
His Zweihander blocked the Aether Reaper, but the force behind the strike pushed him backward. His boots carved deep lines into the broken ground.
"Kimimaru!"
Yura rushed forward.
Akira twisted her body and kicked Kimimaru away before turning toward Yura. Their weapons collided, and the impact created a sharp shockwave that scattered the surrounding dust.
Yura pushed harder.
Akira's feet remained perfectly still.
"You're getting faster," Akira said quietly.
Yura gritted her teeth.
"And you're getting annoying."
Yura suddenly vanished.
Akira's eyes followed her.
A punch came from the left.
Akira blocked.
Another came from the right.
She dodged.
A third came from above.
Akira tilted her head.
Yura landed behind her and immediately attacked again, refusing to give her even a moment to breathe.
At the same time, Kairo charged from the opposite direction.
Akira turned toward him.
That was the opening.
Kimimaru raised his hand.
"Astral Lock!"
The spiritual restraint returned.
Akira's movement suddenly became heavier.
Her arm slowed.
Her foot stopped halfway through a step.
Kairo's eyes widened.
"Now!"
He swung the Black Spartan.
Akira blocked it with the Aether Reaper.
The impact forced her backward.
Yura immediately followed.
Her fist connected with Akira's shoulder and sent her sliding across the courtyard.
For the first time since arriving...
Akira was being pushed back.
Tyouro smiled.
"We can actually do this!"
Shougo watched carefully.
"Don't celebrate yet."
Tyouro looked at him.
"Why?"
Shougo's eyes remained focused on Akira.
"Because she hasn't used her full strength."
The courtyard became silent again.
Akira slowly stood.
She looked at the group.
Then she looked at the Aether Reaper.
Her fingers tightened around its handle.
The atmosphere changed.
Even Yura felt it.
Her smile disappeared.
"...Something changed."
Shougo nodded.
"Yes."
Akira raised the weapon.
The air around the blade began distorting.
Not because of wind.
Not because of energy.
The space itself seemed to tremble around the Aether Reaper.
Kimimaru immediately understood.
"She's going to attack."
"Everyone move!" Shougo shouted.
Akira swung.
The slash crossed the battlefield.
Shougo activated his intangibility.
Kairo jumped backward.
Yura disappeared.
Kimimaru released his Astral Lock.
Tyouro threw himself behind a broken wall.
The attack passed through the courtyard.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then the entire row of ruined buildings behind them split apart.
BOOOOOOM!
The academy shook.
Shougo looked at the destruction.
His expression became serious.
"...That wasn't aimed at us."
Kairo looked confused.
"What?"
Shougo stared at Akira.
"She was showing us the difference in power."
Akira lowered the Aether Reaper.
The battlefield became completely silent.
Then she took one step forward.
The pressure alone forced several students backward.
Yura clenched her fists.
"Then we'll just have to get stronger."
She stepped forward again.
Kairo followed.
Kimimaru raised his weapon.
Tyouro joined them.
Shougo remained at the front.
Akira looked at all of them.
For the first time...
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"Good."
Her grip tightened.
"Come at me together."
The Aether Reaper began glowing.
And the next stage of the battle was about to begin.