Haruto looked at San and Reiji for a few more seconds.
The corridor was still trembling from distant explosions.
BOOOOOOOM!
A blue light illuminated the window.
Then a purple flash passed through.
San took a deep breath.
"Whatever is happening, Yuki might be at the center of it."
Haruto quietly nodded.
Then he turned around.
"First, I'll make sure she's okay."
Reiji lowered his head.
"Good idea."
Haruto quickly moved down the corridor.
The sounds of explosions were still continuing.
But he no longer let them distract him.
When he reached the infirmary door, he paused for a moment.
He slowly opened the door.
Inside was quiet.
The gas lamps had been replaced by dim night lights.
Moonlight coming through the window lit up the room.
Yuki was sitting on her bed.
Her face was still slightly pale.
But she looked much better than in the morning.
She was wrapped in a blanket, staring out the window.
Nurse Senira was nowhere in sight.
She was probably out temporarily.
Hearing the door open, Yuki turned her head.
"Ha-Haruto big brother?"
Haruto smiled slightly.
"You're not sleeping."
Yuki pouted.
"I tried to sleep."
Just then—
BOOOOOOOM!
The headquarters shook again.
Yuki flinched.
Her eyes widened.
"W-What are those sounds?"
Haruto sighed.
Finally, he sat on the chair next to the bed.
"Well…"
Yuki waited.
Haruto scratched his head.
"Kaito and Shiran are fighting."
Silence.
Yuki blinked a few times.
"…What?"
Haruto shrugged.
"In the training area."
Another explosion sounded.
KRAAAAAASH!
Yuki's mouth slightly opened.
"Is that normal?"
Haruto thought for a few seconds.
"No."
"…."
"Definitely not."
Yuki let out an involuntary laugh.
Haruto also smiled slightly.
But at that moment—
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
Things in the training area were getting worse.
Kaito leapt backward.
Lightning crackled beneath his feet.
His breathing grew heavier.
The wound on his shoulder reopened.
A thin line of blood slid down his arm.
Shiran, standing opposite him, was no better.
Most of his armor was destroyed.
Purple energy swirled around him in a chaotic way.
But there was something strange in his eyes.
Anger.
After Haruto had left, Shiran's attitude had changed.
He no longer smiled.
He no longer enjoyed it.
Kaito noticed it.
"You've changed."
Shiran didn't respond.
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"Or do you think you're starting to lose?"
Those words were like pouring oil on fire.
Purple energy suddenly exploded outward.
BOOOOOOOM!
Daichi jumped back in fear.
"It started again!"
Alex narrowed his eyes.
Akira watched silently.
Shiran's voice became darker this time.
"You…"
Purple energy gathered around his fist.
"You talk too much."
He suddenly rushed forward.
BOOOOOOOM!
Kaito blocked.
But the force of the blow sent him sliding back several meters.
The stone ground shattered.
Kaito's eyes narrowed slightly.
This attack was stronger than the previous ones.
And more uncontrolled.
"Hey."
Kaito spoke seriously.
"This doesn't look like a duel anymore."
Shiran didn't respond.
He attacked again instantly.
Shadows rose from every direction.
Dark spears.
Claws.
Chains.
All at once.
Kaito shattered them with lightning, sparks scattering into the sky.
KRAAAAAASH!
CRAAACK!
BOOOOOM!
The crowd could no longer follow the attacks.
Kazeki clutched the armrests in fear.
Even Ren and Zen had gone silent.
Because they all felt something was wrong.
Alex's expression hardened.
"This is bad."
Akira looked at him.
"You noticed too?"
Alex nodded.
"Yes."
Shiran's attacks were no longer for scoring points.
Not even for disabling his opponent.
They were aimed directly at lethal points.
Kaito realized it too.
A shadow spear passed just inches from his head.
If it had been a bit closer…
It would have pierced his skull.
Kaito's smile disappeared.
For the first time, he looked completely serious.
"…Alright."
Blue lightning intensified.
Shiran attacked again.
This time aiming directly for his heart.
SHHHHHK!
The crowd held its breath.
But Kaito dodged at the last second.
The attack missed.
Kaito's eyes turned icy.
"You're really trying to kill me."
Shiran gave no answer.
Only silence.
And that silence was worse than anything.
Purple energy rose again.
The sky darkened.
Alex stepped forward.
"That's enough."
No one heard him.
Because Shiran was already preparing his next technique.
Shadows began to merge.
A massive spear formed.
But this attack…
was not something meant for a training duel.
Akira's eyes widened slightly.
Daichi swallowed.
Sora's face turned pale.
Alex shouted again.
"SHIRAN!"
But Shiran didn't stop.
Purple energy surged wildly.
Kaito stood still.
Lightning gathered in his hands.
If this attack was released…
both of them would be seriously injured.
Maybe worse.
Alex suddenly jumped into the battlefield.
BOOOOOOOM!
An energy barrier formed.
Just as Shiran was about to release the attack—
Alex's voice filled the entire area.
"THE MATCH IS OVER!"
Silence.
The purple energy froze mid-air.
Shiran turned angrily.
"Get out of my way."
Alex's expression hardened.
"No."
"This duel is over."
Shiran clenched his fists.
"You're not the one who decides that."
Alex's eyes darkened.
"On the contrary."
"I'm responsible for everyone's safety here."
Shiran stepped forward.
Alex did not back down.
The air grew tense.
So tense that no one dared to breathe.
Even Kaito watched silently.
At that moment, Yuki in the infirmary flinched again.
A distant energy explosion shook the windows of the room.
Yuki pulled her blanket tighter.
"Ha-Haruto big brother…"
Haruto turned to her.
"Hmm?"
Yuki hesitated.
Then slowly spoke.
"Kaito big brother… he won't die, right?"
Haruto stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then he placed his hand on Yuki's head.
"Don't worry."
He tried to give a small smile.
"It's not that easy to get rid of him."
Yuki let out a small laugh.
But Haruto's unease didn't fade.
Because at the same time…
deep inside the headquarters…
in an old corridor no one ever used…
A door…
slowly creaked open.
The sound echoed through the darkness.
And from inside…
two faint glowing eyes opened.
As if someone…
or something…
had just awakened for the first time in a very long while….