BAM!
The stadium rattled as two Beyblades slammed into each other, sparks snapping at the point of impact.
"Too slow!" one of them said, leaning in with a grin. "You're losing control already!"
"Am I?" the other replied instantly, eyes sharp. "Then why are you the one getting pushed back?"
BAM!
The Beyblades crashed again, harder this time. One skidded toward the edge—tilted—then snapped back into spin.
"Yeah—that's what I thought," the second one smirked.
"Don't get cocky," the first fired back. "You haven't won anything
Behind them, stretched across the couch, a boy lay on his back with his arms tucked behind his head. His messy black hair, tipped faintly with red, slipped over his eyes as he watched.
He didn't move much. Just a lazy smirk, barely there.
You guys have been playing with those stupid spinning tops… what's so special about them, anyway?" he smirked.
Neither of them respond.
CLACK!
Another hard collision. The stadium shook again.
"Keep talking," one of them said through a grin. "You're about to lose this round."
"Say that again when yours stops wobbling," the other shot back immediately.
The boy on the couch tilted his head slightly, watching through half-lidded eyes.
"…It hits… spins… then hits again," he said slowly. "…That's it."
"Man, you're not even watching," one of them snapped, finally glancing back at him. "Look at the timing!"
"Yeah," the other added without looking away from the stadium, "you gotta catch the moment it loses balance—then hit it again."
CLASH!
Right on cue, one Beyblade knocked the other off-center. It scraped the stadium, almost tipping—
Sped back in.
"THERE! You saw that?!"
The boy's eyes followed it for a second longer this time. Just a second.
"I saw it—don't act like you planned that!"
Then he shrugged.
"You're hopeless," one of them said.
The boy pushed himself up slowly, stretching his arms with a quiet groan.
"Aight… I'm heading out. See you guys tomorrow at school."
"Now?" one of them said quickly. "This round's about to end!"
"Pretty sure you said that already," the boy replied, grabbing his bag.
He slung the bag over his shoulder and started toward the door while the battle kept going behind him.
CLASH!
"Don't miss it when I win!" …snapping the other one back to the battle that they were having.
"You? Win? Keep dreaming!"
The boy waved a hand lazily without turning around. Yeah... yeah
He pulled the door open—
whatever, Visor!" one of them said.
The door shut behind him.
The afternoon air was warm and slow.
He stepped onto the dirt road, hands sliding into the pockets of his loose red jacket, hanging open over a black shirt. The chain at his side gave a faint clink with every step.
clink… clink…
His messy hair shifted slightly as he kicked a small rock forward.
"…Still don't get it," he muttered.
The rock rolled. He kicked it again.
"…They just spin around and crash."
Another kick.
"…Why do people even like that?"
Up ahead, farmers worked quietly in the fields. Tools scraped against the ground in slow rhythm.
He glanced over as he passed.
"…You guys get it?" he shouted, throwing his hands up. "Seriously… what's so great about Beyblade?!"
He blushed and whipped his head away, hoping no one noticed.
too late
All of them were staring at him, eyebrows raised, mouths slightly open in confusion.
Never mind
He shook his head, smirking faintly. "Whatever."
By the time he reached his house, the sun was dipping low, painting the fields orange.
He took off his shoes at the entrance.
"I'm home."
From the living room—
"You're already here?"
A girl sat on the couch, long hair falling over her shoulders, a lollipop in her mouth while she held a game console. She didn't even look up.
"Mom told me to tell you to clean your room."
"…Of course she did."
She smirked slightly. "Try doing it this time, Visor."
He clicked his tongue. "…Yeah, yeah, Zono
"…I'll believe it when I see it."
Upstairs, his door creaked open.
Clothes everywhere. Books half-open. Random junk scattered.
Visor stared at it
... Man
He stepped in.
Dropped his bag.
Didn't pick up anything.
Flopped onto his bed.
"…I'll do it later."
He grabbed the remote off his bed.
Click
The TV exploded to life with a Beyblade battle—faster, sharper, completely different. Sparks snapped with every impact.
The crowd roared:
"GO! GO! GO!"
"BURST IT!"
"FINISH IT!"
The announcer's voice boomed:
"WHAT AN IMPACT!"
On screen stood a blader—
Kite Azoi.
Visor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Okay… this is way different from what I saw earlier…"
The opposing Beyblade lunged forward—hard—trying to end it.
"THIS IS IT!"
Kite didn't move.
"he leaned in closer.
His Beyblade dipped—barely—avoiding the hit.
Then curved back in.
Fast.
Precise
"HELL BREAKER!"
CRACK!
The opposing Beyblade burst apart mid-spin. Pieces flew across the stadium.
The referee called out:
"REQUIEM HADES WITH A BURST FINISH!"
A beat
"THE WINNER—KITE AZOI!"
The crowd exploded.
"Of course!" the announcer continued. "The world champion takes another win!"
Visor leaned forward slightly.
"…Okay."
A small grin formed.
"…That was actually crazy."
His foot tapped lightly. clink… clink…
The Replay rolled.
Timing. Control. Movement.
"…Yeah…"
His eyes stayed locked on the screen.
"…that's completely different."
Footsteps passed his door.
"Visor."
His mom's voice.
"I told your sister to tell you to clean your
room."
"…Didn't she tell you?"
Visor didn't look away from the TV.
"…She did."
Another clash echoed from the screen.
"…I'll do it."
He didn't move.
A pause.
"…Visor."
Still nothing.
"Visor."
"…Yeah?"
"Clean your room."
"…In a minute."
Silence.
Then—
THWACK!
Something smacked him straight in the side
of the head.
"…Ow—what the—?!"
A shoe dropped onto his bed.
He turned slowly toward the door.
His mother stood there, arms crossed,
completely unamused.
"I said," she said flatly, "clean your room.
Now."
Visor rubbed the side of his head, staring at the shoe.
"…You really threw that?"
"Yes."
"…You've got good aim."
"That wasn't even full force."
He paused.
"…That's kinda scary."
From the hallway—
A quiet snort.
Zono stood there, leaning against the wall,
watching the whole thing.
Then she burst out laughing.
"Pfft—"
She covered her mouth, failing immediately.
"You got hit!"
Visor shot her a look. "…You wanna be
next?"
She grinned. "Nah, I actually listen."
"…Fake."
His mom pointed toward the mess of a room.
"Now."
Visor sighed dramatically, dragging himself up off the bed like it physically hurt.
"…Yeah, yeah…"
He grabbed the shoe and tossed it lightly back toward the door.
"Next time aim for something important," he muttered.
"It was something important."
"…Wow. I feel valued."
Zono laughed again as he stepped past them.
Behind him, the TV still echoed—
Crowds cheering.
Beyblades clashing.
Visor paused for just a second.
Glanced back at the screen.
"…Yeah…"
A small smirk returned.
"…I'll watch that later."
The next day.
Sunlight slanted lazily across the bedroom floor, catching on clothes, books, and whatever else Visor had left scattered overnight.
Downstairs, Zono lounged on the couch, a lollipop tucked in the corner of her mouth and a gaming console held loosely in her hands, eyes rolling.
"Mom, why do I always have to wait for him?" she asked, dripping with sarcasm. "I'm basically late every single day because of Visor."
Her mother sighed, coffee in hand. "I know, I know… but he's your older brother. You have to wait for him sometimes."
Zono huffed, smirking. "Oh, joy. I have to, huh? Because he's never on time, ever. Lucky me."
" Look I get it" Mom muttered, shaking her head. "You always get yourself ready on time, keep things in order, and basically handle more than your share.. but still—when is he actually going to wake up?"
With that, she stomped up the stairs, the wooden steps creaking beneath her. Reaching Visor's door, she kicked it open and stormed inside.
Visor was still half-buried under his blanket, face hidden, groaning as he turned over.
"Mm… five more minutes…" he mumbled, a strand of hair sticking to his forehead.
"Not happening," Mom said sharply, yanking the blanket off his shoulders. "You're already late for school, and your sister's waiting for you. Get up—now."
"Fine… I'm getting up," he muttered, rubbing his eyes and stumbling toward the bathroom.
Mom pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath,
"You're hopeless."
She followed a step behind, hands on her hips, coffee wobbling slightly in her free hand.
"I swear… you're going to be the death of me," she added, exasperation clear in her tone.
Later, downstairs, Zono leaned against the stairs railing, lollipop in her mouth and console in hand, shouting up, "Hurry up already!" she said sarcastically , a hint of annoyance in her tone.
Visor groaned again, dragging one foot and letting out a small sigh.
"Yeah, yeah… coming," he mumbled, still half-asleep, swinging his arms to keep his balance.
Later The front door opened with a soft creak.
Warm air drifted in from outside.
Visor stepped out first.
He wore a loose red jacket hanging open over a plain black shirt. Baggy blue jeans sat low and relaxed on him, moving slightly with each slow step. A wallet chain hung from his pocket, giving off a faint—
Clink...Clink
with every shift of his weight. On his feet were red sneakers, slightly scuffed from dirt roads and careless walking.
His messy black hair, tipped faintly with red, caught the sunlight for a moment before falling back over his eyes as he yawned.
Zono followed right behind him.
She looked more put-together in comparison. A fitted off-shoulder top rested comfortably on her shoulders, paired with a simple skirt that moved lightly as she walked. A bag hung neatly at her side, and in her hand was a gaming console she was already focused on. The lollipop sat in her mouth, tilted slightly as she spoke, shifting as she talked around it without caring.
Her black hair with red tips was smoother than Visor's—neatly styled, falling clean and controlled over her shoulders.
"I swear," she said immediately, not even looking up from her console, "Mom should just start charging you for every morning you ruin."
"Mm."
"Don't 'mm' me."
"I heard you."
"You didn't respond."
"I did."
"That wasn't a response."
They stepped onto the dirt road.
Crunch.
Crunch.
The morning air was warm and still. Fields stretched out on both sides, farmers already working, tools hitting soil in slow, steady rhythm.
Zono walked beside him, eyes flicking between her console and the path ahead, lollipop still in her mouth as she spoke.
"And it's not even like I'm the one causing problems," she continued. "I'm literally ready. I'm waiting. And then you show up like the whole concept of time is optional."
"Ok."
Do you want a treat or something?"
"Wow. Hilarious."
Visor stretched his arms slightly, then rested them behind his head as he walked.
Relaxed posture. Lazy stride.
But his eyes weren't fully on the road.
They drifted.
CLACK.
The sound echoed in his head again.
Metal hitting metal.
Spin shifting.
Balance breaking—
then recovering at the edge.
"…That's different…" he muttered under his breath.
Zono finally glanced at him over the top of her console. "What is?"
No answer.
She went back to playing.
"And anyway," she added casually, lollipop shifting slightly in her mouth as she spoke, "Mom doesn't even get mad at me.
She just looks exhausted because she knows exactly how this goes every day."
Visor shrugged slightly. "Never said you were the problem."
" exactly."
" that's what I mean."
A small rock rolled near Visor's foot.
He nudged it forward without thinking."
It spun.
Wobbled.
Then corrected itself and rolled on.
His eyes followed it a moment longer than necessary.
"…Huh."
"What now?" Zono asked without looking up.
"Nothing."
The wind passed through the fields, dragging thin streaks of dust across the road.
Visor watched it curve slightly before it settled.
"…It bends weird…"
Zono sighed.
"You're talking about wind while I'm literally mid-game."
He didn't respond.
THUNK.
A farmer struck the ground nearby.
THUNK.
Same motion.
Same rhythm.
Zono didn't even react—just kept playing, lollipop still between her lips.
Visor kept walking.
Up ahead, a metal bucket got nudged and rolled unevenly across the dirt.
Zono finally looked up.
"Don't tell me you're going to stare at that too."
Visor didn't answer.
But he slowed slightly.
The bucket wobbled harder.
Almost tipping.
He stepped forward—
and lightly tapped it.
CLANK.
It steadied briefly.
Rolled smoother—
then fell over a moment later.
Zono blinked. "…Okay, why did you do that?"
Visor looked at it.
Then shrugged.
"…Looked unstable."
"That's not an explanation."
"It is."
"It really isn't."
They kept walking.
Zono returned her attention to the console,
lollipop still shifting as she spoke casually.
"You've been weird since yesterday."
"Have not."
"You have."
"Don't start."
"I'm serious."
Visor stretched slightly, hands back behind his head.
But his eyes stayed lower now.
Tracking.
Noticing.
Without realizing it.
CLACK.
That moment again.
Shift.
Timing.
Recovery.
"…Timing…" he muttered.
Zono didn't even look up this time.
"You know if you start diagnosing buckets, I'm calling it a mental issue."
He didn't respond.
She sighed.
"…You're impossible."
"I know."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I know."
They kept walking.
Ahead the school gates showed
Students were already pouring in, noise building in layers—footsteps, chatter, distant shouting from the courtyard.
Zono didn't even look up from her console.
Visor started walking with them.
Same pace.
Same lazy rhythm.
Clink… clink…
Zono walked beside him, eyes still on her console.
Zono looked up.
"…Finally," she muttered. "This place is already annoying before classes even start."
Visor didn't respond.
But his steps—
slowed.
Just slightly.
The student flow ahead shifted.
Not the gate itself.
Just off to the side of it.
A pressure in the crowd.
A circle had formed.
Students packed tightly around something,
forcing the incoming flow to split around it like water around a stone.
"Move!"
"Wait—this is about to end!"
"Go!"
CLACK!
Metal struck metal sharply.
A Beyblade stadium sat in the center of the circle, shaking slightly with each impact.
Some students were still walking past.
Others had stopped completely.
Visor kept moving with the crowd.
Then—
he stopped mid-step.
Not sudden.
Not dramatic.
Just… like the world didn't require him to take that next step.
Zono noticed instantly.
"…What now?"
But Visor didn't answer.
His head tilted slightly.
Just enough.
His gaze slipped through the gaps in the moving students.
To the stadium.
Zono frowned and followed his line of sight.
At first, it looked normal.
Just another match.
But then she focused.
One of them—
was off.
Not obvious.
Not loud.
Just slightly unstable.
The spin dragged—too long on the recovery.
Visor tilted his head slightly.
CLACK!
It hit the edge wrong.
it Recovered—
but not cleanly
Zono eyes narrowed
"…Huh?"
Visor's voice came out low.
"…It's over."
Zono turned toward him immediately.
CRACK!
The Beyblade burst mid-spin.
Pieces scattered across the stadium.
The circle exploded into noise.
"IT BURST!"
"NO WAY!"
Visor had already started walking again.
Like he never stopped.
Zono stared at him for a second longer.
"…You saw that before it happened."
Visor shrugged slightly.
But he didn't respond.
Just kept walking through the student flow like nothing had changed.
Clink… clink…
And the school gates swallowed them both into the morning crowd.
For a few seconds, it was just noise and motion—students flowing in different directions like currents splitting around obstacles. Conversations overlapped, footsteps hit the pavement in uneven rhythm, and the early-day energy of the school pressed in from every side.
Zono walked slightly ahead of Visor at first, still half-focused on her console, thumb moving lazily across the screen.
"…So what was that back there?" she asked without looking up.
"Nothing," he said
"You're a liar," Zono said.
"It was obvious," he said casually.
"It was so not obvious." She sighed and shook her head.
She finally snapped her handheld console shut with a soft click and slid it into her bag, adjusting the strap over her shoulder like she'd done it a thousand times before.
"You're impossible," she added, glancing sideways at Visor.
He didn't answer. Just kept walking like he hadn't heard her at all.
They reached the split in the walkway where the crowd naturally divided—students peeling off in different directions toward their classes.
"All right." Zono sighed. "Don't fall asleep in class again. I'm not dealing with that reputation."
Visor smirked. "No promises."
He turned and stepped into the flow of students.
In a few seconds, he was just another body in the crowd.
And then—
he was gone from her view.
Zono clicked her tongue. "Idiot."
The classroom was already loud when Visor walked in.
Chairs scraped against the floor, backpacks dropped onto desks, voices overlapping in messy layers of morning chaos.
"Did you see it?! That match outside the gate was insane!"
"Yeah—his Bey just burst the other one apart!"
Visor didn't stop walking.
He slipped between desks like he already knew exactly where he was going.
Visor reached the back of the classroom.
Same seat as always.
He dropped into it without a sound.
The noise of the room stayed the same—talking, laughing, chairs shifting—but it all felt further away back here.
He leaned slightly toward the window.
Outside, the school grounds were already filling with movement under the morning light.
Visor sat back in his chair, eyes drifting toward the window.
Outside—wind moving slow across the field.
But his mind wasn't there.
"…That battle at the gate…"
His expression stayed relaxed, but his thoughts sharpened.
"…That was messy."
Bad timing. Poor control after impact. Spins losing balance too fast.
CLACK.
"…No real structure."
Just hitting harder and hoping it holds.
A faint pause.
Then his thoughts shifted.
Requiem Hades…
"But the battle on TV was
Clean. Precise. Controlled from the moment it made contact.
Every movement had intention.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…That's what real control looks like."
Not just power.
Not just impact.
But stability after the impact.
A small smirk formed.
"…and that gate battle…"
"…was just noise compared to that."
As soon as the bell rings, the teacher walks into the classroom. The students immediately start settling down, sliding into their seats and quieting their voices. The teacher looks across the room and says, "Alright everyone, we're doing roll call.
""Ethan Marlo." — "Here."
"Rebecca Rose." — "Here."
"Visor Hale."
Silence.
The teacher cleared his throat again.
"Visor Hale," he said, louder this time.
Visor came back to reality with a lazy glance. "Oh. Here. I guess."
The teacher let out a sigh as the students chuckled softly.
Later The bell rang again.
Visor got up slowly from his seat and slipped out of the classroom without a word, hands tucked into his pockets as he drifted down the hallway alone.
The library was quieter than the rest of the school.
Cool air. Soft light. Rows of computers humming faintly.
He dropped into a chair, leaned back, and powered on the screen.
"…Kite Azoi."
He typed it in.
A page loaded.
KITE AZOI
A Japanese Blader known worldwide as the current World Champion.
He is recognized for his dominance in high-level competitive Beyblade.
"His Beyblade partner and spirit is Requiem Hades, a top-tier Beyblade known for its extreme performance output and adaptive combat structure."
Visor tilted his head slightly.
"… Spirit partner, huh."
His gaze flicked back to the gate battle memory.
"Yeah… that's why it felt different. They didn't have a spirit partner."
BEYBLADE — OVERVIEW
Beyblade is a competitive spinning-top battle system originating in Japan.
It developed into an international sport built on physics-based motion, balance control, and tactical customization.
From Japan, it expanded worldwide into official leagues and championship circuits.
"…So it started in Japan…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Makes sense."
Visor scrolls down, eyes narrowing as he lands on a section titled "Beyblade Types."
"…Beyblade types, huh."
Attack Type — high-impact offensive power.
"…Just pure offense."
Defense Type — resistance and stability.
"…Hard to break."
Stamina Type — long spin endurance.
"…Lasts longer."
Balance Type — combines attack, defense,
and stamina.
"…So it's all of it."
He leaned back slightly.
Attack, defense, stamina…
And balance is just all of it mixed.
His eyes stayed on the screen.
"…So it depends who's using it."
Visor stared at the screen a little longer.
A pause.
His finger moved slightly.
Scroll.
A line appeared.
SPIRIT PARTNER SYSTEM
He stopped.
"…Spirit partner?"
Scroll.
IN HIGH-LEVEL BEYBLADE COMPETITIONS, BLADERS FORM CONTRACTS WITH SPIRIT ENTITIES TO ENHANCE CONTROL AND STABILITY.
THE SPIRIT DOES NOT MERELY ASSIST — IT RESIDES WITHIN THE BEYBLADE ITSELF.
Visor blinked once.
"…Inside it?"
He leaned back slightly.
"…So the Beyblade's just a shell."
He scrolled again.
SPIRIT CONTRACTS ARE REQUIRED FOR RANKED CIRCUITS AND OFFICIAL TOURNAMENTS.
"…Official tournaments…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…So the pros."
He paused.
CLACK.
That moment again.
The gate.
The wobble.
The recovery.
The burst.
"…No…"
A small correction in his thoughts.
"…That wasn't even that."
He exhaled lightly.
"…Just street battles."
He scrolled further.
THE BEYBLADE ACTS AS A VESSEL — A SHELL THAT HOLDS THE SPIRIT.
WITHOUT A SPIRIT, IT IS EMPTY AND LIMITED IN FUNCTION.
"…So that's the difference."
His tone stayed flat.
Not amazed.
Just connecting pieces.
He kept reading.
SPIRIT TYPES: COMMON / RARE / LEGENDARY
"…So there's levels."
But his expression didn't change.
Just processing.
Visor leaned back.
"…So that's the real system behind it."
A pause.
Then:
"…And I didn't even know that."
He closed the page.
The screen dimmed.
Silence filled the library again.
He smirked slightly.
"…Alright. I'm interested now."
Later, students were streaming out of the school, and Visor was walking toward the exit when Zono was there waiting for him, leaning against the school gate, playing with her console, a lollipop in her mouth.
"Finally," she said flatly, not even looking up from her console. "I was starting to think you got lost somewhere between the classroom and basic human responsibility."
"If I was lost, you'd still be waiting anyway."
Another beat.
He shifted his weight.
"So I'm fine."
Visor walked ahead, hands buried in his pockets, shoulders slightly slouched as he moved at an easy pace.
He didn't look back.
Zono finally looked up from her gaming console, still holding it in her hands as her thumbs kept moving across the screen.
"…You're impossible," she muttered under her breath.
Her eyes lingered on his back for a second longer than necessary.
She clicked her tongue softly, not stopping her game.
After a brief pause, she lowered the console just slightly—not enough to put it away, just enough to shift her grip.
Then she started walking beside him.
The dirt road stretched ahead in a long, quiet line, cutting through fields that swayed gently under the afternoon wind.
Farmers worked in the distance, tools striking soil in slow, steady rhythm—THUNK… THUNK… like the land itself was
breathing.
Visor walked without hurry.
Hands buried in his pockets.
Shoulders loose.
His gaze drifted upward more than forward, as if the sky mattered just slightly more than the path beneath him.
Beside him, Zono kept pace.
Eyes locked on her console.
Thumbs moving with practiced rhythm.
The lollipop in her mouth shifted side to side as she spoke between quiet pauses in her game, completely unbothered by the world around her.
The lollipop in her mouth shifted side to side as she spoke between quiet pauses in her game, completely unbothered by the world around her.
"You're spacing out again," she said flatly,
not looking up.
"I'm walking," Visor replied.
"That's not an answer."
"It is."
"No, it's not."
He didn't respond after that.
They kept walking down the dirt road, Zono still focused on her console , and Visor moving at his usual slow, lazy pace.
"Hey, Zono!"
Zono barely glanced up from her screen.
The farmer held out a small basket of eggs.
"This is a thank-you gift for Celine. I just wanted to give her something after everything she helped me with on the farm earlier."
Zono finally looked up for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"…I'll tell my mom you said thanks."
"Thank you!" the farmer said with a relieved smile.
Then he turned and walked away.
Visor didn't stop walking the whole time.
He only glanced over for a second, watching the exchange, then kept moving forward like it didn't change his pace at all.
Up ahead, their house came into view at the end of the dirt road.
The familiar wooden structure sat quietly against the fields, warm light faintly spilling through the windows as the sun dipped lower behind them.
Visor kept walking at the same lazy pace.
Zono followed beside him, still holding the small basket of eggs in one hand while her other stayed wrapped around her gaming console.
"…Finally," she muttered. "Home."
Visor didn't respond.
The dirt path crunched under their steps until they reached the front door.
Click.
The door creaked open.
Visor stepped inside first, slipping his hands out of his pockets just slightly.
"…We're home," he said flatly.
Zono followed right behind, still balancing the basket carefully. "We're home," she repeated, more tired than anything.
From inside the house—
A pause.
Then celines' voice immediately cut through.
"About time."
She was standing near the kitchen, arms crossed, eyes already locking onto them the moment they entered.
Her gaze dropped to Zono's hands.
"…Eggs?" she said.
Zono lifted them slightly. "A farmer gave them to me. Said it was for you. I told him I'd pass it on."
Celine blinked once, then let out a quiet "Ah."
"That explains it."
She took the basket carefully from Zono.
"I helped him with his crops a few days ago. He must've wanted to thank me."
Zono tilted her head.
"You helped him?"
Celine nodded.
"He was short on hands, so I spent the afternoon helping harvest and carry supplies. It wasn't a big deal."
She looked over the fresh eggs with a small smile.
"Looks like he insisted on repaying the favor anyway."
Visor shrugged from the doorway.
"People around here really like you."
Celine smiled faintly.
"Being kind tends to come back around."
Zono grinned.
"So... are these becoming dinner?"
Celine chuckled.
"Some of them. The rest I'll save for breakfast tomorrow."
Visor lingered in the hallway for a moment longer.
Then he turned and started up the stairs.
Clink… clink…
The soft sound of his chain faded as he climbed, hands in his pockets, moving like he wasn't in any rush to be anywhere.
"Don't fall asleep up there," Zono called without looking up. "You'll miss dinner again."
"I won't," Visor said, already on the stairs.
Zono scoffed. "Yeah, sure. Last time you said that, you didn't show up until half the food was gone."
Visor paused slightly. "That's not because I was asleep."
"It's the same result."
He didn't argue that. Just kept walking.
Celine set the basket of eggs down on the kitchen counter, already moving back toward the stove.
"Visor!" Celine called from the kitchen. "Dinner'll be ready in about thirty minutes.
Be downstairs by then."
"Yeah," Visor said, already halfway up the stairs, not even turning around.
Clink… clink…
His footsteps kept going like nothing had changed.
Visor made it to his room.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
He kicked off his shoes by the entrance, one after the other, without really looking.
They landed somewhere near the wall.
He walked further in and sat down on the edge of his bed.
The room was quiet.
Clothes were still scattered around the floor.
He didn't move to fix anything.
Just sat there for a moment, leaning forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees.
Visor grabbed the remote.
Click.
The TV flickered to life.
The screen immediately filled with a massive stadium bathed in brilliant lights.
The TV immediately pulled Visor's focus.
Packed stands stretched in every direction, giant screens replaying highlights from past championships as thousands of fans roared.
The sound hit first.
"WE ARE LIVE AT THE WORLD BEYBLADE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS!!"
The announcer's voice thundered through the arena.
The crowd answered with an earth-shaking roar.
The camera swept across the stadium.
Top-down shots of the battle arena.
Close-ups of technicians making final adjustments to the Beyblade stadium.
Fans waving banners and national flags.
Then—
The camera locked onto the center stage.
A lone figure stood beneath the lights.
Silver hair.
Arms crossed.
Completely still.
"AND HERE HE IS!! THE REIGNING WORLD CHAMPION—KITE AZOI!!"
The stadium exploded.
The broadcast zoomed in.
Kite didn't acknowledge the cheers.
No wave.
No smile.
No reaction.
Only quiet focus.
Visor narrowed his eyes.
"... there he is."
Without realizing it, he leaned forward.
The feed switched.
A second entrance gate slowly opened.
"AND HIS CHALLENGER—REPRESENTING MEXICO—ANTONIO FRANCISCO GARCÍA!!"
The atmosphere shifted.
Less certainty.
More anticipation.
Antonio walked onto the stage wearing an easy smile.
The camera followed him with a smooth tracking shot.
He rolled his shoulders like he was about to have fun instead of facing the strongest blader in the world.
"THIS IS HIS FIRST APPEARANCE ON THE WORLD STAGE—AND HE'S ALREADY BEEN MAKING SOME VERY BOLD STATEMENTS!"
Cheers.
Whistles.
Scattered chants echoed throughout the stadium.
Antonio stopped across from Kite.
His emerald-green eyes stared right at him.
The noise settled into tense anticipation.
He laughed lightly.
"...So you're the world champion?"
His voice carried clearly through the arena microphones.
Even through the television speakers, Visor could hear every word.
"...He's relaxed," Visor muttered.
The cameras alternated between close-ups.
Antonio smiling.
Kite expressionless.
The crowd leaning forward.
Then Kite finally spoke.
"You came here smiling."
The broadcast audio sharpened, isolating his voice.
"That's rare."
A brief pause.
"But it doesn't matter."
Even the commentators fell silent.
Visor's posture shifted.
"...That tone..."
Kite continued.
"You're still standing in the same place as everyone else."
Another pause.
"So speak less...
...and prove more."
The crowd erupted again.
The cameras trembled slightly from the stadium's energy.
Antonio's grin only widened.
"...Man, you really talk like that all the time?"
A few people laughed.
Then he rested his Beyblade on his shoulder and chuckled.
"Just don't bore me, Kite."
The crowd immediately reacted.
"OHHHH!"
"HE SAID IT!"
"THIS KID'S GOT GUTS!"
One commentator laughed.
"Antonio isn't backing down one bit!"
Visor let out a slow breath.
"...He's not intimidated."
His eyes never left the screen.
Antonio slowly raised his Beyblade.
The camera zoomed in.
Metal gleamed beneath the stadium lights.
"MEET MY SPIRIT PARTNER AND BEYBLADE..."
A brief pause.
The announcer lowered his voice.
"WIND FANG QUETZALCOATL!!"
The instant it appeared—
The broadcast audio distorted ever so slightly.
Not from volume.
From pressure.
The camera focused tightly on the Beyblade.
Wind-like engravings.
A serpent-like design.
It looked like more than ordinary metal.
A faint ripple of static rolled through the broadcast.
The crowd instinctively quieted.
Visor remained perfectly still.
"...That one feels different."
His hand slowly slipped off his knee.
On the screen—
Kite's eyes narrowed.
For the first time—
His expression changed.
Not fear.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
Visor's eyes sharpened.
"...He noticed it too."
The camera lingered on Kite.
Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl resting in the foreground.
The crowd slowly began roaring again.
Then Kite quietly said,
"...Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl... huh."
Visor leaned back slightly.
A small smirk appeared.
"...Okay."
The glow of the television reflected in his eyes.
"...Now I get why people watch this."
Kite raised his arm.
From his hand, Requiem Hades slowly came into view as he lifted it up and showed it directly toward the stadium and Antonio.
"Antonio smirked as his eyes locked on it.
'So this is Requiem Hades… I've only ever seen it in images. Seeing it here in person is something else.'"
The crowd detonated.
"WHOOOOOOAAAAA!!"
"IT'S REQUIEM HADES!!"
"NO WAY!!"
The announcer shouted over the chaos:
"THERE IT IS!! THE FAMOUS REQUIEM HADES!!"
The stadium remained silent.
Antonio held Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl in his hand, his eyes locked onto Kite.
Across from him, Kite didn't move.
Requiem Hades rested in his grip.
The two Beyblades faced each other.
Then—
A voice came through the stadium.
"…So this is the World Champion."
Antonio's eyes shifted slightly.
Not surprised.
Just listening.
The voice came from Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl.
Visor froze.
Back in his room, the sound from the television caught his attention immediately.
His hand stopped moving.
"...Wait."
He leaned closer.
"That came from the Beyblade."
On the screen, the crowd wasn't confused.
They weren't looking around.
They were cheering.
Like this was completely normal.
Visor stared.
"They can actually talk?"
Antonio looked down at his Beyblade.
A small grin appeared.
"You're interested, huh?"
Quetzalcoatl responded calmly.
"I am observing."
Antonio laughed quietly.
"That's your way of saying yes."
"The opponent standing before us is different."
Antonio's smile faded slightly.
Not because he was nervous.
Because he understood.
"Yeah..."
"I noticed too."
Across the stadium, Kite lowered his gaze toward Requiem Hades.
"Hades."
The Beyblade responded.
"I am aware."
Kite's expression didn't change.
"What do you think?"
A pause.
Then—
"He is strong."
Kite looked forward.
"But?"
"He has confidence."
A brief silence.
"Confidence alone is not enough."
Kite nodded slightly.
"That's what I thought."
The two spirits continued watching each other.
Quetzalcoatl spoke.
"Your Blader is calm."
Hades answered.
"Your Blader is passionate."
Antonio raised an eyebrow.
"Are you two analyzing each other already?"
Quetzalcoatl answered.
"Yes."
Antonio sighed.
"You really don't waste time."
Kite remained silent.
Hades spoke again.
"Kite."
"I know."
The two shared a brief moment.
No explanation.
No hesitation.
They already understood each other.
Visor watched from his bedroom.
The glow of the television reflected in his eyes.
The cheers.
The spirits.
The way the Bladers spoke with their Beyblades like they were teammates.
It was completely different from anything he had seen before.
"…So that's what a real Blader is."
He leaned forward.
"They aren't just controlling them."
"They're partners."
The announcer finally spoke again, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Both Bladers and their spirits are ready!"The stadium lights dimmed slightly.
The noise of thousands of fans slowly settled into a wave of anticipation.
The camera moved across the stadium one more time before focusing on the two Beyblades resting in the Bladers' hands.
The announcer's voice thundered through the arena.
"Before this legendary battle begins, let's take a moment to look at the two incredible spirits standing before us!"
The giant screens above the stadium changed.
First—
Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl appeared.
The crowd immediately erupted.
"Representing Mexico... Antonio Francisco García's legendary spirit partner!"
The camera zoomed in on the Beyblade.
A serpent-like design wrapped around its metal frame, with patterns resembling flowing wind surrounding its core.
"Known as the Wind Feather Serpent—Fang Quetzalcoatl!"
The announcer raised his voice.
"A legendary spirit with control over the power of wind itself! A spirit built around speed, precision, and overwhelming offensive pressure!"
The crowd cheered louder.
"And as an Attack Type Beyblade, Fang Quetzalcoatl specializes in aggressive movements, powerful strikes, and ending battles before its opponent can adapt!"
The camera cut to Antonio.
He smiled confidently, holding his Beyblade forward.
Quetzalcoatl remained silent.
Calm.
Watching.
The announcer continued.
"But don't let its appearance fool you! This isn't just a powerful attacker!"
The screen showed clips of Fang Quetzalcoatl moving through previous battles.
"Antonio and Quetzalcoatl have shown incredible synchronization, using speed and timing to create attacks that even experienced Bladers struggle to predict!"
The crowd roared.
Then—
The screen changed.
A dark atmosphere filled the stadium.
Requiem Hades appeared.
The reaction was immediate.
The entire arena exploded.
"AND NOW..."
The announcer's voice lowered.
"The Beyblade everyone here came to see."
Visor's eyes narrowed slightly from his room.
The glow of the television reflected across his face.
"...Hades."
The announcer continued.
"Representing Japan... the reigning World Champion's legendary spirit partner!"
The camera focused on the dark, powerful design of Requiem Hades.
"Known as the Ruler of the Underworld..."
The crowd shouted the name.
"REQUIEM HADES!"
The announcer spread his arms.
"A legendary spirit that has dominated the highest level of Beyblade competition!"
The screen displayed past championship victories.
"Unlike most Beyblades, Requiem Hades is classified as a Balance Type!"
Visor leaned slightly closer.
"Balance type..."
The announcer continued.
"Capable of adapting between offense, defense, and stamina! A Beyblade with no single weakness and a spirit partner capable of changing strategies during battle!"
The crowd became even louder.
"That is why Kite Azoi has remained undefeated at the top!"
The camera moved back to Kite.
He stood completely still.
No excitement.
No nervousness.
Only focus.
Visor stared.
"...He's really calm."
The announcer's voice reached its peak.
"On one side, we have the legendary Wind Feather Serpent!"
The camera showed Antonio.
"Fang Quetzalcoatl!"
The crowd cheered.
"And on the other..."
The camera showed Kite.
"THE RULER OF THE UNDERWORLD!"
The stadium shook.
"REQUIEM HADES!"
The announcer shouted:
"TWO LEGENDARY SPIRITS!"
"TWO ELITE BLADERS!"
"ONE STADIUM!"
The crowd screamed.
"OH MAN, I'M GETTING EXCITED JUST SAYING IT!"
The announcer laughed into his microphone.
"Two legendary spirits are about to collide! I cannot wait to see which one proves their dominance!"
Back in his room, Visor didn't move.
For once...
He wasn't distracted.
He wasn't bored.
His eyes stayed locked on the screen.
Two Beyblades.
Two spirits.
Two partners.
The referee stepped into the stadium, raising her hand.
The referee stepped into the stadium, raising her hand.
The roar of the crowd slowly faded.
Back in his room, Visor sat forward slightly on his bed.
The television glow reflected in his eyes.
For once, he wasn't looking away.
The referee stood in the center of the stadium.
"Before this battle begins, I will explain the official rules!"
Visor blinked.
"Rules?"
He leaned a little closer.
The giant screens above the stadium changed.
"This match will be decided through the official Beyblade scoring system!"
The referee raised one finger.
"A Ring Out Finish will award one point! If a Blader's Beyblade is knocked out of the stadium, their opponent will receive the point!"
The screen showed a Beyblade being launched out of the arena.
Visor stared.
"So... you don't just have to hit it."
His eyes narrowed.
"You can actually win by forcing it out."
The referee raised another finger.
"A Survival Finish will award one point! If a Blader's Beyblade continues spinning after their opponent's Beyblade stops, they will receive the point."
The screen showed one Beyblade slowing down while the other continued spinning.
Visor tilted his head.
"Wait..."
"So lasting longer counts too?"
A small pause.
"Then it's not just about attacking."
The referee raised a third finger.
"A Burst Finish will award two points! If a Blader causes their opponent's Beyblade to break apart during battle, they will receive the victory."
The crowd erupted.
Visor's eyes widened slightly.
"Two points..."
He remembered the battle at the school gate.
The impact.
The explosion.
The pieces flying apart.
"That's what happened earlier."
He looked back at the screen.
"So that wasn't just losing control..."
"It was an actual way to win."
The referee lowered her hand.
"Both Bladers, prepare your Beyblades!"
The cameras moved toward Antonio and Kite.
Visor watched carefully.
The referee lowered her hand.
"Both Bladers, prepare your Beyblades!"
The cameras focused on Antonio and Kite.
From his room, Visor watched without blinking.
The rules were still fresh in his mind.
Ring Out Finish.
Survival Finish.
Burst Finish.
For the first time, he understood.
Beyblade wasn't just about two spinning tops crashing together.
There was strategy.
There was timing.
There was control.
On the screen, Antonio looked down at Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl resting in his hand.
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"You ready?"
For a moment, everything around him seemed to quiet.
Quetzalcoatl's voice answered calmly.
"Always."
Antonio chuckled.
"Good."
He raised his launcher.
"Because we're not holding anything back."
Across the stadium, Kite stood completely still.
Requiem Hades rested in his hand.
The World Champion looked down at his Beyblade.
"Hades."
The spirit responded quietly.
"I am ready."
Kite's eyes returned to Antonio.
"Then let's begin."
The crowd erupted.
Both Bladers stepped into position.
The stadium lights reflected off their Beyblades as thousands of fans leaned forward in anticipation.
The referee stepped back.
"Bladers..."
Antonio lowered his stance.
Kite remained perfectly still.
The entire stadium counted together.
"Three..."
Antonio suddenly stepped backward.
The crowd murmured.
"What is he doing?"
Visor leaned closer.
"He moved back..."
Antonio continued until he had enough space behind him.
"Two..."
His grip tightened around his launcher.
A breeze swept across the stadium.
"One..."
Antonio exploded forward.
His footsteps pounded across the stage.
Then—
He leaped.
His body flipped through the air, using all of his momentum as he snapped his launcher into position.
A grin spread across his face.
"Let's fly!"
At that exact same moment—
Kite drew back his launcher.
No running.
No jump.
No wasted movement.
Only perfect form.
His eyes never left Antonio.
The referee thrust her hand down.
"LET IT RIP!"
Both Bladers launched at the exact same instant.
"LET'S GO, QUETZALCOATL!"
Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl burst from Antonio's launcher like a raging gust, slicing through the stadium as though the wind itself had taken shape. It curved across the arena with incredible speed, gliding effortlessly before accelerating into a fierce charge.
At the same time, Requiem Hades shot from Kite's launcher with flawless precision. Its rotation was perfectly balanced from the instant it touched the stadium, every movement controlled, every angle calculated.
The crowd exploded.
"WHOOOOAAAA!"
"WHAT A DOUBLE LAUNCH!"
The announcer shouted over the deafening roar.
"ANTONIO OPENS WITH AN INCREDIBLE ACROBATIC LAUNCH,
Back in his room, Visor leaned even farther forward.
His eyes tracked both Beyblades.
"...They're completely different..."
Quetzalcoatl flowed through the stadium like the wind itself.
Hades advanced with calm, unwavering control.
The distance between them vanished.
Their Beyblades raced toward one another—
The first collision was only moments away.
Then—
they clashed.
BAM!
The entire stadium shook.
The first collision sent a shockwave through the arena as Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl slammed into Requiem Hades with explosive force.
Sparks burst between the two Beyblades.
The crowd erupted.
"WHAT AN IMPACT!"
The announcer's voice thundered through the stadium.
"ANTONIO HAS TAKEN THE FIRST STRIKE!"
Back in his room, Visor leaned closer to the screen.
His eyes followed every movement.
"...That speed..."
Antonio's grin widened beneath the stadium lights.
His brown hair caught the glow of the arena as he pointed forward.
"Go, Quetzalcoatl!"
The legendary Beyblade answered.
It accelerated.
Faster.
Faster.
Until it became nothing more than a streak of motion.
CRASH!
CRASH!
CRASH!
Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl attacked again and again, moving like a raging storm unleashed inside the stadium.
Every strike came from a different angle.
Every hit forced Requiem Hades backward.
The crowd couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"IT'S NOT LETTING UP!"
"LOOK AT THAT SPEED!"
"QUETZALCOATL IS COMPLETELY CONTROLLING THE BATTLE!"
The stadium shook with every impact.
Requiem Hades slid across the stadium floor, struggling to regain its position.
For the first time in a long while—
The World Champion's Beyblade was being pushed back.
The announcer stared in disbelief.
"NO WAY..."
A pause.
"REQUIEM HADES IS GETTING OVERWHELMED!"
The crowd exploded.
Visor's expression changed.
Not boredom.
Not curiosity.
Something else.
Shock.
Kite watched in complete calm, his purple eyes quietly analyzing every movement of the battle.
Visor's eyes narrowed as he stared at Kite. Even while Quetzalcoatl continued its relentless assault, the World Champion didn't panic. He wasn't shaken or desperate.
He was calm.
Too calm.
Visor could tell—
Kite was planning something.
Antonio's grin widened.
"Alright... let's end this."
He raised his arm.
Use "Wind Fang...
The moment he said it, Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl began spinning faster.
The air around the stadium started to twist.
A powerful gust erupted from beneath the Beyblade, sending waves of wind across the arena.
The crowd gasped as bursts of air shot outward, shaking the stadium and forcing everyone to brace themselves.
"WHAT POWER!" the announcer shouted.
Quetzalcoatl vanished into the storm of wind, its movements becoming faster and harder to predict.
The legendary Wind Feather Serpent charged forward, carrying the force of a raging hurricane.
BAM!
The impact sent sparks flying across the stadium.
But instead of bursting, Requiem Hades was launched upward from the collision.
The crowd gasped as Hades flew into the air—
then came crashing back down toward the stadium.
CLACK!
Requiem Hades landed perfectly.
Still spinning.
His shout echoed throughout the arena.
the announcer shouted, his voice booming through the stadium.
"NO WAY!"
He leaned toward the stadium in disbelief.
"REQUIEM HADES IS STILL SPINNING!"
The entire arena exploded.
"WHAT?!""AFTER THAT ATTACK?!""HOW IS IT STILL MOVING?!"
Fans jumped to their feet as the stadium shook with their cheers.
Back on the battlefield, Kite remained completely calm.
No surprise.
No panic.
Only focus.
Visor stared at the screen, his blue eyes narrowing.
Antonio's emerald-green eyes widened in disbelief—but instead of panicking, a bigger grin spread across his face.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Antonio laughed.
Antonio's grin widened.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!"
He pointed forward.
"One more time, Quetzalcoatl! Go!"
Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl answered instantly.
The air around the stadium twisted as it accelerated again, moving like a streak of wind cutting across the arena.
The crowd erupted.
"QUETZALCOATL IS GOING IN AGAIN!"
"IT'S NOT GIVING HADES ANY ROOM TO BREATHE!"
Visor leaned closer.
Quetzalcoatl rushed forward, aiming for another direct strike.
But this time—
Kite moved.
"Now."
Requiem Hades shifted at the last possible moment.
Not a big movement.
Not a desperate dodge.
Just enough.
Quetzalcoatl missed by inches.
The crowd gasped.
"HE DODGED IT?!"
The attack that was meant to send Hades flying cut through empty space.
Quetzalcoatl shot past and continued forward before slowing down.
For a moment, its movement became unstable.
The incredible speed that gave it power was now working against it.
It wobbled.
Just slightly.
But Kite noticed.
"You're overcommitting."
Antonio's expression changed.
Kite looked calmly at the stadium.
"Your attacks are powerful, but you're putting everything into each strike."
Requiem Hades turned.
"Every time you miss, you lose more control."
Quetzalcoatl tried to recover.
But it was too late.
"Now, Hades."
Requiem Hades surged forward.
BAM!
The first hit connected.
Then another.
BAM!
And another.
CRASH!
The crowd exploded as Hades struck with perfect timing, each impact landing while Quetzalcoatl was still trying to regain its balance.
"REQUIEM HADES IS COUNTERATTACKING!"
Visor's eyes widened.
"...He waited for that."
On the screen, Kite remained completely calm.
"You had the speed advantage."
Another impact.
"But you pushed too far."
Another strike.
"You didn't give yourself time to recover."
Requiem Hades slammed into Quetzalcoatl again.
Antonio gritted his teeth as his Beyblade was forced back.
Kite's eyes narrowed slightly.
"You were so focused on overwhelming me..."
A pause.
"...that you left yourself open."
Requiem Hades continued attacking.
BAM!
Quetzalcoatl tried to steady itself, but Hades struck again before it could recover.
BAM!
Another impact pushed it back.
Every time Quetzalcoatl attempted to regain its balance, Requiem Hades was already there, forcing it off rhythm.
"OH MY GOD! LOOK AT THIS!"
The announcer's voice exploded through the stadium.
"REQUIEM HADES IS NOT GIVING QUETZALCOATL A SINGLE CHANCE TO RECOVER!"
" LOOK HOW THE TABLES HAVE TURNED!"
Visor's eyes narrowed slightly.
He watched as Quetzalcoatl tried to recover, only for Hades to strike again.
"...He's not letting it breathe."
He continued watching.
The crowd erupted with excitement.
"THAT'S THE WORLD CHAMPION!"
"THIS IS WHY KITE AZOI IS UNDEFEATED!"
"REQUIEM HADES IS COMPLETELY TAKING OVER THE BATTLE!"
Requiem Hades drove forward.
BAM!
The impact pushed Quetzalcoatl toward the edge of the stadium.
But Hades didn't stop.
It continued pressing against it, forcing Quetzalcoatl along the rim as sparks flew from the collision.
The stadium shook as Hades dragged Quetzalcoatl around the edge, refusing to let it
Quetzalcoatl struggled against the relentless pressure of Requiem Hades.
But then—
"Antonio..."
The voice echoed through the stadium.
Antonio's eyes widened for a moment.
Then a smirk slowly formed across his face.
"Heh..."
He tightened his grip.
"I knew you weren't done yet."
The energy around Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl began to surge.
"COME ON OUT, QUETZALCOATL!"
A powerful burst of green light exploded from the Beyblade.
The stadium shook as Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl pushed back against Requiem Hades, forcing the World Champion's Beyblade away.
The green light surrounding Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl grew brighter.
The stadium winds began to spiral around the Beyblade.
Then—
A massive serpentine figure emerged from the light.
"A massive feathered serpent emerged from the light, its long emerald body twisting through the air like a living storm. Brilliant feathers flowed along its body as currents of wind spiraled around it."
The crowd erupted.
"QUETZALCOATL HAS ARRIVED!"
The announcer's voice thundered through the stadium.
"The legendary Wind Feather Serpent has revealed its true form!"
Antonio looked up with a confident smile.
"Now we're talking."
Across the stadium, Kite remained calm.
His eyes moved toward Requiem Hades.
"Hades."
A dark aura surrounded the Beyblade.
The air grew heavier.
From the shadows, a towering figure emerged.
The form of Hades began to take shape, rising from the dark energy surrounding Requiem Hades. Its armored body materialized piece by piece, its imposing presence filling the stadium as its cold gaze locked onto Quetzalcoatl.
The crowd roared.
"REQUIEM HADES HAS AWAKENED!"
The announcer shouted.
"The legendary ruler of the underworld has entered the battle!"
The two spirits stared at each other.
The Wind Feather Serpent.
The Ruler of the Underworld.
Two legends standing across from one another.
Hades tightened his grip on his Bident.
At the same moment, Requiem Hades charged forward.
Quetzalcoatl moved to intercept.
The legendary spirits collided above the stadium—
and below them, their Beyblades crashed together at the exact same instant.
BAM!
The impact of the two battles shook the Stadium.
Hades pushed forward with his Bident as Requiem Hades drove against Quetzalcoatl
WHAT A CLASH!" the announcer said
Visor's eyes widened slightly as he pushed his messy, red-tipped hair aside, his surprise becoming more obvious.
For once, the lazy look disappeared from his face.
He stared at the screen as Requiem Hades and Quetzalcoatl clashed again.
Then...
A massive smirk slowly appeared.
"…Yeah."
He leaned back on the bed slightly, still staring at the battle on the TV.
"I want a Beyblade."
Quetzalcoatl wrapped his massive serpentine body tightly around Hades, squeezing him within its powerful coils as fierce winds spiraled around them.
"That's it! You can do it, Quetzalcoatl! Don't let up!"
Quetzalcoatl squeezes harder.
Below them, their Beyblades remained locked together, grinding against one another as sparks burst from the point of impact. Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl Drive Requiem Hades toward the stadium's rim, both Beyblades still spinning fiercely as they fought for control.
then
Kite's eyes narrowed.
"...Hell Breaker."
"At his command, reality distorted slightly around Hades, the space itself warping under the weight of his power as black flames erupted, engulfing the ruler of the Underworld in a dark inferno."
Quetzalcoatl hissed in surprise.
In a single motion, Hades broke free, seized Quetzalcoatl by the neck, and slammed the great Feathered Serpent down with tremendous force.
"At that exact same instant below, Requiem Hades drove upward from beneath Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl with explosive force."
BAM!
The impact launched Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl high into the air.
For a brief moment, it continued spinning.
Then—
CRACK!
Wind Fang Quetzalcoatl burst apart, its pieces scattering across the stadium as the crowd
Antonio's eyes widened in shock.
As the clash came to an end, Hades and Quetzalcoatl vanished in flashes of light, their spirits returning to their respective Beyblades.
The referee raised her hand toward Kite.
"Burst Finish! Requiem Hades scores two points!"
She paused for a moment before announcing,
"The winner of this match... Kite Azoi!"
"IT'S OVER!" the announcer roared. "KITE AZOI HAS DONE IT ONCE AGAIN!"
The entire stadium erupted.
"WHOOOOOOOOO!"
Fans leaped to their feet, their cheers shaking the arena as chants echoed from every corner.
"KITE! KITE! KITE!"
The announcer raised his voice over the deafening roar.
"ANOTHER INCREDIBLE VICTORY FOR THE REIGNING WORLD CHAMPION, KITE AZOI!"
He paused for just a moment before shouting,
"AT THIS POINT... CAN ANYONE DEFEAT THE WORLD CHAMPION?!"
The crowd answered with an even louder roar, the stadium trembling beneath the thunderous applause.
Meanwhile, back downstairs—
Celine placed the final plate onto the dinner table.
The fried eggs rested beside the rice, the steam still rising from the fresh meal.
She looked over everything she had prepared and nodded slightly.
"Alright... this should be enough."
She wiped her hands and looked toward the staircase.
"Visor."
No response.
Celine walked closer to the stairs and stood at the bottom.
"Visor!"
Still nothing.
She sighed.
"Visor!"
Again, no response.
Celine closed her eyes and shook her head.
"I swear... one day I'll catch a case thanks to him."
She looked over toward the dining table.
Zono was still sitting there, focused on her console, the lollipop still in her mouth.
"Zono."
Zono lifted her head from the console.
"Hm?"
Celine pointed toward the stairs.
"Go call your older brother."
"Why me?"
"Just go tell him dinner is ready."
Zono sighed.
"Ugh... fine,
She put down her console, got up from the table, and walked toward the stairs.
back in Visor's room—
On the screen, Kite raised his hand.
Requiem Hades returned to his hand.
Kite looked at his Beyblade for a brief moment, then turned around and quietly walked off the stadium.
The crowd continued cheering as the announcer praised another victory for the World Champion.
A moment later—
INSTANT REPLAY
The battle began playing again.
The first clash.
Quetzalcoatl's relentless assault.
Hades' perfect counter.
The final Burst Finish.
Visor leaned back on his bed, resting his hands behind his head as he watched the replay.
A small grin spread across his face.
"...Wow."
"That battle was actually pretty amazing."
His eyes stayed on the screen as the replay continued.
"...No wonder people like Beyblade."
The replay continued playing on the television.
Visor was still lying on his bed, eyes locked onto the screen.
For once, he wasn't distracted.
He was actually watching.
Suddenly, his bedroom door opened.
"Hey, idiot."
Visor didn't even turn her way.
"...What?"
Zono stood in the doorway, the lollipop still in her mouth.
"Dinner's ready."
Visor let out a long sigh, still staring at the TV for a few seconds longer before finally sitting up.
"Yeah, I'm coming..." he muttered.
He grabbed the remote and turned the screen off, the room suddenly becoming quieter.
Zono watched him from the doorway, already knowing he was about to complain.
Visor stood up slowly, stretching his arms with a tired expression.
"But do you really have to call me an idiot.
Zono looked at him, completely serious.
"Because you are."
Visor paused.
"…That's it?"
"That's it."
"No explanation?"
"You want a whole presentation?"
"No."
"Then we're done here."
Visor just stares at her for a second.
"…You know, most people give reasons when they insult someone."
Zono:
"You want one?"
Visor:
"No. Actually, I changed my mind."
He walks past her.
"I don't think I can handle the truth.
Zono rolled her eyes at his sarcastic comment. "You're seriously a pain," she muttered, following behind him with a tired sigh.
Visor and Zono walked downstairs, the quiet of the hallway slowly fading as they approached the dining room.
Celine looked up as they came downstairs.
"There you are, Visor. I've been calling your name for the last few minutes."
Visor blinked at her.
"…Oh."
A short pause.
"My bad."
Visor and Zono sat down at the dinner table.
As soon as she sat down, Zono reached over and grabbed her gaming console from beside her plate. She placed it in her hands like it was the most normal thing in the world, the lollipop still resting in her mouth as she looked at the screen.
Visor didn't even notice.
He stared down at his rice and eggs, his fork resting in his hand as his thoughts drifted back to the battle he had watched earlier.
The clash between Quetzalcoatl and Requiem Hades.
The timing.
The control.
Celine looked over at Zono and immediately sighed.
"Zono."
Zono slowly looked up.
"Put the game down."
A pause.
"And take the lollipop out. You're at the dinner table."
Zono stared at her for a moment before sighing.
"Seriously?"
"Yes. Seriously."
Zono let out an exaggerated sigh.
"Ugh... fine."
She set her gaming console down beside her plate, took the lollipop out of her mouth, and rested it on its wrapper before picking up her fork.
Celine turned her attention toward Visor.
He still hadn't touched much of his food.
His eyes were fixed on his plate, but it was obvious his mind was somewhere else.
She tilted her head slightly.
"Visor... is everything alright?"
He looked up.
A brief silence passed.
Then he spoke.
"...Mom."
Celine waited.
"I want a Beyblade."
Zono's head snapped toward him so fast she nearly dropped her fork.
"...What?"
She stared at him.
"Are you serious?"
Visor nodded once.
"You always said Beyblade was boring," Zono said. "Didn't you call them 'stupid spinning tops' just yesterday? And now you want one?"
Celine looked at Visor thoughtfully.
"What brought it up?"
Visor glanced down for a moment before answering.
"...I don't know."
He paused.
"But... I want to understand Beyblade."
Another brief silence.
"I think there's more to it than I realized."
He looked back up.
"...And I want to understand it."
A small smile appeared on Celine's face.
"Alright," she said warmly. "I'll get you one."
Visor blinked.
"...Really?"
Celine nodded.
"Of course. After all, this is the first time I've ever seen you this interested in something."
Zono looked back and forth between the two of them before letting out a small sigh.
"...I still can't believe this."
She rested her chin in her hand.
"The same guy who called Beyblade boring yesterday is asking Mom to buy him one today."
Visor shrugged.
"...People change."
Zono rolled her eyes.
"Apparently overnight."
A faint smile spread across Visor's face.
"...Thanks, Mom."
Celine smiled back.
"You're welcome."
She picked up her spoon.
"I'll get it for you tomorrow."
Visor's smile grew just a little wider.
"...Yeah."
The next morning, soft sunlight streamed through Visor's bedroom window, casting a warm glow across the room.
Visor let out a quiet yawn as he slowly sat up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. After stretching for a moment, he climbed out of bed and made his way downstairs.
The house was unusually quiet.
"...Mom?" he called lazily.
No answer.
"...Zono?"
Still nothing.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs, something on the dining table caught his attention.
A black briefcase rested neatly in the center of the table.
"...Huh?"
Visor walked over curiously.
Sitting on top of the briefcase was a folded note.
He picked it up, unfolded it, and began reading.
Visor,
Your sister and I went to the store to pick up a few things, so we'll be back in a little while.
The briefcase on the table is for you. It's your Beyblade.
I hope you like it.
—Mom
Visor stared at the note for a moment.
Then his eyes slowly shifted to the briefcase.
A small grin spread across his face.
"...She actually got one."
He gently set the note back on the table and reached for the handle of the briefcase.
Visor looked down at the briefcase for a moment.
Then—
Click.
He unlatched both locks and slowly lifted the lid.
Neatly arranged inside were all the parts of the Beyblade, along with its launcher and ripcord.
"...So I have to put it together first."
Inside was the...
The Energy Layer.
The Forge Disc.
The Performance Tip.
Beside them rested the launcher and ripcord.
Visor picked up the energy Layer from the briefcase and looked it over carefully.
A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"...Guess my Beyblade's a Balance Type."
Then the Forge Disc.
Finally, he attached the Performance Tip.
Click.
The Beyblade locked together.
Visor looked at it for a moment.
"...So this is my Beyblade."
He picked up the launcher with one hand and the Beyblade with the other.
Without another word, he turned and headed upstairs to his room.
Visor opened the door to his room and stepped inside.
He closed it behind him before walking over to his bed.
He sat down and looked at the Beyblade in his hand.
Visor walked over to the table where his computer was.
He slid the chair out and sat down before opening it. He placed his Beyblade and launcher on the table, then looked up the information he wanted.
"How do you make a spirit contract?"
After searching, the information appeared on the screen.
To create a spirit contract, there are two known methods of summoning a spirit.
The first method requires a catalyst—an object connected to a specific spirit. Using that catalyst allows a Blader to perform that spirit's unique summoning ritual and attempt to form a contract.
Visor looked at his Beyblade.
"So a catalyst lets me summon a specific spirit..."
He continued reading.
The second method is a random summoning. Without a catalyst, a Blader can perform a general summoning ritual, but the spirit that answers is completely unknown.
Visor raised an eyebrow.
"So I could get any spirit..."
He scrolled down.
To summon a spirit, a summoning circle must be created. The Beyblade must be placed in the center of the circle. If using a catalyst, the catalyst must also be placed inside the circle with the Beyblade.
Visor glanced at the Beyblade again.
He kept reading.
A summoning does not guarantee a contract. The spirit must choose whether to answer the call and accept the bond with the Blader.
Visor leaned back slightly.
"So even if I summon one..."
He looked at his Beyblade.
"...it still has to choose me."