The arena was empty.
All the previous matches had ended.
Now—
It was their turn.
Hirata rubbed his eyes and took a sip of water.
"…Looks like it's my tu—"
"Next candidate: Shikai."
"…Huh?"
Hirata looked at him, slightly surprised.
"…You?"
His expression turned serious.
"…The second examiner is still here…"
"…so the final one is left."
"…and if they saved him for last…"
"…he's probably the strongest."Shikai stood up slowly.
He stretched… did a few quick movements… then grabbed his katana.
The announcer shouted:
"Shikai! Get on the field!"
"…Yeah, yeah!"
Shikai rushed in.
He took his stance.
Katana ready.
"Start."
"3…2…1… Begin!"
Both moved instantly.
CLANG.
Their swords collided.
Again.
And again.
Minutes passed.
Hirata sighed.
"…Five minutes already?"
The announcer frowned.
"…Are they going to do anything else?"
Even the protection team looked bored.
Seven minutes.
Still the same.
Ten minutes.
Hirata narrowed his eyes.
"…This is dragging."
Suddenly—
Both stopped.
They glanced at the announcer.
Then—
The examiner vanished.
"…Where did he go?"
Shikai tensed.
Then—
A sudden heat surged behind him.
He jumped.
Barely escaping.
BOOM.
Molten lava exploded from the ground.
Shikai's eyes widened.
"…Lava?"
Only two people in this continent have that ability…
Don't tell me…
He couldn't see the examiner's face.
The mask hid everything.
"…Brother…?"
His grip tightened.
"…Okai…"
Without hesitation—
Shikai activated his fire energy.
He charged.
No…
I can't let Hirata see everything…
He smirked.
"…Then I'll cover the whole field."
He slammed his blade into the ground.
Fire surged.
"Fire Tornado."
A massive vortex of flames consumed the arena.
Outside—
Hirata watched calmly.
"…So you're hiding your techniques from me."
The protection team stepped forward.
But Hirata raised his hand.
"I don't need protection."
"…Go back."
They hesitated—
Then nodded.
Inside the Tornado
The examiner attacked relentlessly.
Punches.
Kicks.
No pause.
Shikai struggled.
Barely dodging.
Barely blocking.
The examiner laughed.
"The moment you created this tornado…"
"…you lost."
Shikai gritted his teeth.
He's right…
I'm on the defensive…
At this rate… I'll lose…
THUD.
A heavy kick hit his stomach.
He dropped to one knee.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
"Done already?" the examiner said calmly.
He drew his katana.
Lava flowed across the blade.
Shikai's mind raced.
Think…
Think…
Think—
"…Got it."
He suddenly threw his katana.
The examiner attacked—
But—
Shikai vanished.
And reappeared beside his blade.
"…Teleportation through weapons…"
I just need one opening…
Outside—
Hirata sighed.
"…Still boring."
Inside—
Shikai attacked again.
Fast.
Aggressive.
Then—
He threw his katana again.
This time like a blazing arrow.
This is my last chance…
After this… my body won't hold…
The examiner dodged.
Dropped his own blade—
Shikai teleported.
Grabbed his sword—
Swung toward his neck—
But—
The examiner had already moved.
He appeared behind his own blade.
And—
THUD.
A kick.
Shikai fell.
In the next second—
A blade pointed at his throat.
"…You predicted it…"
Shikai muttered.
The tornado faded.
Silence.
"Match over."
Medical teams rushed in.
They carried Shikai away.
"Evaluation?"
"Ask the examiner."
"…Average."
A pause.
"Next candidate…"
"…Hirata."
"But before that…"
"The second examiner will step down."
"The third examiner will conduct the next test."
Hirata smiled.
"…I knew it."