Swords clashed. Dust flew. The field erupted into chaos.
Ayaka moved like a ghost in lightning—every swing of her blade humming with charged grace. Ren was a whirlwind of motion, air bending around his fists like coiled serpents. They were no longer students of the flame. They were masters of their scars.
But the masked fighters kept coming.
Ten became twenty. Then thirty.
Kai moved through them like a storm reborn.
The orb hovered above his palm, spinning faster now—glowing brighter than ever before. Every heartbeat sent a pulse through the earth. With every strike, roots of energy burst upward from the ground, cracking the battlefield apart.
One masked figure charged, screaming in a forgotten tongue. Kai didn't dodge.
He let the blade come.
And just as it neared his chest—the orb pulsed.
> BOOM.
A shockwave exploded from Kai, sending the attacker flying backwards like a ragdoll.
Kai's voice was calm. Cold. "No more tests."
He raised the orb high, and the roots surged out in a massive circle—trapping everyone inside.
Enemies. Allies. The Twin-Faced Sovereign himself.
The Sovereign stood from his throne, clapping once.
"Well then," he said, amused. "You've drawn the line."
Kai's eyes glowed. "I didn't draw it."
He clenched his fist.
"I lit it on fire."
The circle burst into flame—not to destroy, but to purify. Everyone inside would feel the truth of their energy. The weak would be scorched. The strong would rise.
And Kai?
Kai would see who truly belonged on this battlefield.