Flash of Power

Hibiki stood across from Takeda Raizo, his expression unreadable. The arena was silent, save for the occasional crackle of residual electricity in the air. The match had already begun, but neither had moved.

Raizo’s gaze sharpened. He was no fool.. he had seen Hibiki’s fight against Kanzaki Mei. That wasn’t luck. The transfer student was hiding something.

“You’re different,” Raizo muttered, lightning dancing between his fingertips. “I don’t know what your deal is, but I don’t like it.”

Hibiki’s lips curled slightly. “Then do something about it.”

The tension snapped. Raizo moved first, his speed breaking the sound barrier as he blurred forward.

A direct hit would end the fight in an instant. A single mistake, and Hibiki would be left twitching on the ground, helpless against Raizo’s overwhelming magic.

But he didn’t make a mistake.

He sidestepped, barely avoiding Raizo’s fist as it grazed past him, the sheer force of the impact sending cracks through the arena floor.

The crowd gasped.

Raizo turned, his eyes gleaming. “You’re fast. But are you fast enough?”

Lightning surged.

Hibiki had no choice but to move.. dodge left, dodge right, weave through the relentless barrage. The air smelled of ozone, the heat of Raizo’s magic prickling against his skin.

But Raizo wasn’t just throwing wild attacks. He was herding him.

In an instant, Hibiki realized his mistake.

Too late.

The ground beneath him exploded as Raizo’s lightning struck the arena floor, conducting through the stone and trapping Hibiki in a web of electricity.

A brilliant flash filled the air.

The match should have ended.

But when the light faded, Hibiki was still standing.

Smoke curled from his fingertips. His eyes gleamed with something unreadable. And in his palm, a faint flicker of lightning danced.

Raizo’s expression shifted. “What..”

Hibiki exhaled slowly. He could feel it. The power. Raizo’s power.

Not entirely. Not yet. But something inside him had awakened.

The crowd whispered, unsure of what they had just witnessed.

Hibiki had no intention of revealing any more.

“I forfeit,” he said, stepping back.

Gasps echoed through the stands. The instructor frowned but nodded. “Winner.. Takeda Raizo.”

Raizo clenched his jaw, watching Hibiki with suspicion. He had seen the way that lightning flickered in Hibiki’s hand. That wasn’t normal.

As Hibiki walked away, Reina watched him from the stands, her expression unreadable. Mei, leaning against the railing, clicked her tongue. “What’s with him? He just gave up.”

Reina didn’t answer.

Because she had seen it too.

Something inside Hibiki was changing. And whatever it was…

It was dangerous.

Hibiki left the arena without a word. He could still feel Raizo’s gaze on his back, but he didn’t turn around. He had shown too much already.

Lightning crackled faintly at his fingertips before fading into nothing. His heartbeat was steady, but beneath the calm exterior, his mind was racing.

What the hell was that?

He had absorbed something. It wasn’t full control over Raizo’s magic.. far from it.. but for a fleeting moment, he had felt the power of lightning course through him. It wasn’t like learning a spell or replicating a technique. It was something deeper, something instinctual.

And that terrified him.

This wasn’t part of his plan.

If he had the ability to steal power, then what else was buried inside him?

..

The academy’s corridors were quieter now. The qualifiers continued in the main arena, but Hibiki had seen enough for today. He needed answers.

His thoughts were interrupted by approaching footsteps. Slow. Deliberate.

“Running away already?”

Hibiki turned his head slightly, catching sight of Reina standing at the far end of the hallway. She was alone. No guards, no entourage. Just her and that ever-present knowing smile.

He sighed. “Not in the mood, Princess.”

“Not in the mood for what?” She tilted her head. “For answering my questions, or for pretending you’re weak?”

Hibiki’s fingers twitched. She was sharper than she let on.

Reina took a step closer, her violet eyes locked onto him. “You had a chance to win that fight. I saw it.”

He didn’t respond.

“You didn’t lose to Raizo. You chose to let him win.”

Hibiki exhaled through his nose. “What do you want, Ayanokoji?”

Reina studied him for a moment before smiling. “To know what you really are.”

The way she said it.. calm, confident, intrigued.. sent a chill down his spine.

Before he could respond, another voice cut through the air.

“Oi, newbie.”

A girl with short, messy white hair and piercing golden eyes leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed. She wore the same academy uniform, but the sleeves were rolled up carelessly, exposing faint scars on her forearms.

Reina blinked. “You.”

The girl smirked. “Didn’t think you’d forget me so fast, Princess.”

Hibiki glanced between them. “Who’s this?”

Reina sighed. “Shirayuki Akari. Second-year. Specializes in ice magic. And has a terrible habit of ignoring authority.”

Akari shrugged. “Can’t respect authority if they’re all idiots.”

She turned her sharp gaze toward Hibiki. “I watched your match. You’re holding back, aren’t you?”

Hibiki remained silent.

Akari grinned. “You and I are gonna get along just fine.”

Something about the way she said it sent a warning through his mind.

He had wanted to stay in the shadows, unnoticed. But it seemed fate had other plans.

And these two… they weren’t going to let him hide for long.

Hibiki narrowed his eyes. “And why exactly would we get along’?”

Akari pushed off the wall, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. “Because I don’t buy your act. And I like people who don’t play by the rules.”

Reina sighed, rubbing her temples. “Akari, don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”

The white-haired girl scoffed. “Relax, Princess. I’m not picking a fight. I’m just curious.” She tilted her head at Hibiki. “You held back against Raizo, didn’t you?”

Hibiki’s fingers twitched. “Why does everyone keep asking that?”

“Because we’re not idiots,” Reina replied, her expression unreadable. “I may not know exactly what you’re hiding, but I know a liar when I see one.”

Akari grinned. “Same here. And honestly? I respect it.”

Hibiki exhaled through his nose, debating whether to keep talking or just walk away.

Then Akari said something that made him pause.

“You’re not the only one hiding something, y’know.”

His gaze snapped to hers.

Akari’s grin widened. “Oh? That got your attention.”

Reina’s eyes darkened slightly. “Akari..”

“Relax.” Akari rolled her shoulders. “I’m just saying… this academy has its fair share of secrets. Some of them are a hell of a lot darker than whatever Kamishiro here is keeping.”

Hibiki felt something stir inside him. A quiet warning.

This girl wasn’t just here to tease him. She was testing him.

“Interesting,” he murmured.

Akari smirked. “I know, right?”

Reina crossed her arms. “You should be careful who you associate with, Hibiki. Akari isn’t exactly known for her… stability.”

Akari laughed. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

Hibiki looked between the two girls. One, a sharp and calculating noble who saw through lies with ease. The other, a reckless wild card who seemed to enjoy playing with fire.

Both were dangerous in their own way.

And both were watching him too closely for comfort.

Hibiki turned away. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Akari chuckled. “See you around, Kamishiro.”

Reina didn’t stop him as he left.

But Hibiki knew.. this wasn’t the end of their curiosity.

It was just the beginning.