Chapter 3: Rivals! Shadow and Rin!?

The rooftop trembled under the sheer force of their cores, the air vibrating with energy. Rin’s wings beat furiously as lightning arced along her arms, each pulse brighter and more erratic than the last. Shadow hovered opposite her, shadows twisting and writhing around him, forming jagged tendrils that seemed to bend the light itself. For a heartbeat, they circled each other, sizing up, calculating every movement. Then, without warning, Rin thrust forward, releasing a blinding bolt of electricity aimed straight at Shadow. In a fluid motion, Shadow’s shadows morphed into jagged shields, deflecting the strike with a deafening crack. Sparks flew into the sky, scattering across the rooftop like shooting stars. Rin skidded back, her boots sparking against the tiles, and immediately followed up with a flurry of rapid, short-range bolts, each one arcing unpredictably, forcing Shadow to shift constantly in midair. Shadow responded with a sweeping strike of shadow tendrils, cutting through the air with precision. Each tendril met electricity with a hiss of energy, twisting and snapping in midair, creating bursts of blinding light and darkness. From below, the class could only watch, jaws dropped. Leo’s claws flexed, Hana’s flames flared, and Yumi’s calm eyes widened in awe. Chloe’s analytical mind raced, noting every movement and strategy, while Corazon muttered something about how reckless it all was. Rin gritted her teeth, sparks dancing across her wings. “You’re not holding back, are you?” she shouted, launching herself in a high-speed dive, electricity coiling around her fists. Shadow’s pale eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Would you settle for less?” he whispered, twisting, and sending a whiplash of shadow tendrils upward to meet her attack. “Hell, no I wouldn’t!” Rin yelled, her voice cracking with intensity. Electricity surged violently along her arms, coiling around her fists like living lightning. Sparks leapt into the air as bolts erupted uncontrollably in every direction, crackling and sizzling as they collided with Shadow’s twisting shadows. “Now tell me what in the world you meant about my core!” Rin gritted her teeth, channeling even more electrical current through her arm and into her hand, sparks dancing violently along her skin. “How about no…” Shadow replied coolly, his pale eyes narrowing as he began forming a swirling sphere of darkness in his hand. Shadows writhed and pulsed, coalescing into a dense, ominous orb that seemed to suck in the light around it. Rin mirrored him, electricity coiling into a concentrated orb crackling at her palm, arcs of lightning leaping unpredictably across the rooftop. Shadow’s lips curled into a faint, dangerous smile. “Come at me! Now! Or I will!” he shouted, his voice carrying a raw, commanding edge. The void orb in his hand began pulsating, expanding slightly, while miniature wind currents swirled violently around it, tugging at Rin’s hair and clothes. Sparks from her own electrical orb leapt higher, responding to the tension in the air, as both stared each other down, ready to unleash their full power. Rin’s eyes shifted, her pupils sharpening into jagged diamond shapes, glowing with a fierce, almost otherworldly intensity. The black of her irises gave way to a piercing, light-red hue that seemed to crackle with raw electricity, reflecting the surging power coiling through her body. Every spark along her arms and wings mirrored the fiery glow in her eyes, signaling a sudden, overwhelming surge of energy. Rin’s electricity flared, the usual yellow bolts twisting and shifting into a deep, glowing light-red hue that pulsed with lethal energy. Sparks danced along her wings and arms, each crackling surge echoing the newfound intensity of her core. The students below froze, eyes wide in shock, mesmerized by the sheer power radiating from her. Even Leo’s jaw tightened, Hana’s flames flickered nervously, and Yumi’s calm expression betrayed a flicker of awe. Shadow hovered just ahead, his pale eyes locked on Rin, the darkness around him writhing like a living entity. He fed his void orb with more power, shadows swirling violently as it expanded, rippling with energy that tugged at the air itself. Both of them twisted through the air, repositioning in a blur of motion, barely visible as the wind whipped around them. For a heartbeat, time seemed to pause—the world narrowing down to the sharp, intense gaze of Rin’s crimson diamond-shaped eyes meeting Shadow’s piercing pale stare. Then, in an instant, they surged at each other, midair becoming a storm of raw power. Rin’s lightning fang surged forward, crackling and blazing with deep red energy, while Shadow’s Abyss Sphere pulsed violently, shadows writhing and twisting around it like living tendrils. The moment their attacks collided, a deafening shockwave tore through the sky above the dorm. Static arcs exploded outward, hissing and sizzling, while shards of darkness shot violently in all directions. The collision sent both light and shadow spiraling backward, energy blasting off in every direction, tearing at the air itself. Neither relented. Each pushed more of their core’s power into their attack, the electricity sparking brighter, the void pulsating darker, each trying to overwhelm the other. The rooftop below trembled, and even from afar, the sheer force made the air hum with tension. It was a clash of extremes—light against darkness, fire-red electricity against consuming void—a storm of energy that marked the beginning of a rivalry neither would back down from. Their bodies surged with raw energy, cores screaming as both Rin and Shadow gritted their teeth, muscles straining against the overwhelming power coursing through them. Sparks and shadows twisted violently in the air around them, crackling and writhing like living storms. Both started gritting their teeth, grunts breaking into roars as their power surged. Rin’s wings flared wide, her voice ripping through the air like thunder: “LIGHTNING FANG!” Shadow’s eyes blazed with cold fury, his orb pulsing with void energy as he bellowed: “ABYSS SPHERE!” The rooftop quaked as they launched forward, arcs of red lightning tearing across the sky, met by the crushing pull of darkness that bent the very air around it. The instant their wills collided, their cores erupted—power surging past their limits, shockwaves ripping through the dorm as if reality itself was tearing at the seams. Rin’s voice ripped out again, defiant and raw: “I’ll carve my own path, even if it kills me!” Shadow’s snarl cut through her roar, shadows writhing violently around him: “Then I’ll crush that path into nothingness!” Their clash lit up the night sky—light and dark spiraling violently, forcing their classmates to shield their eyes. The dorm shook, windows rattling, the rooftop threatening to split beneath the sheer magnitude of their powers. And then—before the clash could obliterate everything—Mr. Arashi flashed between them, his presence alone a crushing force of authority. His hands clamped down on their arms mid-strike, stopping the collision in its final instant. “ENOUGH!” he thundered, his voice a shockwave of its own. With overwhelming strength, he swung his arms outward, sending both Rin and Shadow flying in opposite directions, crashing into the rooftop edges with bone-jarring force. Electricity crackled violently around Rin, shadows writhed furiously around Shadow—but even from across the rooftop, neither dared to look away from the other. Their rivalry had been etched in stone. The air was still sizzling from the clash, a faint crackle of static and burnt ozone lingering above the training grounds. Rin’s eye dimmed back to normal, the wild arcs of electricity fizzling out. Across from her, Shadow’s aura of darkness receded, his body no longer wreathed in that chilling haze. For a moment, silence swallowed the dorm. “Holy shit… that was so cool!” Hana squealed, practically bouncing on her feet with sparkling eyes as she looked out the dorm window at the fading sparks of the clash. Leo groaned and slapped a hand over his face, shaking his head. “That was a good sparring match, sure… but my god, did you two really have to go all out right above the dorms?!” Chloe leaned against the railing, her arms crossed but a smile tugging at her lips. “I’ll admit… it was reckless. But also kind of amazing to watch.” Akane flicked a strand of hair over her shoulder, unimpressed. “Reckless doesn’t even begin to cover it. If one of those blasts went off just a little lower, we’d be looking at half the dorm destroyed.” Ren smirked, clearly entertained by the chaos. “Yeah, but come on… admit it. Watching them trade blows in midair like that? Felt like something straight out of a movie.” Kaito, still catching his breath and rubbing at his arm where a faint scorch lingered, muttered, “You say that like you weren’t about to get roasted if I lost control for a second.” Yumi, calm as always, sighed softly and adjusted her glasses. “Point is, the match was incredible. But next time, maybe take it somewhere not directly above where we live?” The group exchanged glances before bursting into mixed laughter, sighs, and more arguments—energy buzzing in the dorm halls even after the clash ended. The night air outside still shimmered faintly from leftover sparks, a reminder of just how intense the fight had been. Hours had passed since the clash outside the dorm. The once-silent night had returned to normal, only broken by the occasional hum of cicadas and the distant wind rattling against the dorm windows. Everyone had eventually calmed down—though Hana was still replaying the fight in her head, whispering about how "cool" it had been while Yumi shook her head at the chaos. Rin sat at the edge of her bed, restless. A faint sting tugged at her thoughts, but she brushed it off as fatigue from the events earlier. She raised her hand, clenching her fist tightly. I will not let him beat me… she thought, the words steadying her resolve. The room felt stifling, the quiet pressing down on her. She tugged off her shirt, leaving on her black bra, and slipped on her black coat, leaving it unzipped. Her jeans fit snugly, grounding her as she stood. Rin took a deep breath, shoulders squared, and stepped out of her room. The dorm halls were quiet, shadows stretching across the walls. Each step toward the training hall felt deliberate, filled with purpose. He won’t get the best of me… Not today. Not ever. She walked on, focused and unwavering, her mind set on what awaited her at the training hall. Every movement carried her determination, every heartbeat a reminder of the challenge ahead. The training hall was silent except for the rhythmic thud of leather against leather. Rin’s gloves connected with the heavy bag over and over, each strike sharper than the last. Her movements were precise, almost mechanical, as if she were rewriting every motion in her body to be faster, stronger, perfect. She pivoted on her feet, sending rapid hooks and uppercuts, testing angles and timing. Sweat slid down her temples, dampening strands of black hair that clung to her face. With every strike, she imagined herself in battle, dodging, countering, and overwhelming an invisible opponent. After an intense minute of punches, she stepped back, breathing heavily, and swung her legs into a high kick, sending the bag spinning with the force. She grabbed a second bag and combined punches, kicks, and rapid spins, her body moving fluidly like water flowing into cracks. The hall shook with her relentless energy. Rin paused briefly, her eyes scanning her gloves, then clenched her fists tighter. She moved to a series of targets hung at varying heights—strikes to simulate precision attacks. Each hit had to be perfect, landing at exactly the right spot. She didn’t allow herself a single miss. Then came the agility drills. She leapt onto training platforms, rolling, flipping, and balancing with sharp focus. Each jump, each roll, honed her reflexes, forcing her to anticipate the next move instinctively. She imagined Shadow or another opponent attacking from every angle, and she reacted without hesitation. Her arms and legs burned with fatigue, yet she pushed harder, her core stabilizing her movements, guiding every strike, every kick, every jump. She swung a chain-attached dummy, weaving between its arcs and countering with strikes that sent it swinging violently into the wall. Sparks of friction and sweat combined to create an aura of kinetic energy around her. Finally, she stepped back, breathing ragged, muscles trembling but unyielding. Her eyes softened for a brief second, staring at the bag that had been her constant opponent. She didn’t need victory over it—she needed mastery over herself. The hall fell silent once more, but Rin’s presence filled the room. Every fiber of her being had been pushed, every motion sharpened, every thought trained. This was just the beginning. She clenched her fists one last time, feeling the hum of her core beneath the surface. She was ready. And whatever came next, she would meet it head-on. Rin shook her arms loose, muscles trembling from the relentless work, but she didn’t slow down. She circled the punching bag again, measuring her distance, refining her angles. Each strike, each kick, each movement was precise, controlled, and sharper than the last. She moved through the hall like a force of motion, flipping, rolling, and weaving as if she were fighting an invisible opponent. Every punch had weight, every kick had intent. Sweat dripped down her face, her hair clinging to her skin, but she barely noticed—her mind was entirely focused on the rhythm of her body. She switched to speed drills, her fists flying in rapid succession, hands a blur. She ducked under imaginary attacks, spun on her heels, and delivered perfect strikes to every target. The sound of leather striking leather echoed loudly, bouncing off the walls of the hall. After what felt like hours, Rin finally paused, stepping back with heavy breaths. Her arms and legs shook, but she held her posture, standing tall, eyes sharp. The bag swung gently in front of her, dented and scarred from her assault. She wiped the sweat from her brow, feeling the satisfaction of the work done. Every punch, every movement, every drop of effort was a step forward, a quiet promise to herself that she wouldn’t be outdone—no matter what challenges awaited her next. With one last glance at the training hall, Rin tightened her gloves, took a deep breath, and prepared to leave, ready for whatever the day—or Shadow—would throw at her next. A sudden dizziness hit her like a wave, making her knees buckle. The edges of her vision darkened and blurred, colors melting into each other. Her arms flailed instinctively as the room spun violently around her, and before she could steady herself, her body gave out entirely, collapsing with a heavy thud against the cold floor. Hours later, the quiet of the dorm was broken as the door creaked open. Hana, Chloe, Akane, Ren, Leo, Kaito, and Yumi stepped in, their footsteps halting as their eyes fell on Rin sprawled on the floor. “Rin…?” Hana gasped, rushing forward, her flames flickering faintly in concern. Chloe’s brows furrowed. “She…collapsed?” Akane knelt beside Rin, hesitating. “Is she…okay?” Ren’s icy gaze softened slightly as he crouched down to check her pulse. “She’s breathing… barely. But she doesn’t look right.” Leo swallowed hard, his hands clenching at his sides. “What happened to her?” Kaito and Yumi exchanged worried glances. “We need to get her somewhere safe… carefully,” Yumi suggested calmly, while Kaito nodded, stepping closer to help. Together, they gently lifted Rin, moving her to a nearby couch. Her eyes fluttered weakly, and her body sagged against them. The group exchanged tense, uncertain glances, none knowing exactly what had caused her collapse—but all aware it was serious. Rin’s breathing was shallow, her body still trembling slightly as she lay slumped on the couch. Hana hovered nearby, her flames dimming as she muttered under her breath, “Come on, Rin… wake up…” Chloe and Yumi exchanged worried looks, glancing at each other. “Should we call someone?” Chloe whispered, uncertain. “No… let’s give her a minute,” Yumi replied, her calm demeanor masking the concern in her eyes. “She might just be exhausted.” Akane gently placed a hand on Rin’s shoulder, careful not to jostle her. “Rin… we’re here. Just… hang on, okay?” Ren crouched on the other side, silent, his usual cold demeanor replaced with quiet concern. He kept his eyes on Rin, watching for any sign of movement. Minutes passed like hours. Rin’s body remained still, but slowly, imperceptibly, her fingers twitched. Her eyelids fluttered, and then her eyes cracked open, dark and alert again, though faint beads of sweat clung to her brow. She let out a shallow sigh, her hand lifting slightly to rest against the couch. Hana’s relief was audible. “Rin! You’re awake!” Rin’s lips curved into a small, tired smile, though her voice was barely above a whisper. “I… I’m fine…” But her classmates weren’t convinced. Chloe leaned closer. “That didn’t look fine.” “I… just overdid it,” Rin admitted, sitting up slowly with their help, rubbing the back of her head. “I’ll be okay… really.” Even as she spoke, the group exchanged glances, silently agreeing to keep a closer eye on her from now on. Something about how sudden her collapse had been lingered in their minds, a quiet worry that Rin herself might not fully understand yet. Rin leaned back against the couch, letting out a long, slow breath. Her fingers flexed, testing her strength, and she could feel the lingering soreness from earlier. I can’t let this happen again, she thought, determination hardening like steel in her chest. If I want to keep up… if I want to beat him… I need to push further. Her gaze drifted to the window, where the sun was starting to dip below the horizon. The sky was painted in streaks of orange and red, but Rin didn’t see the beauty—she only saw the battlefield, the moments with Shadow replaying in her mind. Every flash of lightning, every clash of power… it burned into her memory. Hana leaned closer again, concern still etched across her face. “Rin… you really scared us.” Rin gave a small, reassuring smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I know… I just… I need to be ready. I can’t let my guard down—not even for a second.” Chloe crossed her arms, tilting her head. “You’re pushing yourself too hard. You need to pace yourself.” Rin shook her head, a spark of determination flickering in her gaze. “No… I can’t. If I want to face him again… if I want to be stronger than ever, I have to train. I won’t let him—or anyone—get ahead of me.” The room was quiet after that, the tension thick but charged with unspoken resolve. Her classmates didn’t fully understand what Rin was planning, but they knew better than to question her when her mind was set. Slowly, Rin rose from the couch, stretching her arms. “I’m going back to the training hall,” she announced quietly, her voice firm. “I need to work… I need to get stronger.” Hana, Chloe, Akane, Ren, Leo, Kaito, and Yumi all exchanged hesitant glances but said nothing. They knew when Rin made up her mind, there was no changing it. With that, Rin walked toward the dorm exit, her black coat brushing against her back, gloves snug on her hands, and eyes fixed on the horizon where her next challenge awaited. The echoes of the day’s battle with Shadow still rang in her ears, fueling a resolve that was only beginning to burn. Rin’s boots echoed against the dorm floor as she headed toward the exit, gloves tightening in silent resolve. But before she could step outside, Shadow appeared, stepping calmly into her path. She stopped, eyes narrowing. “Shadow…” He didn’t smirk or taunt—his expression was flat, almost indifferent, but there was a subtle weight in his gaze. “I only fought you to gauge your strength. That’s all.” His tone was quiet, measured. “Not to see you push yourself to the point of collapse.” Rin’s fists twitched at her sides, but he held her gaze steadily. “When the time comes, we’ll fight again,” he continued, “but not now. There’s no reason to risk everything before class tomorrow. You’re strong enough—I don’t need to see you hurt yourself.” Rin’s chest rose and fell, conflicted. There was no arrogance in his words, no mocking challenge—just… understanding, almost like a comrade, but also a rival. She exhaled slowly. “…Fine. Class tomorrow,” she muttered, her resolve simmering but restrained. Shadow gave her a small, almost imperceptible nod before stepping aside. His gaze lingered for a moment, evaluating, then he turned and walked away. Rin remained in the doorway, gloves still clenched, heart pounding—not from fear, but from the unspoken weight of his words. Rin stood in the doorway for a long moment, watching Shadow’s silhouette fade down the hall. The quiet of the dorm settled around her again, but the echoes of their clash, their stares, and his words lingered in her mind. She flexed her fingers, removing her gloves with a soft snap, letting her bare hands feel the cool air. Her heart still raced, adrenaline fading into a steady burn, and somewhere deep down, a spark of something unspoken ignited—challenge, determination, and a quiet promise to herself. With deliberate steps, she turned away from the doorway, her eyes sweeping over the dimly lit hall. Shadows stretched along the walls, dancing faintly with the glow of the evening sun. The world felt bigger somehow, charged with the possibility of battles yet to come, tests she hadn’t faced, and rivalries that would define her path. Rin adjusted her coat lightly, then moved toward her room, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders—not heavy, but purposeful. Outside, the wind rustled softly, whispering of the challenges ahead, and somewhere, far above the city, the faint crackle of electricity lingered in the air, waiting. She paused briefly at her door, hand on the handle, letting the silence sink in. Then, with a small, determined exhale, she stepped inside, ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring.