Chapter 36: The Wager of Flames

Two weeks had passed since the fall of Caine.
Peace had returned to both worlds. The academy once again buzzed with life — except for one quiet corner: the dueling arena, now reserved for a private match that only a handful were allowed to witness.

Kanata stood in the center of the ring, adjusting the bandages around his right arm.
Nagisa stood opposite him, her crimson-black hair tied back, a faint smirk tugging her lips.

“Nagisa,” Kanata began calmly. “You promised me your Stamp. Don’t tell me you forgot.”

She tilted her head playfully.
“Of course I remember. But if you want it, there’s one condition.”

Kanata sighed. “Figures. All right — what’s the catch this time?”

Nagisa’s eyes gleamed with mischief.
“A D-A-T-E.”

Kanata blinked. “…You’re joking.”

“Nope.” She took a step closer, tapping his chest. “Just one date. You’re my adorable little brother, after all.”

“You’re my sister!”

“Adopted sister,” she corrected, grinning. “Which means the rules don’t apply.”

Kanata groaned. “There has to be another way.”

Nagisa drew her katana, the blade catching the sunlight.
“Fine — let’s make it interesting. If you win, you get the Stamp. If you lose, you have to date me.”
She paused dramatically. “Forever.”

“You’re insane.”

“Do we have a deal?”

Kanata gritted his teeth. “…Deal.”

The arena was sealed.
No teachers, no students — only a handful of familiar faces hidden among the shadows of the viewing deck: Itsuha, Celestine, Aine, and Rio.
They weren’t supposed to be there, but curiosity had won.

Itsuha crossed her arms, frowning. “He really agreed to this nonsense?”

Rio nodded nervously. “Y-yeah … they made a bet.”

Aine raised a brow. “What kind of bet?”

“If Kanata wins, he gets the Stamp. If he loses…” Rio hesitated. “…he has to uh … date Nagisa. Forever.”

Celestine nearly choked. “He WHAT?!”

Itsuha slammed her fist against the railing. “That idiot! I’ll kill him after this!”

Back in the ring, Nagisa’s mana flared — a cyclone of red and violet twisting around her.
Kanata crouched low, his right arm glowing faintly beneath the bandages.

“Ready?” she asked.

“Always.”

The clash came like thunder.

Steel met stone; shockwaves rippled through the silent chamber.
Kanata’s palm met her blade, sparks scattering like fireflies.
They moved faster than sight — two streaks of light weaving destruction across the field.

From above, Aine whispered, “They’re evenly matched…”

“No,” Celestine replied softly. “He’s holding back.”

Down below, Kanata slid across the floor, stopping mere inches from the barrier.
Nagisa pressed forward, her strikes relentless — precise, yet full of emotion.

“What’s wrong, Kanata? Afraid to hurt your sister?”

“I’m afraid you’ll cry if I win.”

“Oh really?”

She disappeared in a blur.
A moment later, her katana grazed his cheek — and for a heartbeat, he froze.

He saw a phantom in the stands: Caine, seated casually, smiling coldly.

“No… you’re not real…”

That single hesitation cost him.
Nagisa’s blade slammed into his ribs; her kick followed, sending him sprawling.

“Got you.”

Itsuha shouted from the balcony, “Kanata, focus, you idiot!”

Aine winced. “That looked painful…”

Celestine sighed. “He deserves it.”

Rio leaned forward. “He’ll be fine … right?”

Kanata groaned, coughing as he propped himself up. “You’re getting better, Nagisa…”

She smiled faintly, lowering her weapon. “I win.”

He smirked tiredly. “Yeah, yeah. Guess I owe you a D-A-T-E now.”

Nagisa crouched beside him, her expression softening.
“Don’t look so miserable. It’s just one date — and maybe dinner.”

Before he could answer, she leaned in … and kissed him.

The world stopped.
Kanata froze, eyes wide, his mind blank.

Itsuha’s scream echoed from above. “SHE DID WHAT?!”

Aine covered her mouth. “Oh my God…”

Celestine just whispered, “Unbelievable.”

Rio sighed. “Told you so.”

Nagisa pulled back, her cheeks slightly red.
“That’s for worrying me back then.”

Kanata rubbed the back of his neck. “You really don’t know boundaries, do you?”

She smiled, pressing a small glowing mark into his palm.
“You’ve earned this — the second-to-last Stamp.”

He stared at it for a long moment, the faint light reflecting in his golden eyes.
“Only one left…”

Nagisa stood, stretching.
“Don’t be late tomorrow, okay? It’s a date.”

Kanata groaned. “I’ve fought gods and dragons — but this might actually kill me.”

Far from the academy, in a dimly lit chamber, two silhouettes stood in silence.
A man with sharp eyes. A woman with long silver hair.

“Do you think he’ll accept?” the man asked.

“Maybe,” the woman replied. “Time will tell.”

He smirked. “You rely too much on time.”

“And you talk too much,” she shot back coldly. “Your voice alone disgusts me.”

They turned away, their forms fading into the darkness.
The Watchers had arrived — and their next mission would soon begin.

To Be Continued…