"Friendly match"

The president's declaration of a duel against a first-year student sent shockwaves through the room. A heavy silence enveloped the cafeteria as tension and anxiety permeated the air. The students watched, their attention glued to the unfolding scene.

In the midst of this silence, the white-haired loli broke the tension, tugging on Shuuta's shirt from his well-defined back.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into all of this...and I initially wanted to take you out myself," the loli bowed as an apology.

Shuuta's annoyance bubbled to the surface. "What if I refuse, then?"

"I'll just eliminate you right here, Shuuta," came the resolute reply.

"If I agree, I'm still doomed!" Shuuta retorted.

The blonde boy wore a smug grin, nodding arrogantly. "That's right."

"You little...!" Shuuta glared at Hikaru, struggling to comprehend why he wasn't the phoenix feather or a lottery ticket he had hoped for.

"I'll prove that even without powers, I can hold my own!" Shuuta declared with determination. Hikaru seemed to appreciate this response, and he gestured to Shuuta to follow.

Shuuta, along with half of the cafeteria, trailed behind them. This was the first time Hikaru had challenged someone to a duel, and the fact that nobody knew if he could fight added an air of mystery to the event. As for Shuuta, everyone had witnessed his encounter with the group of girls, so his courage in the face of danger had not gone unnoticed.

The crowd of students had gleaming eyes, fixated on Hikaru. Shuuta couldn't help but feel envious, wishing he had people who admired him, as it would surely boost his determination.

But not all the gazes were friendly. Many exuded disdain and arrogance, with unmistakable traces of killing intent. Shuuta couldn't help but think, 'These people! I wouldn't be surprised if they'd kill for him!' He had to dodge a thrown journal, not just a pencil or an eraser, but a full notebook. His frustration was apparent.

'If I turn into a murderer after this, it's all your fault, Hikaru!' Shuuta muttered under his breath.

Finally, they arrived at the school's dojo, a spacious martial arts facility designed for self-defense. Hikaru guided Shuuta towards a designated dueling mat.

"Don't worry; you won't feel a thing," Hikaru reassured, his tone condescending.

Shuuta shot him a stern look and couldn't resist the urge to pummel Hikaru into the ground to assert his dominance, even though he had no powers.

The anticipation in the room was palpable as everyone eagerly anticipated the fight. This was a showdown involving none other than the White Prince of Memorial, a figure admired not only for his looks but also for his remarkable achievements.

Hikaru initiated the duel. "Alright, we can start. You can come at me whenever you want."

With those words, Shuuta charged at him suddenly, leaving Hikaru momentarily surprised. However, there was a glint of determination in Hikaru's eyes as he anticipated Shuuta's movements.

Shuuta's right fist was aimed directly at Hikaru's face, and Hikaru was poised to counter. But Shuuta abruptly halted mid-attack, throwing Hikaru off balance.

POW!

His left fist connected with Hikaru's face, causing him to stumble. Shuuta continued his unpredictable assault, pausing between strikes to further disorient Hikaru.

"Look at him go! He's pushing back the president!"

"That first-year has skills!"

"Can the president even fight? Is this a fair match?!"

Kazuma watched in awe, recalling their middle school days when he had given Shuuta a thorough beating to test their strength.

The situation had taken a drastic turn; it was evident that Shuuta had ventured into unfamiliar territory.

"What a raw fighting style. It looks like Noara must have taught him those moves," Kazuma grinned.

Hikaru acknowledged Shuuta's skills with a smile. "Ha! You're good! I guess I'll step it up a notch!" His kicks felt like powerful cannons striking their target.

Shuuta's determination flared. 'What the heck! His skill just went off the charts! Was he going easy on me?' Losing was something Shuuta couldn't tolerate, as he had been in a similar situation during a fight with Kazuma when they both attended a multi-martial arts academy. After that humiliating defeat, he had left the academy.

Losing evoked the worst emotions in Shuuta, and now he was in a dire situation. Hikaru's powerful kicks kept him at a distance, leaving Shuuta's arms numb.

'Screw it! I need to push harder.'

Shuuta closed the gap between them, anticipating Hikaru's kicks and dodging them.

"Got you!" Shuuta went for a punch to Hikaru's face, but his attack was interrupted.

Boom!

"W-what? How did..."

Hikaru managed to use Shuuta's parry to his advantage and delivered an elbow to Shuuta's solar plexus, leaving him gasping for breath. The judo throw sent Shuuta tumbling across the padded floor.

Thud!

Shuuta, showing great resilience, rolled to his side, closed in again, and delivered a back kick.

Hikaru crossed his arms and blocked Shuuta's fierce kick.

'How about this?' Shuuta spun, low-swooping his foot, attempting to trip Hikaru, but the blond lad gracefully lurched and delivered a guillotine kick on Shuuta's way down.

Bam!

Shuuta took a solid hit to the head, and Kazuma was left speechless, recognizing the dangerous potential in Hikaru's moves.

"Unfair bastard," Kazuma muttered under his breath.

"Tch. That hurt!" Shuuta rubbed his head in pain, masking his wounded pride with a smile.

Shuuta shook his head, accepting his predicament. "I'm in trouble."

Hikaru decided to attack, aiming for Shuuta's neck, but Shuuta narrowly avoided it by leaning back. Even Kazuma couldn't hide his shock; that attack was meant to kill.

Shuuta retaliated rapidly, throwing a jab that connected with Hikaru's arm. The two engaged in a quick-paced exchange, almost hitting each other in a dance-like choreography that mesmerized onlookers.

Everyone was captivated by the intense battle, resembling a scene from an anime fight.

Kazuma couldn't believe his eyes. "How are they so skilled? What kind of kung-fu, tai-chi nonsense is this?"

Hikaru recognized some of Noara's techniques in Shuuta's moves, acknowledging, "I see Noara trained you. Some of her attacks are quite apparent."

"Tch. So you know all my cards," Shuuta responded.

Hikaru only smiled in response.

Clap!

Shuuta parried a strike.

Boom!

Hikaru blocked a powerful blow.

Bam!

Both landed simultaneous punches to each other's faces, creating some distance between them. Then, in perfect synchronization, they lunged at each other, connecting with strikes.

Both fighters ended up staggering and trading one last simultaneous punch before dropping to the padded floor. Shuuta quickly rose to his feet and saw Hikaru's shoe sole coming towards his face.

Smack!

Shuuta didn't react in time and received a solid kick to the face.

"D-damn it..." Shuuta muttered, his body faltering, and his vision slowly fading.

"Come on, Shuuta! You can do it!" A gentle voice encouraged him.

'Hanako?...' Shuuta clenched his teeth, preventing himself from falling by bracing his left leg on the mat. He locked eyes with Hanako, fixing a determined look on Hikaru.

Hikaru furrowed his brows, captivated by Shuuta's resilience. 'He's as tough as nails.'

"Finally, a worthy partner!"

Hikaru's fists began to glow like light bulbs. Shuuta noticed instantly, 'So he's preparing to end the fight.'

"Let's finish this!" Shuuta declared, rushing toward Hikaru. Hikaru smiled and charged.

Shuuta took a deep breath, focusing intently on Hikaru, his eyes emitting red energy strands.

'I won't lose again. Not now. Not ever.'

A dark, transparent, blood-red skull formed around Shuuta's right fist. Hikaru was left awestruck, thinking, 'Is that...his magic? So he's finally unlocked it! How exciting!'

BOOM!

Both fists collided with immense force, leaving everyone in awe. The match had transformed into a battle that felt like a tournament final.

But then, the sinister, blood-red skull started devouring the light aura on Hikaru's fist, inflicting a burning sensation as it drained his mana.

Hikaru winced in pain, overwhelmed by the ominous power.

'What kind of ability is this?!'

Shuuta gave his last push, letting out a mighty war cry.

Hikaru's eyes gleamed, and he seized Shuuta's fist, swiftly locking it in an arm hold, ending the fight.

Shuuta's skull dispersed as he hit the foam mat.

The audience watched in stunned silence as the first-year student almost claimed victory, but Hikaru's skills ultimately saved him.

"He's not bad!"

"Wow! What a fantastic fight!"

"He's quite handsome."

"He's not as good-looking as the president, though," one person chimed in from the background, earning glares from the rest.

"Good fight," Hikaru complimented as he tapped Shuuta's shoulder.

"You're not going to kill me?" Shuuta asked, a bit confused.

"Of course not. You're a strong candidate for the Mystic Society. Killing you would be foolish. However, you do deserve punishment. Divine punishment, to be precise."

Gulp...

"W-what are you going to do to me?"

Suddenly, a wide grin spread across Hikaru's face. "I might just have an idea."