POV: Arthur Kojiro
Awakening me from my sleep was none other than a loud thud, prompting me to open my eyes as I was welcomed by a mild headache.
Where am I?
Rising into a sitting position, I began massaging my temple in hopes of easing my headache, but upon doing so, my memories began to recollect themselves as the images within my mind became more vivid with every passing second, inspiring my lips to curl into a grin as I remembered my fight against Rai.
I lost.
I used everything I had available and in the end, I still lost.
I knew beforehand that he was strong and the Headmaster even confirmed it, but I would have never guessed to this extent.
Despite our raw power being relative, his speed was just too much for me to handle as I was forced to rely on my instincts alone and yet, that still wasn't enough.
The only way for me to match his speed is by ignoring the physical limitations of my body with a technique of my Aspect, but using that technique is far too risky as it leaves me in a crippled state or even worse, I could die from the backlash.
Even if I were to match his speed, his calculative style of combat paired with his real-time adaptability makes him an opponent that I can't even imagine defeating as of now.
When I was growing up, I was fully aware that I was a genius beyond normal standards, even without the unnecessary flattering that I would receive from others, but in the face of somebody such as Rai, that title might as well be worthless.
I trained alone for years and even received training from my own parents, who are veterans of combat, but out of anyone among my generation that I have fought, I have never come across someone with more experience in combat than Rai.
No, although he seems to have more experience than me, that's not what threw me off during our fight.
What threw me off was the fact that it felt as if he could perceive the world a step faster than me.
He was even able to evade "Sever", my father's infamous technique that had a guaranteed hit on anyone with the exception of the strongest Aspectors who specialize in speed or sensory.
I wonder…
If I were to use my sword, could I have won?
Looking up into the night sky, I began to gaze into it as I recalled Wrath shattering one of my treasured swords, bringing a frown to my face as I sighed.
If I had to say the truth, I was afraid of using my sword.
Despite being an unprecedented genius in swordsmanship, I've only been a swordsman for three years.
I may be able to grasp any sword technique, but it's not because I understand it.
I simply can just do it.
I was afraid of losing my remaining sword, so I chose to fight Rai without it as I knew that if someone as weak as Wrath was able to break the blade of my sword, then Rai would certainly be capable of doing so if given the same opportunity and as much as I hate to admit this…
I'm not sure if I could win against him even if I were to use my sword.
Exasperated at my own fear and incompetence, I clenched my fist until I calmed myself down with a long, deep breath and resolved myself for the future.
This isn't going to cut it.
I need to surpass him.
Standing up from the dampened ground, I wiped off a patch of mud from my face as I noticed my body felt like it was in peak condition, encouraging me to check my body as I noticed all of my injuries were gone, but amongst my observation, I noticed two people in the distance of the facility as upon squinting my eyes, I was able to discern that it was none other than Rai and Selene, who were in a particularly interesting position as from my perspective, it seemed as if they were trying to kiss.
Well would you look at that.
While I got my ass handed to me, Rai gets rewarded with basically a princess from a fairytale.
"Are you having fun over there, Rai!?" I teased with a shout, waving my hand in the air with a smug grin as I began walking towards them while my jestering flushed Selene's face red from embarrassment.
"This isn't what it looks like, Arthur. I can explain." Rai said as he removed his grasp from Selene as she then quickly removed herself from on top of him and stood from within the rubble.
"I'll be on my way now, Rai." Selene said anxiously as she paced away, flustered from me catching her in an awkward situation as Rai picked himself up from the ground and adjusted his clothing amidst my approach.
After Selene left the facility, Rai matched my gaze with dull eyes as I stifled a laugh, rousing a sigh of vexation from Rai as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Shut up, Arthur." Rai voiced irritably as we began heading towards the exit of the facility while I was unable to prevent my grin from widening from being amused by the visible annoyance growing within his expression.
"Did I ruin your moment?" I asked teasingly, hoping to provoke him as I struggled to hold in my laughter while Rai's irritation only grew.
"There was no moment." Rai deadpanned as he tried to hide his annoyance, but I knew that he was close to his breaking point as I was at the limit of restraining my laughter.
"Did you enjoy making out with her?" I asked, finally provoking Rai's anger as he clenched his jaw.
"We didn't make out!" Rai hollered, nettled from my excessive teasing as I fell onto my back with a burst of laughter, clutching my abdomen as Rai let out a sigh of defeat and extended his hand towards me.
"So childish." Rai remarked as I accepted his hand, allowing him to pull me upwards as we approached the automated double doors of the exit, activating the sensor upon entering the proximity as we walked through a short corridor.
"So when did the two of you get so close?" I asked with a wry smile as I bumped his arm with my elbow persistently in order to get an answer out of him.
"I just met her today. I was watching over you from a cliff while talking to her and when I tried to stand up, the edge collapsed beneath me, dragging both of us down since she tried to save me and because of the height of the fall, I wanted to prevent her from being hurt, so I grabbed her and used my body as a cushion in order to break the fall, but as you can tell, it didn't go as planned since the fall placed us in quite the awkward position." Rai replied as I stopped pestering him and placed my hands inside of my pockets.
"You wouldn't know this since you're new, but Selene is known to be cold towards everyone as she usually keeps to herself, ignoring any guy that tries to come onto her, but who would have thought that she would allow you of all people to be in her presence." I mentioned as we were greeted by a pleasant autumn breeze upon stepping outside of the facility.
"Arthur, I'm certain that any girl wouldn't be interested in a guy that they've only known for thirty minutes." Rai replied as I chortled at his response until my stomach made an unpleasant growl.
"Hey, let's grab some takeout before we head back." I suggested as Rai glanced towards the top of the evaluation facility before matching my gaze.
"That's fine with me, but I'm letting you know now that I'm using the shower first when we get back to our dorm." Rai replied as I voiced my rejection with an expression of bafflement.
"Only those who are considered winners are allowed a reward. If you hate that fact so much then I suggest you win next time." Rai added, his arrogant, yet mocking tone infuriating me until I calmed my anger with a sigh as we continued to stroll along the stone pathway towards the food court.
"That's fair, but enjoy this now as the next time we fight, I'll be the one to win." I replied as my declaration roused a smile from Rai.
"I'll take you up on that." Rai replied as the two of us began conversing on frivolous topics until we arrived at the food court.
POV: Ryan Zephyr
On the ledge of the evaluation facility, I watched Rai and Arthur stroll towards the food court as I smoked a cigarette, relishing in the crisp airy flow of the autumn night.
Your awareness will never cease to amaze me.
Exhaling a puff of smoke from my mouth, I began to reminisce about the time I had raised Rai as I felt a smile creeping onto my face.
You've grown up well, Rai.