Chapter 51
A year had passed, and Renji's life was no longer what it used to be.
The sun shone through the curtains of takedas apartment, bathing the room in a warm golden glow. Renji stood by the window, stretching his arms, his well-built frame outlined by the light. His body had changed so much over the year lean muscles carved from endless training sessions with Takeda.
He could still remember the first day Takeda had agreed to train him.
Back then, he could barely lift his own weight. Now, he could run for miles without stopping, punch hard enough to shatter reinforced targets, and summon enough mana to shake the floor beneath his feet.
He turned slightly, watching Lily at the dining table, legs crossed, hair falling gently to her shoulders as she read a book. She had grown taller too no longer the little girl clinging to him for safety,
"You're staring again," Lily said with a playful grin, snapping the book shut.
Renji laughed softly and scratched his cheek. "Can you blame me? You've grown too fast. It feels like yesterday you were shorter than the kitchen counter."
Lily rolled her eyes but her smile didn't fade.
"And you've grown too, you know. I mean look at those muscles
Renji smirked, walking over to the table and sitting across from her.
"Takeda almost killed me a hundred times to get me here," Renji said, half-joking but with respect in his tone. "But I guess it was worth it."
In truth Lily the training had been brutal every morning waking up with sore muscles and every night falling asleep with bruises covering my entire arms and chest. But day after day, I have gotten stronger.
But it wasn't just my body that changed lily
My fear also changed that crippling fear I used to feel whenever danger came near Is now gone.
And I'm not afraid anymore.
As if on cue, Takeda stepped into the apartment, his calm presence filling the room. His sharp eyes scanned Renji from head to toe, nodding slightly as if confirming something.
"You are ready," Takeda said simply.
Renji chuckled. "You keep saying that every month."
Well this time I mean it," Takeda replied, pulling up a chair and sitting down. "Your body isn't just stronger your magical control is near flawless now. You've been holding back without even realizing it."
Renji blinked in surprise. "Holding back?"
Takeda nodded.
"I've been watching you carefully. Your mana pool is deep, Renji. Very deep. You rarely ever run out of magic, and your body is finally strong enough to handle much more than before. If you keep training like this, there might not be anyone in Japan who can face you head-on." Except me of course
Lily's eyes widened, but Renji just stayed quiet, gripping the edge of the table.
A year ago, hearing that would have terrified him.
But now, he only felt calm.
Later that afternoon takeda stood quietly in the training room, hands behind his back, watching Renji go through his final set of mana control exercises.
The air around Renji shimmered faintly with golden light, crackling and humming like a living thing.
He's finally ready, Takeda thought to himself, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Then he felt it — a presence rapidly approaching.
The door slid open with a hiss.
" Mr Takeda !"
Hiroto stepped into the room, his usual carefree grin plastered across his face. But the moment his eyes landed on Renji, the grin faded into something else excitement.
Golden mana flowed around Renji's entire body, swirling like a storm, radiating heat and raw power.
It wasn't chaotic but it was controlled and calm.
Hiroto whistled. "Oooooooh… so this is the Renji that have been training for a whole year?"
Renji turned, wiping sweat from his forehead. His faint smile said it all he wasn't afraid anymore.
"Come at me, Hiroto ," Renji said I'm finally ready to take you on
For a moment, silence filled the training room. Hiroto's smile widened, sharp and full of anticipation.
"A year ago," Hiroto said, cracking his knuckles, "I told you to get stronger. I told you not to disappoint me."
He took a single step forward, and the air grew heavier.
"Okay, Renji," Hiroto said, magical energy began flowing around him
"Let's see how much stronger you've become."
The moment hung in the air ..then both of them vanished.
To Choji, it was like watching two blurs of light. He couldn't follow their movements at all just flashes of golds as Renji and Hiroto reappeared and vanished again, colliding in the center of the room.
Their fists met.
BOOM!
The shockwave was deafening. The new reinforced magic barriers around the training room shattered like glass, fragments of glowing runes scattering across the walls before flickering out.
Choji shielded his eyes, stunned. "What the hell?!"
But neither of them slowed down.
Renji darted to the left, his movements sharper than ever before, golden mana trailing behind him like comet fire. Hiroto blocked his strike with his forearm, grinning wildly.
"Good!" Hiroto roared. "But not good enough!"
He spun, his leg sweeping toward Renji's ribs but Renji caught it mid-air with both hands and twisted, throwing Hiroto across the room.
Swam
Hiroto slammed into the far wall, dust exploding around him. But before Choji could even blink, Hiroto burst out of the debris, his mana flaring brighter than ever.
"YES!" Hiroto shouted, laughing. "THIS IS WHAT I WANTED!"
Renji gritted his teeth, planting his feet firmly on the ground as golden mana surged around him like a tidal wave.
Clang
Clang
They clashed again.
This time, the force was even greater and the ground beneath them cracked like dry earth, shockwaves rippling through the entire building.
Punches. Kicks. Dodges. Counterattacks.
Hiroto was fast impossibly fast but Renji was right there with him, reading his movements, adapting on the spot. His training with Takeda had sharpened every reflex, every instinct.
For the first time, Hiroto wasn't just holding back
He was fighting seriously.
Their fists collided again, sparks of golden and silver mana scattering like fireworks.
"You've really done it…" Hiroto muttered under his breath, panting slightly. Then, louder, with a grin
"You've gotten so strong, Renji!"
Renji's lips curled into a determined smile, sweat dripping down his brow.
"I told you," he said. " I can challenge you now hiroto ."
And then he charged again this time, his speed even greater, forcing Hiroto to block with both arms as Renji's punch sent him sliding backward across the floor.
Hiroto's laughter echoed through the room, wild and joyous.
"I haven't had this much fun in a very long time!"