The sphere of condensed energy sealed Rawa inside like a glowing cage, its surface shimmering with compressed blue Parka. It wasn't merely light — it was pressure. Crushing, suffocating pressure.
Rawa struggled. He slammed his fist against the glowing barrier, but the moment his skin touched it, violent currents surged through his body. His breath grew heavy.
A few steps away stood Gulfa Senshi, his gaze sharp and unwavering. Beside him, Nina extended her palm forward, maintaining the structure of the energy sphere. Sweat traced down her temple — sustaining such precise control wasn't easy.
"Now," she whispered.
Senshi inhaled slowly.
Then—
Snap.
The sound of his fingers echoed across the arena.
Cracks spread across the sphere like fractures in glass. Dark lines split the glowing surface.
And then—
Explosion.
A violent shockwave burst outward. The arena floor trembled. Dust scattered into the air as the crowd instinctively stepped back.
When the smoke cleared, Rawa lay motionless at the center of the stage. The remaining traces of Parka faded like dying embers.
Silence dominated the arena for a heartbeat.
Then the announcer's voice thundered:
"The first match is over! Victory goes to Team Two!"
Cheers erupted from the stands.
Senshi and Nina exchanged a glance — not triumphant, not relieved. Just understanding.
That had not been an easy fight.
Inside the resting room, the metallic door slid shut behind them. White fluorescent lights reflected off steel walls.
Senshi dropped onto a bench and wiped his forehead.
"That guy… Rawa," he muttered. "Individually, he was stronger than either of us."
Nina nodded.
"If we hadn't coordinated that joint attack at the exact right moment… we would've lost."
Gan stood near the wall, staring at the ground, fists clenched.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I was a burden."
Nina looked up immediately.
"Don't say that. Your opponent was strong. You held your ground."
Senshi gave him a faint smile.
"You did great, Gan."
Suddenly Gan grinned widely.
"Hehehe! Honestly, I was way stronger than him. I just didn't feel like ending it too quickly."
Nina stared at him for a moment before replying flatly:
"Of course you were."
Inside her thoughts, she laughed.
They were evenly matched… but he really is amazing. Optimistic. Maybe just a little arrogant.
Still… that optimism was what kept their team together.
Meanwhile, Kazuki walked away from the arena with Mitsu and Mio. The cheers of the crowd still echoed faintly behind them.
"That was an impressive match," Kazuki said, placing his hands behind his head. "Don't you think?"
Mio nodded eagerly.
"Yeah! Their teamwork was incredible."
Mitsu adjusted his glasses slightly.
"I analyzed their movement patterns. Their Parka output was carefully calculated. Nothing wasteful."
Kazuki smiled.
But his mind was elsewhere.
I'm weak.
His steps slowed unconsciously.
Compared to my team… compared to the others… I'm nothing.
Even though he ranked twelfth in the test, a heavy feeling pressed against his chest.
There are many who didn't reveal their true strength.
He remembered the calm expressions of certain participants. The minimal Parka they released — almost deliberately restrained.
They only showed a fraction… so no one would realize how strong they truly are.
His fist tightened.
And I… I nearly used everything I had.
"Hey, Kazuki."
Mitsu's voice pulled him back.
"What are you thinking about?"
Kazuki forced a casual smile.
"I was just thinking… how about we grab dinner at my place?"
Mio raised her hand excitedly.
"That sounds great! We've never visited your house before!"
Mitsu studied him for a moment, as if sensing something beneath that smile.
"…Alright."
The sky was painted in deep orange as the sun dipped below the city skyline.
The air was calm.
But inside Kazuki, a storm was forming.
If I stay like this… I'll fall behind.
He imagined the next rounds. Stronger opponents. Higher stakes.
I refuse to be the weakest link.
For a brief second, faint violet-black Parka flickered at the tips of his fingers.
Then it vanished.
No one noticed.
But Kazuki felt it.
There's something inside me I haven't fully awakened.
His heartbeat quickened.
Was it hidden power?
Or something dangerous?
He lifted his gaze toward the fading sky.
And smiled again.
But this time—
It wasn't a carefree smile.
It was the smile of someone who had silently made a decision.
High above the empty stands, a shadowed figure watched the corridor Kazuki had taken.
"Twelfth place…" the figure murmured.
"And yet… that energy was unusual."
Darkness swallowed the silhouette.
Kazuki reached his home and opened the door.
"Welcome," he said.
Mio laughed lightly.
"It feels so quiet here."
But before stepping inside—
Kazuki froze.
That sensation again.
A faint, unfamiliar Parka presence.
Light… but real.
He slowly turned toward the empty street.
No one.
"Kazuki?" Mitsu asked.
After a brief pause, he shook his head.
"Nothing. Probably just nerves."
He stepped inside and closed the door.
Yet deep within, he knew—
The coming stages would not be ordinary matches.
Hidden forces were moving.
Secrets were watching.
And something inside him had begun to awaken.
He smiled softly.
I won't stay weak.
Even if he had to use everything he possessed.
Even if the cost… was greater than he imagined.