( Arata's POV )
Linuma's fighting style was somewhat savage and unrefined, but it was obvious that he had been in more fights than I had because there was almost no wasted movement and there was a certain rhythm to his erratic blows.
My new passive ability couldn't be turned off, but Linuma was throwing so many punches that he didn't notice that a third of them were being nullified.
After getting a feel for Linuma's fighting style, I moved nimbly to his side and delivered my own series of blows to Linuma, Without using my powers, my blows were weaker and slower than Linuma's, but after all my training with Sun and Sagiri, my blows were accurate, with four blows to the face, Linuma was pushed back and it looked as if he was going to fall, but he adjusted his footing and was able to stay on his feet.
Gozaburo: Come on, you know how much I've invested in you, go back there and teach that punk a lesson!
Linuma returned to the offensive with even more aggression, and on the spectators' side, Sun's father wasn't hiding his desire to see me beaten up at all, and it seemed like they were betting on this fight, one more reason not to let myself be defeated.
If things continued as a straight exchange of blows, it was very likely that I would lose, so when I saw the opportunity I grabbed Linuma's arm and using a judo move I threw Linuma away from me.
Ren: Husband, what do you think you're doing here? You turned these boys against each other!
Gozaburo: Dear, why do you assume I'm responsible for this? This is completely between the two of them. I'm here merely to prevent anyone from getting seriously hurt.
Sun's mother suddenly appeared to scold her husband, thinking this was his doing, Sun's father tried to evade blame and I must give him that this time, this fight was going to happen one way or another.
When Linuma got up from the ground, he ran towards me and put everything he had into his next attack, that attack was obvious and easy to dodge, but at the worst possible moment, I suffered an episode of drowsiness.
I couldn't defend myself and Linuma hit me squarely in the face, and the power of his blow sent me flying.
Chisaki: Arata!
Suffering the side effects of my powers awakening left me motionless on the ground for a moment, and Chisaki shouted my name as she tried to go to my side, but she was stopped by the other girls.
Arata: uh uh... Don't worry Chisaki, this is nothing.
I wiped some blood from my nose and stood up without much effort. I tried to calm Chisaki's concern, but my words only made her stay with the girls, she was still quite worried.
Linuma: I'll admit it, you've got more guts than I thought.
Arata: You have no idea.
Upon getting up, I immediately ran towards Linuma, and he did the same, gathering all our strength for the next attack, we exchanged a cross blow, we both connected at the head and waited to see if one would fall, but seconds later a wave of dark energy came out of my fist.
That energy wave sent Linuma flying in a nasty way; it looked as if he had been in a car accident, his body spinning violently, hitting the ground several times.
Linuma's friends were speechless, and I was surprised too. I was worried that Linuma might end up with permanent damage or worse.
Fortunately, seconds later Linuma started to get up, I let out a sigh of relief, but at the same time I felt something strange about Linuma and those on my side noticed it too.
A black energy aura was covering his body, and it was as if he had been completely recharged, this reminds me a bit of what happened with those gang members who used Oni's blood.
Linuma closed the distance between us in an instant and fired another flurry of blows that was now something truly dangerous.
I don't know how this happened, but now at least I didn't have to hold back anymore, I raised my spiritual energy and with my enhanced abilities I was able to dodge his attacks and after landing a powerful kick to the side of his stomach, I then used a combo of punches.
I quickly realized that the aura around him was the only thing keeping him standing, and every blow wore down that aura.
I was landing many blows without Linuma being able to do much to block or dodge, but he was quickly getting used to his newly awakened power, If this drags on, that could be a problem, but Linuma doesn't have much time left.
Linuma seemed to instinctively know that, and when I was about to land the final blows, he caught my hands and threw his head back, he was ready to deliver a powerful headbutt, and I did the same. When our foreheads collided, a loud sound echoed throughout the field and another wave of energy was created, Linuma and I stumbled back, but where I was able to stay on my feet, Linuma fell for good.
That was the end of the fight and Linuma's friends ran to his side, Sun's mother also walked slowly towards where we were.
Ren: Masa, take this boy to the infirmary.
Masa: Yes, ma'am!
The guy with the afro came over and effortlessly lifted Linuma and carried him to the infirmary as Sun's mother instructed, Then Ren came over to me and wiped some blood off my face with a handkerchief.
Ren: I think it's time for you all to go home.
Arata: ...yeah.
I was tired, so I didn't hesitate to listen to Ren's words, but rest wasn't what was waiting for me at home.