Keitaro had always hated being pushed aside, having such talent and yet some other people would blame him for being in the way. He couldn't do anything to such a thing because he's not from the main family bloodline, born from an affair which puts him in a tough spot of following the rules or suffering from criticism for bringing shame.
Rei's words cracked something in him, something about having someone as Keitaro had recalled why he had applied to Kamigami Academy when he was still trying to decide why he wanted to be a sorcerer.
A strawberry blonde sorceress, putting everything in her effort to stop an ongoing trouble when Keitaro saw the incident in Ethereal. There was nothing that could diffuse the situation since the one that she was trying to arrest had an ability to create solid metal out of thin air.
Keitaro assisted without thinking, using his fox-fire to instantly melt the metal while the sorceress took the cue to arrest them. "Hey kid, Nice work. Ever consider using those talents in Kamigami Academy?" The sorceress asked while he shook his head, "You have a lot in mind. Here's a tip, don't give in to them. Always put yourself at the best cause the only thing that will matter are those who really appreciate your will to keep on going with this messed up world."
Her words still lingered in his head afterwards, drilling a motivation for Keitaro when he started to attend Kamigami Academy in which the clan didn't appreciate due to the golden child attending the same academy but couldn't dare to say anything especially when the latter was approached by a respected figure from Kamigami Academy.
When he attended, it wasn't as much work since the curriculum was still focused on what the students would want to pursue. Keitaro was still weak at the time and took long leaves while requesting for the headmaster to have his coursework sent to him via email due to losing a lot to Haru.
That is until he met her, her eyes were as beautiful as the sorceress that he had met before, her face the same as hers except for the black hair. Ha-Eun Jeong. Eunji Jeong's little sister who still had little progress with her prowess and year younger in both age and academic year below him.
She was the first person who stayed with him and the very first genuine friend that he managed to find. They were like peas and a pod, always at each other's side despite Keitaro always losing to those who were way stronger.
He trained day and night to reach the level that he could achieve while holding back in order to satisfy the golden child of his clan. The only thing that mattered to him was her, the smile and kind words said to him.
That is until one day, Ha-Eun was in a tough spot when she suddenly bumped into Haru who was having a rough day. The violent, spoiled and arrogant male tried to harm her as Keitaro had no choice but to go all out. His mind was running havoc in which his fox-fire immediately turned what seemed to be glaciers of what Eunji had used.
The incident ended with lots of arguments, especially with Eunji defending his place against such viciousness and judgement from his own clan. Despite all the cruel words, Ha-Eun somehow lightened his mood and day. Her words echoing in his mind.
"Your flames are so beautiful. They're amazing. I hope you can continue to use them as much as you did today. Do your best! Cause I'm rooting for you!"
Keitaro continued to hold himself back despite her request, his fear lingering in his mind that his clan would target her because of his defiance.
But now, with Rei's words that continued to mess with his mind, Ha-Eun's request had flowed through his feelings and decided that he should stop and do his best. He should trust her as much as she trusts him.
......…
Rei was about to land a hit when the fox-fire that was in front of him suddenly transformed into a large glacier that almost struck him down if it weren't for his quick reflexes. He was surprised as his passive ability had now gotten a better reading to Keitaro's prowess.
"You." Keitaro called out which caught his attention as he mentally prepared for what the guy was planning although the next thing would surprise him.
"Thank you." he said while Rei smirked before the both of them went into a stance, ready to go all out this time as the copycat decided to risk everything.
Rei was combining his new stockpile technique and his mimicry. Fox-fire with full potential and barely amplified with the same ability as Keitaro.
"For a guy like you. You really are insane." Keitaro smirked as more flames started to form, ready to put everything in the line.
Rei responded back with a grin and a couple of words, "Who said I was sane in the first place?"
The two grinned at each other as they both immediately dashed in, Rei's flames boosted with the slight amplification and his stockpile destroying and eating some of Keitaro's flames while the latter transformed the remaining ones into glaciers to diminish some of his own flames.
......…
The crowd were left speechless with the performance that Rei and Keitaro were doing in the fight, powerful flames that either destroyed the other ones with amplified power and boosted from stockpile or ones that transformed into something strong enough to diminish the other ones flame.
Either way, it was a fight that neither of the contestants were holding back and were giving it their all. Due to the heat of their flames, some of the crowd who were spectating had to lean back in their seats to avoid sweating and being burned with how much of their flames were spiralling out of the fight.
"Now hold on! Aren't they going too far?!" One of the students who were watching exclaimed as almost every single person that was there watching the whole thing was now concerned.
Eto saw the two were channeling their spiritual energy to the max as she immediately went to pick up her radio as she signalled every staff or any available sorceress nor powerful individual to intervene or to lessen the damage of the fight.
Every sorcerer that were present within the vicinity had immediately assisted Eto in creating a barrier to lessen the damage as none of them would be able to interfere especially with such a powerful attacks that the two were trying to do.
Rei had flames spiralling all over him while red lightning sparks continuing run havoc out of him whenever he pulled every ounce of spiritual energy he had in him. Keitaro, on the other hand, his flames were almost covering himself with some pieces of his fox-fire transforming into either a glacier or rock-like spikes.
The two immediately went towards each other, both of them were ready to finish the entire fight by putting everything they had in their arsenal. Rei's flames and Keitaro's flame flickering uncontrollably from the amount of spiritual energy that they had put into their final showdown.
"Totality. 20%." Rei muttered to himself while cocking his right arm back, palms opened widely as flames were emitting from it while a glowing red hue indicated the spiritual energy that he was about to unleash into the attack.
"Fox-Fire: Maximum Output." Keitaro uttered to himself as he directed his flames towards Rei while running towards to the mad lad, each of his flames flickering uncontrollably from transforming back normally or into glacier nor a spike.
Keitaro was having his memories play around his head, the stress and pain that he had to go through because of his clan yet he didn't give in since there was always one person who stayed by his side. Ha-Eun's laugh, smile and cheerful atmosphere that seemed to calm him down from anxiety and fear.
"Ha-Eun." He muttered to himself, "I'm sorry for breaking my promise. This time, I will hold on to it just as much as you did for me!" Keitaro looked at Rei with a serious expression and a glint of gratitude in his eyes.
"Thank you. Rei."
The two had slammed their attacks to each other as the barrier had barely missed the timing from securing the damage that they would cost. "Damnit! Is it over?" One of the sorcerers asked while the rest were shaking their heads, the sight before then bright and destructive as they watched the flames of Rei's and Keitaro's attack covering the ring.
Undetermined with whoever won the match as every spectator, students and staff were anticipating who would be the victor once the debris and smoke had been put away while disabling the spell barrier that was formed.
Sylvie's eyes was trying to scan the area despite how much debits and smoke were around, trying to search for Rei to figure if he had lost or not.
Although, the bright blue flames of the Fox-Fire shone through the thick fog in which the magenta haired girl frowned upon assuming that Rei had lost. "Rei… I was looking forward to fight with you…" she thought to herself but was surprised when a familiar red aura started to be in the clear when the debris and smoke were running thin.
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