Michael looked at her quietly, his gaze sharpening as he took in every detail.
So she's my opponent…
If she was the top recruit of the D ranks, then she definitely wouldn't be weak. There was also something strangely familiar about her face—something about the way she stood, the way her eyes looked at him, as if he had seen her somewhere before.
But no matter how familiar she seemed, that wasn't what mattered right now.
I just need to finish this match… and maybe I'll figure it out then.
A calm smile formed on his face as he stretched out his hand toward her.
"I am Michael. I would be your opponent for the upcoming match, so I hope we have a good match," Michael said.
Neon lowered her gaze to his hand, her yellow eyes unreadable and calm. For a brief second, she simply stared at it before finally reaching out and taking it.
"Same here," she said evenly. "I also hope you won't disappoint me."
Michael blinked.
For a split second, surprise flashed across his face.
Did she just say I shouldn't disappoint her?
He stared at her for a moment, caught slightly off guard by the confidence in her voice.
Sorry, but the only one who might end up disappointed here is probably me, Michael thought.
Still, he quickly regained his composure. The surprise vanished behind his usual calm smile.
"Same here," he replied. "I hope you don't disappoint me either."
From the side, Warren watched the two of them and almost sighed.
Kids… the match hasn't even started yet, and they're already at each other's throats, Warren thought with quiet amusement.
Then he spoke aloud, a faintly entertained look on his face.
"Alright, it's about time we start. You have your weapons, right?" Warren said. "For the rank matches, you can use your real weapons. But don't worry—those watches also protect you from getting any fatal damage. You'll still feel the pain and might get knocked out, and this time, the match only ends when your opponent is knocked out, surrenders, or if the official—that would be me—decides the match is over. Understand?"
Michael and Neon answered at the exact same time.
"Yes, sir," they both said.
Warren smiled faintly.
"Good. You both should get on the platform then, and the match will start as soon as you do."
Again, they answered in sync.
"Yes, sir."
Without another word, they turned and began walking toward their respective sides of the platform.
Nearby, Greg observed the two of them carefully, his sharp eyes moving between Michael and Neon.
Both of them are strong in their own areas, Greg thought. This match will probably be decided by who's more skillful… and who can think faster under pressure.
He turned slightly toward Warren.
"Who do you think will win the match?" Greg asked.
Warren kept his eyes on the platform as he answered.
"Michael, of course," he said calmly. "But you never know what might happen, so let's just watch for now."
Michael climbed the steps onto the platform, the solid surface of the arena spreading out beneath his feet.
As soon as he reached the top, his eyes went straight to Neon.
She was already standing opposite him.
In her hand was a short sword, its blade thin and sharp-looking, reflecting the arena lights in a cold gleam. The weapon suited her strangely well—compact, precise, and dangerous.
Michael's expression grew more serious.
Guess she's ready…
He slowly drew his own sword, the sound crisp against the charged silence of the arena. Then he lowered himself into his stance, his body settling naturally, his focus narrowing.
Now I just have to prepare myself too… and win this match.
Then the announcement echoed throughout the arena.
"The rank match between the C ranks' top recruit Michael and the top recruit of the D ranks, Neon, is about to start!"
The sound spread through the room, causing murmurs and attention to shift toward the platform.
Warren stepped onto the stage between them, glancing from one to the other.
"You both already know the rules," he said. "So let the match begin."
The moment the words left his mouth—
Neon moved.
She lunged forward immediately, yellow Celestial Energy coating her short sword in an instant. Her speed was sudden and sharp, like a flash of light cutting across the platform.
Michael tightened his stance instantly, his body already preparing to deflect the incoming blade—
But then—
His hand wouldn't move.
His eyes widened.
It felt like something had suddenly wrapped around it—like an unseen grip had locked onto his arm and held it firmly in place.
Huh—what is—?
Before he could finish the thought, Neon was already right in front of him.
Her sword slashed toward his stomach.
Michael reacted on pure instinct, twisting his body and side-stepping just in time. The blade sliced through the air where he had been standing only a moment before.
As he moved, he focused his energy on the part of his body that had felt restrained and forced his hand free.
It was a strange sensation—like tearing his arm out of someone else's grip.
The moment he broke free, he caught the subtle shift in Neon's expression.
Just for a second, she looked surprised.
Then her face returned to its calm, composed state as if nothing had happened.
Michael's eyes narrowed.
Just now… when I broke free, she reacted.
So that thing… that was her doing.
But how?
There was no time to think.
Neon attacked again.
This time, Michael moved forward too, deciding not to stay on the defensive. He stepped in, ready to exchange strikes with her—
And then his leg suddenly felt like it had been grabbed.
His body faltered for a split second.
Again.
It was the same strange restraint as before, except this time it wrapped around his leg instead of his hand.
He could break free from it—he knew he could.
But Neon was already in motion, and there wasn't enough time to dodge.
Michael reacted instantly, raising his sword just in time to block her strike. The impact rang sharply through the air, vibrating through his arm.
He forced his leg free again and immediately shifted back into motion.
Neon didn't let up.
She continued pressing him, her sword flashing repeatedly as she sent strike after strike at him. Michael moved carefully, regaining his footing, his eyes locked onto every movement.
Then he sent energy into his eyes.
A faint green light flickered there.
And then—
He saw it.
Michael's eyes sharpened.
Floating around Neon was something like a third hand—a strange construct made entirely of yellow Celestial Energy. It moved unnaturally around her body, separate from her actual limbs, and at that very moment it was reaching toward his hand again.
So that's it.
Michael immediately shifted his body and dodged the approaching hand, avoiding its grasp by a narrow margin.
Then he struck.
His blade came at Neon sharply.
Her calm expression cracked for a moment, surprise flashing in her eyes, but she still managed to block it.
The clash of metal rang across the platform.
Michael didn't stop.
Almost immediately after the first strike, he sent another one.
Neon blocked again—but this time, the force pushed her back a little.
Good.
Now that I can see it… I can dodge it.
Michael moved in again, lunging toward her with sharper intent.
But as he did, he saw the yellow hand reaching for his leg again.
He shifted away just in time and swung a right slash toward her body.
Neon blocked once more.
Then her focus deepened.
Her expression sharpened.
Yellow energy flowed more intensely around her body now, wrapping around her like a second skin.
Immediately, she swung at him.
Michael deflected the sword—
But then—
The yellow hand punched him in the stomach.
His body shook.
A sharp burst of pain shot through him, making his breath hitch for just a moment.
Michael's eyes widened slightly.
The hand can attack too…
He gritted his teeth.
But I shouldn't be that surprised. It should've been obvious.
That tiny shake in his body—the smallest opening—was all Neon needed.
She took advantage of it instantly.
Her sword flashed toward his neck.
Michael's eyes widened.
The strike was fast—too fast.
But just before it could reach him, he forced green energy into his hand and moved.
His sword intercepted hers in time, deflecting the blade away by the narrowest margin.
It was close.
Very close.
Michael exhaled inwardly.
A second later… and I would've lost.
He secretly let out a breath of relief, though his expression remained focused.
This feels like fighting two people at once… and one of them is invisible.
I really need to stay calm.
Then the yellow hand came for his face.
Michael quickly moved his head to the side and dodged it cleanly—
But in the exact place his head had moved to—
Neon's sword was already waiting.
Michael's eyes widened in shock.
It was a trap.
She knew I'd dodge that way… so she set me up for it.
And I fell for it—!
The blade rushed toward him.
There was no time to think.
Just before it could hit him, Michael directed a small amount of blue energy into his body.
His muscles reacted instantly.
He bent his body at a sharp angle, moving far faster than before, and narrowly avoided the blade by what felt like less than an inch.
The sword cut through the air so close to him that he could almost feel it.
Then he countered immediately.
His leg shot forward and slammed into Neon's stomach.
The impact sent her flying backward across the platform before she managed to catch herself and balance.
Michael straightened, breathing a little harder now, his heart still pounding from how close that had been.
Damn… that was close.
If I had been even a second slower, I would've lost.
His gaze stayed locked on her.
Seriously… this girl is dangerous.
She's smart… and she sets up way too many tricks.
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
That hand… it's either a technique or an innate ability.
Across from him, Neon slowly stood up, one hand holding her stomach where the kick had landed.
Her breathing had become slightly heavier now.
She stared at Michael, her calm face beginning to tighten ever so slightly.
Inside, her thoughts churned.
This guy… he's strong.
And he keeps blocking my attacks.
Her grip on her sword tightened.
I have to do something… or else I'll lose.