CHAPTER 87 — THE ANOMALY
The locker room had become strangely quiet.
A few minutes earlier, the place had been filled with voices, laughter, and discussions about the previous fights.
Now…
A large part of the students were looking at the screens installed on the walls.
The next matches were appearing.
Zayn was sitting on a bench, his arms crossed.
His gaze was fixed on Borealis.
The screen on his bracelet was glowing faintly.
17:02:48
Zayn narrowed his eyes.
— Seriously…
Aurora immediately replied.
— You performed several transformations in a single day.
— I know.
— Your body has reached its limit.
— I know.
— Borealis needs to stabilize.
— Aurora.
— Yes?
— I know.
Silence.
Then:
— I just wanted to make sure you knew.
Zayn sighed.
Beside him, Yojuro calmly adjusted the sleeve of his uniform.
— She's right.
Zayn slowly turned his head.
— You too, shut up.
— I haven't said anything yet.
— It was preventive.
Yojuro looked at him without expression.
— Intelligent.
— Thanks.
— That wasn't a compliment.
— Too late.
A voice then echoed through the speakers.
— NEXT MATCH.
The discussions stopped.
— YOJURO HARIHIHO VERSUS RANMARU.
Zayn immediately raised his head.
Then he looked at Yojuro.
— Ah.
— What?
— Nothing.
— You said something.
— No.
Yojuro stood up.
Zayn looked up at him.
— Good luck.
— I don't need it.
— Why does everyone say that before a fight?
— Because some people know how to win.
Zayn placed a hand over his chest.
— That hurts.
— You'll survive.
— Borealis is disabled.
— Even better.
Zayn opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
— Go.
Yojuro headed toward the exit.
Before disappearing behind the door, he slightly turned his head.
— Try not to fall asleep during my fight.
Zayn smiled.
— Try not to lose to your friend.
— He's strong.
— Ah!
Yojuro stopped.
Zayn immediately pointed a finger at him.
— See! You're doubting yourself!
— No.
— You literally just said—
— Shut up.
The door closed.
Zayn remained alone for a few seconds.
Then Aurora spoke.
— He's nervous.
Zayn smiled.
— Yojuro?
— Yes.
— Impossible.
— His heart rate increased by three percent.
Zayn stood up.
— I absolutely have to see this.
⸻
The arena was enormous.
The stands surrounded a circular platform built from reinforced black stone.
The lights were dimmer than during the previous fights.
At the center…
Ranmaru was waiting.
His white hair was short and slightly messy.
His green eyes calmly scanned the arena.
But his right eye…
Was different.
More attentive.
More focused.
A green ring shone on his finger.
His artifact.
He raised his eyes when Yojuro entered.
A slight smile appeared on his face.
— Finally.
Yojuro stopped several meters away from him.
— You were waiting for me?
— Obviously.
— Why?
Ranmaru looked at his ring.
— I knew this would happen.
Yojuro sighed.
— Are you really going to start like that?
— Maybe.
— Annoying.
In the stands, Zayn crossed his arms.
— Are they really friends?
Aurora replied:
— According to the available data, Ranmaru maintains a close relationship with you and Yojuro.
— That explains nothing.
— Human relationships are complex.
— You're starting to understand.
— I'm learning.
The referee entered the arena.
He looked at the two boys.
— You know the rules.
Ranmaru nodded.
Yojuro said nothing.
The referee raised his hand.
Silence fell.
— BEGIN!
Yojuro disappeared.
BOOM!
The stone beneath his feet shattered.
Ranmaru immediately opened his eyes wide.
His right eye glowed.
The future appeared before him.
A fraction of a second.
Then another.
Yojuro was going to appear on the left.
Ranmaru moved.
FWOOSH!
Yojuro's fist passed exactly where his head had been.
Zayn leaned forward.
— Oh.
Yojuro followed up.
One strike.
Ranmaru stepped back.
A second.
He ducked.
A third.
Ranmaru raised his hand.
His green ring glowed.
SHHHHHHNK!
A huge metal shield appeared in front of him.
BOOOOM!
Yojuro's strike hit the metal.
The shield exploded.
Pieces were sent flying throughout the arena.
But behind the debris…
Ranmaru had already created something else.
A spear.
Yojuro slightly turned his head.
The spear pierced through the air.
SHHHHK!
He dodged it.
A second appeared.
Then a third.
Then ten.
Yojuro moved.
Fast.
Precise.
The spears passed around him.
One grazed his uniform.
Another struck the ground.
BOOM!
Yojuro suddenly appeared in front of Ranmaru.
Ranmaru smiled.
— I saw you.
His right eye had already observed the next moment.
He created a wall.
Yojuro struck.
BOOOOOOM!
The wall was destroyed.
But Ranmaru was already behind him.
His ring glowed.
A huge chain appeared in the air.
Then another.
They rushed toward Yojuro.
Yojuro raised his arm.
KRAAAASH!
He grabbed the first chain.
His expression remained calm.
Then he pulled.
Ranmaru was violently dragged toward him.
— Damn—
Yojuro threw a punch.
But Ranmaru had already seen the movement.
He tilted his head.
The fist passed a few centimeters from his face.
Ranmaru immediately created a huge metal hammer.
He swung it.
BOOOOM!
Yojuro blocked the weapon.
The platform cracked beneath his feet.
Zayn opened his eyes.
— Can he really create anything?
Aurora replied:
— His artifact materializes objects whose structure and material he understands sufficiently.
— That's broken.
— You possess Borealis.
Zayn remained silent.
— …It's different.
— How?
— Because it's me.
Aurora said nothing.
Meanwhile, Yojuro pushed the hammer away.
Ranmaru jumped backward.
His right eye glowed again.
He looked into the future.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
His smile disappeared.
Yojuro was no longer in front of him.
Ranmaru frowned.
— Where…
A voice echoed behind him.
— You look too far ahead.
Ranmaru turned around.
But too late.
BOOOOOOM!!!
Yojuro struck.
Ranmaru flew several meters before crashing against the ground.
The stands erupted with reactions.
Ranmaru remained motionless for a few seconds.
Then he stood up.
A thin trace of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
He wiped it away.
Then smiled.
— Not bad.
— You're slow.
— Ah.
Ranmaru raised his hand.
The ring glowed.
This time…
Nothing appeared.
Yojuro slightly frowned.
Then the ground exploded.
KRAAAAAAAAAASH!
Dozens of metal pillars emerged from the arena.
Yojuro jumped.
Ranmaru looked into the future.
He saw Yojuro move to the right.
Then to the left.
Then directly in front of him.
He prepared himself.
But Yojuro didn't come.
Ranmaru blinked.
He looked at his future again.
Yojuro was going to attack.
From the front.
Ranmaru raised his hand.
A shield appeared.
But nothing.
His expression changed.
He looked a third time.
Still nothing.
Yojuro was simply standing in front of him.
— What are you looking for?
Ranmaru clenched his teeth.
— You…
Yojuro moved forward.
Ranmaru observed the future again.
And this time…
He understood.
He saw several possibilities.
Yojuro wasn't following a fixed trajectory.
He was simply waiting for Ranmaru to choose a response.
Then he adapted.
Ranmaru barely had time to understand.
Yojuro disappeared.
BOOM!
Ranmaru was struck in the stomach.
He doubled over.
Yojuro appeared beside him.
An elbow strike.
KRAASH!
Ranmaru was sent crashing to the ground.
He tried to get back up.
A figure was already standing in front of him.
Yojuro.
His fist was stopped a few centimeters from his face.
Silence.
The referee raised his hand.
— VICTORY: YOJURO HARIHIHO!
The stands applauded.
Ranmaru began laughing softly.
— I hate fighting you.
Yojuro pulled his fist back.
— Me too.
— Liar.
— I don't lie.
— You're bad at lying.
Yojuro turned around.
— Get some rest.
Ranmaru watched him leave.
— Is Zayn still annoying?
Yojuro didn't even turn around.
— More than you.
From the stands, Zayn shouted:
— I HEARD THAT!
Yojuro raised one hand.
Without turning around.
Zayn fell silent.
— He's annoying me.
Aurora replied:
— Your heart rate also increased.
— You too.
⸻
The next fight immediately changed the atmosphere.
When Blanche entered the arena…
A wave of murmurs went through the stands.
Her expression was serious.
Her hair moved slightly under the effect of the artificial wind flowing through the arena.
She raised one hand.
A thin cold mist appeared around her.
The temperature immediately dropped.
On the opposite side…
A white silhouette entered.
Zayn stopped.
— It's her.
Yojuro had just returned to the stands.
— Yes.
— The girl.
— I see.
— You could make an effort.
— Why?
— Because we're talking.
Yojuro looked at the arena.
— I'm watching.
Zayn sighed.
At the center…
Nefaria Romanov stopped.
Long white hair.
White uniform.
Black lines.
Her black eyes looked at Blanche.
Without emotion.
Blanche slightly crossed her arms.
— I've never seen you before.
Nefaria remained silent.
— Are you new?
Still nothing.
Blanche frowned.
— Do you talk?
Nefaria finally replied.
— Yes.
— Oh.
— Did you have another question?
Zayn opened his eyes.
— Did she really just say that?
Yojuro remained silent.
— She looks calm.
— She's terrifying.
Blanche took her stance.
— Your name?
— Nefaria Romanov.
— Blanche.
— I know.
Blanche looked at her.
— You know?
— Yes.
The referee raised his hand.
— BEGIN!
Blanche moved immediately.
Her energy exploded around her.
FROST SOVEREIGN.
The ground turned white.
KRAAAAAASH!
A huge wave of ice swept across the arena.
Spikes emerged from the stone.
Nefaria remained motionless.
The ice reached her.
BOOOOM!
An explosion of ice completely engulfed the white silhouette.
The stands fell silent.
Blanche remained focused.
— …
A crack appeared in the ice.
Then another.
Then…
KRAAAAAASH!
Everything exploded.
Nefaria was standing exactly where she had been.
Her clothes had barely moved.
Blanche's eyes widened slightly.
— Interesting.
She raised both hands.
The cold intensified.
The temperature dropped drastically.
The spectators' breath became visible.
Dozens of ice spears appeared behind Blanche.
Then hundreds.
— FROST SOVEREIGN: WINTER ARSENAL.
The spears launched.
SHHHHHHHHHH!
Nefaria disappeared.
The first spear passed through the air.
Then the second.
The third.
Blanche immediately turned her head.
Nefaria was in front of her.
— Wh—
BOOM!
The strike hit Blanche.
She was sent crashing into a huge ice structure.
KRAAAAAASH!
Blanche broke through the ice.
But she immediately turned around.
Both her hands touched the ground.
— FROST SOVEREIGN: ABSOLUTE ZERO FIELD.
WHOOOOOOOOSH!
The entire arena was covered in ice.
A white storm exploded around her.
Visibility disappeared.
Zayn narrowed his eyes.
— I can't see anything.
Yojuro watched carefully.
— She's there.
— Where?
— In front of Blanche.
A silhouette appeared in the storm.
Nefaria.
She was walking.
Simply.
Blanche's eyes widened.
— Impossible…
She threw her arm forward.
A huge mass of ice formed.
Then crashed down.
BOOOOOOM!
Nefaria raised one hand.
The ice stopped.
Blanche froze.
The enormous structure…
Was blocked against Nefaria's palm.
Then Nefaria slightly closed her fingers.
KRAAAAAASH!
The ice exploded.
Blanche stepped back.
For the first time…
Her face showed genuine concern.
— What are you…?
Nefaria looked at her.
Silence.
Then she disappeared.
Blanche looked around.
Left.
Nothing.
Right.
Nothing.
Behind—
BOOOOM!!!
A strike.
Blanche was thrown to the ground.
She tried to get back up.
Nefaria was already standing in front of her.
Her fist was stopped.
A few centimeters from her face.
The referee looked at Blanche.
Then at Nefaria.
— Blanche?
Blanche remained motionless for a few seconds.
Then she sighed.
— I give up.
Silence.
Then:
— VICTORY: NEFARIA ROMANOV!
The stands exploded.
But Nefaria…
Didn't react.
She simply looked at her hand.
Then left the arena.
Zayn followed the white silhouette with his eyes.
— She's weird.
Yojuro remained silent.
— Very strong too.
— Blanche is strong.
— I know.
— And she beat her like—
— I know, Zayn.
— Why do you always say you know?
— Because you always explain obvious things.
Zayn remained silent.
— …
— What?
— Shut up.
⸻
The final fight of the day was announced.
AKU VERSUS KIRAN.
This time…
The atmosphere changed completely.
When Kiran entered the arena, his hammer rested on his shoulder.
It looked heavy.
Far too heavy.
Yet…
Kiran carried it with one hand.
Zayn looked at the weapon.
— What's that thing?
— A hammer.
— Thanks.
— You're welcome.
— I hate you.
Kiran stepped into the center.
His blue eyes scanned the stands.
Then he stared at Aku.
Aku walked slowly.
His face was calm.
But his energy…
Wasn't.
The referee raised his hand.
— BEGIN!
Aku disappeared.
BOOM!
He appeared in front of Kiran.
His fist shot forward.
Kiran raised his hammer.
KRAAAAAAAAAASH!
The impact shook the arena.
Aku immediately stepped back.
Kiran had barely moved.
Aku smiled.
— Not bad.
Kiran replied:
— You too.
Aku charged.
His attacks came in rapid succession.
One.
Two.
Three.
Kiran blocked.
The hammer moved.
Slowly.
But every movement was precise.
Then Kiran struck.
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
Aku was sent flying.
He crossed the arena.
The stone shattered behind him.
Zayn stood up.
— Oh wow.
Aku got back up.
His expression had changed.
— Again.
Kiran charged.
The hammer came down.
Aku dodged.
The ground exploded.
A shockwave swept through the arena.
The protective barriers vibrated.
Aku attacked.
Kiran took the hit.
Then countered.
BOOM!
Aku stepped back.
BOOM!
He was sent to the left.
BOOM!
Then to the right.
Kiran kept attacking.
His hammer struck with monstrous power.
Every impact caused an explosion that shook the entire arena.
Aku gritted his teeth.
Then his energy changed.
Yojuro raised his eyes.
— It's happening again.
Zayn looked.
— His Miracle.
Aku lowered his head.
His body began to grow.
His muscles deformed.
His energy exploded around him.
The ground cracked.
— RISING OF THE PLAGUE.
A huge silhouette appeared.
An Ogre.
The stands stepped back.
The referee watched carefully.
The Ogre opened its eyes.
Then roared.
Kiran remained motionless.
Zayn looked at Yojuro.
— Is he serious?
— Yes.
— He should probably move.
— Why?
The Ogre charged.
Every step destroyed part of the ground.
Kiran waited.
Again.
Again.
Then…
He raised his hammer.
The Ogre threw its enormous fist.
Kiran struck.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!
The impact was monstrous.
A wave swept through the arena.
The walls shook.
The spectators shielded their faces.
When the dust disappeared…
The Ogre had been pushed back.
Zayn remained speechless.
— …
Yojuro looked at Kiran.
— Strong.
Zayn turned his head.
— That's it?
— Yes.
— He just hit an Ogre with power—
— I know.
— STOP SAYING I KNOW!
The Ogre charged once again.
Kiran disappeared.
Zayn blinked.
— What?
Kiran was above it.
The hammer came down.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The Ogre was slammed into the ground.
But it got back up.
It threw a punch.
Kiran blocked.
Then struck its arm.
KRAAAAAASH!
Then its shoulder.
BOOM!
Then its chest.
BOOM!
Then again.
BOOM!
The enormous Ogre was pushed back.
Kiran advanced.
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
The hammer came down again.
Every strike possessed catastrophic force, comparable to the explosion of a weapon of mass destruction.
But Kiran did not slow down.
The Ogre attempted one final attack.
Kiran passed in front of it.
One single movement.
He turned.
And struck.
KIRAAAAAAAAAAAAASH!!!!!
The hammer came down.
The Ogre collapsed.
Aku slowly returned to his normal form.
His body fell heavily onto the stone.
Silence.
The referee waited.
Aku tried to get back up.
His legs trembled.
Then he sighed.
— I lost.
The referee raised his hand.
— VICTORY: KIRAN!
The stands exploded.
Kiran simply placed his hammer back on his shoulder.
Then he left the arena.
As if nothing extraordinary had just happened.
Zayn watched him leave.
— I really don't want to end up against him.
Yojuro replied:
— You don't have Borealis.
Zayn looked at his bracelet.
16:31:12
— It's fine.
— You can always run.
— I can win while running.
— No.
— Why?
— Because Kiran runs too.
Zayn remained silent.
— …
— What?
— I hope his hammer is slow.
Yojuro looked toward the exit.
— Good luck.
Zayn immediately turned his head.
— ARE YOU MAKING FUN OF ME?
⸻
The day continued for a few more hours.
But for Zayn and Yojuro…
The fights were over.
The Ash Crown would resume the next day.
The arena's corridors gradually emptied.
The spectators left.
The lights went out one by one.
When Zayn finally looked through a large window…
Night had fallen.
New York was glowing in the distance.
— Finally.
Yojuro walked ahead of him.
— What?
— I'm tired.
— You didn't fight.
— Watching other people fight is tiring.
— No.
— Yes.
— No.
— You're really annoying.
They finally left the tournament complex.
The journey back to the Academy was silent.
Zayn had his hands in his pockets.
Borealis was still locked.
Yojuro walked beside him.
Around them…
The underground corridors of the Academy were almost empty.
The large blue torches illuminated the stone walls.
Their footsteps echoed.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Zayn looked up.
— Are you sure this is the way?
— Yes.
— You always say yes.
— Because I'm always right.
Zayn sighed.
— One day, I'm really going to let you get lost.
— You'd get lost before me.
— Shut up.
They turned the corner.
Then…
Zayn stopped.
Yojuro did too.
At the end of the corridor…
A white silhouette stood motionless.
The blue torches flickered.
The silence became strange.
Her long white hair fell over her shoulders.
Her white uniform contrasted with the dark depths of the Academy.
Her black eyes…
Were fixed directly on them.
She didn't move.
Zayn frowned.
— Who is that?
Yojuro didn't answer immediately.
His gaze remained fixed on her.
— Nefaria Romanov.
Zayn turned his head.
— You know her?
— By name.
Nefaria began walking.
Slowly.
Her white boots made no sound.
She stopped a few meters away from them.
She looked at Zayn.
Then Yojuro.
Then spoke.
— You are the two who survived the labyrinth.
Her voice was calm.
Flat.
Almost silent.
Zayn slightly nodded.
— Yeah.
A silence.
— And you?
Nefaria tilted her head slightly.
— I didn't have to survive.
Zayn frowned.
— What does that mean?
— That I wasn't in the labyrinth.
— Then why are you here?
She looked at him.
For a long time.
— Because I was created for this.
Zayn's smile disappeared.
— Created?
Nefaria slightly turned her head.
Her hair slipped.
Her neck appeared.
A barcode.
Zayn took a step back.
— What the…
Yojuro observed the mark.
Then her face.
— You're a UAP experiment.
— Yes.
— Created from Kaelan's DNA.
— Yes.
Zayn looked at Yojuro.
— Kaelan?
— The extraterrestrial prisoner from the UGC.
Zayn turned toward her.
— Are you a clone?
— No.
Her black eyes never left his.
— A creation.
Silence.
— I'm not human.
The blue torches flickered.
— But I'm not a monster either.
She lowered her eyes slightly.
— I'm something between the two.
Zayn looked at her.
He remembered the fight.
Blanche.
The way Nefaria had walked through all that ice without fear.
He could have been afraid of her.
But something else caught his attention.
She was alone.
Completely alone.
— Why are you telling us this?
Nefaria raised her eyes.
— Because you're the only ones who aren't afraid of me.
Yojuro took a step.
— We don't fear you.
— I know.
— But you were looking for us.
— Yes.
— Why?
This time…
Nefaria hesitated.
Just for a second.
— Because I want to understand.
— Understand what?
She looked at Zayn.
Then Yojuro.
— What it's like to be human.
The corridor became silent.
Zayn remained silent for a few seconds.
Then…
He smiled.
— Then stay with us.
Nefaria blinked.
For the first time…
Her expression changed slightly.
— What?
— You want to understand humans?
Zayn pointed at Yojuro.
Then himself.
— Stay with us.
Yojuro looked at him.
Zayn continued.
— We're weird…
Then he thought for a few seconds.
— Well, especially him.
Yojuro turned his head.
— Me?
— Yes.
— You speak for yourself.
— Shut up.
Nefaria looked at them.
Silent.
Then she gently nodded.
— Okay.
Zayn started walking again.
— Come on.
He passed beside her.
— Let's go home.
Nefaria remained motionless for a few seconds.
Then she turned around.
And followed Zayn.
Yojuro remained behind them.
His gaze passed over the empty corridor one last time.
Then he joined them.
Three silhouettes walked through the depths of the Academy.
Zayn.
Yojuro.
And Nefaria Romanov.
The girl created to become a weapon.
But who, that night…
Had simply chosen to walk with them.