The academy arena had been carved directly into the mountain.
Circular stone walls rose high above the fighting platform.
Rows of observation balconies surrounded the arena where instructors and students gathered to watch the matches.
Today the place was alive.
Students filled nearly every seat.
Excited conversations echoed through the stone chamber.
This was different from training.
Different from drills.
This was where reputations began.
The Opening Matches
Instructor Hayate stepped into the arena center.
"The first matches of the Thunder Tournament will now begin."
He gestured toward the stone entrance tunnels.
"Combatants will fight until one of three conditions are met."
He raised three fingers.
"Submission."
"Incapacitation."
"Or instructor intervention."
Students leaned forward in anticipation.
Hayate stepped aside.
"First match."
Two students walked into the arena.
A Clash of Opposites
The first fight showed an immediate contrast.
One student was tall and heavily built.
The other smaller and quick.
The larger fighter rushed forward immediately.
No hesitation.
His style relied on overwhelming force.
Heavy punches slammed against the stone arena floor as the smaller opponent barely avoided them.
Akari watched closely.
"He's burning stamina."
Raizen nodded.
"The smaller one is waiting."
Sure enough.
After several explosive attacks the larger student slowed.
His breathing became heavier.
That's when the smaller fighter moved.
Quick.
Precise.
A low sweep disrupted the bigger fighter's balance.
A sharp strike to the ribs followed.
The match ended seconds later.
The crowd erupted with cheers.
Daigo's Turn
A few matches passed before Daigo's name was called.
"Daigo Mizuta versus Hoshi Arata."
Daigo rolled his shoulders confidently.
"Showtime."
Akari raised an eyebrow.
"Try not to run into a wall."
"No promises."
He stepped into the arena.
His opponent waited calmly.
Hoshi was lean with long arms and a relaxed stance.
Not tense.
Not aggressive.
Just patient.
Raizen noticed immediately.
"Counter fighter."
Momentum vs Patience
Daigo moved first.
Fast.
He sprinted forward with the same explosive speed he used during training.
Hoshi didn't attack.
He simply stepped aside.
Daigo spun and attacked again.
Hoshi avoided the strike with minimal movement.
The rhythm became obvious.
Daigo attacked.
Hoshi redirected.
Akari frowned slightly.
"He's being baited."
Breaking the Pattern
Daigo felt it too
His next charge slowed.
Instead of attacking immediately he circled slightly.
Testing distance.
Hoshi's stance adjusted.
That tiny movement gave Daigo an idea.
He suddenly burst forward again—
But instead of striking high…
He planted his foot and slid low across the arena floor.
Momentum carried his body forward like a spinning sweep.
Hoshi reacted too late.
His footing collapsed beneath him.
Daigo followed the motion with a quick tagging strike.
The instructor raised a hand.
"Match complete."
The Crowd Reacts
The arena erupted.
Daigo jumped to his feet dramatically.
"Yes!"
Akari shook her head.
"Too much drama."
But she was smiling slightly.
Raizen watched Daigo carefully.
His fighting style was chaotic.
But not random.
It relied heavily on momentum shifts.
If Daigo learned to control that properly…
It could become very dangerous.
Quiet Observation
From the instructor balcony Tetsuya watched the fight thoughtfully.
"Interesting movement pattern."
Hayate nodded.
"Momentum fighter."
"Risky style."
"But effective if refined."
Raizen's Name Appears
Several matches later another name echoed through the arena.
"Raizen Tenrai versus Renji Kuroda."
The arena quieted slightly.
Some students had already begun noticing Raizen's performance in other exercises.
Akari leaned forward.
"Alright."
"Let's see what you do."
Daigo grinned.
"No pressure."
Raizen stepped calmly into the arena.
Across from him Renji stretched his arms loosely.
He had the build of someone used to physical combat.
Broad shoulders.
Stable stance.
His center of gravity was low.
Raizen recognized the type immediately.
A grounded fighter—stable, rooted, built to absorb impact and return it.
Strong base.
Powerful close-range attacks.
The arena seemed to quiet around them.
This was his first real test.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."