The Lightning Gauntlet did not slow.
One match ended.
Another began.
Then another.
No pauses.
No delays.
Because this was not a tournament.
This was evaluation.
Momentum Builds
The projection seal flickered again.
Lightning-shaped text reshaped itself across the arena wall.
Students leaned forward.
"…Another one."
"…Seven Star match—"
Akari's eyes moved across the board.
Akari Mizuta
vs
Jun Sakamoto
Daigo nudged her shoulder.
"…Your turn."
Akari dropped lightly from her perch.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"…Try not to embarrass yourself while I'm gone."
Daigo grinned.
"No promises."
Raizen spoke quietly.
"…Watch his footwork."
Akari paused for half a step.
Then—
"…Already did."
She walked toward the arena.
Akari's Arena
Jun Sakamoto stepped onto the platform.
Lean.
Light on his feet.
Eyes sharp.
Known for speed.
Not Rei-level—
But close enough to overwhelm most students.
He smiled.
"So you're the archer."
Akari said nothing.
She unslung her bow.
Smooth.
Effortless.
The flag dropped.
Speed vs Precision
Jun moved instantly.
Fast.
Direct.
He closed distance in seconds.
Akari released.
The arrow cut through the air—
Jun sidestepped cleanly.
The arrow struck stone.
"…Too slow," someone muttered.
Jun grinned.
"You'll have to do better."
He surged forward again.
Akari shifted sideways.
Another arrow.
Jun ducked.
The shot skimmed past his shoulder.
Now—
He was close.
Too close for most archers.
Jun lunged.
Kick incoming—
Akari stepped back.
And fired again.
The Setup
The arrow struck the ground directly in front of Jun's foot.
He reacted instantly.
Jumped sideways.
Exactly as expected.
Akari had already drawn again.
Third arrow released.
Jun twisted—
Avoided the shot—
And stepped—
Outside the boundary.
"Instructor decision — eliminated."
Silence → Realization
The arena paused.
Jun blinked.
"…Wait."
He looked down.
His heel rested clearly beyond the line.
Akari lowered her bow.
Calm.
Certain.
"I didn't need to hit you."
The realization spread through the crowd.
"…She controlled his path…"
"…That wasn't reaction…"
"…That was planned…"
Daigo burst out laughing.
"She herded him!"
Raizen nodded once.
"…Yes."
Instructor Perspective
Above the arena—
Ren leaned forward.
"…Three arrows."
Another instructor nodded.
"No wasted motion."
Aran remained silent.
But his pen moved once across the evaluation log.
Noting something important.
The Shift
Akari stepped down from the platform.
This time—
Students didn't just watch.
They studied her.
Rei.
Raizen.
Akari.
One by one—
The gap was becoming visible.
The Arena Calls Again
The board flickered.
Daigo leaned forward instantly.
"…Alright."
He cracked his neck.
"My turn."
Akari glanced at the board.
Daigo Mizuta
vs
Riku Tanabe
Daigo grinned.
"…Perfect."
Riku Tanabe stepped forward.
Large.
Solid.
Built like a wall.
Known for one thing—
Power.
Riku slammed his fists together.
"Finally."
The flag dropped.
Collision
Riku charged first.
No hesitation.
Daigo ran to meet him.
Head-on.
Their fists collided.
CRACK.
The sound echoed across the arena.
Students gasped.
"…They didn't even test each other—"
"…They just went straight in—"
Brute Force Battle
Riku swung again.
Heavy.
Relentless.
Daigo ducked.
Closed distance.
Shoulder strike.
Impact.
Both locked up.
Grappling.
Shifting.
Fighting for control.
Dust kicked up around their feet.
No finesse.
No spacing.
Just strength.
The Break
Riku pushed forward.
Forced Daigo back a step—
Daigo twisted.
Freed one arm.
Elbow.
Hard.
Riku blocked—
But staggered.
That was enough.
Daigo shifted his weight.
Low.
Explosive.
Leg sweep.
Riku crashed to the ground.
Before he could recover—
Daigo shoved him.
Full force.
Riku slid—
Across the stone—
Over the boundary.
"Instructor decision — eliminated."
Impact
The arena erupted.
"That was insane—"
"They just overpowered each other—"
"…He won the clash…"
Daigo stretched his shoulders casually.
"…That was fun."
Akari sighed.
"You're ridiculous."
Daigo grinned.
"Thank you."
Storm Rising
The matches continued.
Faster now.
Harder.
Sharper.
Students adapted.
Improved.
Adjusted.
But something else was happening.
A separation.
Clear.
Undeniable.
The Seven Stars were rising above the rest.
Rei.
Raizen.
Akari.
Daigo.
Each had stepped forward—
And shown the difference.
Across the arena—
Rei glanced toward Raizen again.
"…Looks like everyone's warming up."
Raizen's gaze shifted to the Thunder Board.
New names forming.
New pairings.
New pressure.
"…Not yet."
Because soon—
The instructors would stop testing individuals.
And start testing the strongest— against each other.