Hiruzen: "Forget the school. Did you say it was created by Skyzen?"

  Hiruzen’s expression hardened, but he quickly masked his intent, knowing he couldn’t reveal the truth about his vendetta just yet.

  Hiruzen: " I’ve heard of him from some thugs. They seemed bitter—kicked out or something."

  Asura: "Sounds like the ones expelled for cheating."

  Mai: "Serves them right. The academy doesn’t tolerate mediocrity."

  Hiruzen processed this. The academy might be his best lead to Skyzen. He hated the idea of school, but if it brought him closer to answers—and vengeance—it was worth the price.

  Hiruzen: "Fine. I’ll join. When can I start?"

  Asura: "Not so fast. First, you’ll need to pass an entrance exam."

  Hiruzen: "An entrance exam?"

  Asura: "Yeah. You’ll spar with Kai here. Don’t hold back—it’s all or nothing."

  Kai’s smirk widened. "Figures I’d be the one. Let’s see what you’ve got, Ice Head."

  Hiruzen: "Bring it, Flame Boy."

  The two opponents faced off, the tension thick in the air. Hiruzen clenched his fists, frost forming around his hands, while Kai’s palms erupted in fiery brilliance.

  Asura: "This’ll be fun to watch. Fire and ice—a classic matchup."

  Mai: "I hope they don’t destroy the forest."

  The Battle Begins

  Kai wasted no time. He launched forward, flames spiraling around his feet as he began to move in an unorthodox way that seems to resemble dancing. His legs and feet become encased in fire as he rushes Hiruzen.

  Kai:Now check this out FLAMING FLOW: CONSECUTIVE CONCUSSIVE KICKS

  Hiruzen barely had time to react, encasing his midsection in a thick layer of ice. The fiery blow collided with his defense, triggering an explosive burst of steam and debris that sent both fighters skidding back.

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  Hiruzen (thinking): "His flames are too intense up close. I’ll have to keep my distance."

  Drawing a spear of ice from his palm, Hiruzen drove it into the ground, summoning a massive surge of frost. A jagged wall of ice shot toward Kai like a tidal wave.

  Hiruzen: "Let’s see you melt this!"

  Kai laughed, standing his ground as flames engulfed his entire body.

  Kai: "You think that’s enough to stop me? HEAT WAVE!"

  With a fiery roar, Kai unleashed a torrent of flames that clashed against the icy wave. The impact sent shards of ice and embers scattering, creating a mesmerizing storm of steam and light.

  As the mist cleared, Kai rocketed forward, flames erupting from his feet to boost his speed.

  Kai: "You’re not getting away that easily!"

  Kai’s blazing fist connected with Hiruzen’s face, sending him hurtling backward into a tree. Before Hiruzen could recover, Kai was on him again, launching a relentless flurry of punches and kicks, each strike radiating with scorching heat.

  Hiruzen (thinking): "He’s faster than I thought... but speed’s nothing without precision."

  Hiruzen’s Counterattack

  Hiruzen slammed his palms into the ground, ice spreading outward in an intricate pattern. A series of jagged spikes erupted, forcing Kai to leap into the air.

  Hiruzen: "Got you now!"

  Hiruzen launched himself upward, coating his body in a sleek armor of ice. The frost glinted in the sunlight, amplifying his speed and durability. In midair, he delivered a spinning kick to Kai’s ribs, the icy strike sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

  Kai gritted his teeth, flames flaring to counter the cold. He grabbed Hiruzen’s leg mid-kick and hurled him into the ground with a fiery explosion.

  Kai: "Not bad, Ice Head. But you’re gonna have to do better than that!"

  Hiruzen: "Don’t worry—I’m just getting started."

  The Climactic Clash

  Both fighters charged at each other, their powers clashing with earth-shaking force. Hiruzen summoned a barrage of ice shards, launching them like missiles, while Kai countered with a whirlwind of flames.

  The battlefield became a chaotic storm of fire and ice, each element pushing the other to its limits. The ground beneath them cracked and scorched as their attacks collided, sending shockwaves rippling through the forest.

  Kai: "You’re tougher than you look, but can you handle this?!"

  Kai’s flames condensed into a massive sphere, radiating intense heat.

  Kai: "Inferno Burst!"

  Hiruzen responded by creating a towering glacier, the icy structure towering over both fighters.

  Hiruzen: "Let’s see how your fire holds up against this! Frost Barricade!"

  The glacier and the fireball collided in a dazzling explosion, the impact leveling the surrounding trees. Steam filled the air as both fighters emerged, battered but standing.

  Aftermath

  Two hours later, both Hiruzen and Kai were on their knees, breathing heavily. Their clothes were torn, and their bodies were bruised, but their spirits remained unbroken.

  Hiruzen: "Not bad for a hot-headed idiot."

  Kai: "Right back at you, Ice Head."

  The two shared a grin before collapsing.

  Asura and Mai

  Asura and Mai approached the unconscious fighters, shaking their heads.

  Mai: "He’s got potential. If I had fought him, he might’ve actually stood a chance."

  Asura: "Wow, you admitting someone could beat you? This kid must be special!"

  Mai: "I said a chance. Don’t get carried away."

  The group headed off, carrying their newest recruit toward Chikara Academy, the battlefield still steaming behind them.

  End Chapter