Chapter 24: Lighting Vs Flame

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the dormitory grounds. Inside, all was quiet, save for the soft rustle of the wind through the trees and the occasional creak of the old building settling. Shiro lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake the thoughts swirling in his mind. Finally, unable to sleep, he rose and walked to the window.

As he looked out, he saw a figure moving swiftly in the courtyard. Squinting, he recognized Raiden practicing alone, his movements a blur in the moonlight. Shiro's attention was drawn to another figure hovering above the courtyard. It was Fujin, using his wind magic to float effortlessly through the night air.

Curious and concerned, Shiro quietly made his way outside. As he approached, Fujin descended, landing softly on the grass beside him.

"Can't sleep either?" Fujin asked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

Shiro shook his head. "No. Seems like you can't either."

Fujin sighed, looking up at the moon. "No, I can't. Too much on my mind, I guess."

Shiro studied him for a moment, then decided to speak his mind. "Fujin, I've been thinking about your match with Mizu. You lost on purpose, didn't you?"

Fujin's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself. "What makes you say that?"

Shiro shrugged, keeping his voice low. "I know you. You're too skilled to lose that easily, even against someone as strong as Mizu. Plus, I saw the look on your face during the fight. You weren't giving it your all."

Fujin sighed again, running a hand through his hair. "You're right," he admitted. "I did lose on purpose. I just...couldn't bring myself to hurt her. She looked so sad, and I didn't want to be the cause of any more pain for her."

Shiro nodded, understanding. "She hates fighting. It's not in her nature."

"Exactly," Fujin said. "I respect her too much to force her into something she hates. Winning that match wasn't worth it if it meant making her suffer."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their conversation settling between them.

"You did the right thing," Shiro said finally. "But you know she'll find out eventually, right?"

Fujin nodded. "I know. But I'm okay with that. She deserves to know the truth, even if it makes things awkward."

Shiro clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're a good person, Fujin. Now, let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's match is going to be intense."

Fujin smiled, the tension in his shoulders easing. "You're right. We'd better be ready."

The two friends headed back to their dorms, the night's conversation weighing heavily on their minds.

---

The next morning dawned bright and clear, the sun casting a golden glow over the training grounds. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation as the students gathered for the next match: Tasukeru versus Raiden.

Shiro, Sachi, Mizu, and the others took their places, eager to see the fight. As the referee called for the match to begin, Raiden and Tasukeru stepped into the circle, their expressions focused and determined.

From the start, it was clear that Raiden's speed was his greatest asset. He moved like lightning, darting around Tasukeru with blinding quickness. The audience watched in awe as Raiden launched a series of rapid attacks, his movements almost too fast to follow.

Tasukeru, however, remained calm. He dodged Raiden's strikes with a grace that belied his size, his eyes never leaving his opponent.

Sachi, watching from the sidelines, leaned over to Shiro. "How is Tasukeru managing to dodge all of Raiden's attacks? He's so fast!"

Shiro smiled, his eyes on the fight. "Raiden's fast, but his moves are predictable. Tasukeru's reading his patterns and anticipating his next move. It's all about strategy."

On the field, Raiden, frustrated by his inability to land a hit, summoned his magic. "[Lightning Magic: Max, Bolt Arrows]," he chanted, sending a barrage of crackling energy arrows toward Tasukeru.

Tasukeru responded instantly, raising his hand and summoning his own magic. "[Fire Magic: Max, Fire Shield]," he called, a blazing barrier of flames erupting around him.

The lightning arrows struck the fire shield with explosive force, but even as the shield shattered, Tasukeru's divine golden armor absorbed the remaining impact, leaving him unharmed.

Raiden's eyes widened in surprise. "That armor...it's incredible."

Tasukeru nodded, a determined look on his face. "It's a blessing from the Fire God. But it's not the armor that will win this fight. It's the strategy."

With a swift motion, Tasukeru launched a counterattack. "[Fire Magic: Max, Dragon's Breath]," he chanted, a torrent of flames roaring toward Raiden.

Raiden barely had time to react, using his speed to dodge the brunt of the attack. But the heat singed his clothes, and he could feel the intensity of the flames.

Determined not to be outdone, Raiden called upon his strongest spell. "[Lightning Magic: Max, Thunderstorm Fury]," he chanted, dark clouds forming overhead.

The sky darkened as bolts of lightning began to rain down, each strike aimed directly at Tasukeru. The ground shook with the power of the storm, and the audience watched in stunned silence.

Tasukeru stood his ground, his eyes narrowing as he prepared his next move. He waited for the perfect moment, then raised his hand. "[Fire Magic: Max, Phoenix Rebirth]," he chanted, a brilliant bird of fire erupting from his outstretched palm.

The phoenix soared into the sky, meeting the lightning bolts head-on. The clash of elements created a dazzling display of light and energy, the force of the impact sending shockwaves across the field.

For a moment, it seemed like the two spells would cancel each other out. But then, the phoenix pushed through, its fiery wings spreading wide as it absorbed the lightning and turned it into pure energy.

Raiden's eyes widened in shock as the phoenix descended upon him, its fiery beak aimed directly at his heart. He raised his arms to defend himself, but it was too late. The phoenix struck with a blinding flash, and Raiden fell to the ground, defeated.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Tengen stepped forward, raising her hand to signal the end of the match. "The winner is Tasukeru," she announced, her voice carrying across the field.

Tasukeru helped Raiden to his feet, a look of respect in his eyes. "You fought well," he said. "Your speed is incredible."

Raiden nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "You're a worthy opponent, Tasukeru. I'll have to train even harder to keep up with you."

As the crowd began to disperse, Shiro approached Tasukeru, a grin on his face. "That was an amazing fight," he said. "You really showed your strength out there."

Tasukeru smiled, his eyes shining with pride. "Thanks, Shiro. It wasn't easy, but I'm glad I could put my training to the test."

Sachi and Mizu joined them, their expressions a mix of admiration and relief. "You did great, Tasukeru," Mizu said. "I'm glad you're on our side."

Sachi nodded, her eyes sparkling. "We're lucky to have you."

Tasukeru blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his head. "Thanks, everyone. I couldn't have done it without your support."

As the group walked back to the dormitories, Shiro couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and camaraderie. They had come a long way since their days at Oxford Elementary and Secondary School. Now, as members of the Special Knight academy, they were stronger and closer than ever.

That night, as Shiro lay in bed, he thought about the challenges they had faced and the battles yet to come. He knew that their journey was far from over, but he also knew that, together, they could overcome anything.

The future was uncertain, but with friends like Sachi, Mizu, Fujin, Raiden, Tasukeru, and Daichi by his side, Shiro felt ready to face whatever came their way. As he drifted off to sleep, he dreamed of a world where their strength and unity could bring about a lasting peace.