Chapter 8-2.: Special Grade

" Fight Me!" Naota spoke as soon as they were away from the townsmen.

Ria glanced at Yurien and Yurien glanced back equally perplexed.

In the middle of a clearing stood both parties. On the left was Naota, his stance light and relaxed. In the right were the girls, both stood tall as if they haven't been drinking prior to this.

" You did all of that just so we could fight you? " Ria said lowly while Yurien muttered, "Crazies am I right?"

" Yes!" Naota then pointed at Yurien, " I loved the way you deflected my questions and kept the conversation going, " he then slicked back his hair, pushing the hat back. " if that was anyone else, they would be non the wiser and left with little information! But of course you tried it with me! 10 points to you! "

He pointed at Ria, " when the situation was turning south you stood up for your friend and turned it back in your terms! 10 points to you also! That's true friendship! 10 points!"

" If it were anyone else, you would have best them But Alas! Your opponent is me!"

" You know... " Yurien started, " We kinda gave you a chance to rethink your decision before coming here you knowm"

" And I also give you points for that! " Naota whipped out his blade, " we shall fight like honorable comrades this night!"

In response to Naota whipping out his blade, Yurien took hers out. Ria, figuring out what this actually was, also took out her War Fan.

" Before we Continue! My Name is Zen'n Naota!" Naota pointed sword, " please disclose yours!"

" My Name Is Yurien Roku! " Yurien's green eyes glowed a bit as she adjusted her stance.

" I am Ria Ona. It's a pleasure. " Ria nodded, also taking her stance.

" Let's begin!"

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No one moved, for a moment everything was still. Like an unspoken language, as the first leaf fell– both Yurien and Naota sprinted at each other. Their swords clashed hand in hand.

To break this perceived stalemate, Naoto kicked yurien away before sending a shikigami at her and took a swipe at Ria.

Ria, seezing the opportunity, back flipped onto Naota's blade before launching herself in the sky. She then swiped her fan at the man, launching dozens of senbon needles. Like an expert, he dodges. Ria then summoned her strings all over to keep herself in the sky.

Below, Yurien side-steps the dogs before slashing at the man. Naota stepped back an inch, seemingly missing the blade's path.

Yurien smirked as her blade extended in a white flash " it seems like you have underestimated me Naota. "

The smirked vanished as instead of the blood she expected to see, her blade merely cut through shadow.

"Green toad!"

Yurien looked down to see a tongue gripping her leg before flinging her across the clearing, being caught only by Ria's safety net.

From above, Ria sent constant explosives and rained senbons as she glides from string to string. To make things even difficult for the man, the strings were constantly moving and changing pattering.

Of course she went this hard knowing this tiny display wouldn't kill a competent 10 shadow user. She was also mindful of her companion that was engaged in a sword fight.

Ria's lips tilted up, even if they weren't fighting to the death, this was fun–

"Nue! "

She glanced up seeing a big ass lightening bird lunging towards her– damn. In a split second decision, she hurriedly dropped down from her strings and grabbed the master of that bird before sending him to his own creation.

As expected, he turned into shadow. She turned around just in time to be sent flying by an elephant trying to drown her.

"Makora no shuai! "

Damn bastared.

Yurien came in clutch swinging on one of the strings, " Barrier! " a blue barrier of protection appeared around Ria. Yurien, in a moment of clarity, swung said barrier to disable that elephant.

Yurien's curse technique Is called barrier, it allows her to create, interact with and manipulate barriers. A pretty simple technique but when used rightly, it can be quite powerful. The downside to such a technique is that she has to physical touch the thing she wants to be encased.

With that being said, after ensuring her friend was okay, she created a barrier around the actual Naota who was stationed in a far away tree and brought him close to punch him.

*PAC*

While hand- to- hand wasn't her specialty, she could pack a punch. She watched as Naota fell back into another one of his shadows.

" Good! Good! 10points! How will you fair against this I wonder?!" His voice was coming from all direction.

Yurien shift in her position with Ria being a silent guardian. This is the second stage of the battle.

"Domain Expansion: Eclipse of the abyss! " Putting his hand in a 'praying symbol' with only two fingers pointing up, Naota casted his domain.

The domain created a vast, dark sky with a massive eclipse at its center. The ground beneath their feet became an endless shadowy abyss that stretched in every direction. The shadows of the shikigami appear more defined and larger, as if they've merged with the surroundings, giving an ominous appearance.

Inside the domain, the shikigami becomes immaterial, attacking the enemy from multiple angles using "shadow echoes,"

(which are shadowy duplicates that appear after each attack) allowing for unpredictable and multi-layered assaults. These echoes, though weaker than the original shikigami, can still cause significant damage.

The user gains the ability to "Submerge into the Abyss," allowing them to sink into shadows, phase in and out of the environment, and evade attacks with ease. In the final stage, the eclipse fully covers the sun, plunging the domain into total darkness, and triggering the "Total Eclipse Assault," where all shikigami are empowered to their fullest potential, rendering their attacks unblockable. This domain, which he spent years of hardwork and sleepless nights cultivating, focuses on overwhelming the opponent through relentless strikes, enhanced mobility, and shadow manipulation.

But of course, Ria and Yurien will never fully experience the full weight of the domain as

Ria activated her own domain, her hands mimicking that of a spider. " Domain expansion: Arachnid's web: Silk Ensnarement! "

This is a domain that transforms the area into a massive web of shimmering, razor-sharp strings suspended in mid-air, forming a dome-like structure reminiscent of a spider's nest. The intricate webbing envelops the battlefield, creating a labyrinth of glowing threads that crisscross in every direction. Within the domain, the user has absolute control over the strings, which are sharper than steel yet flexible like a whip, allowing them to trap, slice, and immobilize their opponents while moving freely through the web. The strings carry unique abilities that enhance their lethality.

The first, Venomous Strands, infuses the strings with cursed venom, which injects into any opponent who makes contact with the web. This venom weakens and paralyzes the target over time, slowing their movements and dulling their reactions. The second ability; Endless Weave, allows the web to continuously regenerate, making it impossible for the opponent to break free, as any severed strands immediately respawn. As the battle progresses, the web grows denser, leaving the opponent with less room to maneuver.

Lastly, Cocoon of Silence is a technique where the user envelops the target in a thick cocoon of strings that absorbs the opponent's cursed energy, preventing them from using their abilities. The more energy absorbed, the stronger the strings become, tightening until the victim is fully bound and incapacitated.

In other words. This domain is a death trap.

The Activation of both domains caused something known as "A DOMAIN CLASH!" While uncommon, it wasn't a rare event.

Most sorcerers oppt to just stick to using their technique and use their domain as a last resort type of thing.

Another reason why we don't use domains often was after the domains clashed, our curse technique burns out and we wouldn't be able to use our techniques for a while.

Of course if you're able to by pass that, it won't be a problem. Some people are just the exception.

One more reason is that the more refined domain wins, which in this case, is Naota's.

* Crack*

* Crack*

While the domain is still up, Yurien, who was using a simple domain technique, sprinted towards Naota. Just as she was able touch him, Ria's domain shattered and he slipped in the shadows.

The area became even darker.

Damn

-------+------

" You Both Passed!" Naota handled a talisman and a yellow jade stone to both girls who got the brakes beaten off of them– with a smile.

" Welcome to the special grade team! We'll go to headquarters after we rest a bit."

The girls fist bumped, tired smiles showing

" Alright! "