“WORLDS COLLIDE”

Kai stepped into the void where the mysterious man resided, and he was welcomed by the enigmatic figure.

"Well, well, well, I see you've changed your mind," the figure presumed, still in a meditative stance.

"I thought that since your guidance helped me tap into my Core, it's your guidance that can help me control it," Kai replied with a smart tone.

"Very well— I see you have the iron claws with you."

'Wait, the weapon came here too?' Kai thought, surprised. "Yeah, so what?"

"Good. I assume you have a basic understanding of how to wield that little toy. Now, let's give both you and it a power boost," he responded as they both stood up. "Kai, tapping into the energy requires you to unlock the gates that confine it."

"What do you mean?"

"Simple," the figure began to explain. "The Core lies deep within you. To access its energy, you must open the gates. There are four gates in total, each providing a certain amount of energy."

"Mastering energy manipulation requires unlocking all four gates," he continued. "It's a gradual process if you don't possess an innate ability to control it instantly."

"You've already demonstrated access to all four gates simultaneously, but lack control. This limits you with a time constraint and restricts the true potential. So, you must focus on mastering each gate individually—now, come at me," he concluded.

"Wait, what?" Kai exclaimed, bewildered.

"What better way to learn than through experience," the figure responded.

"Alright. I can't believe I'm attacking my own distorted dreams, but here goes," Kai resented.

"Open the first gate: The gate to the heart. Tap into the power locked within it, and become its ruler."

Kai assumed his stance, envisioning his spirit unlocking a door to new possibilities within his heart.

As he connected with the energy within this gate, his eyes lit up with a brilliant blue hue.

"Yes, that's it," the figure acknowledged.

Kai roared as the energy surged through his veins, extending to the tips of his claws.

He dashed forward, ready to unleash the fury of his claws, while the figure stood confidently.

However, just before the claws could make contact, darkness enveloped them, pulling Kai back to reality.

He forcefully opened his eyes to find Gaia and Kota standing before him.

"Whoa, you seem tense. Are you okay?" Kota asked with concern.

"What were you doing inside the inventory with Sensei?" Gaia inquired, steering the conversation.

"Oh, come on!" Kota interjected.

"You followed us?"

"I don't fully understand the connection between you and him, but…"

"That's enough," Kota cut him off. "The battle's about to start. Let's go."

They returned to the field, and the fixtures had already been posted. They approached the board to learn when and against whom they would fight.

"Nice! I'm the first up!" Kota announced.

"I'm third. Great!" Kai chimed in. "Who's Chiko?" he asked, realizing he hadn't been informed about his opponent.

"Oh, he's the one who mentioned how you'd fare against us," Kota reminded.

'I'm looking forward to seeing what you're capable of,' Kai recalled the words of the mentioned Daemon. 'Right, that guy...' he thought.

"He's strong. His ability lets him control Sound, and he's an Aeon. Powerful, just like Kenji. He's the only one in our class with that rank apart from Kenji. He's impressive, but he hates losing."

"Hmph. I'm not fond of losing either," Kai replied confidently.

"Well, you better win," Gaia advised.

"And how can you be so sure you'll win your match?" Kai challenged playfully.

"Is that a challenge?"

"Why not?"

"Accepted."

They shook hands, sealing the agreement.

"Good luck, Kota," Kai wished him.

"To be honest, I'm more concerned about you, Kai," Kota pointed out. "Your first opponent is a tough one. His fights tend to end quickly."

"I'm not one to surrender easily. Trust me, I've got this." Kai assured.

With that, Kai walked away, followed by Gaia.

'He won't last a minute,' Kota mused. 'He's the embodiment of hard work. Losing to a newbie? Unlikely. Well, time to get ready for my match.'

The commentator, played by a third-year student, officiated the first match.

"Alright!" he exclaimed. "In the first round, on the left: the Daemon of Disguise, the Shape-shifting Core, Kota!"

The crowd cheered with surprising vigor.

"And on the right," he continued. "The Disaster Core herself, Hikari!"

<<In the audience>>

"Disaster Core?" Kai pondered aloud.

"Correct," Chiko replied, approaching him. "She's annoying to face, given her power to trigger natural disasters. Kota's going to have a tough time countering her. Let's see how it plays out."

"Hmph."

"Ready, Set, Rumble!" the commentator declared.

"Good luck," Kota wished his opponent.

"Same."

Hikari quickly touched the ground, sending an earthquake toward Kota. He transformed his feet into spring mechanisms and leaped away. Kota regained his footing and charged at Hikari.

"Smart move," Kai noted. "Kota knows that keeping his distance from Hikari plays to her advantage..."

"So he's closing in for close combat..." Chiko continued.

"And that works for him due to his shape-shifting ability," Kai concluded.

"I see you're thinking ahead," Chiko remarked. "I hope for an intense battle between them."

"Likewise," Kai replied, somewhat absentmindedly.

As Kota closed in, Hikari conjured a mini-tornado, aiming it at him. He transformed his limbs into spinning propellers, evading the threat. Unyielding, Kota zoomed closer.

"Great strategy," the commentator praised. "There's no space for separation, turning this into a close-quarters showdown."

"Sorry about this," Kota apologized for what was about to happen.

Kota shifted his limbs back to normal, converted his arms into spikes, and launched a relentless barrage of strikes at Hikari.

Bloodied but determined, Hikari summoned a large tornado beneath her, forcefully separating them within the storm. "You'll pay for that."

Hikari found her balance within the tornado, while Kota struggled to regain control. She intensified the tornado's speed and height, bombarding him with a series of lightning bolts. Electrocuted by the onslaught, Kota was finally knocked out.

"And the winner, by knockout, is Hikari!" the commentator announced.

The audience cheered in excitement. Kota was escorted to receive medical attention.

"How was he supposed to beat that?" Kai asked Chiko.

"That's the point. As a Daemon, you must be prepared for any challenge," Chiko explained.

Meanwhile, Kai and Chiko seemed to be engaging in a friendly conversation. Concerned, Gaia approached them.

"Aren't you two supposed to be opponents? Why are you chatting away?"

"We're not meant to make enemies in life, Gaia. Remember that," Chiko responded.

"Hmph. I don't care who wins between you two. I just want to battle the victor openly," Gaia concluded before heading off to prepare for her match.

"At the second round," the commentator announced, "we have the Elemental Core, Gaia, facing the Core Energy amped up to its max, Kage!"

"Don't hold back on me, Kage," Gaia challenged.

"Hmm..."

"Enough talk—let the battle begin! RUMBLE!"

And the battle commenced. Meanwhile, Chiko took Kai aside during the ongoing fight for a private conversation.

"What's on your mind, Chiko?" Kai asked.

"Listen, I sense something extraordinary within you. I'm not sure what it is, but I want to make this clear now. We're classmates, we're friends. But don't expect me to take it easy. I treat every battle as if it's my last. Even if you're the least experienced Daemon around. So, in return, give me everything you've got." Chiko challenged.

"I don't have much to offer," Kai revealed. "Just this weapon and basic knowledge of core energy control. I heard little about you before our match, so let's set the record straight. You and I are quite similar. I also despise losing. This won't be an ordinary battle for you."

A sudden tension filled the air as Kai's energy seemed to tighten its grip. Kai's expression turned emotionless.

"Aeon or not," he continued, "it's just a rank. Show me that it means something."

"Hmph. I like that," Chiko responded, accepting the challenge.

In the background, the commentator's voice rang out. "This has to be the closest battle I've ever seen. With both sides evenly matched in power and endurance, the match ends in a draw as both of them are knocked out."

The crowd erupted in excitement.

"We're up next, I suppose," Chiko stated.

Kai nodded in agreement, and they both returned to the battlefield, finding their positions. Kage and Gaia were taken for healing at Shujin.

"Ah, our next fighters are ready to roll," the commentator announced. "This is the most anticipated clash of the day: the Aeon takes on the Newcomer. It's Kai versus Chiko!"

The audience roared with excitement.

"With both sides prepared…" the commentator started.

"RUMBLE!" echoed through the crowd, their excitement reaching a fever pitch.