Chapter 14: Tournament of Blades

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The atmosphere was tense as the students of Aichi Symbiosis Academy gathered around the arena for the long-awaited tournament. After his victories against Rin, Mary, and Warabi along with her kyobu ,Leo had earned his place in the spotlight. His next challenge would be against the other students who had been carefully watching his every move.

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a bright light over the tournament grounds. The stands were packed with students, all eagerly awaiting the battles. Whispers spread through the crowd as they speculated about the outcome.

Leo stood on the edge of the arena, his hands resting casually at his sides, but his mind was fully focused. He had faced tough opponents before, and each fight was more challenging than the last. But something about this tournament felt different.

He glanced across the arena, where Warabi, still accompanied by her massive bear, was adjusting her gloves. She had a look of fierce determination in her eyes, even though he had bested her previously.

"I guess she's not going to let me off easy this time," Leo thought with a slight grin.

As he stretched his muscles, Rin and Mary approached from behind.

"Looks like you're becoming quite the sensation," Mary teased, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "You better not lose in front of everyone now, Leo."

Rin, however, was more serious. "The tournament isn't just about showing strength. It's about proving your place here. They'll be coming at you harder than before."

"I'm ready for it," Leo responded, his voice steady.

Warabi watched Leo from the other side of the arena. Her last defeat at his hands still stung, but she wasn't one to back down. She gently patted the bear by her side, her companion in both battle and life.

"This time, we'll get him," she muttered under her breath, her eyes narrowing. "I won't let him show me up again."

The bear gave a low rumble in response, as if agreeing with her sentiment.

Rin and Mary stood together in the stands, watching as the first match of the tournament was about to begin. Leo was the main attraction, but Rin couldn't help but feel a strange sense of unease. Something was shifting within the academy, and Leo was at the center of it.

"He's strong, but that's not all," Rin mused quietly, almost to herself. "His tactics… they're different. He doesn't just fight. He adapts. It's like he's always two steps ahead."

Mary crossed her arms, nodding thoughtfully. "And it's not just his fighting. He's got everyone talking. Even the Five Swords are paying close attention to him."

Rin glanced at Mary. "Including you?"

Mary chuckled, giving a sideways look. "Maybe. But I think we're all curious to see how far he can go."

Leo stepped into the center of the arena, feeling the energy of the crowd around him. The announcer's voice rang out, echoing through the air as his next opponent was called.

"Leo, against Warabi, accompanied by her mighty bear!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as Warabi and her bear entered the arena, the two of them moving as a single, unified force. Warabi's eyes were locked on Leo, filled with determination and a desire for redemption.

"This is it," Leo thought, his senses sharpening.

As the referee signaled the start of the match, Warabi wasted no time. She charged forward with surprising speed for someone who usually relied on her bear to do the heavy lifting. Her strikes were precise and forceful, each swing of her weapon designed to test Leo's defenses.

Leo dodged and blocked, feeling the weight behind each of her attacks. She was stronger this time, more focused. And her bear wasn't idle either—it circled around, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Leo's mind raced as he assessed the situation. "She's trying to box me in," he realized, watching the way Warabi and her bear moved in sync. "I need to break their rhythm."

He used his speed to his advantage, darting away from Warabi's swings and keeping just out of the bear's reach. But Warabi wasn't giving him any space. She kept up the pressure, pushing Leo toward the edge of the arena.

Leo knew he had to act quickly. With a quick burst of speed, he rolled out of the way just as Warabi brought her weapon down in a powerful strike. The ground where Leo had stood cracked under the force of the blow.

Taking advantage of her momentary pause, Leo countered with a quick flurry of strikes. Warabi blocked, but the force pushed her back. Her bear let out a growl and charged forward, but Leo was ready.

He shifted his stance, using the bear's momentum against it. As the massive creature lunged, Leo sidestepped and delivered a sharp kick to its side, sending it stumbling. Warabi moved to protect her companion, but Leo anticipated her next move.

With a swift and precise strike, Leo disarmed her, sending her weapon flying across the arena. The crowd gasped in unison as Warabi stumbled backward, her eyes wide with shock.

Leo stood over her, breathing heavily but composed. "It's over," he said calmly.

Warabi gritted her teeth, her pride wounded, but she knew she had been defeated. She nodded, accepting her loss.

From her vantage point in the stands, the principal watched the battle unfold with keen interest. Leo had proven himself once again, but what intrigued her more was the way he carried himself—not just as a fighter, but as someone who commanded attention and respect.

"Interesting," she murmured to herself. "This boy... He's not just here to fight. There's something more to him."

As Leo exited the arena, the principal made a note to keep a closer eye on him. There was potential in Leo—potential that could either reshape the academy or destroy the balance that had been so carefully maintained.

With the tournament underway and Leo's victories continuing to mount, the academy was abuzz with speculation about what he would do next. But as the crowd cheered and the fights raged on, Leo knew that this was just the beginning.

There were more challenges ahead, and he was ready for them.

As the tournament continues, Leo catches the eye of an unexpected challenger—someone who isn't just interested in testing his strength but in uncovering the secrets that drive him.

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