Chapter 5 - Training Battles II

Squad 3 retreated to a designated rest area on the city's edge, their faces reflecting the toll of the earlier battle. Pedro slumped onto a nearby bench, his muscles aching from the clash with Misimi. Alia and Viktor, though equally exhausted, took the opportunity to strategise and catch their breath.

"That was tougher than I anticipated," Pedro said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Misimi's strength is unbelievable.

"Alia stretched her limbs, her gaze lingering on the changing forest landscape. "We'll need to be at our best for the next round."

Viktor's focus remained fixed on the mock forest. "We have to stay sharp. Squad 2 is a different challenge altogether."

The arena's landscape transformed once more, the cement-like ground giving way to a dense, mock forest. Tall trees, thick underbrush, and winding paths emerged, creating an intricate battlefield of natural obstacles and strategic vantage points.

Squad 2 prepared for their upcoming confrontation. Rion, Kasuto, and Hanne took their positions, their eyes scanning the forest for any potential advantages or threats."Squad 3's abilities are impressive," Kasuto remarked, noting the strategic deployment of Viktor and Alia. "But we've got our own strengths to leverage."Hanne nodded, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the new terrain. "We need to be ready for anything. The forest setting will make things more complex."

The intermission ended. Squad 2 and Squad 3 faced off, the dense trees and underbrush providing ample cover and challenges for their fight.

"Squad 2 versus Squad 3," the robotic voice announced, "Prepare for the next battle!"

As the two squads took their positions amidst the mock forest, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. Both teams were ready to showcase their skills and determination in the evolving arena.

Kasuto's eyes locked onto Pedro as the battle began. His expression was calm but focused, a stark contrast to Pedro's raw energy. Kasuto knew he'd need to outsmart Pedro's brute force, and his Kami would be the key. He activated his ability, Mental Gymnastics, and his irises turned a ghostly white as his cognitive abilities surged. Every movement, every decision was calculated with surgical precision.

Pedro, oblivious to the shift, charged forward, his fists already glowing with the energy of his Impulse Augmentation. Each punch amplified his strength and speed, sending shockwaves through the forest floor. Kasuto, with enhanced mental clarity, sidestepped the onslaught, conserving his physical energy while his mind worked overtime. He lured Pedro into a dense thicket, using the narrow space to restrict Pedro's movement and nullify his raw power. Pedro's fists crushed through tree trunks, but Kasuto was always one step ahead, outmaneuvering him with ease. Kasuto's cool demeanor contrasted sharply with Pedro's increasingly frustrated grunts. The battle was becoming a test of brains versus brawn, and Kasuto was winning.

Meanwhile, Rion faced off against Viktor in a nearby clearing. The two locked eyes, and Viktor's hands began to grow, his Size-kinesis ability coming into play. Rion hesitated for a moment, considering the extent of damage he could cause with his fire-based Kami. But Viktor wasn't waiting. He struck first, his enlarged hand smashing into the ground where Rion had been standing just a second earlier. Rion retaliated with a burst of flame, narrowly missing Viktor as he leapt aside. The forest around them began to scorch, smoke rising from the impact zones. Rion's hesitation was evident; he wasn't using his full power, a fact that wasn't lost on Viktor.

Back in Squad 1's booth, Misimi's eyes narrowed as he watched Rion struggle. "He's holding back," Misimi muttered, disappointment tinging his voice. His interest in Rion was clear, but so was his frustration. "If he doesn't go all out, he'll lose."

"Rion's cautious," Remilekun observed, his gaze focused on the screen. "But caution won't help him here."As Rion dodged another of Viktor's blows, he knew he had to act. Gathering his resolve, he unleashed a concentrated stream of fire, forcing Viktor to retreat. But Viktor, with his oversized hands, quickly used the environment to his advantage. He uprooted a massive tree and swung it at Rion, who barely managed to incinerate it mid-air. The battle was close, but Viktor's relentless attacks were taking their toll. Finally, Viktor landed a heavy blow, his giant fist crashing down on Rion and pinning him to the ground. Viktor just barely won, leaving Rion frustrated with himself for holding back. Elsewhere in the forest, Alia faced Hanne. Alia's heart raced as she eyed her opponent, her usual shyness amplified by the intensity of the battle. She had avoided using her vortexes on living things out of fear, and that hesitation could cost her here. Hanne, with her Chloroplastic Control, commanded the forest around her. Vines and roots snaked towards Alia, attempting to trap her in place. But Alia's reflexes were sharp. She dodged the plants and threw a stone into one of her small vortexes, sending it spinning faster and faster as it bounced between two portals. Finally, she directed it at Hanne, who narrowly dodged the projectile.

Hanne retaliated by summoning a thick wall of vines, which shot towards Alia with incredible speed. Alia, feeling the pressure, summoned multiple vortexes around herself, using them to teleport objects and redirect attacks. But as Hanne's control over the plants grew stronger, Alia found herself cornered. In a desperate move, she sent a vortex directly in front of Hanne, it's overwhelming gravity pushing at her, who instinctively raised a barrier of roots. But Alia had anticipated this, and with a swift motion, she redirected her attack from behind. The impact was devastating, and Hanne was thrown off balance, her vines losing their grip. Seizing the opportunity, Alia launched a final, powerful kick, disarming Hanne and securing her victory.

Back at Kasuto's battle, the clash between intellect and brute force reached its peak. Pedro, despite his strength, was losing steam. Kasuto, though physically drained, continued to outmaneuver his opponent, using his enhanced mental agility to exploit every weakness. Finally, with a decisive feint, Kasuto led Pedro into a trap, causing him to waste his energy on a crushing blow that struck nothing but air. Kasuto then delivered a well-placed strike to Pedro's pressure point, exploiting a moment of vulnerability. Pedro's legs buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, defeated.

The battles concluded with Kasuto standing victorious over Pedro, Alia having bested Hanne, and Viktor narrowly emerging as the winner against Rion. Squad 1 watched in silence, the intensity of the battles resonating with each member. Remilekun leaned back, a mix of respect and frustration on his face. "Rion could've won that," he muttered, shaking his head. "He just needs to unleash his full power."

Misimi nodded in agreement, his gaze still fixed on the screens. "Next time, he will. I'll make sure of that."