Chapter 15: Battle of Wits

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The sun was starting to dip lower in the sky as the tournament continued, casting long shadows across the academy courtyard. After his victory against Warabi, Leo stood at the edge of the arena, catching his breath. The matches were tough, and he knew the upcoming challenges would only get harder.

He looked around the tournament grounds, scanning the crowd. It was clear his victories were being noticed. Not just by the students but by those in positions of authority. From the corner of his eye, Leo saw the principal watching him closely from her seat. Her expression was unreadable, but there was something in her gaze that told him he was being observed for more than just his fighting skills.

A short break was announced before the next round of matches. Leo moved toward the sidelines, where Rin and Mary were waiting. Both had watched his fight intently, though their reactions differed.

"Another win under your belt," Mary said with a sly smile. "But don't get too cocky. The next round isn't going to be as easy."

Rin, standing beside her with arms crossed, nodded in agreement. "She's right. They've seen your style now. They'll adapt. You should, too."

Leo smirked, appreciating their straightforwardness. "I never said I'd take it easy. Besides, I like a challenge."

Mary raised an eyebrow, her expression playful but also calculating. "Oh? And what happens if you lose? Won't that tarnish your reputation as the rising star?"

Leo shrugged. "Losing is part of growing. If it happens, I'll learn from it and come back stronger."

Rin's lips curved into a slight smile, showing a rare glimpse of approval. "Good answer."

As the break came to an end, the next match was announced. This time, Leo's opponent was Chōka U. Barboza, the lively member of the Five Swords with her own reputation for being unpredictable. She stepped into the arena with her trademark confidence, waving enthusiastically to the crowd, her long blonde hair bouncing with every step.

"Hey, Leo!" Chōka called out, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and mischief. "Looks like we're up! Don't go easy on me, okay?"

Leo grinned, amused by her carefree attitude. "I wasn't planning to."

The two faced each other in the center of the arena as the referee signaled the start of the match. Chōka was quick, but not just in terms of speed—her movements were unpredictable, full of feints and misdirections that made it hard to know where she was going to strike next.

Leo kept his distance at first, studying her movements carefully. Unlike his previous opponents, Chōka was more playful in her fighting style, almost as if she were dancing around the battlefield. But beneath that playfulness, Leo sensed sharp instincts honed from countless battles.

Chōka's blade came at him in a sudden arc, but Leo dodged, countering with a strike of his own. She spun out of the way with an acrobatic leap, landing gracefully on her feet.

"Oh, nice!" she exclaimed, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "You've got good reflexes. But can you keep up with me?"

Before Leo could respond, she was on the move again, her attacks coming faster and more erratic. Leo parried and dodged, his mind racing to find a way to break through her unpredictable pattern. She wasn't leaving any openings.

"She's fast," Leo thought, narrowing his eyes. "But she's not just relying on speed. She's forcing me to play her game."

Leo decided to change tactics. Instead of reacting to her attacks, he would control the flow of the battle. He adjusted his stance, keeping his guard up but focusing on positioning rather than counterattacks. He wanted to bait her into making a mistake.

Chōka noticed the shift and hesitated for a split second, wondering what Leo was planning. That was all the opening Leo needed. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance between them, his fist connecting with her sword arm just as she went for another strike. Her weapon flew from her hand, clattering to the ground.

Chōka staggered back, wide-eyed but still grinning. "Whoa, didn't see that coming! You're full of surprises."

Leo lowered his stance, ready for her next move. "You're not bad yourself."

The crowd watched with bated breath as Chōka stood without her weapon. For a moment, it looked like the match was over. But Chōka wasn't done. She dashed forward, aiming a swift kick at Leo's midsection. Leo blocked, but the force of the kick pushed him back a few steps.

Chōka didn't need her sword to fight—that much was clear.

The fight continued with hand-to-hand combat, both of them moving swiftly and precisely. Chōka's kicks were powerful and well-timed, but Leo's strength and endurance allowed him to absorb most of the blows without losing his footing.

Finally, after a series of rapid exchanges, Leo found an opening. He grabbed Chōka's arm mid-strike, pulling her off balance before pinning her to the ground in a firm hold.

The crowd erupted in cheers as the referee called the match in Leo's favor.

Chōka, still grinning despite her defeat, looked up at Leo. "You're strong, Leo. But next time, I'll give you an even better fight."

Leo offered her a hand, pulling her to her feet. "I'm looking forward to it."

From her seat, the principal observed Leo's latest victory with a thoughtful expression. Each match revealed more about his abilities—not just his strength, but his adaptability and intelligence.

"He's progressing quickly," she murmured to herself. "But there's still much to uncover."

Her eyes shifted toward the other members of the Five Swords. Some of them were beginning to show signs of intrigue, while others remained cautious. The balance of power within the academy was shifting, and Leo was at the center of it all.

As the tournament continued, Leo felt the weight of the academy's attention pressing down on him. Each victory brought more eyes, more expectations. But with every battle, he grew stronger, more confident.

The next match would be the real test—the one that would determine his place in this academy. And he was ready for whatever came next.

A new challenge emerges, not from the Five Swords, but from an unexpected source. Someone with a keen interest in Leo's past and a hidden agenda of their own.

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