Tournament of Honours 4

As Lin stepped into the ring, he could feel the heat radiating from his opponent's hands. He could see the flames dancing around his fingertips, and he knew that he would have to be quick if he wanted to avoid being burned.

This was his first duel after the Blue team had been announced the winner of the Hell's Operation. The one to one duel combat has commenced.

Lin's first opponent was a ranger who developed the ability to combust.

"It is so unfair the Rangers had to use their Flair against Cadets like yourself," Izuki chuckled as a yellow flame burnt from his fingertip.

"I will need to fast with my invasions to be able to stand a chance," Lin thought.

"Breath Lin, let's end this," Zen's voice called out.

With that, Lin smiled and relaxed into the Martis stance.

The bell rang, and the fight began. Lin started off cautiously, circling his opponent and waiting for the right moment to strike. But his opponent was not one to wait. With a quick flick of his wrist, he sent a burst of flames shooting towards Lin.

Lin dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the flames. He knew that he couldn't keep this up for long. He needed to find a way to get close to his opponent without getting burned.

"This is really going to be tough. It is like fighting an incinerator," Lin panting to catch his breath as the last attack was a close call.

As his opponent sent another burst of flames towards him, Lin took a deep breath and charged forward. He leapt into the air and delivered a powerful kick to his opponent's chest, sending him flying backwards.

But his opponent was not so easily defeated. He quickly regained his footing and sent another burst of flames towards Lin. This time, Lin was not so lucky. The flames caught him square in the chest, and he felt the searing heat as they burned through his clothes and into his skin.

"I love the smile of burnt meat on a hot afternoon," Izuki snarled.

Lin gritted his teeth and fought through the pain. He knew that he couldn't give up now. With a fierce determination, he charged forward once again. This time, he was able to get close enough to his opponent to deliver a series of rapid punches and kicks.

The crowd went wild, rooting for the child of the national treasure.

"Hori"

"Hori"

"Lin Hori for the win"

His opponent fought back with equal ferocity, but Lin was determined to emerge victorious. He ducked and weaved, dodging flames and delivering blows with lightning speed.

"You are really quick for someone who has been in the academy for a few weeks. Hori's signature bravery must be hereditary," Izuki gnarled, his frustration becoming evident.

"How about you try dodging this", Izuki screamed, "Flames of Hiroshima".

The battle ground rocked as a huge explosion erupted from beneath the battle ground.

The shock got Lin tensed, "now what?", He wondered.

"Juice!," Lin muttered. He was triggering Juice for the second and he intends to go offensive this time.

Lin dashed at Izuki putting all the strenght he had left into the outgoing punch.

Lin's fist connected with the bridge of Izuki's nose, knocking him backwards and off balance.

The audience gasped.

An unbelievable feat. A cadet taking on a ranger engulfed in flames and have left the ranger chilling cold on the floor.

"What just happened?", the audience were confused and couldn't fully grasp what just happened.

"Did Lin just outrun the Flames of Hiroshima?"

"How did he get close to Izumi at such a short period if time?"

"I would swear, I literally didn't see anything"

"Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Lin landed a final blow that sent his opponent crashing to the ground. The flames flickered and died out," the commentator screamed in the address system.

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Lin stood there, panting and covered in sweat, but he was elated. He had faced his toughest opponent yet, and he had emerged victorious. Even though the portion of his upper chest still smelt raw.

As he looked around at the cheering crowd, he knew that he had found his true calling. His father had sacrificed his life in order for the Shing district to keep standing.

Now, he was standing over the body of one who dares stand against him. With his swelling ego, he muttered, "My sincerest apologies to anyone who dares stand against me"

As he began walking out of the battle ground into the locker room to get ready for his next match.

"If the others are these strong or even better, then, I am screwed", Lin thought.

"Zen, pull up my stat", Lin calling out to Zen.

[ HP: 34/60]

[ Speed: 15]

[ Strength: 9]

[ Stamina: 11]

"Nice job out there Lin, you really handled yourself and handed his ass to him. You did great" zen commended Lin.

"By the way, thank you for getting me out of the way of that explosion. What did he call it again? The Flames of Hiroshima"

"The Flames of Hiroshima petrifies opponents, boiling them from the inside and then blowing them to shreds. If I hadn't interfered when I did. Izuki would have barbecued you on the spot", Zen explained.

"What?! Is that allowed on academy floors? He isn't allowed to use that move unless he actually intended killing me", Lin's eyes bulging.

He wasn't going to take the next duel lightly.

"Now I am curious", a voice Lin recognised but a different speech pattern, "You were in range for that explosion to scatter you into little pieces of burnt meat. How did you manage to get out of the way with ease and fast enough to also knock out your opponent? Everyone has been wondering the same thing. A cadet cannot have a Flair, so, what was that?"

Draco walked out of the shadow, "I suppose we will pick this up after my duel. I have been watching you and somethings are weirdly off about you. Soon it will no longer be a secret"

Lin stood lost as Draco walked past him towards the battle ground.