Chapter 6: A Defect’s First Battle


    <hr>


    The Combat Evaluation Arena was packed.


    Hundreds of students filled the towering stone stands, their voices a dull roar of excitement and anticipation.


    For most, this was entertainment.


    For me?


    This was a declaration of war.


    I stood at the center of the ring, the smooth black floor beneath my boots radiating faint traces of mana circuitry, enchanted to contain the damage. The arena was large—about thirty meters across, open space with no cover.


    A terrible battlefield for someone like me.


    Across from me, my opponent stood relaxed, a smirk tugging at his lips.


    Rei Takeda.


    A-Rank. Lightning Duelist.


    A known prodigy with the blade, wielding a katana that crackled with electricity. His fighting style was quick, aggressive, and utterly ruthless.


    And judging by the way he was eyeing me up like a joke waiting to happen, he wasn’t planning to go easy.


    <hr>


    The Strategies at Play


    I analyzed everything immediately.


    Rei’s Strengths:


    ? Speed & Precision – His lightning-infused body would make him move faster than the eye could track.


    ? Precision Strikes – His dueling style meant he’d be waiting for an opening, not swinging wildly.


    ? Lightning Disrupts Defenses – If I blocked his attacks outright, I’d risk getting paralyzed.


    My Strengths:


    ? Unpredictability – He had no idea what my abilities were.


    ? Shadow Stride – My movement skill could make me harder to track.


    ? Nyx & Umbra – Two living weapons. One old and cunning. One… still a metal gremlin, but eager.


    My Weaknesses:


    ? Lower Rank – I was officially a C-Rank nobody. His technique was far sharper than mine.


    ? Lightning Counters Speed – Shadow Stride wouldn’t work if he could track me with electricity.


    ? The Crowd Was Against Me – Losing here meant public humiliation.


    Conclusion?


    I had to end this fast—or get torn apart.


    <hr>


    The Fight Begins


    The instructor raised his hand.


    "Begin."


    Rei moved instantly.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    A burst of lightning exploded from his feet, launching him across the distance in less than a second.


    I barely dodged, twisting sideways as his blade sliced through the air, missing me by inches. The heat from the electricity burned my cheek.


    Fast. Too fast.


    I retaliated, swinging Nyx in a quick counterattack—


    But Rei was already gone, dashing past me in a blinding arc.


    Lightning crackled in his wake as he skidded to a stop, smirking. "Slow."


    I didn’t answer. Just exhaled.


    <blockquote>


    [SHADOW STRIDE ACTIVATED.]


    </blockquote>


    My body flickered, vanishing into the thin layers of darkness beneath me.


    Rei’s eyes narrowed. "Tch—"


    I reappeared behind him, mid-swing.


    He barely twisted in time to parry my blade, but the impact sent him sliding back.


    The crowd gasped.


    "What—?"


    I didn’t give him time to think.


    I lunged forward, pressing the attack.


    Nyx sang through the air, cutting in wild, unpredictable arcs, forcing Rei to stay defensive. His blade moved in precise, calculated counters, but I wasn’t aiming to hit him.


    I was testing his rhythm.


    Finding openings.


    And the moment I saw it—


    <blockquote>


    [UMBRA: DEPLOYED.]


    </blockquote>


    The tiny metallic gremlin-dagger shot out of my sleeve like a bullet.


    "HI-YAH!" Umbra squeaked.


    Rei barely had time to dodge, twisting his head as the sentient weapon zipped past his ear.


    That moment of distraction was all I needed.


    I slammed my foot into his chest, sending him staggering back.


    The arena erupted in gasps and whispers.


    <hr>


    Tactical Adaptation


    Rei wiped his mouth, eyes sharpening.


    "Okay," he muttered. "You''re not completely useless."


    Lightning crackled around him, and I felt the air shift.


    I recognized it immediately.


    Phase Two.


    He had tested my limits. Now he was about to get serious.


    <blockquote>


    [NEW ABILITY ACTIVATED: FLASH STRIDE.]


    </blockquote>


    Shit.


    The next second, Rei vanished.


    Not a normal dash. Not a normal speed boost.


    A teleporting step.


    I only saw a flicker of blue light before—


    CRACK.


    Pain exploded in my ribs.


    I skidded back, gritting my teeth, barely keeping my stance as Rei reappeared, blade raised.


    "Slow," he repeated.


    <hr>


    The Crowd Turns


    The watching students exploded in cheers.


    "That’s it, Takeda! Crush him!"


    "Damn, that was fast!"


    "That C-Rank faker doesn’t stand a chance!"


    I tuned them out.


    Focused.


    Rei smirked, flipping his sword in his grip. "You’ve got tricks, but—"


    I moved first.


    His eyes widened.


    "Oh—"


    I faked left.


    His blade shifted to intercept.


    Then I activated Shadow Stride mid-step, vanishing from his vision.


    Rei’s instincts kicked in, and he spun, lightning crackling to counter-attack.


    Too late.


    I reappeared low, right beneath his guard—


    And drove my knee into his gut.


    The force sent him airborne.


    <hr>


    A Defect Won’t Fall


    The crowd went silent.


    Rei hit the ground hard, gasping for air. His blade clattered against the stone.


    For a moment, neither of us moved.


    Then, slowly, I took a step forward. Nyx pulsed in my grip, Umbra wriggling excitedly in my sleeve.


    Rei looked up, gritting his teeth. His aura flared—he wasn’t finished yet.


    I exhaled.


    "You called me slow," I said quietly. "Let’s see if you still think that when I end this fight."


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