Chapter 11: Fighting (3)
Kazuma came in low, his fists trailing superheated air as he aimed for Haruto’s midsection. But Haruto was ready this time. He crossed his held sword with one of the floating blades, creating an X-shaped barrier that caught Kazuma’s punches. The impact sent shockwaves through both weapons, but they held firm.
"Getting smarter," Kazuma grunted, trying to push through the crossed blades. "But you’re still thinking too defensively!"
He suddenly grabbed both light swords with his bare hands, his heat power flaring to maximum intensity. Where his palms touched the blades, the air sizzled and popped, but the weapons of pure light didn’t melt or break. Instead, they just got brighter, as if they were absorbing his heat and converting it into more power.
"What the—" Kazuma started to say, but Haruto was already moving.
The third sword, the one that had been floating freely, shot forward like a spear and punched through Kazuma’s shoulder. Not deep enough to cause serious damage, but enough to make him let go of the other two blades with a cry of pain.
"My turn to get creative," Haruto said, and this time he really let loose.
All three swords began moving in a complex pattern around Kazuma, weaving through the air like they were performing some kind of deadly dance. They struck from different angles, forcing him to dodge and weave desperately. One blade would slash at his head while another went for his legs, and the third would try to pin him from behind.
Kazuma was fast, but even he couldn’t keep up with three separate attacks coming from all directions. Small cuts started appearing on his arms and legs as the light blades found their mark. Nothing serious, but enough to slow him down and make him more cautious.
"Damn it," he panted, pressing his back against the fence. "This is like fighting three people at once."
"Actually, it’s like fighting one person who doesn’t have to worry about getting tired," Haruto corrected, advancing steadily. The timer showed five minutes left, but he was feeling confident now. He was starting to understand his power, to really feel how the swords responded to his will.
Kazuma wiped blood from a cut on his cheek and smiled grimly. "Alright, kid. You want to see what I can really do? Fine. But don’t blame me if you get burned."
He pressed both hands against the roof again, but this time, instead of just heating the surface, he poured everything he had into it. The concrete didn’t just glow red – it started to actually melt, turning into a pool of molten rock that spread outward from where he stood.