Chapter 124: The Duel
Sunday had come.
The crisp morning air carried the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves as Nero arrived in Mu and Zen's garden, facing his challenger.
The training ground, an expansive courtyard surrounded by ancient cherry blossom trees, stood bathed in golden sunlight.
Despite the tranquility of the setting, tension crackled in the air like an approaching storm.
Ayaka was wearing her training attire, her long red hair tied back in a high ponytail, her eyes burning with intensity.
Unlike her usual composed self, there was an edge to her presence, a sharpness that warned of her intent.
She was not here to spar, she was here to test Nero, to prove her superiority, and to show him exactly why she was considered one of Mahoutokoro's strongest students.
She also wanted to prove that she was ready to learn Muga and Muso to her uncles.
"You kept me waiting," Ayaka said, rolling her shoulders as she stepped into the training circle.
"I had to make sure I was well-rested for this," Nero replied with an easy smirk, though his body was already coiled like a spring. "I have a feeling you're not going to hold back."
Ayaka's lips curled into a smirk of her own. "You wouldn't want me to."