“You two will have a spar.”

Ten years prior, Miko and Rin’s first day as Kirika’s students.

“I know that you two are amateurs so I’m not expecting anything fancy. Just give it your all.”

“Ahhh!”

“Ahhh!”

Rin and Miko screamed at the top of their lungs as they charged at each other. Shockwaves spread as their swords clash. Rin slid his sword down Miko’s and swung upwards cut through his torso.

“Ahh!”

A young Miko was forced to the ground by Rin.

“That’s enough.”

Kirika stepped in. She looked at the two of them.

“Along with teaching you basic skills, I’ll have you two spar every once in a while. I advise that you both get used to fighting each other.”

*Clang!*

Rin was propelled back after blocking Miko’s strike.

“That hurt like I hell, you jerk!”

Purple lightning coated his blades. Rin rushed towards him. He thrust out his blades from dozens of meters away.

*Bam! Bam!*

Two holes opened up in Rin’s body as he was forced back.

“Strike Thrust!”

(He got me from so far?! I couldn’t see it!)

His feet skid through the mud as he stopped himself.

“Hahahaha! You’re really something, Miko!”

He flew at Miko with a grin on his face. Miko stood his ground and timed him. With purple and red aura dancing around them, they clashed.

“How’s Miko and Rin coming along?”

Alec approached Kirika, who was watching Rin and Miko practice their sword swings.

“I thought that they would give up by the third day, but they’ve already stuck around for over a month.”

“Isn’t that great? Anybody that can keep up with your insane training will definitely become strong….So, what’s bothering you?”

“The two listen to everything I say without complaints, they’re both great students to have…But I can’t help but feel uneasy.”

“Is it about Rin's admiration towards you?”

Kirika looked at Alec.

“It’s creepy how you can read people like that.”

“I just used your experience with your old master as reference.”

He smiled.

“You looked up to your master so much that you tried your best to be like him. However, doing that stifled your individuality, something very important in the development of a swordsman/fighter. You were restraining your own growth, causing your talent to go to waste. Your Master saw this and decided to leave you knowing that you might hate him.”

“….Amazing. I only figured out why he left after training Rin. Yet, you understood everything….Yup, you’re too creepy.”

Alec laughed.

“So what are you going to do? Are you going to abandon him?”

Kirika shook her head.

“I don’t want him to go through the same thing I did. I’ll stick with him and properly guide him and Miko.”

“Well, look at you sounding like a real teacher. And to think you didn’t want to do this.”

“This is this and that is that.”

Kirika smiled and approached the boys.

“Well, Aren’t you happy?”

Alec watched her and the boys.

“It's too bad though. The chances of this ending like how you want it are slim. Geniuses like Rin, who loves the sword, tend to possess an insatiable hunger. Depending on what he craves will decide the outcome.”

He turned his back to them.

“I just hope that he craves to enjoy the sword to the fullest and not perfection. Because if it’s perfection he seeks while worshipping you as his idol, that insatiable hunger might get turned on you one day.”

He started to walk away.

“After all, we all want to become our idols. Some of us are even willing to devour them to do it.”

A melody of blades played in the rainy lands. Rin was forced back by a heavy swing. Miko chased after him. His arm flickered. Rin twisted his body and several holes appeared in a tree behind him. Rin accelerated. He sheathed his swords. Miko rushed towards him. Red flames danced around Rin. Purple lightning danced around Miko.

“Lightning Piercer!”

“Red Comet!”

The two clashed. An explosion of purple and red erupted. Miko flew out of the explosion with a grin on his face. He blinked. Rin was right in front of him. He wore a bloody smile. His sword lit up.

“Raging Dragon Style:…!”

Kirika sprung to her feet.

“That’s…”

A light engulfed the area. When it faded Rin was standing behind Miko.

*Clack!*

He sheathed his sword.

“Heaven’s Flash.”

With an explosive sound, Miko and where he stood was filled with large, deep cuts.

“When did he learn that?”

Kirika was trembling.

“I only showed him once over ten years ago.”

“……..”

Rin silently looked up at the sky. To Kirika, it was as if he was looking directly at her. His azure eyes reminded her of a bottomless ocean. His image overlapped with his younger self.

“Please, Kirika. I want to learn your techniques.”

A young Rin pleaded to Kirika, who was swinging her sword.

“No, your skills aren’t there yet. If you attempt them you’ll only hurt yourself. Go on and practice with Miko.”

“I don’t want to. He doesn’t take this seriously. All he wants to do is have fun.”

Kirika stopped her swings.

“What are you saying? Isn’t swordsmanship fun for you?”

“It is…I mean it was.”

He looked at his hands.

“I just think that I can do a lot more than what I’m currently doing. My swings can be sharper, my thrusts can be stronger, I can be faster.”

He turned his eyes to Kirika.

“I want to be like you.”

“?!”

Kirika stepped back when her eyes met Rin’s. His piercing gaze made her feel like he was staring at her soul.

(Is this the look of admiration? No…This look…)

A black beast towered over Kirika. It looked down her panting while bearing its fangs. Drool fell from its mouth and onto her head.

(I’m going to be devoured!)

“Kirika?”

She flinched and the beast was gone. Only she and Rin stood there.

“What’s wrong?”

“……..”

She stared at him for a bit before taking a deep breath.

“Rin, what kind of swordsman do you want to become?”

“I want to become strong like you.”

“Why me? I’m nowhere on the path of the sword. Compared to true masters, I’m an amateur.”

Rin shook his head.

“I can tell. Your skills, your form, and how you graced the battlefield like a Valkyrie, You’ll become the greatest swordsman who ever lived.”

“…What will you do if you can’t become like me?”

Rin paused for a bit.

“….Then, my life as a swordsman was a failure.”

“I see…Then what would you do next if you reach my level.”

“….I don’t know.”

“Then, how do you intend to achieve your goal?”

Rin smiled.

“That’s easy. I’ll learn all of your techniques. I’ll copy everything I can.”

“What about creating your own techniques? Don’t you want to grow into your own swordsman? Don’t you which to leave behind a legacy?”

Rin’s image overlapped with a younger version of herself.

“I don’t need my own style or legacy. As long as I can be like you, I’m satisfied.”

“……..”

Kirika eyes widened and she silently bit her lip. She bit it so hard it started to bleed.

(What a waste! It’s sin to allow someone this talented to drown in his foolish admiration of me!)

She wiped the blood from her lips.

(…Master, I know the pain that you endured back then.)

She stooped down held Rin’s shoulder.

(The pain of crushing a child’s innocence to satisfy your self-righteous ego…I now understand too well.)

“…In the end I love the path of the sword too much to deprive it of such a talent.”

“Huh?”

Rin showed a confused expression. Kirika smiled. She pulled Rin towards her and hug him.

“Um…What’s wrong, Kirika?”

“Rin, from this moment onward…you are no longer my student.”

“Huh?”

She pushed him away and stood up. She looked down on him with deadpan eyes.

“Leave and never return.”

“….Huh?”

Kirika turned her back to him and walked away.

“…Wait.”

Rin stretched his hand out towards her back.

“Wait, Kirika!”

Her steps didn’t falter.

“What do you mean I’m no longer your student?!”

She showed no reaction to his question.

“…….”

Rin took a few steps towards her and stopped. He gritted his teeth.

“Answer me, dammit! You can’t just leave without saying anything!”

With every step, the distance between them grew. Rin clenched his sword and broke out in a sprint.

“I said wait!”

His world started to spin. Before he knew it he was on the ground. His whole body ached.

“You dared to attack me?”

Kirika finally stopped and looked back. Her eyes were cold and had no compassion.

“Know your place, brat.”

She turned away and continued walking. Rin’s body ached but it was nothing compared to the sharp pain in his chest….This was the last time the two spoke.

“……..”

After she left, Kirika took out a phone and made a call.

“….Hello, Rouge. Sorry for the sudden call, but could you teach Rin swordsmanship in my stead. I already have my hands full with Miko….You will? Thanks…Huh? Me?...No, I’m fine. Ah, my voice is cracking up?”

Tears streamed down her cheek as she held the phone to her ear. Even so, she smiled.

“Ah, don’t worry. I just have a small cold.”

“Hahaha!”

Rin faced the sky and laughed.

“I win! I beat your precious student! You chose wrong!”

He pointed at the sky and smirked. Kirika’s chest tightened. She could clearly see the hate and rage in his eyes.

“I’ll defeat you next!”

“Oi, don’t go challenging people when you’re still in the middle of a fight.”

“?!”

His body stiffened and he slowly turned around. Miko stood with hideous wounds on his body. Yet, he wore a bold smile.

“Defeat me first, before picking fights with those superior to you, brat.”

“How are you still standing with those wounds?!”

“Huh? Wounds?”

Miko looked down. Deep, hideous wounds were carved into his body. It was as if he was hit with a blunt weapon instead of a blade. Miko grinned.

“What wounds?”

“?!”

“These are nothing. My limbs are still attached, aren’t they?”

He burst out laughing.

“As if I would fall and let the fun end now! I still wanna fight!”

He crossed Ishma and Regis in front of him.

“My girls still wanna fight!”

They started illuminating as if to respond to Miko’s passion. Rin looked at him dumbfounded for a bit before he burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! You’re the greatest, Miko! Truly worth calling you my rival.”

Rin’s swords started shaking in his hands.

(Ashur, Sora, and then Miko. Three tough opponents. The constant use of Demolition Arts and Speed Devil is beginning to take a toll on my body….No, I’ve long since passed my limit. I’ve entered uncharted territory in terms of strength and damage taken.)

He looked at his hand.

“It wouldn’t strange if I fall now.”

Yet, he grinned and tightened his grip on his swords.

“If I fall I fall.”

He turned his head to the sky and shouted.

“My name is Rin Dragna, the man who will become the Dragna Clan’s greatest swordsman! To take the first step towards this goal, I’ll fight the future Clan Leader with everything I have!”

Miko’s eyes widened. Rin pointed his swords at him with a smug grin.

“No matter your future rank or title, I will always be the better swordsman! Got that?!”

A huge grin appeared on Miko’s face.

“That’s the spirit!”

They rushed at each other.

“Let’s go, Miko!”

“Until only one is standing!”

With a big wind up, the two swung their swords with all of their strength.

*BOOM!*

With a thunderclap, the earth burst open. Lightning bolts fell from the sky and struck their surroundings. They were propelled back. Their bodies bounced off the ground.

“Ha..haha!”

“Hahaha!”

“Hahahahaha!”

They struggled to their feet while blood drained from their bodies. They ran at each, hunching over, not waiting to stand properly first. Miko swung up while Rin swung down. Another thunderclap resulted. Miko fell on one knee.

“Fall! Fall, Miko!”

Blood drained from Rin’s mouth and dripped on Miko’s face.

“The only time I’ll fall is when I fall in hell!”

He rose up and pushed Rin back.

“And that’s not today!”

He jumped and slammed both swords against Rin’s like hammers. Rin stumbled back. Miko unsteadily walked over to him and swung his swords again. Rin ducked underneath them and slammed his swords in Miko’s stomach.

“Ugh?!”

Miko stumbled back.

“Hahaha!”

He laughed as Rin sluggishly approached him. Rin swung at his sides. He blocked it and kicked Rin in the stomach. Rin backpedaled but stood his ground. One of his swords fell from his hand. He looked down. His fingers were busted up and were unable to hold a sword.

“Hahaha!”

He laughed and held one sword in front of him while his other hand dangled from the side. He kicked off the ground. Miko sidesteps to evade a slash.

“?!”

Rin used his bust-up hand to grabbed the sheath on his waist. He slammed that sheath in the back of his hand. Ishma fell from his hand. Miko cut him with Regis. Rin released the sheath. He spun around and cut Miko. They swung their swords again and they clashed. Their bodies swayed and they stumbled. They stepped forward and swung again. Sparks flew between them as they gave their all just to produce another swing.

“This is a fight between swordsmen?”

“This is more of a slugfest with blades.”

“…How are they still standing?”

“So young but so brutal…”

The audience was both amazed and frightened by their clash.

“The two are well beyond their limits…They’re no longer using any techniques and are just mindlessly swinging their swords.”

Christensen commented.

“Oi, Alec. Is this okay? If this continues one of them might die you know?”

Al-Shura spoke up. Alec smiled.

“Don’t worry. The winner has long since been decided.”

“What are you talking about?”

“….Rin is unconscious.”

Karim answered.

“Huh?”

Al-Shura stood up and took a better look. He focused on Rin’s face. There was no light in his eyes.

“No way…He’s just swinging on instinct? Does he want to win that badly?”

“Of course. Despite their hostility, Miko is still the person Rin respects the most. He’s the person he wants to beat the most.”

Karim sighed.

“Without a doubt, Rin is the better swordsman. However, Miko’s will and determination are abnormal. I’m certain he knows that Rin is unconscious and yet he’s still fighting him. What’s pushing him so far?”

“Why did you expel Rin?!”

A young Miko shouted at Kirika.

“He just doesn’t have what I’m looking for in a swordsman.”

“What are talking about?! Rin will be the greatest swordsman the world has ever known! He’s far better than me!”

“But I still chose you, didn’t I?!”

Miko flinched. Kirika walked up to him and grabbed his shoulders.

“I chose you so just drop it, alright!”

She turned her gaze towards the ground. Her hair covered her face preventing Miko from seeing it.

“…….”

Miko looked at the trembling hands that were holding his shoulders.

“…Alright.”

He slowly took them off causing her to look up.

“I don’t know the reason why you’re doing this, but I do know this…”

He held the hands in front of him. He locked eyes with Kirika.

“I’ll never make anyone say that you made the wrong choice. Not even you.”

He smiled.

“I’ll rather die than tarnish my master’s name.”

“……..”

Kirika silently watched as Miko battled the unconscious Rin. A small smile appeared on her face.

“…You’re trying too hard, idiot.”

(I’ve already broken my promise once when I gave up on everything…)

He clenched his sword and took a step forward.

“I won’t break it a second time!”

He swung. Sparks flew. The katana flew out of Rin’s hand.

“Fall!”

He smacked Rin with the side of the blade. Rin’s body swayed before collapsing and hitting the mud.

“Haa~. Haa~. Haa~.”

Miko stood over him breathing heavily as the rain drenched his body and washed away his blood. He slowly stooped down and took Rin’s emblems off his body.

(The Primus Branch has obtained a king and a normal emblem! As such they’ve gained 110 points to bring them a total of 180 points! They retook the lead! On the other hand, all 3 members of the Secundus Branch have been defeated! Which means the Secundus Branch is eliminated from the competition!)

The announcement resounded. Miko looked at the emblems and then pocketed them.

“Thanks, Rin….It was a good fight.”

He looked down and saw a smile on Rin’s face. This caused him to smile back.

“I guess you felt the same way.”

He walked away and stared at the sky before lifting his hand.

“Hahaha.”

A low laugh escaped Kirika’s mouth as she slowly clapped. Miko smiled as he continued walking through the rainy lands.

“Ah, I got fucked up. I need to find somewhere to recuperate before I fight Krul.”

A great battle has ended but the competition goes on a little longer.

Time remaining: 3 hours!