Chapter 96: Ki [1]

Chapter 96: Ki [1]

"Challenge accepted, Eli Hawk."

Isaac felt something in his stomach upon saying this name. He'd never come across such a name in the real world. It sounded too...fake.

As if it were straight out of a TV show.

'Stay focused.'

Isaac snapped out of his trance.

Standing before Eli, the tall teenager wore an expression of frustration as he clicked his teeth.

Meanwhile, not too far away from them...

"Let's go before he starts bothering us again." Amara tugged at the rest of the Golden Four.

"We can't leave. You just sacrificed him to the big bad wolf." Jett retorted, his voice raising a few pitches.

"That muscle head has been following us around all day. Let someone else deal with him."

Jett shook his head as Amara continued to speak.

"You can leave if you want. I'll make sure Eli doesn't do something he regrets. He isn't thinking clearly."

Jett remembered what Harrison had told him.

"I'm staying too. It's our fault he was dragged into this. We might as well see it out." Cain added, siding with Jett.

"I don't think it's right, either. Watching for a little bit shouldn't hurt, right." Ava joined the boys as Amara looked desperately to Lucy for some backup.

"I don't mind." But the support she'd been looking for never came as Lucy wore an indifferent demeanour.

Amara was left on her own, scratching her head and pouting.

"Fine. But as soon as we see nothing is escalating, we leave." She declared as the others nodded.

"Geez, I swear. You three are too pure-hearted for your own good." Amara sighed while shaking her head and glancing at Cain, Jett and Ava individually.

However, what Amara didn't know was that of the three she mentioned, she was only right about two being pure-hearted while the third had other ideas.

"Hey, hey. No one's fighting anyone. Let's all just calm down."

However, their attention was drawn to the scene unfolding before them once again as one could see Oliver standing between Eli and Isaac.

"Move aside, boy. He's already agreed to duel me. Backing out now will be nothing short of dishonourable."

Eli hissed, to which Oliver prepared to reply until he felt a touch on his shoulder.

"It's fine. I'll do it." Isaac nodded reassuringly.

"You don't have to. Don't be pressured by him or the Golden Six, we've got your back." Zach whispered, his eyes darting between those before him.

Now that Isaac thought about it, he wondered who would truly reign as the strongest of the first years.

Zach was a Ghoul, Oliver was from an S-Rank verse and Isaac had made leaps and bounds in his progression.

'That's pretty interesting. Maybe I'll make it a hobby one day to find diamonds in the dirt to befriend.'

Isaac chuckled inwardly upon thinking this.

But considering both he and Zach were hiding their powers and Oliver had just exited his scenario and was new at handling his powers with his original body, they most likely wouldn't stand a chance.

"I got it. Don't worry."

Hearing this, Zach and Oliver relaxed as they took a step back.

"I commend your bravery. Not many are so nonchalant about taking me on...."

Before Eli could finish, Isaac raised his finger and cut him off.

"Not so fast, jungle boy. If we're fighting, we're doing it on my terms."

Upon hearing this, everyone present raised an eyebrow.

***

[This is quite the smart alternative you've come up with.]

In a large room with sleek white tiles on every surface that appeared to be made out of marble, stood two individuals staring at each other.

Meanwhile, Oliver, Zach, the Golden Six and a few other spectators leisurely watched from a seating area behind glass.

Merlin sat on Oliver's lap, ignoring the constant glances she got from Lucy and sneakily watching the events before her.

[I know. We walked past it not too long ago.]

Isaac and Eli currently stood in a space specifically made for soft duelling.

"Battle will begin in 3..."

An automated voice rang out from within the room.

"2..."

The reason this room was perfect for their duel was due to the fact it could ensure a straight Martial Arts battle.

"1. Battle commenced!"

Isaac could feel the strength in his body lessening as well as his Nen disappearing.

The reason for this was the room. It was one large Artifact. It could lessen one's strength to F Rank to ensure a fair fight.

As well as disallowing PS to be used.

It was also what Isaac and Jett would be using for their battle. Though, a highly advanced version.

Isaac had to take these types of precautions, just in case Eli wasn't trying anything funny.

If his peculiar movements that made him seem as though he had little control over his movements weren't enough, Eli could be seen lowering his body, bringing his chest inches away from the ground.

"Cockroach Tackle."

-BOOM

Eli dashed toward Isaac at speeds that should have been impossible for the rank they were limited to.

"So fast!" Amara commented as they all watched.

The distance between the two was instantly covered as Eli drew closer to Isaac.

'Crap!'

Isaac was too slow.

His body's speed was limited and he'd noticed the attack coming too late to dodge.

Therefore, Isaac could only cross his arms in an X shape, ready to block whatever attack was coming.

"Triceratops Fist."

-BANG

Isaac felt a heavy blow land on his forearms as he clenched his teeth, his mind unable to figure out whether his arms were broken or not.

Additionally, Isaac's feet could be seen leaving the ground as the force caused him to soar through the air and crash into the marble wall.

"Did he just jump off the ground and use the force of the attack to create distance?"

Oliver asked, causing the others to glance at him and soon nod in agreement as the fact became more apparent.

-SMASH

As Isaac smashed into the wall, he slid to the ground, barely catching his footing as he tried to assess the damage caused to him.

But he was given no time to even breathe as a daunting presence dawned on him once again.

'He's already here?'

Isaac thought inwardly, his line of sight meeting Eli's as the latter closed in closer to his opponent.

-BANG

"One point to Eli. Return to your corners."

A blow landed on Isaac's abdomen, and the air was knocked out of his lungs, causing him to heave as he stumbled.

'What the hell was wrong with that punch?'

It was so powerful despite their physical stats being limited to the likes of a regular athlete.

"I'll admit, you're not all talk. But you can't possibly match me without an Art..."

Before Eli could finish, he noticed something.

"He's...grinning?" Amara spoke the thought the others had on their mind, seeing Isaac's expression seem as though he was a child given a gift.

Meanwhile, Ava watched with a blank expression.

However, unknowingly, seeing this, her lips curled upwards.

"Return to your corners."

The automated voice repeated, causing Eli to slowly leave without saying anything.

Isaac too, back on his feet, returned to his position as countless thoughts ran through his mind.

'He's faster, stronger, more experienced and likely had more cards up his sleeve.'

Isaac thought, realising he was in an unfavourable position.

However, he did have one chance to turn this battle around.

"3..."

'I only read the book briefly, but I understand the basic concept of it.'

"2..."

Saying this, much to the surprise of the others, Isaac closed his eyes.

"1..."

'Let's see if you were worth the money, Ki.'

"Battle commenced!"

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Next chapter title: Ki [2]

NNext chapter title: Final Showdown [1]

Just think of this battle system as the same one in Cobra Kai's All Valley tournament.

And if you can't wait 24 hours, just check out the Patreon! /JustMYSTERY

And as usual...

POWERSTONESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

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