Chapter 97: Ki [2]

Chapter 97: Ki [2]

Ki.

The flow of 'Life Energy' in not only living beings but also inanimate objects.

A sort of sixth sense, Ki relied on coordinating all five regular senses and one's mind to predict your surroundings.

However, this wasn't all.

There was something else that was needed to use Ki.

Instinct.

It was only with all these combined that one could perceive Ki.

At least, that's how the description explained it.

[Art: Ki ☆☆☆ (Black Clover)]

[Requirements: N/A]

[Description: A pseudo sixth sense that allows one to interact and recognise individual Ki signatures all around them. Once mastered, it's said to be capable of seeing through any Illusion and concealment. Despite this, it is rare for anyone to reach that stage, thus decreasing its rank to three stars. Though its potential is vast, there are many mysteries and unknown possibilities with this Art.]

The description intrigued Isaac.

Not only because he knew there weren't low-level Arts out there that could see past his Ghost Passage, but also because of the last sentence.

And it only intrigued him so much because of how Oliver explained it.

"Ki? Yes, I know of it. It used to be an Art guarded by the S.A. but after they were unable to cultivate it further than three stars, they publicised it in the hopes that a genius would do what they couldn't."

This was how Oliver described it, causing Isaac to chuckle inwardly.

'They'll probably bribe said genius into joining the S.A. and keep the secret for themselves.'

As the days went by, Isaac could understand why they did this.

With external forces, such as Guilds and even Onyx, growing in power by the day, the S.A. had to do what they could to stay on top and keep the balance.

Despite this, it didn't mean Isaac was going to entertain their strive for power.

'No, where's the peace in meddling with a power-hungry government.'

But that wasn't important at the moment.

"Why does he have his eyes closed?" Cain asked from the spectator room as the Golden Six, Zach, Oliver and Merlin all watched.

"Battle commenced."

The automated voice rang out, signifying the start of the battle.

Isaac stood in his corner, eyes closed as he tried his best to sense the Ki.

-BANG

However, his concentration faltered as he heard a familiar BANG, identical to when Eli shot toward Isaac earlier.

Isaac remained unmoving, trying his best to visualise something, anything halfway between instinct and a prediction, as the book stated.

However...

-FUAM

Isaac, snapping his eyes open, leapt off the ground as he tumbled a few metres away from his original position, dodging Eli but feeling a sting on his side.

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

Unfortunately, it didn't seem as though Isaac was fast enough as he suffered a blow, causing his opponent to take the lead.

Eli halted once more, straightening his back as he stared at Isaac for a few seconds, seemingly ignoring the automated voice.

"Are you mocking me? What is the meaning of this?" Eli complained, noticing Isaac wasn't fighting the same way he was previously.

Isaac jumped back to his feet, staring at Eli.

"Just testing something," Isaac answered, causing the scowl on his face to deepen.

Despite his obvious dissatisfaction, Eli turned around, walking back to his corner as Isaac did the same.

"The score is 2-1. Fight with everything you've got. I'm warning you." Eli declared.

However, Isaac said nothing as he once again closed his eyes.

'No good. I reacted with only my ears. I need to use all my senses as one.'

Isaac breathed out, ignoring his individual senses.

He ignored the faint breath of Eli and the slight hum that was caused as the spectators from behind the glass spoke.

He closed his eyes to block out the bright lights and everything happening around him.

He ignored the smell of his sweat that wafted under his nostrils and he ignored the heat he'd feel exuding off Eli when they were close to one another.

Isaac even zoned out the metallic taste of blood in his mouth after the attack Eli had landed.

Instead, he focused on them all as one.

One sense.

It was then that Isaac witnessed a spark of sorts.

"Tsk"

Eli clicked his teeth after seeing he was ignored.

-BANG

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

Eli, his eyes widened, pulled back his head after watching a fist crack across his face.

"That's impressive. He waited until his opponent became too comfortable, causing Eli's guard to falter for a split second, allowing him to land a hit." Jett explained.

He was the most knowledgeable on Hand-to-Hand, therefore, he was able to better deduce the battle and catch details the others might miss.

Meanwhile, Isaac finally opened his eyes. And though he tried to resist it, he couldn't help but smirk a little.

"Impressive," Eli commented, regaining his composure.

"For the last point, why don't we disable the restrictions? We'll fight with everything in our arsenal. PS and all."

Isaac stayed quiet for a second as he stood before Eli.

It was obvious what his opponent was attempting to accomplish.

'He knows he's at a disadvantage, so he's trying to make things more even.'

And if Isaac was being honest, he didn't blame him. After all, this was a strictly Martial Arts battle and Isaac wasn't exactly abiding by those rules.

'I'm just spamming my Ki Art.'

With this in mind, Isaac answered.

"Fine. For the last point, we'll go all out. May the best man win." Isaac agreed, reaching out his arm for a handshake.

Eli stared for a second, soon shaking Isaac's hand.

"That's quite risky of him, isn't it? His sensory Art was only useful because he didn't have to worry about his slow reaction as an F Ranker." Ava stated, garnering a nod from everyone present, as they all thought the same.

"Yes, it is. The match is now tipped in Eli's favour. It's risky indeed." Jett answered as Amara soon scoffed.

"Risky, sure. But knowing what I know, he's probably overconfident."

"Either way, it's awesome," Cain added, smiling widely as if he were a child sitting before a TV as a superhero movie played.

The two fighters returned to their corners, and perhaps someone was listening in, because before the last round started, Isaac could feel his access to Nen returning.

'I can't use my full nen. High level 3 proficiency should be enough rather than my high level 4 Proficiency.'

Isaac noted, noticing Amara and the others still peering at him.

-CRACKLE

However, despite him focusing on calculating how much Nen he needed, he was able to notice the sparks of seemingly yellow lightning crackling around Eli's fist.

'What's he...'

-POOF POOF POOF

However, before he could complete a thought, he witnessed Eli pursed his lips, soon...spitting air.

But it was just air.

No, it's as if the air he spat condensed, turning into bullets as they shot toward Isaac.

"Ren!"

-BANG

Upon activating his Ren, a BANG rang out, a more powerful eruption of power than his previous activations Amara had witnessed.

Simultaneously, Isaac bent his back, watching the air bullets barely pass him as he winced at the thought of losing so easily.

'Damn it, it's hard for me to use Ki with so much happening around me.'

"Cockroach Tackle."

-BOOM

However, he wasn't given any time to relax, as he shot back to a straightened back, noticing Eli was inches away from him.

This was it.

The last point.

"Hamon: Overdrive," Eli mumbled.

"Gyo," Isaac muttered at the same time.

Prepared to end the fight, they both prepared for the final clash.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Next chapter title: Final Showdown [1]

Ignore the late chapter....

If you can't wait, just head to my /JustMYSTERY

And as usual...

POWERSTONESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

(I'm obligated to tell you to join the discord)

discord.gg/wfxxZv8j4B