NOVEL NEXT Chapter 44: Chapter 40
Mikasa Ackerman had never underestimated Ryo Akira. She had seen firsthand his strength when he fought against the Titans, his control and composure unmatched. Yet, in this moment, she realized she'd underestimated his unpredictability in combat.
When Ryo dared to go on the offensive while being surrounded, Mikasa's brief lapse in focus became her undoing.
"Haha, not a great time to get distracted, Mikasa!"
Ryo's voice snapped her back to the present, but it was already too late. In the blink of an eye, he closed the gap between them. The proximity left her no room to evade or counter his charge.
His stance was unconventional, almost reckless—daring her to meet him head-on. Mikasa felt the pressure mount. Turning her back or retreating now would only worsen her position. The only option left was to strike harder and faster than her opponent.
Ryo smirked. This was exactly what he wanted.
Their fists collided, the sound of flesh and force reverberating through the air. Ryo's strikes were relentless, each one calculated to block, counter, or overwhelm. Mikasa, known for her precision, suddenly found herself outpaced, her rhythm shattered by his relentless barrage.
Seconds felt like hours.
"Retreat!" Ryo roared, delivering a decisive blow that sent Mikasa staggering backward. She gritted her teeth, barely managing to maintain her footing as she fell back to regroup.
Ani Leonhart, who had been closing in to assist, arrived just as Mikasa stumbled. Her cold, calculating eyes locked onto Ryo, analyzing every move.
"Now, it's your turn," Ryo muttered, his grin widening.
Without hesitation, Ani lunged at him, her movements sharp and deliberate. Ryo had expected this. Mikasa had pushed him into a more defensive battle, but with Ani, he was ready to turn the tide completely.
"I beat Mikasa at her own game," Ryo said, his tone almost teasing. "But for you, Ani, I'll use your own strengths against you."
Ani's eyes narrowed. She was a master of grappling and precision strikes, traits that had earned her victories over countless opponents. Yet, Ryo's speed and unpredictability posed a unique challenge.
As she tried to gain distance, Ryo closed in, exploiting the smallest hesitation. Using a move straight out of Tai Chi, he shifted her momentum and targeted her joints, neutralizing her strength with fluid movements.
Ani realized too late that Ryo was one step ahead. He predicted her counter—a feint to lure him into overcommitting—and used it to seize control of her arm. In an instant, he twisted her wrist, forcing her off-balance.
Ani attempted a desperate reversal, increasing the pressure to try and pin him beneath her. But Ryo was faster, twisting mid-air and using his superior flexibility to flip the position. With a calculated strike to her lower back, he rendered her temporarily incapacitated.
As Ani hit the ground, Ryo immediately sprang to his feet. Mikasa, already recovering, charged again, her determination unwavering despite her earlier defeat.
By now, the commotion had drawn an audience. Students gathered around the training ground, watching with wide-eyed amazement.
The fight was unlike anything they'd seen in their training sessions. Ryo's ability to counter and adapt seemed almost superhuman. To the onlookers, it wasn't just a brawl—it was a masterclass in combat.
With Ani subdued and Mikasa preparing to attack again, Ryo couldn't help but chuckle. His confidence was undeniable.
"Alright, Mikasa," he muttered under his breath. "Let's settle this once and for all."
The crowd's murmurs grew louder as they anticipated the next clash. Ryo, however, remained focused. Victory wasn't just about strength—it was about breaking through the emotional walls of his opponents.
And today, he intended to do just that.