BAKU • CLASH

Chapter 5.1: Weaknesses of an Aberration

The infirmary room was filled with the scent of antiseptics and the muffled sounds of quick footsteps as nurses hurried between beds. The atmosphere was somber, illuminated by small lights hanging from the ceiling, casting shadows over the still bodies of the injured cadets. After the devastating battle, most of them lay unconscious, resting as their bodies struggled to recover from the brutal confrontation.

Renjir Akómodo, lying on one of the stretchers, stared blankly at the ceiling. His muscles ached, and every breath was a painful reminder of the intensity of the fight. Luigin's words still echoed in his mind: "You are stronger than you think, but also weaker than you realize." Something in his tone, something in those words, struck a deep wound inside him, one he hadn't fully understood yet.

Beside him, a silent figure moved with skill. The doctor responsible for caring for the injured cadets, Rina Tategami, stood out for her unshakable calm. Known not only for her medical skills but also for her bond with her bakuster, Orionix, a creature with a serene appearance but powerful and surprising healing abilities. Orionix was by her side, emanating a faint blue aura that eased the pain of those around. His eyes shone intensely as he cast a healing spell on one of the wounded.

Rina approached Renjir with a severe yet compassionate look. She knew who he was—the cadet everyone called "the Aberration" due to the strange and uncontrollable powers he manifested. She had treated many like him before, young people seeking power without knowing the true cost they would pay.

"Rest," she said firmly yet gently as she examined Renjir's injuries. "You're too hurt. You wouldn't last a minute out there in this state."

Renjir let out a heavy sigh, feeling the pain throb in his arms and chest. He wanted to get up, to keep fighting, but his body simply wouldn't respond. Even if he tried to ignore the physical exhaustion, the internal struggle in his mind was even more draining.

"I can't stop now," he murmured, almost to himself. "They're still out there. I have to keep going."

Rina crossed her arms, looking at him sternly. "Keep going for what? Do you want to die as a hero, or live to fight another day? Strength isn't just physical, Renjir. The body can be repaired, but the mind..." she paused, her gaze growing more penetrating, "...a broken mind isn't healed by magic or bandages."

Renjir frowned, memories of the battle and Luigin's words still fresh. He knew something was wrong with him, something that set him apart from the other cadets, but he couldn't fully grasp what it was. It felt as if he were fragmenting, as if the black flames he had unleashed during combat had ignited something deeper and more dangerous within him.

"I know," he finally replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "But... I can't just... stop. There's something inside me. Something I need to understand."

Rina sighed, realizing it wouldn't be easy to convince him. "What you have is a curse, Renjir. And this curse could destroy you if you don't learn to control it. There's no point in rushing toward death without even understanding what you're facing."

Orionix, beside the doctor, made a soft sound as if silently agreeing with her words. The healing energy around the bakuster seemed to intensify as he continued his work, but even so, what was broken in Renjir went beyond the physical.

Renjir turned away, trying to avoid her gaze. He knew there was truth in Rina's words, but admitting that meant accepting that he might not be invincible as he tried to appear. He, who had always sought to be the strongest, now found himself facing something he couldn't simply punch or slash with his sharp claws.

Finally, he broke the silence. "And if I can't control it?" His voice was low, almost a whisper. It was the first time Renjir expressed this doubt out loud. The fear of being consumed by something he didn't even understand was beginning to erode his confidence.

Rina knelt, facing him and gently holding his arm. "Everyone has weaknesses, Renjir. Even you, no matter how hard you try to hide it. But those weaknesses are what make us human. If you ignore them, you'll lose control and become what you fear most—a true aberration."

Those words penetrated deep into Renjir. He wanted to deny it, to believe he was strong enough to overcome everything without needing help. But there, in that silent infirmary room, with echoes of past and future battles around him, he knew that the hardest fight would be against himself.

As Rina stood up and walked away, Orionix looked at Renjir one last time, his eyes shining with a mixture of compassion and something more. Perhaps a silent promise that, with time, even the deepest wounds could heal—if not ignored.

Renjir closed his eyes, plunging into the darkness, searching for some semblance of peace. But he knew that the real battle was still to come. A battle he would have to face not just with strength, but with wisdom and control—or he would lose himself forever.

Subchapter 5.1: Colossal as Magnostrix and Fearless as Kazir

The sun was already high in the sky, marking the midpoint of the competition. The arena, stage to so many epic battles, buzzed with anticipation for yet another monumental clash. Among the ten promising teams, few dared approach Renjir Akómodo and his troupe, known for both brute strength and meticulous strategy on the field. Renjir, however, had never been one to back down from a challenge, especially when his opponents demanded a direct duel.

Shakadera, still clouded with resentment from his last battle, kept his gaze fixed on Luigin. Beside him, Lora tried to ease the tension.