cosmic outbreak

Chapter 19: The Tournament Continues

The tension in the training hall was thick as the next match was announced.

"Next up: Emi and Luna versus Kaito and Fyodor!" Ojiisan declared.

Kaito cracked his knuckles, smirking. "We're gonna destroy them."

Fyodor, sitting cross-armed, shook his head. "You don't understand. Luna isn't just strong—she's the strongest here after Ojiisan."

Kaito scoffed. "Then let me taste this so-called strongest."

Luna stood tall, arms crossed. Her golden eyes gleamed with amusement. "Just don't cry afterward, little boy."

The battle began in a flash. Luna vanished, reappearing behind Kaito in an instant, her strength spell already activated. She launched a devastating punch straight toward him.

Boom!

Kaito dodged at the last second, sliding across the ground. With a flick of his hand, he summoned a windstorm, sending Luna flying backward. But before the storm could fully engulf her, she activated her shield spell, blocking the gusts with ease.

Kaito barely had time to react before—bam! Luna's fist connected with the side of his head.

His vision blurred.

He stumbled.

Before he could recover, a powerful thunderbolt surged through his body.

And just like that—Kaito collapsed.

"One down," Luna said coldly.

At the other side of the battlefield, Emi was struggling against Fyodor. She launched a barrage of bullets toward him, her rapid-fire technique a blur of motion.

But Fyodor simply sidestepped them with ease, closing the distance in an instant.

A brutal punch to the gut sent Emi gasping for air.

She staggered, barely managing to stay on her feet.

Luna sighed, shaking her head. "Pathetic."

Then, without warning—bam!

Luna's thunderbolt hit Fyodor square in the chest, sending him flying across the arena.

The hall went silent.

Ojiisan was about to declare the match over when—crack!

Luna turned on Emi.

The spectators gasped.

"What are you doing?!" Emi shouted, staggering backward.

Luna didn't answer. She simply raised her hand, forming another thunderbolt.

Crackle!

The electric energy twisted around her fingers as she smirked. "Weaklings shouldn't stand beside the strong."

Boom!

The bolt slammed into Emi's chest, sending her crashing against the wall.

Asahi took a step forward, ready to intervene—

"Stay back," Ojiisan warned.

Muscle frowned. "She's gonna kill her."

But before anyone could act—

"The winners are Luna and Emi." Ojiisan's voice cut through the tension.

Luna clicked her tongue. "Tch. Fine."

Emi struggled to her feet, her eyes burning with resentment.

The tournament continued, the next match lined up: Asahi and Aoi versus Kiyoshi and Kenji.

The battle began with Kenji dodging Asahi's hammer swing, countering with a rapid-speed spell. His punch connected, sending Asahi reeling. But Asahi activated his shield spell, blocking Kenji's next attack and countering with a powerful slash that sent him flying.

On the other side, Kiyoshi and Aoi clashed.

Kiyoshi's whirlwind kicks cut through the air, but Aoi retaliated with a sonic strike, stunning Kiyoshi for a brief moment. But it wasn't enough.

Kiyoshi vanished—and reappeared behind Aoi.

A brutal strength-enhanced punch sent Aoi sprawling to the ground.

With a final blow, both Asahi and Aoi were knocked out.

Ojiisan nodded. "Winners: Kenji and Kiyoshi."

More matches followed, each more intense than the last.

Finally, Ojiisan made a surprising announcement.

"There will be a change in teams."

The entire room fell silent.

Ojiisan's gaze swept over them before declaring, "The new match-ups are: Luna and Kuroshin versus Hikaru and Muscle. Emi and Santino versus Kaito and Fyodor."

The room erupted in murmurs.

Hikaru crossed his arms, looking at Kuroshin. Their last fight hadn't gone well for him.

But this time, things would be different.

To be continued.