Kira's suit came alive with a low, thrumming hum as red-and-white veins of light ignited across her frame, pulsing like a second heartbeat. The glow crawled up her arms and wrapped her torso, converging at her chest before surging outward. The activation sent a faint tremor through the chamber floor.

"Kira Mizuno, forty-five per cent." The suit's AI announced in its sterile, robotic tone.

Kira didn't so much as flinch. That number meant nothing to her. Being one of the highest in her class wasn't a badge she wore with pride; it was just a rung on a ladder that felt endless. What good was forty-five per cent if the people she cared about were in danger? What good was it if the woman standing across from her, the Supreme Commander herself, was watching without a shred of fear in her eyes?

All that mattered was the next moment.

Winning.

Proving to herself that she could stand against power like this, and if she does, she can finally get her revenge.

The referee's hand cut the air like a blade.

"BEGIN!"

"AHHH!"

Kira's war cry ripped from her throat as she surged forward. The jets in her boots flared to life, a white-hot burst propelling her like a cannonball.

BOOM.

The collision rattled the arena. Kira's fist met Akio's open palm, the impact sharp enough to send a concussive blast through the chamber. The crowd jolted, wide-eyed as the shockwave slapped against their faces.

And then came the real shock.

Her sword, the long blade strapped across her back, remained untouched. Kira hadn't drawn it. She had chosen bare fists. Against Akio.

Milly's jaw dropped. "She's... Fighting her bare-handed…?"

Akio's lips curled into a grin as her fingers tightened around Kira's fist, holding it effortlessly in place. "For a young woman like yourself, you're truly strong, aren't you?"

Kira yanked back, sliding across the metallic floor with sparks streaking under her boots. She stopped just shy of the arena edge, eyes calm, voice even.

"Thank you for the compliment, Miss Akio."

Akio chuckled, smirk deepening. "Fists against me, huh? You've got some guts."

Her eyes narrowed, then.

BANG.

She stomped the floor with a single heel. The whole chamber quaked. Railings screamed as metal groaned under the shock. Dust fell from the ceiling. The audience clung to the bars for balance, but no one looked away.

Kira staggered, dropping to one hand to steady herself as the quake rolled under her feet. With just a stomp…?! She thought, disbelief flashing across her face.

And Akio was already moving. She crouched low, coiling like a predator, then launched herself skyward with explosive force.

Kira's head snapped up. The shaking stopped, but the only sound left was the eerie groan of metal cooling. Her eyes darted across the chamber. Akio was gone.

Her pulse spiked. Where?

Then the memory hit, Aruther's fight.

BOOM.

Kira threw her arms up just in time. Akio descended like a falling star, heel smashing against her barrier. The impact cratered the floor, splitting it into jagged spiderwebs. The arena shook again as Kira's knees buckled under the weight pressing down.

"Nicely done, Kira!" Isak's voice rang out, tight with both pride and tension.

Akio laughed, grinning down at her. "Impressive! You caught me quick, I even pushed extra energy into that drop."

Kira couldn't answer. Her teeth clenched, her arms trembled under the crushing force of Akio's foot. Her palms screamed like they were being splintered apart.

"AHHH!" She roared, forcing her strength upward. A shockwave rippled as she shoved Akio back, staggering the Commander mid-air.

But Kira didn't give her time to land. She burst forward, fury blazing in her chest, and closed the gap. Her right fist cocked back, glowing red. This is it. This is my strength. If I can't break Akio, how can I protect Kentaro? How can I defeat all the Alberlines?

"Rrraaaahhh!"

"Ohhh," Akio's grin spread wider. "Unfortunately, that won't land, Mizuno."

But just as Akio prepared to block, her eyes sharpened. A faint twitch in Kira's fist.

A shift.

"Shit. A decoy!"

Kira's lips curved into the faintest smirk. She cut her own punch mid-strike, halting her body with inhuman precision only possible through the suit. Then she dropped low, sliding on her knees.

Her leg swept under, colliding with Akio's shin.

BAM.

The Supreme Commander hit the floor.

"SHE LANDED A HIT!" Aruther's cheer thundered across the arena.

The audience froze in stunned silence. Even Milly, even Isak.

Kira's eyes widened in awe at her own success, the world slowing to a crawl. Akio's mouth opened, not in laughter, but in shock. The rookie had dropped her.

But the moment shattered as fast as it came. Kira surged forward with a follow-up punch, only for Akio to twist her body, hands slamming to the ground. She flipped away in a blur, boot grazing Kira's cheek as she spun clear.

"Crap, so close!" Kira muttered, breath rasping hard.

Akio landed, adjusting her stance, annoyance flickering across her composed face. "I took this too lightly. Even after I said I'd take you seriously, Kira Mizuno."

Kira spat blood to the side and raised her fists again. Her chest burned, arms shaking, but her eyes stayed sharp.

They stared each other down. One heartbeat. Two.

Then.

"AHHHH!" Akio roared as she shot forward.

Kira met her head-on.

The chamber erupted with the sound of fists colliding, bang, bang, bang, each strike like bullets ripping into steel. Sparks flew with every impact, the air shuddering under their exchange. To the untrained eye, it was a blur, two shadows weaving, striking, vanishing, colliding again.

"How long can you last, Kira?" Isak murmured, arms folded. His gaze never wavered. To anyone else, it might look even. But he saw it clearly, Akio's punches were landing. Kira was barely holding back the tide.

"NGHH!" Kira gasped as a strike slammed her gut, pain exploding through her ribs. Her vision blurred, but she clenched her jaw and swung again, forcing herself forward.

She screamed with every punch, voice raw. "AHHHHHHHH!" Her arms screamed, bones aching, muscles tearing. But she kept going. For Kentaro. For herself. To prove she wasn't weak.

Akio grinned, exhilaration flashing across her features. "Good, Mizuno! THIS is what I want!"

Kira's eyes widened. She's enjoying this…!

And worse, Akio wasn't even using her suit.

"The fact she's not using it pisses me off!" Kira snarled through gritted teeth, punching faster, faster, until her arms blurred into streaks.

Akio's laughter grew sharp. "Show me more!"

Her movements became fluid, untouchable. She surged past Kira's speed like it was nothing.

Then, in a quiet voice."I did have fun. But it's best for you that I end this."

Kira's scream drowned her out. She didn't hear. She only pushed harder, throwing every ounce of her body into the storm.

Akio shifted. Just one punch. One arm is pulling back. The air bent around her fist, heat shimmering in its wake.

She released.

The blow connected.

BOOOOM.

The sound cracked the chamber wide open. Air rippled outward in a shockwave that rattled the arena, glass shattering in the stands. Kira's body flew like a ragdoll, slamming into the far wall with a crunch that made even seasoned fighters flinch.

"KIRA!!" Aruther's voice split the air. He bolted forward, but the referee raised her arm.

The smoke cleared, revealing Kira crumpled on the ground, body trembling too much to rise.

The referee's voice was cold, decisive.

"MATCH OVER!"

Milly's hands clenched the railing. She wanted to jump down, but her body ached too much. Aruther and Isak dropped to the arena, rushing to Kira's side.

"Kira! Are you okay?!"

She didn't smile. She didn't reply right away. Just glared at the ground, voice bitter. "All this time… She was holding that much back."

Isak crouched, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Don't beat yourself up. You actually landed a hit. That's more than most can say."

"Indeed," came a voice.

Akio approached, calm as ever. Her hair now loose, pink strands swaying. Her skin gleamed without a single bead of sweat. Her breathing steady. As if she hadn't even tried.

Her grin softened as she looked down at Kira. "You made me use fifty per cent of my strength. That's impressive. You're tough, Mizuno. I can't wait to see what you become."

Kira's eyes flickered wide. Then, despite her frustration, her lips curved faintly. There was warmth in Akio's tone, an older sister's presence, a strange calm. Her anger cooled.

"I… Thank you for the fight, Miss Akio."

Akio reached out and ruffled her hair gently. "And I thank you for the fight too."

The rest of the squad murmured in awe, the image etched into their memory, the Supreme Commander showing respect to a rookie.

"Miss Akio," Isak spoke up. "If you don't mind, I'll take my crew to medical."

"Yes, of course. I'll visit them later."

With one easy leap, Akio sprang from the ground, landing atop the ledge to confer with the referee.

Isak and Aruther carefully lifted Kira, her body aching but her spirit burning hotter than before.

"Let's get you patched up," Aruther said.

Kira just nodded, her eyes drifting once more toward Akio.

I landed a hit. That's a start.

And with that, the practice fights ended.

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