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Chapter 13: Face-Off

"Begin!" The crowd's cheers ceased as the entire class tensed.

"Alter!" What did Tomoe want now? He slid his eyes up to the stands. Tomoe's hands were cupped by her mouth to amplify her voice. It was unnecessary since he could perfectly hear her with how quiet the room was. She must have known that, so why? "Don't get your butt kicked and embarrass the team, so please be sure to try this time. Also, watch out."

Alter didn't have time to ponder her words as a shadow descended upon him. Yatsuhashi delivered a full force two-handed swing with Fulcrum; the impact whipped up a massive dust cloud. The opening attack was so fast and brutal that most believed the duel to be over. Even Ms. Goodwitch had a look of concern as she prepared to call the match as well as the nurse.

"Atta' boy Yats! A one-hit KO! Coco sent a condescending grin to SUR and CIAN, "See that? There wasn't any doubt as to who the winner would be, but even I didn't expect it to be over this quickly. Maybe you shouldn't have distracted your leader like that; he probably would've put up more of a fight. Though, I guess it's better than watching your friend get rag-dolled...huh?" Coco paused; the two teams she'd been addressing didn't acknowledge her. Their eyes were still intently focused on the dust surrounding the two fighters. "What's their deal? I understand they're worried about their friend, but he should be ok if anything a bit roughed up. Anyway, let's chalk this up to another win for Team CFVY."

"I wouldn't be so sure." Coco and Velvet, who had been keeping quiet, glanced at their even more silent teammate.

"What do you mean, Fox?"

"This isn't over."

From out, the smoke Alter jumped back, expressing unchanged and completely unscathed. The dust was dispelled as Yatsuhashi swept Fulcrum to the side, revealing shattered ground from where his attack struck. The teen's eyes narrowed at his white-haired opponent. 'He shifted his body away at the last second.' Yatsuhashi was impressed that Alter was able to dodge after his attention was diverted, he'd never shown reflexes like that before, so it was a surprise to almost everyone.

The green giant grunted and charged with a speed that didn't match his size. Alter didn't make to counter Yatsuhashi's advance. His eyes tracked as the massive blade instead. He ducked away from the first strike and leaned away from the follow-up. The larger teen continued the assault, hacking and slashing, but Alter avoided every one leading them further to the edge of the ring. His foe hadn't caught on to his plan yet; when Yatsuhashi launched a horizontal strike Alter jumped over him, landing in the center of the ring. The audience gasped as an overextended Yatsuhashi lost his balance. He wobbled precariously for a moment before stabbing Fulcrum into the side of the stage, stabilizing himself. So much for that strategy. Yatsuhashi turned, ripping his out with a glare, not pleased with falling for such a trick and almost losing in a humiliating fashion.

"I'm fortunate, Coco would never let me live it down if I'd lost like that. I won't be fooled again."

He was right that plan would only work once, and Alter didn't know what else he could do? Yatsuhashi's weapon was just a sword; he'd have to outright break the thing since it couldn't jam like a mecha shift one. Disarming him was a no-go too. Alter was trying not to stand out, pulling that off against a powerful student like his opponent would draw attention. 'Should I just lose then?' He squashed that thought; Tomoe wanted him to not only fight but win. Holding back was a lot harder than he expected.

"Alter!" Abby warned.

"CLANG."

"But how?" A stunned Yatsuhashi whispered. Fulcrum struggled against Overlight, the large sword quivered as the taller student applied more pressure. The black blade refused to budge, however, and so did its owner.

"Hah, Yats will snap that sword like a toothpick!" Coco proclaimed.

"Size doesn't always matter," Tomoe countered.

Alter gazed down as the ground began to form web-like cracks. The ring would collapse beneath his feet soon. He sighed to himself, 'Guess I have to.' Pushing Yatsuhashi's sword away, Alter brought Overlight up and swung it across his body. The other teenager quickly brought the flat side of his weapon up. An intense blast of air exploded from the impact. Professor Goodwitch and the spectators had to cover their faces. Yatsuhashi was forced back, losing his footing in the process.

'Incredible! What power,' Glynda thought. The crowd began to murmur and point at the screen displaying the combatant's aura meters. Alter's was still full, but Yatsuhashi's had dropped to ninety-two percent. 'That's absurd neither one of them has landed a blow. Was, was that really the result from the force of Mr. Starverse's swing?'

'Looks like I overdid it a bit.' Alter rushed toward the sturdy swordsman didn't falter as their blades crossed in a furious exchange of attacks. They were bathed in a shower of sparks as they fought to find a hole in each other's guard. Yatsuhashi pulled away, suddenly creating a sizable distance between them. He lifted Fulcrum with both hands and slammed it into the ground, demolishing the stage and sending a surge of debris aimed at Alter. He leaped into the air, but the green giant anticipated this and grabbed his right ankle. The oversized swung in from Alter's left, and he bent his body backward, watching it pass inches from his nose. Alter kicked up with his left leg free, striking Yatsuhashi underneath the chin, causing him to relinquish his hold. The muscular teen stumbled away momentarily dazed while Alter backflipped into a landing.

"You're a lot better than you let on. Your teammate's words hold some truth. With that being said, at your level, you can't beat me."

"Are you sure about that? Get ready; my next attack will be the last." Alter lunged in crossing the distance in an instant, he thrust Overlight straight at Yatsuhashi's chest. At the last possible second, his opponent caught the black blade. Yatsuhashi raised Fulcrum roaring in his perceived triumph and slashed it downward. Alter slid his left foot, knocking it against the bigger teen's. Yatsuhashi lost his balance and fell backward. As the giant fell, Alter pulled his weapon away, sparking against his foe's aura. Spinning around in time for Yatsuhashi to hit the ground, he pointed Overlight at the downed member of CFVY's face and planted his foot on Fulcrum. Alter didn't have to ask him to say it.

"I...concede."

"Yatsuhashi Daichi has conceded. Therefore the victor is Alter Starverse."

Next Chapter Jan, 23rd