Chapter 14

One week later.

The school was abuzz with the duel about to go down.

Ryoto was with the principal off to the side as the students he assisted came forward, but there was a look on their faces. "What the hell did you do in a week?" Principal Kashimo whispered to him.

He smirked. He didn't do anything special. He merely listened and helped them refine their techniques. For it turns out, the five before him are very capable and also very well in tune to each other.

Each one had their faults, however with training and practice, they are now a formidable team. "If anything sir, this is nothing short of hard work on their end. The five had different issues with their technique but have since sorted it out. I merely guided them as to how to use it, it was them who came up with the game plan of attack… just wait and see." Ryoto said proudly.

"I am already looking forward to it, I already knew something was up when Emerald started talking complete sentences without a stutter."

Waiting across the stadium from them were Jade and four other sorcerers. Just by the looks of them. They appeared to be family. "See, I told you, they bought the little piece of shit!" Jade said as the others laughed.

"I find it is rather interesting that not a single student is backing him…" Ryoto said offhandedly.

Kashimo smirked. "That's because of Kiyoshi," he explained. The day the challenge was issued, he went to Kiyoshi first stating he was to be on his team, he was refused. It doesn't help he was still trying to insult Kiyoshi for using snow and believed that was the only part of his technique. Since then, Jade has been told that he is more than welcome to try and prove his strength again. But he hasn't taken him up on it. But, since Kiyoshi refused, all other students refused too.

"Something about that kid gives everyone strength, don't you agree?" Kashimo asked of him.

Ryoto smiled and nodded. "I don't doubt it the least bit"

As the family jeered at their opponents, Nova turned back to Ryoto who smiled and gave the thumbs up to them. He also mouthed 'Go all out'.

Nova nodded back.

He saw Nova peer off to the side, but then a simultaneous nod came from the others. It appears their telepathic connection is in working order.

That alone took most of the week to perfect.

In Ryoto's mind, this was a done contest. Those on Jade's team all had a very similar energy, meaning they technique is just like Emerald's which involves chanting. That in itself has flaws, but, does his family have a way around said flaw? That's what Ryoto wanted to see first hand.

Kashimo stepped forward, ever student was pulled out of class for this as he announced the contest and reasoning for it. "It has been shown that SOME sorcerers around here believe they are able to call shots around those younger than themselves and those who have yet to develop their technique, as such, I felt it was necessary to step in. I have entrusted five students with Ryoto… the one student who I have been training personally. As such, if you are aware of Ryoto and his abilities, one should wonder how he uses them to help those who are not on his level."

Ryoto thought that was a little over the top, but it wasn't a lie either. No one in this room besides Kiyoshi is on his level… granted, Kiyoshi is beyond his ability but it's merely the principal of the matter.

"So Students, are you ready?" Kashimo asked.

"YES SENSEI!" they called back confidently… all but the one with the curse tongue.

"Jade and his crew, are you ready?"

"We'll make this fast." Jade said in a snide tone.

"Yeah, we'll see…" Kashimo said offhandedly. "STUDENTS, BEGIN!"

Ryoto watched on proudly as they took formation. Lee kept to the back, Emerald was in the middle as Yor and Miko took the front but were backed by Nova.

Jade was acting arrogant along with his family. From what Ryoto read, these were cousins and an elder brother. They were clearly in their twenties or so, and yet… Ryoto didn't see the threat about them.

After all, all five of them made their move.

Then, Jade began to speak louder, announcing his intentions aloud. For that is the family ability is to chant rather fast, almost like a rap if he were to compare it to. Their whole technique hinges on the chant, and it has to be done without interruption. Which also may explain why the council never had the family on the radar… but perhaps this battle will finally prove their short comings.

"BURP!" shouted Miko, and Jade suddenly burped!

At the same time, he was lashed against the wall, the drawback if they are interrupted when chanting is the backlash. It stuck the other members too as the sudden strike forced them to stop their chant as well. They suffered a minor backlash but nothing more.

Ryoto learned that Miko's curse speech hinders on actions from her victim's body. She can't tell them to die or anything powerful like that. However, if she tells you to burp, you will. But Ryoto pushed her on that motion. She now can target a member of the opposite team and project her energy to that one person without affecting her teammates. If they are in her line of sight, they will get hit but not as hard unless targeted. As some clans found this useless, Ryoto saw merit.

Jade's team was distracted by that alone, which brought in Nova and Yor.

Yor moved effortlessly between them, all the while avoiding Nova, but just her running past them, they felt the cuts against their bodies, the uncomfortable sensation scraping across exposed flesh is not a sensation that can be ignored or overlooked. When she landed a strike, it was double impact since her curse energy was cutting them up and then the physical blow they were not expecting. Yor has a special kickback to her curse energy, since it sharpens the outside of her body, it also enforces and strengthens hers. Increasing her strength and stamina, she could go on a while merely running around and taking potshots.

However, Jade's team was quick to try and counter, some had already regrouped, but despite their efforts, they are in the crosshairs of Lee. Who knows where everyone is in the battle.

"NOW" Shouted Lee.

Nova smirked as he went in between the sorcerers caught off guard. "SUMMON!" he slammed the ground with a single hand while inflicting a wound on his finger, the blood was the trigger needed and he summoned a powerful shikigami! It was a rather strange looking thing, almost resembling a curse than anything else, but it was a strong warrior with hand to hand combat skills.

'His family technique is summoning; however they can only summon fallen warriors not necessary sorcerers. Yet the benefit to that is their summons is over looked. What the others see us merely a curse or undead summons… is still made by curse energy. They will harm and can kill a sorcerer if their strike is true' Ryoto remembered going over that method time and time again with Nova. His family before could summon warriors of the past but they would appear alive and intact. Not undead like these, but if anything it's a step in the right direction. Nova just has to keep his energy up and improve its container of it.

Jade had shaken off the blow; he was pissed now and took aim at Emerald. No one noticed how fast his hands were moving, in fact, it's how he stays focus and on task. Ryoto taught him this after watching an anime called Naruto. They used hand symbols as a form of chanting, it also coincides with verbal chanting, however, when using hands, one can be faster than speaking. As well…

Emerald has been making symbols ever since they called for the contest to start. His hands just stopped moving as Jade came in charging. Yet Jade was cut off, struck from the side by a humanoid serpent shikigami!

"I'm greatly confused…" Kashimo whispered to Ryoto. "Who… and yet…"

"I can explain later, but they are still fighting…"

Lee suddenly made a move as he slammed his hand to the ground. "Terrain alteration!" he called. That was also part of his technique, he was only used for scoping and spying out locations to let those around him know how many are there and power level… none of them considered that an extension of his ability is to use the terrain itself. No one taught him and he never considered it until Ryoto brought it to his attention. That alone got a boost from Emerald who was using his vocal chanting to boost Lee.

The ground suddenly became slick, no one could get a grip but Ryoto's team. After all, Emerald's silent chant was boosting Yor's power, she then channeled her technique to the feet of her teammates who have abrasion casted on, therefore they have friction and traction.

Jade's family on the other hand look like they were slipping and sliding around.

"Finish this" Ryoto said rather bluntly.

They smiled. Yor, Miko, Nova and Emerald went in, they struck hard and fast as Emerald's brother kept Lee safe. The other shikigami was used to just throw Jade's family off guard, and yet, Ryoto found it strange they have yet to land a strike let alone attempt anything.

Jade's team hit the ground as Ryoto's retreated. They stood at the ready but found that the other side couldn't get to their feet anymore.

"This is rather pathetic for you guys, just call it now" Ryoto called.

The stadium chanted. "Call it! Call it! Call it!"

Kashimo sighed as he stepped in and ended the fight.

"WHAT!? WE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE!" Jade's family protested.

"Then think before you speak, asshole!" Ryoto snapped back. He came forward and stared down Jade and his family. "YOU'RE the one who opened his big mouth and decided to pick a fight. YOU chose THIS FIGHT, and those who fell with you… YOU CHOSE TO FIGHT NEXT TO HIM!" he roared.

The group was stunned as they fell silent to his words. "What Ryoto said is true, you picked this fight, therefore accept the loss you have taken. At the same time, Jade, you are warned here and now. Pull this again… you face him next" Kashimo warned as he hooked his thumb to Ryoto.

Jade sneered, so did the family, but there is no arguing a contest when they didn't do anything at all.

"Just some advice here… you main technique is chanting… learn some hand to hand combat or you will be taken out by your own words." Ryoto said bluntly. 'Damn I am starting to sound more like my dad…' he thought.

The contest was over, the students cleared out and yet, Ryoto was still in the stadium with sensei Kashimo. His teacher looked rather… perplexed but then sighed aloud. "Ryoto…" he said.

"Sir?"

"I want you to call your parents… I would like to meet with them as soon as possible." He said bluntly.

For the first time in a while, Ryoto felt fear festering in his stomach.