RIVALS

# 🎴 Episode 5: “Rivals”

Night covered Binder Academy in silence.

Most students were asleep.

But in the outdoor combat arena—

Two Vein users stood facing each other.

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Kaien Ryuu.

Ren Takashi.

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The cold wind moved between them.

Neither looked away.

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“…Last chance to back out,” Ren said casually.

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Kaien rolled his shoulders.

“…You talk too much.”

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Ren grinned.

“…Good answer.”

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High above the arena balcony—

Airi watched with crossed arms.

Beside her stood Master Veyl.

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“…Should we stop this?” Airi asked.

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“…No,” Veyl replied calmly.

“…This is necessary.”

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Below—

The arena barrier activated.

A low hum filled the air.

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“Match start.”

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The second the announcement ended—

Ren vanished.

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Fast.

Too fast.

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Kaien barely reacted before—

BOOM.

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A punch slammed into his guard, forcing him backward across the arena floor.

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“…Damn,” Kaien muttered.

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Ren didn’t stop.

Another strike.

Then another.

Precise. Aggressive. Relentless.

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Kaien blocked what he could, but Ren’s speed was overwhelming.

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“You’re hesitating,” Ren said mid-attack.

“…That power of yours means nothing if you’re scared of it.”

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Kaien countered with a punch—

Ren dodged instantly.

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“…And your movements are predictable.”

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A kick slammed into Kaien’s side.

He crashed into the barrier wall.

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Above, students had started gathering.

Watching.

Whispering.

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“That’s the new guy?”

“He’s getting destroyed…”

“Ren’s too strong.”

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Kaien stood slowly.

Breathing harder now.

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Ren pointed at him.

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“…Use it.”

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Silence.

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“…Or lose.”

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Kaien clenched his fist.

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*If I use Broken Vein…*

*What if I lose control again?*

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Ren rushed forward again.

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This time—

Kaien reacted.

Barely.

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Their fists collided.

Shockwaves burst outward.

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Ren smirked.

“…Better.”

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But then—

He accelerated.

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A burst of Pulse Vein energy exploded around him like lightning.

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Kaien’s eyes widened.

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Ren appeared behind him instantly—

And slammed him into the ground.

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CRACK.

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The arena floor shattered.

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“…Kaien!” Airi shouted.

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Dust rose into the air.

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For a moment—

Silence.

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Then—

A pulse of red energy erupted from within the smoke.

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The atmosphere changed instantly.

Heavy.

Violent.

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Ren smiled slowly.

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“…There you are.”

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Kaien stepped out of the dust.

One glowing red eye staring directly at Ren.

Vein marks spreading across his arm.

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But this time—

He was calm.

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“…I won’t lose control,” Kaien said quietly.

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Ren lowered his stance.

Excited.

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“…Prove it.”

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They moved at the same time.

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BOOM.

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Their clash shook the arena.

Red and blue energy collided violently.

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Kaien struck harder now.

Faster.

More instinctive.

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Ren laughed during the exchange.

“…Now THIS is a fight!”

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Punches.

Kicks.

Energy bursts.

The arena cracked more with every collision.

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Kaien ducked under Ren’s strike and landed a hit directly into his stomach.

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Ren slid backward—

Then grinned wider.

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“…You’re adapting.”

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Kaien breathed steadily.

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For the first time—

The power inside him wasn’t overwhelming him.

He was flowing with it.

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But then—

The voice returned.

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*“…More…”*

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Kaien’s expression twitched.

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*“…Take more…”*

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The red energy around him intensified.

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Airi noticed immediately.

“…No…”

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Ren rushed in again—

But this time, Kaien caught his arm.

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Instantly—

Ren felt it.

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His energy being pulled away.

Absorbed.

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“…What the—?!”

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Kaien’s eyes widened too.

He immediately let go.

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Ren jumped back.

Looking at his arm seriously now.

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“…So that’s your real ability…”

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Kaien stared at his own hand.

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*I absorbed his Vein…*

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The voice laughed softly inside him.

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*“…See?”*

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*“…You were made for this.”*

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Kaien grabbed his head briefly.

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“…Shut up…”

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Ren frowned.

“…What?”

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Suddenly—

The arena lights flickered.

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Master Veyl’s expression changed instantly.

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“…Everyone back.”

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Airi looked up sharply.

“…Wait…”

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A massive pressure descended over the academy.

Dark.

Cold.

Wrong.

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Students froze.

Some collapsed instantly.

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Then—

A black crack appeared in the center of the arena sky.

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Silence fell.

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From the crack—

A figure slowly descended.

Wearing a dark mask.

Long black coat moving with the wind.

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The pressure alone felt monstrous.

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“…A member of the Null Court…” Airi whispered.

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The figure landed softly.

Looking around casually.

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Then—

Its gaze stopped on Kaien.

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“…So it’s true,” the figure said.

“…The Broken Vein user exists.”

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Kaien felt his body tense instantly.

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Master Veyl stepped forward.

Energy rising around him.

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“…Leave,” Veyl said coldly.

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The masked figure chuckled.

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“…Not yet.”

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Its eyes remained locked onto Kaien.

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“…We’ve been searching for you…”

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A pause.

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“…Kaien Ryuu.”

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Kaien’s breath stopped.

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“…How do you know my name?”

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The figure tilted its head slightly.

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“…Because your existence was supposed to disappear.”

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The entire arena went silent.

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“…But somehow…”

The figure smiled beneath the mask.

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“…you survived.”

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# 🔥 End of Episode 5

TO BE CONTINUED....

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