Begin!

As the duo entered the arena, a sea of heads gazed down upon them from the stands. A cacophony of voices whispered in anticipation, the students gathered to witness a tournament of the ages.

Akira's brow furrowed in confusion; he had expected a simple tournament, not a whole event that attracted crowds. However, his determination remained unwavering. Beside him, Zero exuded an aura of confidence and evil, a vouch for his prowess.

With a nod from the instructor, the field was set. The arena stretched before them. The pair stood poised, like dolls.

The instructor's voice soared across the arena, reaching the ears of both fighters. "Gentlemen, you have the opportunity to choose your weapons."

Zero's eyes gleamed with intrigue, his choice evident. He inputed a few words in a search and a large red scythe materialized—a Grade 2 weapon with an eerie aura.

On the other side, Akira's shook his head, a hint of a smirk reaching his lips. His decision was clear—he didn't need a weapon he planned to do this with his own body, infused with the newfound power of the Nexus Point crystal.

The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, capturing the attention of the spectators. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have a spectacle here. In the blue corner, we have Zero, a master of shadow and the unknown!"

Applause and cheers echoed as Zero acknowledged the crowd with a nod, the shadows around him coiling and bowing like loyal allies.

"And in the red corner," the announcer continued, "we have Akira, a top ranker, with one of the highest physical stats we've seen here at Eden. I'm not surprised he refuses a weapon!"

Whispers of intrigue rippled through the stands at the mention of Akira's achievements.

"Let the battle commence!" The announcer's voice cut through the air, and the countdown began.

Three... Two... One...

The arena erupted with anticipation, shadows warping, and stances shifting. Akira and Zero exchanged a steady gaze. Ready to battle.