The Inter-School Martial Contest had become more than a tournament—it was a media sensation.
Every fight was dissected, analyzed, and debated across social platforms. Holo-vloggers uploaded breakdowns of combat strategies, influencers speculated on the tournament's political implications, and underground betting rings placed their odds on who would walk away victorious.
And at the center of it all—Ash Atsuyuki.
The Legend of Ash
"So, let's talk about the wildcard, guys!" a famous combat analyst, Hina X, beamed at her audience through a livestream. "Ash Atsuyuki has already taken down Renshiro Takeda AND Izanami Kuro. We're talking about a guy who was barely even on the radar before this!"
Another panelist, Juno Kai, shook his head. "He's reckless. His style isn't sustainable at the highest level. Against an opponent like Lucien Valmont or Damian Voss? He won't last."
"Oh, please," a third commentator, Takumi Sato, scoffed. "You said the same thing before his last fight. The guy adapts. He fights like he's in a real war. That makes him unpredictable."
Meanwhile, fan communities exploded.
A newly formed Shirogiri Revival Fan Club was gaining traction, its members sharing clips of Ash's fights, debating his techniques, and even designing custom insignias inspired by the fallen clan. #AshVsTheWorld trended across multiple networks.
And while Ash paid little attention to it, his name was now everywhere.
The Next Opponent
Titan Coliseum was at full capacity as Ash's next fight was announced. The holo-displays flickered with the names:
ASH ATSUYUKI (Nova Helix Academy) vs. DAMIEN VOSS (Ares Academy)
The cheers turned to excited murmurs. This wasn't just a match—it was brutality versus survival.
Damien Voss was the strongest physical combatant in the tournament. Augmented with high-grade military cybernetics, he was a walking war machine. His previous fights had been short, decisive displays of sheer overwhelming power.
Ash rolled his shoulders as he stepped onto the battlefield. The simulation changed. The arena became a ruined industrial cityscape, with broken structures and scattered debris—a battlefield.
Across from him, Damien Voss emerged. Seven feet of muscle and reinforced alloys. His eyes gleamed red with combat-enhancing optics, his stance casual but exuding dominance.
"You've done well so far," Damien rumbled. "But this is where it ends."
Ash smirked. "You talk like I haven't heard that before."
The gong rang.
The Monster vs. The Strategist
Damien moved first—and he was faster than he looked.
Ash barely dodged as a cybernetic fist tore through a concrete pillar behind him, shattering it into dust. He couldn't block that. A direct hit would end the fight instantly.
Ash adapted. Speed over strength. Agility over endurance. He darted between the wreckage, using the environment to stay out of reach. Damien pursued, his footfalls cracking the ground beneath him.
The crowd watched, anticipation rising.
"RUNNING WON'T HELP!" Damien roared, launching himself forward.
Ash had expected this.
He suddenly stopped, twisting mid-step. Damien's charge missed by inches, his momentum sending him crashing into a wall. A crack formed in his plating.
Ash grinned. "Not so indestructible, huh?"
Damien growled. "I'LL TEAR YOU APART."
Taming the Monster
Ash knew one thing: Machines follow programming. Humans break patterns.
He had been reading Damien's movements, spotting slight delays in his cybernetics—tiny windows where the enhancements adjusted. That was the weakness.
The next time Damien swung, Ash exploited it.
He ducked low, delivering a precise kick to Damien's knee joint. A sharp metallic screech rang out as the cybernetic limb locked up for a fraction of a second.
That was all Ash needed.
He struck.
A blade flashed—cutting through the exposed plating. Damien stumbled, his movements slowing as his enhancements struggled to compensate.
Ash didn't let up. He pressed the attack, striking at every weak point—the joints, the exposed circuits, the places where flesh met machine.
Damien let out a roar of frustration, but it was already over.
Ash drove his knee into Damien's chest, forcing him to the ground.
The gong rang. Victory: Ash Atsuyuki.
The Aftermath
The crowd was stunned.
Damien Voss—the unstoppable force—had been tactically dismantled.
In the silence, a slow chant began.
"Ash. Ash. Ash."
The fan club was growing. The legend was building.
But Ash barely acknowledged it. He looked up at the bracket display.
One more fight before the finals.
And waiting for him—Lucien Valmont.