Unfortunately, some things don't bend to sheer willpower.
Kugisaki Nobara had determination and endurance in spades, but against Kagurazaka Asuna, who was her natural counter, she was still outmatched.
Especially when her furious onslaught caused her to lose composure.
"An opening!"
Asuna seized the moment, delivering a flying kick straight to Nobara's head, sending her sprawling across the arena.
Before Nobara could recover, Asuna had the Demon-Breaking Sword poised at her throat. No matter how unwilling Nobara was to admit defeat, she had no choice but to concede.
She knew Asuna likely wouldn't decapitate her.
But a loss was a loss, and Nobara wasn't the type to deny it.
Storming back to the stands, she didn't hesitate to land a punch on Itadori Yuji's stomach.
Then she plopped onto a chair, crossed her legs, and stewed in silence.
The others didn't dare disturb her in that mood.
Fushiguro Megumi spoke up, "Do you need me to go next?"
Gojo Satoru shook his head. "Your abilities would be countered by her too. Better let Yuji take this one."
Without a word, Itadori Yuji leapt from the stands.
Though the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji was perhaps the least protagonist-like of protagonists.
Still, as the main character, he had undeniable strength.
"Sorry about this."
With a quick apology to Asuna, Yuji unleashed his full power, charging at her in a blur and throwing a devastating punch.
As a sorcerer, Yuji wasn't one for flashy spells.
His forte was hand-to-hand combat.
But with cursed energy amplifying his strikes, his fighting style was ferocious.
In a way, he was something of a counter to Asuna.
She hurriedly raised her Demon-Breaking Sword to block, but the force pushed her back several steps, her arms tingling from the impact.
This guy's strength is insane, Asuna thought.
Meanwhile, from the stands, Evangeline spoke up, "Have Asuna come back. She's no match for that blockhead."
In terms of raw power and combat skill, Asuna was outclassed by Yuji.
Her anti-magic abilities were useless here, leaving her with no chance of victory.
Rather than letting her take a beating, it was better to concede now and avoid injury.
Hearing this, Negi quickly signaled for Asuna to forfeit. Thankfully, she wasn't stubborn and promptly agreed, retreating from the arena to the stands.
Evangeline, with a sly grin, said, "Ku Fei, you're up."
Ku Fei didn't hesitate, leaping into the arena.
"Ku Fei, please advise!"
"Oh, uh, please advise!" Yuji responded with a bow.
Ku Fei, one of the martial artist in Negi's class and head of the martial arts research club, had exceptional athletic ability.
Skilled in various martial techniques, she had even served as Negi's martial arts instructor later in the story.
So, facing Yuji, who was also a hand-to-hand fighter, she showed no fear.
The two immediately clashed in a flurry of blows.
Morpheus, watching from the stands, couldn't help but feel a bit underwhelmed. While Ku Fei and Yuji's fight was impressive, it paled in comparison to the bouts between true martial arts masters.
They were, after all, just students—not much of a spectacle in the grand scheme.
What Morpheus was really looking forward to was the inevitable clash between Gojo Satoru and Evangeline.
Those two were among the top-tier fighters in the entire tournament, and their battle was sure to be a sight to behold.
But he knew neither would take the stage until the very end.
So, with patience, he kept watching.
Ku Fei might not match Yuji's raw strength, but her superior martial techniques left him battered and bruised, securing her victory in short order.
Next, Fushiguro Megumi stepped up to face Ku Fei.
But instead of continuing, Ku Fei withdrew, yielding the arena to Chachamaru.
Upon entering, Chachamaru immediately deployed her orbital cannon, firing several shots that sent Fushiguro scrambling.
Using artillery in a fight? Now that was unfair.
Fushiguro retreated, utterly dumbfounded.
Who could've predicted that in a battle of superhuman abilities, someone would whip out an orbital cannon?
Talk about ridiculous.
Gojo, on the other hand, burst out laughing. "This match is getting interesting!"
Nanami Kento's eyes flickered as he turned to Gojo. "You're not seriously thinking of sending me out there next, are you? I refuse."
Before Gojo could respond, Nanami shook his head firmly. He had no intention of fighting a robot armed with an orbital cannon.
That was a death sentence.
Seeing this, Gojo sighed and stood up. "Guess it's my turn then."
In a flash, he appeared in the arena.
Chachamaru aimed her cannon at Gojo.
But at that moment, Evangeline's voice rang out, "Come back, Chachamaru. You're no match for that guy."
Chachamaru promptly stowed her cannon and returned to the stands.
Gojo looked up at Evangeline with a grin. "What, not gonna take me on yourself? Your students don't stand a chance against me."
Evangeline smirked wickedly, grabbing Negi by the collar and tossing him into the arena. "Talk big after you deal with my apprentice."
Negi, flung into the arena, quickly scrambled to his feet and gave Gojo a respectful bow.
"I'm Negi Springfield. Please advise."
"..."
Asuna, Chachamaru, and the others could at least pass as high schoolers.
But this Negi kid? No matter how you looked at him, he was an elementary schooler.
A teacher like Gojo fighting a grade-schooler?
Was this for real? How embarrassing would that be?
Yet, at that moment, Negi began chanting a spell.
Gojo didn't interrupt, instead watching with keen interest, curious to see what kind of magic the kid would unleash.
As the incantation concluded, bolts of lightning crackled from Negi's palms.
"Lightning magic, huh?" Gojo remarked, raising two fingers in preparation to end things quickly.
But then, something unexpected happened.
Instead of directing the lightning at Gojo, Negi forcibly absorbed the spell into his own body.
The sight shocked everyone watching—except for Evangeline and Morpheus.
Morpheus recognized it instantly.
This was none other than Evangeline's Magia Erebea.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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