Smoke still floated over the ruined Soul Court when the sirens finally died.
Students whispered. Riku was still on one knee, panting, shirt torn, violet aura flickering like a dying flame.
"Still alive," he muttered. "Good start to the semester."
Lira appeared beside him, arms crossed, face unreadable. "You created a divine resonance, broke five safety seals, and nearly vaporized the referee. You call that a start?"
He grinned. "A memorable one."
She rolled her eyes. "Idiot."
Before he could reply, a shadow dropped from the upper balcony — landing hard enough to shake the court. It was a boy in a black jacket, red streaks in his hair, spirit energy burning crimson.
Students gasped. "That's Ren Vail! Captain of the top-ranked team — Crimson Division!"
Ren's sharp eyes locked onto Riku. "You're the new kid who drew with Kaori Blaze?"
"Depends," Riku said. "You looking for an autograph?"
Ren's smirk didn't reach his eyes. "No. I'm looking for a challenge."
The air tensed.
Lira sighed. "You're still half-dead."
Riku shrugged. "Guess I'll die stylishly."
Ren snapped his fingers — and a wave of heat burst across the court. Behind him appeared his spirit — a giant red serpent coiled in flames, scales gleaming like molten metal.
"Spirit Name: Vulkrath," Ren said. "Level 6 bond."
Lira's expression darkened. "Level six? He's leagues above you!"
"Guess I'll have to jump leagues," Riku muttered.
The crowd backed away, sensing the fight that was about to erupt. The broken court shimmered, auto-repairing with glowing runes.
"Unofficial match," Ren said. "First to three shots."
"Deal."
Before the countdown even began, Ren vanished. His serpent's aura slithered around the court, a blur of fire and speed. Riku's reflexes barely caught up — he spun, blocking with a phantom barrier just as Ren's shot exploded against it.
BOOM!
The impact blasted Riku backward. He skidded across the floor, coughing smoke.
"Point one," Ren said, catching the rebound without looking.
Lira hissed, "You can't brute-force him! Use rhythm!"
Riku nodded, eyes sharp now. "Right."
He took the ball, exhaled once — then moved.
This time his steps were lighter, smoother, unpredictable. The phantom afterimages from his resonance returned, gliding around him in mirrored motion.
Ren's serpent lunged — but the shadows dodged, confusing it.
Riku feinted left, spun midair, and released a curve shot that bent around Ren like it had a mind of its own.
SWOOSH!
It slammed into the soul hoop with a crack of violet light.
"Point one-one."
The crowd roared.
Ren's smirk faded. "Lucky shot."
"Skill issue," Riku said.
Ren's eyes flared red. "You're dead."
He raised his hand — Vulkrath hissed, forming fire spheres above the court. They multiplied — ten, twenty — each glowing like a miniature sun.
Riku blinked. "That's… new."
Lira's tone sharpened. "Don't block. Jump!"
The fireballs rained down — explosions ripping across the floor like thunder. Riku darted between them, his body barely visible in the chaos. The heat melted the edge of his shadow barrier; sweat rolled down his cheek.
"Too slow!" Ren shouted, appearing behind him with a burst of flame.
"Too obvious," Riku replied, spinning backward.
His foot swept the floor — a violet pulse shooting upward. Phantom chains burst from the ground, wrapping Ren's arm mid-attack.
"What—?"
"Shadow Lock."
Riku leapt, twisting in the air, and spiked the glowing ball straight through the hoop.
"Point two-one, Phantom lead."
Lira grinned. "You're learning fast."
Riku smirked. "Street instincts never die."
Ren growled, tearing the chains apart. "Alright, no more playing around."
He pressed his palms together — the serpent behind him roared. The air warped, ground trembling. His spirit form fused with him, scales crawling across his skin, eyes burning crimson.
Lira's expression tightened. "He's using Overdrive Mode."
Riku cracked his knuckles. "Then I'll use mine."
He reached deep, into the core of his soul — into Lira.
Synchronize.
Their energies snapped together — shadow and violet light flaring. His hair lifted, eyes glowing pale purple. The phantom aura pulsed with power, making the whole court ripple.
Ren smirked. "Finally serious."
The next exchange was chaos — two blurs colliding midair, fire and shadow exploding every second. Each strike created shockwaves; each dodge left trails of energy burning the ground.
The audience could barely follow.
Ren's kick missed by inches — Riku spun beneath it, countered with a low shot. Ren blocked, grabbed the ball mid-flight, and hurled it back at lightning speed. Riku ducked, feeling the heat singe his hair.
The ball rebounded, Riku caught it — both of them launched at the same time.
BANG!
Midair collision. Fire and shadow exploded together — their energies spiraling upward like twin dragons clashing in the sky.
Riku gritted his teeth. "Lira—push it!"
She screamed in his mind, Fine! 100%!
The explosion that followed split the arena's barrier again.
Light blinded the crowd.
When the smoke cleared, Riku stood alone in the center, ball spinning slowly on his finger. His uniform was half burned, aura flickering, but his grin was unshaken.
Ren lay at the far end, still conscious but breathing hard. His serpent spirit had faded into embers.
Riku tossed the ball once, caught it, and said simply, "Game."
Score flared above: Phantom 3 | Crimson 1
The crowd erupted — shock, cheers, disbelief.
Ren pushed himself up, laughing softly. "Not bad, rookie. I actually felt that one."
Riku walked over, offering a hand. "You play rough."
Ren took it, smirking. "You play stupid. But you win. I respect that."
Vale appeared at the edge of the court, furious again. "You two are banned from any more matches this week! You're destroying half the academy!"
Riku looked at her with mock innocence. "Half? That's an improvement."
She facepalmed.
Lira floated beside him, muttering, "You're going to get expelled by next Tuesday."
Riku grinned. "Then I'll just win before that."
As Ren left, the announcer's voice echoed through the hall:
> "Attention students — due to recent events, the Spirit League Preseason begins tomorrow! All ranked players, report to the Grand Arena."
Riku's eyes widened. "Already?"
Lira smirked. "Guess your warm-ups are over."
He looked at his hands — faint violet sparks still dancing around them.
A thrill ran through his chest. "Then let's make some noise."
Above the court, unseen by all, a faint silhouette watched — a god's voice whispering through the heat.
The phantom awakens. Let the league begin.
To be continued...