Dimensional Eclipse – Chapter 9
The air crackled with tension as SHIROU and NOXY launched themselves at each other, attacking without mercy.
SHIROU's movements were a blur of lightning-like speed, delivering countless strikes from multiple directions. NOXY, however, braced behind his shield, somehow blocking every attack with precision.
NOXY (irritated, tense): "This… really is too fast."
SHIROU ( focused, determined): "Let's see how long you can handle my Lightning Rush."
NOXY (smirking arrogantly): "Alright, fine. Let me show you something too. Autonomous Aegis Projection: Shatter Wave"
Suddenly, a light image emerged from NOXY's shield, spreading in all directions. One streak of energy shot straight toward SHIROU.
SHIROU: "Thunder Fang Slash"
Gripping his daggers from the sides, SHIROU unleashed a powerful strike that collided with the incoming energy shield. A massive explosion erupted, and SHIROU burst through it, immediately targeting NOXY.
SHIROU: "Lightning Slash!"
He struck with immense power, blue energy radiating in all directions toward NOXY's autonomous shield. Yet, to his surprise, NOXY calmly blocked it using his shield.
NOXY (light purple aura glowing from his eyes, arrogantly): "Don't tell me that's all you've got. Come on, give me more strength!"
SHIROU (tension visible on his face, thinking ): "This isn't a D-level student… I can tell by his current power… he's at C-level now. did he level up himself before coming the rift exploration?"
SHIROU (frustrated, muttering): "Damn it… is all this just to defeat me? What exactly does he want from me?"
NOXY( taunting ): "Running out of tricks, huh? Hahaha!"
SHIROU (calm, thinking internally): "I'm currently mid-D level. Defeating a C-level opponent is almost impossible. What can I do in this situation?"
Suddenly, a memory from his past flashed before him.
A young, crying SHIROU was shown.
Mysterious Lady: "What's wrong, SHIROU? Why are you crying?"
Little SHIROU: "No one likes me. When I watch the other kids play, they don't even let me watch, and one of the boys always hits me.
Mysterious Lady: "So… you don't try to protect yourself?"
Little SHIROU (tearful): "He's older and stronger… how can I ever win against him?"
The lady, shrouded in black garments, sat close, only her mouth visible.
Mysterious Lady (smiling mysteriously): "Just because your opponent is stronger doesn't mean you're weak. Strength isn't everything. In a real fight, only the outcome matters. Always challenge yourself to your limits, because if you win in the end, that's enough. To survive in this cruel world, dominate those stronger than you only then will you reach new heights."
Present Time
SHIROU (resolute ): "Yes… just because someone's stronger doesn't mean they can defeat me. I have to gather my own power and find a way to win."
NOXY: "What are you thinking? If you have no tricks left, I'll finish this now."
NOXY( activating "Autonomous Shield – Third Form!): "Oblivion Bastion"
He slammed his shield into the ground, releasing massive energy into the earth.
NOXY: "SHIROU… you won't escape this. I just hope you stay alive."
SHIROU (determined): "Alright… time to try something new."
Energy surged from SHIROU, increasing rapidly.
SHIROU ( thinking to himself): "Ever since the Runes incident, I've constantly pushed myself to be stronger. Every night, alone, I meticulously manifested my aura within my body. I always pushed my powers to their absolute limits… and now, finally, the time has come. The time to break my limits. The time to level up."
SHIROU( smirking arrogantly)
NOXY (shocked, thinking): "Such a massive aura output!? Wait… is he leveling up? Dammit… I'm currently C-level. Even if he peaks at D-level, he still can't defeat me."
Suddenly, SHIROU threw his dual daggers in opposite directions. NOXY immediately focused his shield, preparing his final attack.
NOXY (shocked): "What… is he doing?"
The daggers began spinning rapidly, forming a massive circle around them. Blue energy radiated outward, the power around them intensifying.
NOXY (tense, angry): "Is he using another trick? Whatever it is, this time no trick will work."
NOXY (firm, desperate): " I can't lose here... I had promised him that I would get him treated."
Suddenly, a memory appears.
A younger NOXY sits beside a boy in a hospital bed and says:
NOXY (soft, resolute): "Brother, don't worry. I've got my admission back into the academy. I promise I will wake you up. Trust me."
NOXY (shouting, full of fury and determination): "That's why I can't lose here. SHIROU I will crushed you."
NOXY (activating): "Autonomous Shield – Final Form! Dominion
Core"
Purple energy flared from all directions. A brilliant light erupted from NOXY's shield, ready to unleash a devastating beam.
SHIROU (shouting, serious): "Then fine… Thunder Fang Slash""!"
The daggers surrounding him glowed fiercely, releasing destructive energy in all directions.
NOXY ( shocked, panicking) "Shit… what is this? I need to end this quickly!"
NOXY( firing): "Autonomous Aegis Judgment Ray!!!
A massive energy beam shot straight at SHIROU.
SHIROU: "Stormbreaker Surge"!"
He fused his lightning power with the daggers, releasing a colossal storm of energy throughout the circle. NOXY was hit with a devastating shock.
NOXY (screaming in pain, thinking): "Ahhh… such immense power…"
The beam almost struck SHIROU, but he immediately activated another move a risky, dangerous maneuver.
SHIROU (shouting with full energy and determination): "Volt Execution
The spinning daggers intercepted the beam.
SHIROU/NOXY( in full rage, shouting): "Finish this!"
A massive explosion erupts. Purple and blue energy radiates violently in all directions. The surrounding forest trees are uprooted, and the ground cracks open from beneath. Pressure surges outward in every direction. The force of the blast is so immense that even from afar, the Crimson Crystal Queen and the other students can feel the impact of the explosion.
After the dust settled:
Someone lies on the ground, completely exhausted, barely able to move
NOXY(In a weak, trembling voice):
Ah… di..did...I… lose?"
NOXY (weak smile): "yeah… maybe I have no power left."
Amid the destruction and smoke, he saw SHIROU standing before him.
NOXY (in a weak, heavy voice): "At last he did it but how? Defeating someone of a superior level is almost impossible, so how did he manage it? I was more powerful than him, I had better techniques, and I knew his weaknesses… but still I lost to him. Truly, this boy is something else. Maybe now I understand why they want to get him expelled from the academy."
SHIROU struggled to stand, pain coursing through his body.
SHIROU (breathing heavily): "I did it… I defeated him. I proved that being stronger isn't enough to defeat me. I've used all my energy… I have none left… but…"
Slowly, SHIROU began advancing toward NOXY, each step painful, yet resolute.
SHIROU: "Now tell me… why did you do all this? If you don't tell me, I'll break every bone in your body."
NOXY( thinking): "Should I tell him?… Well, there's no point hiding now."
NOXY: "Listen… actually… it was like this…"
Suddenly, a loud, powerful explosion echoed from a distance.
SHIROU: "What… was that?"
NOXY: "Maybe… an Aura Explosion."
SHIROU: "But who could have done that? That power… it's incredible."
NOXY (analytical, incredulous): "There isn't any student in Class C or D who can cause such a deadly explosion. And if a student did do it, then maybe they used some artifact — but even then, they must have staked everything on it. Whoever launched this attack would have had to put everything on the line, and after that strike their condition would have deteriorated."
SHIROU (thinking): "Seriously… why would they need such an enormous explosion?"
NOXY (thinking grimly): "This can only mean one thing there's someone in front of them they simply cannot defeat."
Teacher Bekiyon( furrowed his brows, glancing nervously at the others. Anxiety laced his voice): "Should we inform the authorities?"
TEACHER SIWO (urgent, authoritative): "We don't have time to inform the authorities right now. First, get all the students out of the rift. Besides, even if we notify the authorities, it will take them a long time to arrive we can't wait that long. For now we must handle this ourselves. I'll inform the authorities later."
Miss Lerry : "All S-class students have arrived."
Mayu (tilted her head, eyes wide with concern and curiosity): "Teacher, Miss LERRY has told us everything, but how did these Forbidden Runes activate? They're usually inactive."
Arnold (clenched his fists, impatience making his voice sharp): "Who's going to activate them? Let's go inside the Runes quickly."
Alina (rolled her eyes, biting her lip with worry): "Don't talk like an idiot, Arnold. If we could go in, I would have gone by now. After activation, a dimension wall has formed between the rift and the Runes. That place has now become a small separate dimension."
Arnold (ground his teeth, frustration clear in his voice): "Shit… is there no other way?"
Alina (tightened her shoulders, voice heavy with concern): "Right now, there's only one option: any one student who has the tag must activate it."
Meanwhile, in the rift, panic spread among the remaining students.
Joseph (shouted, eyes wide, hands trembling with fear and anger): "What the hell is happening here? Where is Team 1?"
Roman glared, aura flaring slightly as he tried to regain control of the panicking group. "I think something happened to Team 1. Whatever it is, the teacher has put me in charge now, so everyone, get out of the rift."
Jennifer( gripped Roman's arm, voice shaking, face pale): "What do you mean? Where are our friends? You were talking to the teacher, right? Tell us what happened."
The other students (murmured frantically, some on the verge of tears):
"Yes, we need to know. What's happening?!
I don't understand. Don't you think we should get out of here?
But what about Team 1? My friend was in that team."
Roman (slammed his fist lightly into his palm, aura flaring, his glare sharp and commanding): "Shut up! Our first priority right now is following the teachers' orders. Understood? Don't show your personal emotions here. Follow the Academy's instructions. For now, I am in charge."
Joseph (felt his aura flare in anger, teeth gritted, voice raw): "I said, tell us where our friends are!"
Roman (stepped closer, eyes narrowing dangerously): "Do you want to fight me here? Fine. If you don't go, I'll throw you out myself."
Jennifer (grabbed Joseph's hand, her voice firm but soothing): "Calm down, Joseph. The teacher said we need to get out of the rift for now."
Joseph ( hesitated, brows furrowed in worry): "But what about Fernando and Jessica?!"
Jennifer (placed a hand on his shoulder, eyes steady): "I understand your concern. I worry about them too, but we have to trust the teachers and the S-class students."
Jennifer gently guided Joseph out, and the other students followed, fear and uncertainty etched on their faces.
Roman (muttered to himself, jaw tight, his mind racing): "I can't believe a C-rank rift could hide Runes… I need to inform my grandfather about this."
chapter 9 end