Abnormal Type-Moon

Toudou Kirin felt her vision blur.

It was as if her brain had stopped processing thoughts for that split second. A black shadow darted across the short ten-meter distance in the blink of an eye, appearing right in front of her. The light blade in his hand descended like a hammer, carrying an overwhelming force as it slashed toward her.

Kirin knew Roy was fast. Even before the battle began, she had been fully alert, her eyes locked onto his figure like nails.

Yet she still couldn't fully track his movements in that instant.

In the time it took to blink, her vision blurred, and she was already in crisis.

At that moment, every hair on Kirin's body stood on end. An intense sense of danger enveloped her entire being, sending a chill from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head.

Without hesitation, she raised her sword horizontally in front of her, sinking her stance and gripping the ground tightly with her toes.

BOOM!

A brief explosion of sound rang out. Kirin felt as if she had been struck head-on by a high-speed train. Every bone in her body creaked under the tremendous force.

She was forced back over a dozen steps before finally dispersing the impact. Her arms ached violently, as if ants were gnawing at her bones, and her grip on the sword trembled uncontrollably.

Her heart pounded with shock.

She had known Roy was fast, but she never expected his strength to be so overwhelming—at least several times greater than hers.

What kind of monstrous physical ability was this?

"W-W-What?!"

A shrill scream erupted from the arena's speakers.

"Did the 'Shippuu Jinrai' just get completely overwhelmed in the first exchange?! Am I seeing this right?!"

The stands fell silent for a moment.

Then, like boiling water, the crowd erupted into gasps of astonishment.

That's right—the first exchange could only be described as Kirin being instantly overpowered. It wasn't even a proper clash. The difference in strength displayed in that single moment was staggering!

"Impossible!"

In the spectator seats, Toudou Kouichirou gripped the railing tightly, his face filled with disbelief.

"What's going on here? Did Roy use a Meteor Art? But even if he did, forcing back Kirin in an instant shouldn't be possible..."

"No, he didn't use a Meteor Art. That technique requires channeling prana into the mana crystal to drastically increase the output of a Lux weapon. In simple terms, the light blade would become brighter and larger, but Roy's sword showed no such phenomenon."

"Then what—"

"That was likely just pure physical strength. Nothing more."

"You've got to be kidding me..."

Even the commentators were left speechless.

Though both were Genestellars, there were indeed differences in prana and physical ability. But for the gap between them and the top-ranked fighter to be this vast—wasn't that just absurd?!

"Actually, Roy's greatest strength isn't his physical ability—it's that explosive power..."

"What do you mean by that?"

"That's the highest-level application of prana..."

Back in the arena.

Kirin steadied her stance, her expression grave as she stared at Roy across from her.

Roy didn't press his advantage. After delivering the first strike, he stopped moving.

"Adjusted yet?"

"Senior Roy, you really know how to push people to their limits..."

Toudou Kirin forced a faint smile.

"If it were just a gap in physical ability, I might still manage to adapt. But what Senior Roy excels at isn't physical strength—it's his impeccable control of prana!"

That was the most troublesome part.

For Genestellars, there were no shortcuts when it came to controlling prana.

Either you were born with a natural talent for it, or you had to grasp the knack through countless trials.

Prana was an exceptionally difficult force to manipulate, especially when it came to fine control—that was where the real challenge lay.

Most Genestellars could easily channel prana for defense with minimal guidance. Even those below average found this step effortless. But this was merely the most rudimentary level of control—the first realm of prana mastery.

The second realm involved manipulating prana for offense—wrapping it around fists and feet to amplify attack power. Infusing it into Lux to execute Meteor Arts also fell under this category. Typically, Genestellars needed a year or two of training to reach proficiency at this level.

The final and highest realm was the method of controlling prana to generate explosive force.

Simply put, it meant concentrating prana beneath one's feet and then releasing it in a burst—like nitrous acceleration—to dramatically increase speed in an instant. During this process, the amount of energy used had to be precise—not a drop more or less. Mastery over quantity, timing, and other factors had to reach perfection.

For most students, reaching the second realm and creating Meteor Arts was already considered outstanding. Take Reiste from Seidoukan Academy, ranked ninth—his formidable Meteor Arts secured him a spot among the Page One.

But achieving the third realm required not only an innate talent for meticulous prana control but also immense effort and baptism through blood and sweat. Only then was there a chance to reach such heights.

"Zhao Hufeng, the 'Tenka Musou' from Jie Long Seventh Institute, is said to have reached this realm. His speed is unparalleled among the Six Flowers, earning him the title of the fastest in the school—though from today onward, that title will change hands."

"He's that incredible?!"

The commentator's uncultured exclamation echoed from the broadcast booth.

The audience erupted in murmurs.

The fastest among the Six Flowers?

And this was only the first battle for that special admission student? To claim such a title already?

It was almost certain—once recordings of this duel spread, Roy's name would resonate throughout Asterisk, with everyone hailing him as the fastest of the Six Flowers.

"Senior Roy, here I come!"

Toudou Kirin knew the odds were against her, but she had no intention of giving up.

She quickly steadied herself, gripping Hiinamaru tightly as her gaze locked onto Roy like lightning.

"Come at me."

Roy's expression remained unchanged as he assumed a middle stance.

"Ha—!"

With a sharp cry, Toudou Kirin charged at Roy like a falcon skimming the ground, her blade sweeping toward him like razor-sharp wings.

Her blade was swift, but it couldn't escape Roy's enhanced senses. The first strike was easily blocked by him.

Yet immediately after, her second slash followed like a shadow.

After blocking the second, the third came flowing like a babbling brook.

It was as if her swordplay had no end.

Thirteen exchanges passed like this.

To defend against Toudou Kirin's diagonal downward kesa-giri strike, Roy raised his glowing blade above his eyes.

Now!

The instant his vision was obstructed, Kirin twisted her wrist in a flash, redirecting her blade straight toward the school emblem on Roy's chest.

Clang!

But her descending blade was intercepted mid-air by Roy's horizontally thrust sword.

The emblem was right before her eyes, mere inches from her blade's edge—yet no matter how hard she pushed, she couldn't force the glowing weapon down.

"Did you think I wouldn't react in time?"

Roy gazed at Kirin's stunned face, mere inches away, and a composed smile spread across his lips.

Toudou Kirin gave a faint, wry smile.

***

Hey readers!

Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.

🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹