Shadow Bug

John:(caressing his blonde hair) Oh... you must be the first-year students. I'll be your opponent, so show me what you've got.

Rin: (rolling up his sleeves) Takimo, we can't afford to lose here.

Takimo: (clenching his fists) We won't.

John: (smirking) That's the spirit. Let's see what you juniors can do.

Rin: [White: Beast Synthesis- APE]

Rin's technique allows him to tap into the strength of the APE, gaining power that far surpasses a normal human's. With this connection, his physical strength is doubled, putting most opponents at a disadvantage—but…

Rin and Takimo charged at John, attacking with everything they had. But John deflected and blocked each of their moves with ease. The two realized that while it wasn't necessary to defeat their opponent to pass this exam, both had resolved to win. They needed this victory to prove their worth. Yet, no matter what they tried, John continued to evade and counter their strikes. With a single push, he sent them both sprawling backward.

Takimo: (shocked) He pushed us back without even using his technique? Incredible.

Rin: TSK!! He's not using his technique. He's not taking this seriously at all.

Takimo: We need to figure out what his technique is if we want any chance of beating him. (eyes lighting up) Rin, I've got an idea.

John: (watching them) What are they planning now?

Takimo: [White: Flaming Arrow]

Rin: [White: Beast Synthesis- WOLF]

Takimo's plan was simple: he would fire an arrow at John while Rin rushed in to attack at the same time. John would have to block one of them, and if his technique could protect him from both, it would likely be revealed. If not, Takimo had reduced the flames on his arrow to avoid causing serious harm.

John: (to himself)Two attacks at once, huh? Smart move. They're coming at me with such determination in their eyes. (smirks) Exciting. So I guess I'll take them more seriously and use my technique.

As both the fire arrow and Rin approached, something unexpected happened. Just before they reached him, both Rin and the arrow were slammed to the ground. In that instant, Rin and Takimo understood John's technique.

John: [White: Gravity Distortion]

Takimo: Gravity?

Rin: (struggling to rise) Your technique is gravity?

John: Yep. So, what's your plan to beat it?

John Leachson's technique, Gravity Distortion, allows him to control the gravity in the space around him. Though its range isn't large, anything caught within it is forcefully pulled to the ground.

Rin: (finally standing) I'm working on it.

Takimo: (catching up) Rin!!

Rin: Stay back, Takimo! If you get any closer, you'll get caught in his gravitational field!

Takimo: I know that!

Rin: (thinking) I counted 14 seconds before I could move again. That means he can only maintain the gravitational pull for a limited time before needing to reset. I've got a window.

Rin resumed his assault, exchanging blows with John, who continued to block effortlessly. Takimo joined in, trying to support Rin as they attempted to gauge how long it would take for John to use his technique again.

John: (thinking) It's about time now.

Rin: (realizing too late) Takimo, back away!

John: [White: Gravity Distortion]

Both Rin and Takimo were caught in the gravitational pull once more, slammed toward the ground. But something strange happened—while Rin was pinned, Takimo wasn't fully affected. Heat radiated from Takimo's body, creating turbulence in the air around him.

The intense heat made the air dense, disrupting John's concentration. Since John's gravity control required focus, he couldn't fully pin Takimo. Takimo, sensing this, generated a smokescreen, temporarily blinding John. In the confusion, Takimo grabbed Rin and retreated.

Rin: (catching his breath) What just happened?

Takimo: The heat from my body interfered with his technique. He couldn't concentrate enough to slam me down like you.

Rin: That's... insane.

Takimo: It is. But it also gave me an idea on how to beat him.

Rin; For real? Let's hear it.

Meanwhile, John realized that the heat was his weakness.

John: (thinking) Damn... the heat from that kid is messing with my focus. I never thought I'd run into a counter like this.

Takimo: [White: Smokescreen]

Takimo once again summoned a thick, black smoke, covering part of the battlefield.

John: (thinking) More smoke? Are they trying to blind me again? I'll just use my technique—(tries but fails to activate it) What? I can't concentrate... (realizes) It's the smoke... It's causing heat fatigue. If I'm exhausted, I can't use my gravity technique. Damn it!

Suddenly, Rin appeared from behind. John, sensing him, tried to defend, but Rin grabbed him and used the NIKYO AIKIDO technique to lock him in a pin. As the smoke cleared, it was clear John had been caught.

Rin: (pinning John) This is our win.

John: (smiling) Looks like I underestimated you two. You did great. Especially the fire kid—without him, you would've lost.

Rin: Yeah… (glancing at Takimo, who was lying on the ground from exhaustion)

John: You can let me go now.

Rin: (releasing him) Sorry.

Takimo: (sitting up, seeing Rin offering him a hand)

Rin: You okay?

Takimo: I used too much of my Lighter energy, but I'll be fine.

Rin: I guess I should thank you. Your technique helped us win... (awkwardly) So... thanks.

Takimo: (surprised) Did you just thank me?

Rin: (flustered) Shut up.

Takimo: (grinning) Now you're embarrassed.

Rin: Shut up.

The spectators were thoroughly impressed by Rin and Takimo's performance. Many praised their teachers, Jason and Lisa.

Koichi: Your students are really impressive, Lisa.

Lisa: (playfully) Oh, stop! You're making me blush. All I did was talk to them. Jason did most of the work.

Koichi: Really?

Jason: (recalling Rin and Takimo's rocky start and smirking) I didn't think those two would ever get along. But I wanted them to, which is why I paired them for this exam. For someone who claims to hate kids, I did a pretty good job training them, huh?