Skyward Blade

Chapter 2

The next morning, the academy grounds buzzed with excitement. It was the day of the gliding competition-a day I had been waiting for since I joined the academy. The sky was clear, the winds perfect for flying. A perfect day to show everyone what I was capable of.

I stood at the edge of the launch platform, adjusting the straps of my wing glider. The wooden frame creaked slightly as I moved, the wings ready to spread wide as soon as we took off. Around me, other trainees were preparing in silence, each focused on their own plan for the day. The anticipation hung in the air like an unspoken challenge between all of us. But my eyes kept drifting back to Eiji.

He stood across from me, his glider already strapped on, his wooden practice sword resting over his shoulder. He caught me looking and smirked, that familiar gleam of rivalry in his eyes. We both knew this was more than just a competition. For Eiji, it was another chance to prove himself-not just to me, but to Asuna.

"You ready to lose, Kirito?" he called out, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I smirked, tapping the two wooden swords strapped to my back. "I wouldn't be so sure. This time, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Eiji's smirk faltered for a second as he noticed the second sword. He raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, and I could see the gears turning in his head. Good. Let him wonder.

Before he could respond, the Headmaster stepped onto the platform, his presence commanding immediate attention. Asuna's father, a tall and imposing man with a booming voice, was always a figure of respect in the academy. Today was no different.

"All right, listen up!" the Headmaster called out, pacing in front of us as we all stood at attention. "This year's competition will test more than just your flying skills. It will test your ability to fight, to strategize, and to think on your feet. The goal is simple: stay in the air and be the last one standing. You'll use your wooden swords and basic arts, but remember-no unnecessary roughness. This is a test of skill, not brutality."

He paused, letting his words sink in. "When I call your name, you will launch from the platform and engage in combat mid-air. Use your glider's agility to your advantage. If you are knocked out of the sky, you lose. If your glider is damaged beyond repair, you lose. The last one flying will be declared the champion."

A wave of excitement rippled through the group. This was it-the moment we'd all been training for. The Headmaster began calling names, and one by one, trainees launched into the sky, their gliders catching the wind as they ascended into the airspace above the island.

It wasn't long before my name was called. I stepped forward, my heart racing with anticipation. As I looked out at the vast blue sky ahead, I felt that familiar rush of adrenaline. This was where I belonged-soaring through the skies, sword in hand, ready to take on whatever came my way.

I launched from the platform, the wind catching beneath my wings and lifting me high above the island. The other competitors were already spread out, engaged in mid-air duels as they swooped and dove through the air. I gripped my wooden sword tightly and scanned the battlefield, keeping my eyes on the nearest opponent.

The first few battles were easy enough. Most of the other trainees were focused on staying in the air rather than engaging in real combat. I knocked a few of them out of the sky with quick, precise strikes, using the momentum of my glider to outmaneuver them. My confidence grew with each victory, and it wasn't long before I was one of the last few left.

And then, as expected, it came down to me and Eiji.

He soared through the air like a hawk, his glider cutting through the wind with precision. He hadn't been challenged much either-most of the other trainees had fallen quickly to his aggressive attacks. Now, as he approached me, I could see the fire in his eyes. This was the moment he had been waiting for. The moment we both had.

We clashed in the air, our wooden swords meeting with a sharp crack that echoed across the sky. Eiji's strikes were fast and powerful, but I met them head-on, deflecting each blow with practiced ease. The wind whipped around us as we circled each other, our gliders dipping and weaving as we fought for the upper hand.

"You're not getting away this time, Kirito!" Eiji shouted, swinging his sword in a wide arc that nearly knocked me off balance.

I grinned, narrowly dodging the strike. "You're going to have to do better than that."

We continued our dance in the air, our swords clashing over and over as we soared higher and higher above the island. Eiji was relentless, his attacks coming faster and harder with each passing moment. For a brief second, I felt the weight of his strength pushing me back, and I realized he was stronger than I had given him credit for.

He was actually overpowering me.

But I had been saving something. The entire day, everyone had been wondering why I was carrying two swords. Now, it was time to show them.

As Eiji came at me with another powerful strike, I reached behind me and drew the second wooden sword. His eyes widened in surprise as I blocked his attack with one sword and swung at him with the other. The dual-wielding technique I had been practicing for weeks finally came into play, and the effect was immediate.

With two swords, I could attack and defend at the same time. Eiji struggled to keep up, his single sword no match for the flurry of strikes coming from both of my blades. I pressed the advantage, forcing him to go on the defensive as we spiraled through the sky, our gliders racing in tight circles around each other.

"This... this is impossible!" Eiji gasped, barely managing to deflect one of my strikes. "Where did you learn this?"

I didn't bother answering. Instead, I swung both swords in a rapid, spinning motion, knocking Eiji's sword out of his hand and sending it flying through the air. He lost control of his glider, tumbling through the sky as I delivered the final blow-a swift strike to his glider's frame that sent him crashing to the ground below.

I hovered in the air, watching as Eiji's glider crumpled into the dirt. The arena erupted in cheers as the Headmaster declared me the champion.

"Kirito, the victor!"

I landed gracefully on the platform, the weight of my victory sinking in. Asuna rushed over, a smile on her face as she congratulated me. "I knew you'd win," she said, beaming. "That dual-wielding technique was incredible. Everyone's been wondering why you were carrying two swords."

I shrugged, grinning. "I figured it was time to show everyone what I've been working on."

We started walking, the cheers of the crowd fading into the background as we made our way toward the academy's main building. Asuna was quiet for a moment before she spoke again, her tone more serious this time.

"Kirito... about the surface. I know we've talked about it before, but something doesn't sit right with me. The stories we've been told... I just feel like there's more to it than we know."

I glanced at her, frowning. "You're still thinking about that?"

She nodded. "I don't know why, but I can't shake the feeling that something's coming. Something bigger than just our training. What if the surface holds answers we're not prepared for?"

I didn't know what to say. Part of me wanted to dismiss her concerns, but another part-a deeper, quieter part-wondered if she was right. There was something in the air, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"I guess we'll find out eventually," I said, my voice thoughtful. "But for now, let's just focus on what's in front of us."

Asuna smiled softly, but the look in her eyes told me she wasn't ready to let go of the subject. And as we continued walking, I couldn't help but feel that this competition, this victory-it was only the beginning of something much larger. Something none of us were prepared for.

And whatever it was, it was waiting for us just beyond the horizon.