Chapter 38: Energy Shortage

Chapter 38: Energy ShortageThe world around him seemed to shift, the arena blurring into muted shades of gray.

A pile of jagged metal springs materialized in front of him, their design crude yet brimming with potential energy.

Dot's voice cut through the haze, confused and startled. "What did you just say?! Why did you—"

Even Yui stopped, his stance momentarily faltering. "That was... strange," he muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Elias ignored them both, his focus locked on the vision in front of him. The words in his mind echoed louder now: "Break the cage." He turned to Dot, his voice steady despite the chaos. "It's time to lock in, Dot. I need—"

Before he could finish, Dot interrupted, her tone suddenly filled with clarity. "I see it!" she exclaimed, pressing her small hands against the shard embedded in his chest. Energy coursed through her as she clapped her hands together. "Just like last time. Let's do this!"

Four large metal springs materialized out of the air, wide and heavy. Their surfaces shimmered faintly, and Elias felt an odd resistance as he caught them. It wasn't just their weight—there was a subtle pull to the springs, as though they carried a force waiting to be unleashed. He gripped them tightly, his arms straining slightly against the tension.


Yui wasn't idle. He surged forward, his speed blurring as he closed the gap. His fist shot toward Elias's chest. Reacting on instinct, Elias slapped Yui's arm aside. The impact jolted up his arm, but it was enough to deflect the blow. For a brief moment, Yui's expression flickered with surprise.

Elias's eyes remained dark black, with the single red dot glowing faintly in their center. He shifted the springs in his grip, holding three tightly while the fourth coiled itself around Yui's arm. "I... I see it..." Elias murmured, his voice distant, almost mechanical.



"Energy reserve: 48%," the suit chimed, its tone neutral and precise.

Yui's face hardened as he grasped the spring clamped onto his arm, attempting to snap it off. But the material resisted, its tension unrelenting. Elias surged forward, his uniform amplifying his movements as energy coursed through him. "Dot, keep these springs stable!" he shouted.

Elias launched the remaining two springs into the air, using the momentary distraction to dart around Yui's first palm strike. He grabbed Yui's wrist, yanking downward on the spring as he spun, attempting to throw Yui over his shoulder. Yui rolled with the movement, twisting his body to land on his feet. He countered immediately, driving a strike into Elias's upper chest. The blow sent Elias stumbling backward, gasping for air.

Yui straightened, a smirk tugging at his lips as he noticed another spring coiled tightly around his other wrist. "You're trying to slow me down?" he muttered, the faintest edge of amusement in his voice.

For a moment, Yui's expression shifted as his wrists slammed together, locked in place. The springs tightened further, pulling his arms inward with unrelenting force. "Wh-what the hell is this?" Yui growled, struggling against the magnetic pull. Sparks danced faintly along the surface of the springs.

Yui's suit began to hum louder as he activated additional energy reserves. "40% unlock," he muttered. Energy crackled around him, faint arcs of electricity running along his suit's lines. Despite the surge in power, the springs only seemed to clamp down harder, their magnetic grip intensifying.

Elias's lips curled into a faint grin, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. "The springs..." he said, his voice hoarse but steady, "are designed to respond to electrical fields. They draw on the energy output of your suit, creating an inverse magnetic pull. The harder you fight them, the stronger they clamp down."

Yui's expression darkened as he strained against the bindings, his muscles flexing. The springs held firm.

But Elias's grin faded as his head began to spin. The strain of maintaining the springs was overwhelming. His knees buckled, and he dropped to the ground, gasping. The springs evaporated into faint metallic dust, dispersing into the air. The red dot in his eyes vanished, and his vision cleared.

The suit chimed again. "Energy reserve: 12%."

Elias pressed his hand to the ground, trying to steady himself. His breathing was labored, but he managed to look up at Yui. "Not bad... huh?"

Two more springs slammed into the ground, one behind Yui and the other in front, their weight kicking up small clouds of dust before vanishing into thin air.

Elias let out a tired breath, swaying slightly as he steadied himself. "I was hoping to use those to pin you down," he admitted, rubbing his temple. "But I guess whatever this is—spirit energy or something—really takes it out of me."

Yui remained still for a moment, his guard up, before tapping the panel on his chest. The suit powered down with a faint whir, the energy lines dimming as he exhaled. "Quite a pathetic Ikona ability," he said, his tone flat but cutting. "You make it work, I guess, but it wouldn't have held up if I'd been serious."

Dot floated in front of him, her form flickering faintly, her tone indignant. "Hey! I am not pathetic!" she snapped, crossing her tiny arms.

Elias reached out and cupped Dot gently in his hands. "It's alright," he said, his voice calm. He pushed himself to his feet, his movements slow and deliberate as he added, "This was great, honestly. We learned plenty."



"I disagree," Yui said bluntly, his lips twitching into a half-scowl. "One hundred percent. Things might feel new and exciting now, but this..."

He gestured vaguely toward Elias, his tone dismissive. "This is the weakest version of yourself you'll ever be."

Elias's expression hardened. "You're not wrong," he admitted. "But that's the point. This is the weakest I'll ever be. From here on out, I'll only get stronger."

Yui scoffed, irritation creeping into his voice. "Yeah, yeah. People are always so confident at the starting line. Let's see if you're still motivated when your body's broken a hundred times over—when it's no longer about hope but survival."

Elias clenched his fists, meeting Yui's gaze without flinching. "Whatever it takes," he said firmly. "I'll carve my own path and make the most of this second chance."

"Of course," Yui said, his voice thick with sarcasm. "Just like everyone else—selfish thoughts and selfish goals." His irritation boiled over, his words sharp.

Dot drifted toward Elias's shoulder, muttering, "What's with this sour guy? Could he be any more annoying?"

Elias's lips twitched into a faint grin. "If you feel that strongly about me, then you should be able to beat me again, right?" he asked, his tone challenging.

Yui's eyes narrowed. "If you want another beatdown, sure." His hand moved toward his chest as he prepared to re-activate his suit.

Before he could follow through, a loudspeaker crackled to life from the cornered glass walls high above. A commanding woman's voice echoed through the arena. "That's enough. The preliminary testing is complete. Any further fighting will risk his condition."