A Wanderer's Lies

Ki.

The flow of 'Life Energy' in not only living beings but also inanimate objects.

A sort of sixth sense, Ki relied on coordinating all five regular senses and one's mind to predict your surroundings.

However, this wasn't all.

There was something else that was needed to use Ki.

Instinct.

It was only with all these combined that one could perceive Ki.

At least, that's how the description explained it.

[Art: Ki ☆☆☆ (Black Clover)]

[Description: A pseudo sixth sense that allows one to interact and recognise individual Ki signatures all around them. Once mastered, it's said to be capable of seeing through any Illusion and concealment. Despite this, it is rare for anyone to reach that stage, thus decreasing its rank to three stars. Though its potential is vast, there are many mysteries and unknown possibilities with this Art.]

The description intrigued Isaac.

Not only because he knew there weren't low-level Arts out there that could see past his Ghost Passage, but also because of the last sentence.

And it only intrigued him so much because of how Oliver explained it.

"Ki? Yes, I know of it. It used to be an Art guarded by the S.A. but after they were unable to cultivate it further than three stars, they publicised it in the hopes that a genius would do what they couldn't."

This was how Oliver described it, causing Isaac to chuckle inwardly.

'They'll probably bribe said genius into joining the S.A. and keep the secret for themselves.'

As the days went by, Isaac could understand why they did this.

With external forces, such as Guilds and even Onyx, growing in power by the day, the S.A. had to do what they could to stay on top and keep the balance.

Despite this, it didn't mean Isaac was going to entertain their strive for power.

'No, where's the peace in meddling with a power-hungry government.'

But that wasn't important at the moment.

"Why does he have his eyes closed?" Cain asked from the spectator room as the Golden Six, Zach, Oliver and Merlin all watched.

"Battle commenced."

The automated voice rang out, signifying the start of the battle.

Isaac stood in his corner, eyes closed as he tried his best to sense the Ki.

-BANG

However, his concentration faltered as he heard a familiar BANG, identical to when Eli shot toward Isaac earlier.

Isaac remained unmoving, trying his best to visualise something, anything halfway between instinct and a prediction, as the book stated.

However…

-FUAM

Isaac, snapping his eyes open, leapt off the ground as he tumbled a few metres away from his original position, dodging Eli but feeling a sting on his side.

"One point to Eli. Return to your corners."

Unfortunately, it didn't seem as though Isaac was fast enough as he suffered a blow, causing his opponent to take the lead.

Eli halted once more, straightening his back as he stared at Isaac for a few seconds, seemingly ignoring the automated voice.

"Are you mocking me? What is the meaning of this?" Eli complained, noticing Isaac wasn't fighting the same way he was previously.

Isaac jumped back to his feet, staring at Eli.

"Just testing something," Isaac answered, causing the scowl on his face to deepen.

Despite his obvious dissatisfaction, Eli turned around, walking back to his corner as Isaac did the same.

"The score is 2-1. Fight with everything you've got. I'm warning you." Eli declared.

However, Isaac said nothing as he once again closed his eyes.

'No good. I reacted with only my ears. I need to use all my senses as one.'

Isaac breathed out, ignoring his individual senses.

He ignored the faint breath of Eli and the slight hum that was caused as the spectators from behind the glass spoke.

He closed his eyes to block out the bright lights and everything happening around him.

He ignored the smell of his sweat that wafted under his nostrils and he ignored the heat he'd feel exuding off Eli when they were close to one another.

Isaac even zoned out the metallic taste of blood in his mouth after the attack Eli had landed.

Instead, he focused on them all as one.

One sense.

It was then that Isaac witnessed a spark of sorts.

"Tsk"

Eli clicked his teeth after seeing he was ignored.

"Battle commenced."

Relaxing his body as if it were a liquid, Eli neared the ground, soon snapping forward after his feet dug into the ground.

-ZOOM

Eli rocketed toward Isaac, prepared to show no mercy and finally end this fight.

But as he went, he witnessed Isaac, his eyes still closed, bend his legs, soon leaping off the ground like a gazelle as he soared above Eli, dodging him.

'What…'

Eli muttered inwardly, seeing Isaac's flawless dodge despite his eyes being closed.

However, Eli refused to back down, digging his hands into the ground and abruptly stopping himself as Isaac landed.

Meanwhile, Isaac inwardly grinned.

'I…I see it.'

The outline of Eli's body, the room they were in, the spectators that watched from behind the glass.

Not only that, but he could identify them.

He could tell each person apart; no two Ki signatures were the same, like a fingerprint.

Isaac felt Eli's body not too far away from him, his Ki…oozing off a feeling that was familiar to Isaac.

Shock, surprise, anxiousness.

It was spectacular to Isaac. Despite humans needing actions, body language and verbal hints to determine one's emotion, Isaac could feel it.

He took a moment to bathe in this feeling, taking in everything around him. He felt like he was blind his whole life, only now gaining the ability to see.

Finally, he could sense himself as if he were looking at his own body from a third-person point of view.

'What is that…'

Isaac asked while looking at himself, seeing his Ki that was once again unique from the others, fashioning a red hue.

But what surprised him was the deep black ball in his abdomen that almost looked like a black hole, seeming as though it was endless.

Despite Isaac feeling confused upon seeing this for the first time, he quickly realised what this was.

'The Thing.'

Isaac deduced.

However, he was given no moment to ponder on this as he could sense Eli shooting toward him.

"That dodge was impressive. How do you think he did it?" Ava asked from the spectator's quarters with an expression of shock.

"He's most likely using an Art. I doubt he's had the time to cultivate a perk to such a level." Lucy answered.

Considering it had only been a little less than two months since they'd all completed their first scenario, this seemed like the most plausible answer.

This became more believable as they witnessed Eli come face to face with Isaac, pulling back both fists.

"Triceratops Fist."

Eli shot out both arms, one aiming for Isaac's upper body while the other was aimed at his abdomen.

However…

-WHOOSH

Isaac could feel the air palpitating around the fist as he weaved his body, barely dodging the attack to his head as he stepped to the side.

It was clear to everyone that Eli's Art allowed him to move at a higher speed than Isaac despite the both of them being F-Ranks, yet…

'It's like he's moving before I even throw my attack.'

Eli thought, though refusing to halt his assault. He'd seen this spontaneous dodging already. Despite being surprised, he wouldn't be bewildered for a second time.

Quickly recovering, Eli raised his leg, bringing it down and performing an axe kick, though seeming slightly different.

"Eagle's Talons."

Eli's leg bore down with power that should have been impossible for an F-Rank, even his toes tensed and slicing through the air.

However, everyone who watched Isaac had already moved, once again stepping to the side as they all expected the kick to pass him.

And although it did, Eli's leg didn't touch the ground. No, instead it halted midair, changing its trajectory and whipping horizontally toward Isaac's skull.

"Dragon Fly's Twist."

However, Isaac was able to dodge easily again.

The two fighters engaged in a rapid back and forth, Eli abruptly switching the trajectory and nature of his attacks that would be impossible to keep up with if he were fighting a normal opponent.

But Eli was starting to think Isaac wasn't an ordinary student.

"He's dodging every single attack! Whatever Art he's using is pretty neat, huh?" Cain commented as they all watched, completely engulfed in the battle.

"It seems like a basic sensory Art. And with the decrease in rank from the room, it allowed him to be a perfect counter to Eli's skill and experience." Jett added as the others nodded in agreement.

It did seem as though everything Eli tried was useless to Isaac.

Meanwhile, Oliver had just explained the same thing to Zach, their eyes also glued to the battle.

Eli constantly attacked, his fists and feet only meeting air as Isaac travelled like a leaf in the wind, his movement just as unpredictable and precise as the attacks being thrown at him.

-BANG

"One point to Isaac. Return to your corners."

Eli, his eyes widened, pulled back his head after watching a fist crack across his face.

"That's impressive. He waited until his opponent became too comfortable, causing Eli's guard to falter for a split second, allowing him to land a hit." Jett explained.

He was the most knowledgeable on Hand-to-Hand, therefore, he was able to better deduce the battle and catch details the others might miss.

Meanwhile, Isaac finally opened his eyes. And though he tried to resist it, he couldn't help but smirk a little.

"Impressive," Eli commented, regaining his composure.

"For the last point, why don't we disable the restrictions? We'll fight with everything in our arsenal. PS and all."

Isaac stayed quiet for a second as he stood before Eli.

It was obvious what his opponent was attempting to accomplish.

'He knows he's at a disadvantage, so he's trying to make things more even.'

And if Isaac was being honest, he didn't blame him. After all, this was a strictly Martial Arts battle and Isaac wasn't exactly abiding by those rules.

'I'm just spamming my Ki Art.'

With this in mind, Isaac answered.

"Fine. For the last point, we'll go all out. May the best man win." Isaac agreed, reaching out his arm for a handshake.

Eli stared for a second, soon shaking Isaac's hand.

"That's quite risky of him, isn't it? His sensory Art was only useful because he didn't have to worry about his slow reaction as an F Ranker." Ava stated, garnering a nod from everyone present, as they all thought the same.

"Yes, it is. The match is now tipped in Eli's favour. It's risky indeed." Jett answered as Amara soon scoffed.

"Risky, sure. But knowing what I know, he's probably overconfident."

"Either way, it's awesome," Cain added, smiling widely as if he were a child sitting before a TV as a superhero movie played.

The two fighters returned to their corners, and perhaps someone was listening in, because before the last round started, Isaac could feel his access to Nen returning.

'I can't use my full nen. High level 3 proficiency should be enough rather than my high level 4 Proficiency.'

Isaac noted, noticing Amara and the others still peering at him.

-CRACKLE

However, despite him focusing on calculating how much Nen he needed, he was able to notice the sparks of seemingly yellow lightning crackling around Eli's fist.

'What's he…'

-POOF POOF POOF

However, before he could complete a thought, he witnessed Eli pursed his lips, soon…spitting air.

But it was just air.

No, it's as if the air he spat condensed, turning into bullets as they shot toward Isaac.

"Ren!"

-BANG

Upon activating his Ren, a BANG rang out, a more powerful eruption of power than his previous activations Amara had witnessed.

Simultaneously, Isaac bent his back, watching the air bullets barely pass him as he winced at the thought of losing so easily.

'Damn it, it's hard for me to use Ki with so much happening around me.'

"Cockroach Tackle."

-BOOM

However, he wasn't given any time to relax, as he shot back to a straightened back, noticing Eli was inches away from him.

This was it.

The last point.

"Hamon: Overdrive," Eli mumbled.

"Gyo," Isaac muttered at the same time.

Prepared to end the fight, they both prepared for the final clash.

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Next chapter title: Final Showdown [1]

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