Training Sector Three had become unusually quiet as thousands of students focused their attention toward Platform Seven. Standing across from each other were Huang Ming and Rex Hao, yet the difference between them was obvious from appearance alone. Rex possessed a muscular build refined through body-strengthening techniques, while faint spiritual energy naturally flowed around his arms and shoulders. His bronze-colored insignia proudly displayed his combat division status, marking him as someone far above an ordinary first-year student. Meanwhile, Huang Ming looked painfully average in comparison. His slightly wrinkled uniform from rushing to school earlier, combined with the silver-colored trainee warrior insignia attached to his chest, made him appear completely improper among Ling High School's elite students.
Several nearby students had already lost interest in the match before it even started.
"A trainee warrior against Rex Hao?"
"This won't last long."
"That's honestly unfair."
Whispers spread throughout the arena while Huang quietly sighed to himself. "… I really became the opening entertainment."
Across from him, Rex cracked his knuckles confidently before speaking in a calm tone. "You should surrender now. I don't enjoy bullying weaker opponents."
"That's surprisingly considerate," Huang answered honestly while awkwardly scratching the back of his head.
"I'm serious."
"So am I. I'm seriously considering surrendering."
Laughter immediately spread among nearby students, while even some instructors watching from elevated platforms looked unimpressed. Only Luna Ling continued silently observing the platform without changing her expression while Kael Riven narrowed his eyes slightly. Unlike everyone else, Kael noticed something strange about Huang Ming. The spiritual flow surrounding Huang's body didn't feel weak. Instead, it felt unstable, as though multiple incompatible energies were trying to exist together simultaneously.
Instructor Zhao Ren calmly stepped closer toward the platform before speaking in a cold voice that echoed throughout the arena. "The rules are simple. Victory through surrender, incapacitation, or ring-out. Do not intentionally kill your opponent."
Rex smirked slightly. "I'll try."
Huang immediately looked offended. "Why does everyone keep talking like I'm already dead?"
Instructor Zhao Ren ignored him completely before finally giving the command.
"Begin."
The moment the match started, Rex Hao instantly moved. Spiritual energy surged throughout his body while the metallic floor beneath his feet cracked slightly from the force of his movement. In a single burst of speed, Rex rushed directly toward Huang while pulling back his fist. The speed alone caused several nearby students to react immediately.
"That speed…"
"Rex improved again…"
Huang's eyes widened before instinctively stepping backward.
BOOM.
Rex's punch slammed directly into the platform where Huang had stood moments earlier, causing visible cracks to spread across the metallic surface. The surrounding crowd reacted instantly, while many students looked impressed by the sheer physical strength behind the attack.
"That power…"
"He'll crush him…"
Huang quickly created distance while trying to calm his breathing. "… Why does the opening attack already feel like attempted murder?"
Rex smirked before rushing forward again, this time moving even faster than before. Huang barely managed to react before raising both arms defensively.
BANG.
The impact instantly sent Huang sliding backward across the platform while pain spread throughout both of his arms. The difference in physical strength between them was obvious. Rex continued walking forward calmly, almost casually, as though the outcome had already been decided.
"You're weaker than I expected."
"… You say that like it's surprising."
Numerous nearby students laughed again. Despite getting pushed back repeatedly, Huang somehow remained calm enough to continue joking, but internally something felt wrong. The moment Rex's attack connected, strange fluctuations suddenly spread throughout Huang's body again. Chaotic energy surged violently through his meridians while an uncomfortable burning sensation spread across his entire body.
Far above the arena, the instructors inside the floating observation room immediately noticed the change.
"The irregular fluctuations increased again."
"That energy pattern shouldn't exist inside a first-year student."
Meanwhile, Huang quietly clenched his fists while trying to suppress the unstable energy spreading throughout his body. Then Lyra's calm voice suddenly echoed inside his mind.
"Your body is reacting to external spiritual pressure."
"… This feels terrible," Huang answered internally while trying not to lose focus.
"Your energy pathways are attempting forced adaptation."
Huang nearly stumbled from disbelief. "… Can my body not choose violence during an evaluation?"
Across from him, Rex slowly rolled his shoulders before speaking once more. "If you surrender now, I'll stop."
Huang quietly exhaled before straightening slightly. "… Honestly, I appreciate the offer." His expression then changed subtly as he looked directly toward Rex. "But losing immediately feels embarrassing."
The atmosphere around the platform shifted slightly.
For a brief moment, faint distortions spread through the air surrounding Huang's body. Several nearby students frowned confusedly while Kael's eyes narrowed instantly. Even Instructor Zhao Ren's expression changed slightly after noticing the abnormal fluctuations.
Rex noticed it too.
"… What was that?"
Huang himself looked confused. "… Good question."
The unstable energy vanished almost instantly afterward as though it had never appeared at all. Silence briefly filled the platform before Rex suddenly rushed forward again. Spiritual energy exploded around his fist as body-strengthening power surged through his muscles. The attack aimed directly toward Huang's chest with enough force to end the match immediately.
Various students already expected the fight to finish right there.
But at the final moment, something inside Huang's body reacted instinctively.
Time suddenly felt slower.
Not truly slower—
Clearer.
Huang could suddenly see everything more precisely than before. The movement of spiritual energy, the tension within Rex's muscles, the attack trajectory, and even the slight imbalance in Rex's footing became painfully obvious in Huang's vision.
Instinctively, Huang moved.
Rex's fist passed barely centimeters away from Huang's body.
The entire arena froze.
Rex's eyes widened slightly in disbelief because Huang Ming—the lowest-ranked student in Ling High School—had completely dodged his full-powered strike.