"Don't rush."
"I trust that kid won't disappoint me." Natsuki didn't look at Hoshina. Kept watching screen.
Though training intensity—devil-level—Reno never complained once during training.
Reno had his own persistence. As warrior—mediocre talent. But Natsuki greatly admired his tenacity. That never-give-up determination—reason Natsuki wanted to help him.
Of course—Natsuki's "mediocre talent" standard—completely different from others'. He compared him to cosmic-level warriors.
"Combat Power Release—doesn't only depend on physical ability..."
Hoshina—halfway through—suddenly attracted by screen data.
"Next—Reno Ichikawa. Combat Power Release... 50%!!"
Kikoru's just-set recruitment record—instantly broken.
Hearing this data—all examinees rapidly looked toward Reno at prep room center.
Reno—eyes closed—fists clenched—mind recalling past two days' training details. Wanted to adjust state to best. Respond to Natsuki-san's expectations.
An alien. A kaiju. An... ordinary person. Three gathered by chance. He lacked Natsuki-san and Kafka-senpai's power. But—determination to eliminate kaiju—absolutely not weaker than anyone.
"Reno Ichikawa... what a monster."
"What level genius is this! Combat Power Release already ten times mine!"
"Something's wrong! This isn't right!"
All examinees' mentalities changed. Too many monsters this year?
Corner's blonde and brown-haired men—eyes widened too.
Intel was wrong!
Somewhere they didn't know—something abnormal definitely happened. What did this guy experience—jumping from 8% to 50% Combat Power Release!
Who interfered?
Defense Force faction Travelers—have such ability?
"Related to that first exposed guy?"
"The floral-shirt guy on wanted posters." Blonde man looked at brown-haired man. Disbelief. "During lunch—I think I saw him."
Government previously wanted that floral-shirt man. Recently withdrew warrant. Thought he was killed.
"Actually approached Reno and Kafka earlier than us... damn." Brown-haired man frowned. Realized this was formidable rival.
Someone rode coattails faster than them.
Careless.
Damn... better not let us catch you. If we do—you're finished!
"Combat Power Release... 50%?"
Kikoru looked at bewildered Reno. Expression full of disbelief.
Her father and mother—strongest man and woman in Defense Force history. Since young—decided to become Defense Force member. Help father and mother.
She was always most outstanding.
Even contacted Defense Force Suits earlier than others. Advanced sync training.
But... but... how could this happen?
Surpassed by someone with zero reputation.
"Good. Now you owe me ten meals."
Monitoring room—Natsuki looked at stunned Hoshina. Triumphant smile.
"Really?"
Hoshina watched Reno—now topic center among examinees. Still couldn't imagine how this was achieved.
"Even secretly training him—impossible to reach this level, right?"
He remembered Natsuki arrived on Earth just days ago. Many examinees—specially trained since childhood. Yet so easily surpassed?
"My training is one aspect. More important... his will." Natsuki gave answer.
Hearing this—Hoshina frowned.
Suddenly remembered something.
"This means... you were just going through motions during our sparring, right!?" He suddenly realized this fact.
"Can't say that... after all—you only asked me to be sparring partner. That young man later sincerely wanted to become disciple." Natsuki scratched head.
This stunned Hoshina again.
Become disciple?
Never thought of that.
His swordsmanship—family tradition. Previously grew through sparring with older brother. Never formally took master.
Become disciple to this completely unserious guy?
Damn... why sudden surge of shame?
This guy who bet—causing half month's salary spent on meals... where's any master-like appearance?
"Want me to become disciple? No way!" Hoshina replied indignantly.
Of course—what he truly thought—only he knew.
Second Outdoor Training Field.
Steel gate slowly opened. Defense Force Suit-wearing examinees entered.
City ruins enclosed area. Specifically for training recruits. Thirty-seven kaiju distributed across vast ruins.
"Each of you has drone behind. We'll observe your performance through drones."
"Now—test begins!"
"Experience most real battle with kaiju!"
Hoshina's voice rang in examinees' earpieces.
Words just fell—golden twin-tailed girl first charged out. Black firearm in hand. Zero fear of kaiju.
"Combat Power Release... not the only standard measuring strength!"
She lost to Reno in Combat Power Release. Must reclaim first place in actual combat. All kaiju here—she'd eliminate!
Her action—like signal.
Following hundred-plus examinees surged forward. Rushed into vast ruins. Seeking kaiju traces.
"Yosh!"
"Now—time to show real ability!" Kafka watched those spirited examinees. Fists collided before chest. Decided to perform well.
"Can't disappoint Natsuki-san..."
He spoke—leg muscles slightly swelled. Bent down. Starting position.
BOOM!!
Ground beneath shattered. Like human cannonball—rushed into city ruins. Instantly caught up with first-striking Kikoru. Like afterimage—landed before kaiju.
Partial transformation—already mastered. Even learned using power without showing kaiju features.
"This... this is Kafka Hibino!?" Blonde and brown-haired men saw this. Simultaneously realized something wrong.
In their impression—Kafka should hide power throughout. Suffer setbacks all the way.
Disaster. Complete disaster!
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