The air inside the laboratory tore and cracked under the impact of two opponents moving faster than the eye could follow. Every strike, every kick launched into motion unleashed a thunderous blast and sent shockwaves rattling through the enclosed space.
Sol Mirek's muscles remained coiled and his gaze steady as he squared off against the Asura Kabuto before him. His battle instincts let him anticipate every move Kabuto made; even if Sol failed to dodge in time, he could reduce the force with refined techniques akin to water flowing over rock, dissipating energy with precision.
Sol stood calmly amid the onslaught — this environment made for ideal training. He wasn't in the least bit concerned about the Asura Kabuto shifting into his berserk Asura Mode. If that happened, Kabuto's carapace would crack away, weakening his defenses — and that would be when Sol decided the match.
Despite the monster's defense, strength, and speed far outclassing even Beast King's, Kabuto found himself powerless against Sol's steady progression. He was supposed to be the perfect rookie, yet here he was being used as a training tool by a mere human. Rage boiled up within him — how could someone with no modification stand toe‑to‑toe with him?
Outside the arena, Dr. Genus watched agape, doubting everything he thought he knew.
"His martial skills are that strong?" Genos muttered, eyes fixed on Sol's graceful, almost casual movements.
Genos had assumed Sol's power came entirely from his psychokinetic ability. But now it was clear Sol not only wielded psychokinesis, he possessed a formidable physique and polished combat techniques.
Still, the biggest mystery nagged at Genos — if Sol could end a fight instantly with psychokinesis, why bother with hand‑to‑hand against a foe like Kabuto?
Suddenly something clicked within Genos.
Could Sol be showing him that raw power alone is not enough? That a strong fighter must train every facet of themselves? All of Sol's earlier actions — stopping Genos from over‑relying on psychokinesis, cautioning him about the environment — perhaps now they made perfect sense.
"Senior! I understand now! Thank you for your guidance!" Genos called out, excitement vibrating through his voice.
Sol heard the shout and turned slightly, dodging an incoming punch from Kabuto with ease, his expression one of genuine confusion. Sol only meant to use Kabuto for conditioning — so why was Genos suddenly declaring enlightenment?
At that moment Dr. Genus burst forward into the arena as well.
"Tell me! How did you shatter what they call the limiter?" Dr. Genus demanded, eyes burning with obsession.
"How did you begin your evolution?" he pressed, certain Sol carried the key to human advancement.
Sol scanned their eager faces. Was this really what they wanted?
Genos nodded earnestly. Dr. Genus leaned in, enthralled. Even the Asura Kabuto paused mid‑breath, intrigued.
Sol exhaled sharply, weight pressing on his shoulders, and looked toward Saitama, who stood nearby yawning.
"…How about Saitama explain it?" Sol suggested with a shrug.
"Huh?" Saitama blinked in disbelief.
Sol shook his head with a faint smile before addressing them all directly.
"If you want to know, listen carefully."
Dr. Genus scowled at the monster looming behind Sol but stayed fixed on his words.
"The true key to getting stronger isn't gene modification… it isn't body modification… it's training," Sol said, his voice steady and rich with quiet authority.
Training? Genus's eyes flickered with doubt. Kabuto's carapace glistened with disbelief. Genos leaned in, curiosity flaring.
"It doesn't matter how brutal the regimen is. As long as you stick with it without stopping for three years, you can reach this level," Sol continued gravely.
The room fell into uneasy silence. No one had expected this.
"What?" Dr. Genus muttered, as if hearing madness itself.
Kabuto's jaw dropped. Genos looked baffled, unwilling to believe it but unwilling to dismiss him either.
Sol pressed on, "Here's what I did: One hundred push‑ups every day, one hundred sit‑ups, one hundred squats, and a ten‑kilometer run."
"Nothing more, nothing less — just consistency. Train like every day counts."
The combat chamber remained utterly still.
Dr. Genus stood as though struggling to breathe.
"This is normal physical exercise," Sol explained. "I trained this way, and this is how I became strong."
Saitama nodded with stark simplicity, "He's telling the truth."
"But wasn't your strength because of that pointy‑headed immortal?" Saitama asked Sol, scratching his bald head.
This grabbed everyone's attention — another teacher?
The Asura Kabuto snarled in fury.
"If you won't explain, I don't need strength… but I will kill you anyway!"
Kabuto's muscles bulged, his spikes sharpened, and his armor cracked away as he entered Asura Mode — his skin turning dark, veins glowing like eldritch fire.
Dr. Genus recoiled in terror.
The alarm blared, sealing the chamber in red and black warnings.
"He won't come back to normal for days! His instincts won't be suppressed!" Kabuto bellowed at Sol.
"After I kill you, I'm going into the city and slaughtering everyone until next Saturday!"
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