Sol's arm bled steadily, yet a faint smile formed on his face.
Flashy Flash's golden hair shimmered under the training ground lights as he frowned.
"What are you smiling at?"
"Nothing." Sol casually shook his injured arm, sending droplets of blood through the air. "I just find this kind of fight interesting."
Flashy Flash's lips curved slightly.
"Interesting."
His figure vanished again. A streak of blade light cut forward like lightning.
Sol exhaled, a faint mist escaping his lips. White vapor began to rise from his body as his movements sharpened. The flowing defense of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist redirected the incoming strike, and his elbow drove straight toward Flashy Flash's ribs.
A dull impact echoed.
Flashy Flash slid back a few steps, surprise flashing across his eyes.
"Your speed."
"It's not over yet." Sol pressed forward, his fists slicing through the air.
Outside the training ground, the S-Class heroes watched closely.
Metal Bat grinned, swinging his bat in excitement.
"The Rookie's good. He actually pushed Flashy Flash back."
Silver Fang stroked his beard, clearly satisfied.
"Not bad."
Child Emperor adjusted his glasses, confusion flickering across his face. Sol was clearly holding back, yet the displayed level did not match the data he had seen.
King's Emperor Engine rumbled faintly as he wiped sweat from his forehead.
Superalloy Darkshine scratched his head.
"What an intense fight."
Pig God continued eating.
"Chomp, chomp... this is good."
Atomic Samurai nudged his blade slightly free.
"Hmph, somewhat interesting."
Puri-Puri Prisoner clasped his face again.
"Ah, both of them look amazing."
Back in the arena, Flashy Flash's hair shifted lightly.
"It seems I underestimated you."
His speed surged again. Blades descended in a relentless storm.
Sol failed to block everything this time. Several cuts appeared across his body, but his stance remained steady, his eyes focused.
"Give up," Flashy Flash said coldly. "You're not my opponent."
Sol wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
"It's not over yet."
His approach suddenly changed. Instead of meeting attacks head-on, he began to evade.
Flashy Flash narrowed his eyes and chased him down.
"Can't win, so you run?"
Tatsumaki's voice rang out from the side.
"Rookie, be careful!"
Just as Flashy Flash closed the distance, Sol abruptly turned.
A violent aura burst from his body. His fist traced a sharp red arc through the air as Exploding Heart Release Fist struck forward.
A thunderous impact followed.
Flashy Flash was blasted backward, crashing into the wall as dust filled the arena.
Silence fell.
As the dust settled, Flashy Flash stood up slowly. His hair was slightly disheveled, but he was unharmed.
He looked at Sol, then gave a small bow.
"Thank you."
Others might not have noticed, but he understood. Sol had held back, and not by a small margin.
Sol exhaled heavily, blood still seeping from his wounds.
"I got lucky. My body isn't exactly sturdy, so I had to rely on that."
Child Emperor stepped forward.
"Sparring match over. Result, draw."
Metal Bat rushed in immediately.
"Rookie, that was awesome."
Silver Fang nodded.
"Well done. Go get treated."
Tatsumaki floated beside Sol, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"Idiot, how bad is it?"
Sol gave a relaxed shrug.
"Just scratches."
Zombieman put out his cigarette.
"Your strength is impressive."
King's Emperor Engine gradually calmed.
"Not bad."
Darkshine rubbed his head.
"That was spectacular."
Pig God swallowed his food.
"Chomp... satisfying."
Atomic Samurai sheathed his blade.
"Hmph, decent."
Puri-Puri Prisoner clasped his face again.
"He still looks cute even injured."
"Shut up, pervert." Tatsumaki snapped, sending him flying with a burst of psychic force.
Flashy Flash studied Sol quietly.
"You are strong, but..."
"That's enough." Silver Fang's voice cut in firmly. "The match is over. My disciple needs treatment."
Child Emperor nodded.
"The medical team is already waiting."
Tatsumaki grabbed Sol's wrist.
"We'll handle it."
A surge of green energy surrounded them, and they shot out through the window.
Zombieman watched them leave.
"Tatsumaki's been acting strange lately."
King wiped his forehead again.
"I'm heading back."
Darkshine looked around.
"Training's over?"
Pig God pulled out more snacks.
"Chomp... nothing left to watch."
Deep underground in Z-City, inside a dim cavern, Phoenix Man knelt respectfully.
"Dai Kyōgan-sama, we've confirmed that Silver Fang is not the Armored Monster."
A massive floating eyeball rotated slowly, an eerie glow flickering within it.
"So there is someone else. Interesting. Continue observing the other S-Class heroes."
"Yes."
Phoenix Man hesitated before speaking again.
"There is one more thing. Every time the Armored Monster appears, the newly promoted S-Class hero, Sol, is absent. I suspect he may be the true identity."
The giant pupil contracted.
"Oh?"
Elsewhere underground, Psykos adjusted her glasses, a faint smile forming.
"I see. You may leave."
Her fingers moved rapidly across a keyboard, pulling up Sol's records.
"Rapid rise from B-Class to S-Class, trained under Silver Fang."
A glass of red wine lifted gently in the air under her psychic control, swirling slowly.
"Let's see what you really are, Sol."
Back in Z-City's abandoned district, on top of a worn apartment building, Saitama sat at the edge of the rooftop, watching the sunset.
Genos stood behind him, still as ever.
"Sensei, Senpai Sol hasn't returned for several days."
Saitama scratched his head.
"Didn't he say something about a meeting?"
"It was related to the Armored Monster operation. I'm unsure of his current situation."
A breeze passed, rustling their clothes slightly.
Saitama looked into the distance.
"Without that guy around, even chasing supermarket sales feels boring."
Genos was about to reply when he suddenly stiffened.
"High-speed object approaching. It appears to be Sol-Senpai."