After learning they would be participating in the competition, the four members began training harder than ever.
But Alex had other thoughts.
They were about to face fighters far stronger and more experienced than themselves. Training against each other wouldn't be enough anymore.
In his mind, there was only one solution.
They needed to experience real defeat.
Alex believed something else too—something he hadn't said out loud.
Right now… he might be the strongest human alive.
Maybe even the strongest to ever exist.
At least, if there were no other awakeners.
If they could last even a single minute against him, then they would already have a very high chance of making a name for themselves in the competition.
And even if they could only endure a few seconds, that alone would be enough for them to pass the first rounds.
He suddenly raised his hand.
"Stop."
The four froze instantly and lined up in front of him.
"Since you started training, you've only been fighting each other," Alex said calmly. "But in the tournament… your opponents will be stronger. Faster. More experienced."
Three of them stiffened, unease creeping into their expressions.
Ethan, however… looked like he was about to explode from excitement.
"And to prepare you," Alex continued, a faint smile forming, "you'll need to get used to fighting someone stronger than you."
His smile widened slightly.
"Or… get used to being beaten by them. That depends on how fast you improve."
A chill ran through the group.
Alex had recently realized something about himself.
He enjoyed this.
Not hurting people—but the fear, the tension… the way they reacted.
Especially these four.
"So," he said lightly, "starting today, each of you will spar with me. One-on-one."
Ethan's eyes lit up instantly.
Finally.
Ever since he arrived, he had wanted this.
Ethan came from nothing.
A farmer's son, raised in a small village, with no money and no real opportunities. His life had always been about survival—working the land, helping his family.
But one thing had always set him apart.
His strength.
Even as a child, he was stronger than grown men in his village. He knew it. Everyone knew it.
But in the normal world, that strength meant nothing.
No money. No future. No recognition.
He had once wanted to learn martial arts, but his family couldn't afford it. Survival came first.
Then this opportunity appeared.
A place to live. Training. A salary.
A chance.
And for the first time in his life… strength actually mattered.
So he made a decision:
He would prove he deserved to be here.
No matter what.
Alex noticed Ethan's expression and chuckled.
"Well… looks like the first challenger has already been decided."
Ethan stepped forward without hesitation.
Inside his mind, Alex spoke to the system.
"Can you regulate my power to 1?"
He didn't want to hurt him.
Even without his awakening, his base strength was already far beyond someone who had only been training for a week.
But that wasn't the only reason.
He wanted to see it for himself—
Just how far Ethan could go.
And more importantly… what Catherine had seen in them that he hadn't.
If he used his full power, the fight would end instantly.
Before anyone could even understand what had happened.
[Affirmative.]
[The host's power can be suppressed to Level 1.]
[Warning: The restriction will be automatically lifted if the host is injured or attempts to exceed the limit.]
Alex smirked slightly.
That's more than enough.
He looked at Ethan.
"Come."
Ethan didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward instantly, throwing a direct punch straight at Alex's face.
Alex casually tilted his body to the right—
The punch missed.
At the same moment, Alex lifted his leg, preparing a kick.
Ethan reacted quickly, raising his knees and tightening his guard to protect his stomach.
But—
Just as the kick was about to land, it changed direction.
Too fast.
Instead of his stomach, it struck his face.
Bang!
Ethan was sent flying backward.
His vision blurred. The world spun.
For a split second, his legs gave out as consciousness began to slip away—
But at the last moment, he clenched his teeth and forced himself to stay upright.
Barely.
Alex smiled.
"Not many can stay standing after taking that kick to the face," he said calmly. "Even professional martial artists have fallen to it."
His eyes rested on Ethan.
"But you… you seem like the type who can endure."
Emma and the other two stood frozen.
What they had just witnessed didn't make sense.
That kick—
It had changed direction mid-strike.
And not just slightly… it was sharp, precise, and just as powerful as before.
In the past week at the mansion, they had spent every spare moment studying martial arts—watching videos, analyzing professionals, trying to understand real combat.
But even with their limited knowledge…
They could tell.
Alex wasn't just good.
He was on an entirely different level.
A level they couldn't even measure.
A quiet unease spread among them.
How are we supposed to fight someone like this… every day… and survive?
Ethan, on the other hand—
After barely stabilizing himself, he lifted his head and looked straight at Alex.
Now he understood.
Why the club president trusted him so much.
Back in his village, Ethan had always been the strongest. No one could challenge him. No one could even push him.
But now…
For the first time in his life—
He wasn't sure.
Can I even challenge him?
But that didn't scare him.
If anything… it made him excited.
Now he had seen it.
A glimpse of what his next level should look like.
Whatever Alex was right now—
That was his goal.
One day… he would reach that level.
And only then would he feel like he had truly proven himself.
Ethan stood up again.
This time, he didn't rush in.
He stayed where he was, raising his guard, eyes locked on Alex.
Watching. Waiting.
Alex smiled.
"Oh? So you want me to attack?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Do you really think that's going to change the outcome?"
He walked forward casually, step by step, until he was standing right in front of Ethan.
Face to face.
And then—
He lowered his hands completely.
No guard.
Wide open.
"Aren't you going to attack?" Alex said lightly. "Don't tell me you want to waste this chance."
Ethan knew.
He was being played.
But…
He couldn't let this opportunity slip.
So he moved.
A punch shot forward.
Fast. Direct.
—
Alex slipped to the side effortlessly.
At the same time—
Thud!
His fist drove straight into Ethan's stomach.
Ethan's body folded slightly from the impact.
Alex's voice followed, calm and sharp:
"Repeating the same attack leads to the same result."
A faint smirk appeared.
"Didn't you learn that in kindergarten?"
But then—
Something changed.
The arm Ethan had thrown—
The one that missed—
Didn't stop.
It continued past Alex…
Then came back from behind.
And grabbed him.
In an instant—
Ethan pulled Alex into a tight body lock.
A crushing hug.
His other arm wrapped around Alex's back, locking him in completely.
For a split second—
Alex's eyes narrowed.
Then—
Ethan lifted.
Alex's feet left the ground.
The sheer force behind it was undeniable.
With raw, overwhelming strength, Ethan hoisted him up—
And slammed him down.
BOOM!
The ground shook as Alex hit the floor.
And even then—
Ethan didn't let go.
The other three stood frozen in shock.
They couldn't believe what they had just seen.
Ethan's strength…
It was monstrous.
This wasn't normal.
It wasn't just talent.
Even someone like Alex—
Who clearly wasn't weak, and wouldn't allow himself to be taken down easily—
Had been overpowered in that moment.
By pure strength alone.
For a brief moment, Ethan couldn't believe it.
He had done it.
He had actually taken Alex down.
A surge of excitement rose in his chest—
But then—
Alex's voice rang out, calm as ever.
"Taking your opponent to the ground is good," he said.
A pause.
"But it means nothing in a real fight."
Ethan froze.
"Didn't you learn to protect your weak points?" Alex continued softly.
"For example…"
A slight tightening.
"Your neck."
Ethan's eyes widened.
When—?
He hadn't even noticed.
Alex's arm was already wrapped around his neck.
Locked in.
Tight.
His mind raced back—
The moment he lifted Alex…
The fall…
While anyone else would've focused on bracing for impact—
Alex had been attacking.
Even then.
Panic set in.
Ethan tried to break free, struggling, shifting his weight—
But it was too late.
Alex's grip tightened.
Unmoving.
Unbreakable.
No wasted motion.
No effort.
Just control.
Seconds passed.
Ethan's strength started fading.
His body stopped responding.
His vision darkened—
And then—
Everything went black.
Alex released him.
Ethan's body dropped to the ground, unconscious.
Alex stood up calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Then he turned his gaze toward the remaining three.
"Your turns," he said.
A small smile formed.
"The fight doesn't end…"
A pause.
"…until someone passes out."
A chill ran down their spines.
Fear crept into their hearts as his words sank in.
Now…
They understood.
This wasn't training.
It was survival.