The training ground was quiet.
Not calm—
Focused.
The teacher stepped forward.
"Today… you learn something essential."
A pause.
"Mana control."
He raised his hand.
A faint glow formed around it.
"Mana flows through every awakened body."
The glow tightened, becoming denser.
"Control it, and you reinforce your strength, speed, and endurance."
Then it flickered—
And vanished.
"Lose control… and it disperses."
His gaze sharpened.
"Overuse it… and your body will fail before your opponent does."
Silence settled.
"And one more thing."
"Without enough mana… you cannot use your skills repeatedly."
Murmurs spread across the class.
"Try."
Students spread out.
Some closed their eyes.
Others raised their hands awkwardly.
"…Come on…"
"…Why isn't it working?"
A faint glow appeared—
Then vanished.
"I had it!"
Another forced it—
The aura burst out—
Then collapsed.
"…It slipped!"
Frustration grew.
Kai stood still.
Eyes half-closed.
Feel it…
A faint flow.
Subtle.
He guided it slowly—
A thin crimson trace formed around his arm.
Unstable—
Then faded.
"Basic control."
Kai opened his eyes.
The teacher stood behind him.
Around them, a few students finally succeeded.
Weak glows.
Unsteady.
But real.
"This is your foundation."
"Refine it."
"Without control… power is useless."
At the window—
Aeris sat quietly.
No movement.
Yet her presence felt complete.
"All of you have reached F-rank."
A pause.
"Except one."
"Aeris Vale."
"High-stage E-rank."
The room stirred.
"Now…"
"Ranking battles begin."
Students stepped forward one after another.
Mana flickered wildly.
Unstable.
Fights ended quickly.
Kai watched.
Too inefficient…
"Next."
"Rex."
A pause.
"Kai."
The air froze.
"…He's finished…"
"…This won't last long…"
Ray leaned closer.
"You sure?"
Kai stepped forward.
"…Yeah."
They faced each other.
"Begin."
Rex moved instantly.
"Tyrant Release."
Power surged outward.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
He struck—
BOOM!
Kai blocked—
But was forced back hard.
Rex pressed forward relentlessly.
Punch.
Kick.
Strike.
Each hit heavier.
Kai dodged—
Late.
Blocked—
Barely.
"He can't keep up!"
Kai slid back.
Breathing steady.
Then—
A faint crimson glow appeared.
"Blood Enhancement… 30%."
His stance stabilized.
Rex attacked again—
Kai moved—
Dodged cleanly.
"…Wait—!"
They clashed again.
Faster.
Sharper.
Kai slipped past an attack—
Struck—
Rex slid back slightly.
"…He pushed him?!"
Rex grinned.
"Good."
Speed increased.
They vanished—
Reappeared—
Collided.
Kai ducked—
Twisted—
Dodged mid-air—
Landed—
Struck again.
Rex answered with overwhelming force.
Each impact cracked the ground.
The arena trembled.
"Don't hold back!" Rex roared.
Kai's eyes sharpened.
His aura flickered—
Then deepened.
"…50%."
His arm tightened.
Veins rising.
Power compressing.
"…He increased it?!"
Now—
No restraint.
Punch.
Kick.
Clash.
Impact.
Kai drove forward—
A heavy blow—
Rex blocked—
But slid back.
Rex retaliated—
A brutal strike—
Kai was sent flying—
Twisted mid-air—
Landed—
Charged again.
They collided again—
Faster.
Stronger.
More dangerous.
Both stepped forward at the same time.
Aura erupted.
Crimson.
Tyrant.
The pressure forced students back.
They pulled their fists back—
Power compressing—
And struck.
BOOOOOOOOM!!!
The ground shattered.
Cracks spread across the arena.
Kai's body flew out of the arena.
Silence.
Rex stood.
Breathing heavily.
"…Winner—Rex."
Kai lay still for a moment.
Then laughed faintly.
"…That was insane…"
He pushed himself up slowly.
The teacher watched him.
"Your mana control is crude…"
A pause.
"…but your application is exceptional."
Ray walked over, grinning.
"…You're not normal."
Kai smirked slightly.
"Don't say that too loud."
From the window—
Aeris watched.
Silent.
Focused.
Crimson aura… unstable… yet precise.
Her gaze lingered briefly—
Then shifted away.
The remaining matches continued.
Less intense—
But decisive.
Students fought harder now.
More cautious.
More desperate.
Ray stepped into the arena—
Relaxed—
But sharp.
Efficient.
He won cleanly.
Others followed.
Some barely holding on.
Some showing flashes of potential.
Some clearly outmatched.
By the end—
Everyone stood in formation.
Bruised.
Breathing heavily.
Waiting.
The teacher stepped forward.
"Results."
Silence fell instantly.
"First—Rex. Late F-rank."
"Second—Kai. Early F-rank."
Murmurs spread.
"Third—Ray. Early F-rank."
Ray grinned.
"…Not bad."
"Fourth—Mina. Early F-rank."
She exhaled in relief.
"Fifth—Daniel… provisional."
A pause.
"…Despite failing earlier, your combat performance earns temporary retention."
Daniel froze.
"…S-seriously?!"
"Do not waste it."
"…Yes, sir!"
"Sixth—Lena."
"Seventh—Aron."
"Eighth—Kira."
Names continued.
Each placement earned.
At the bottom—
A few stood silently.
"You require further evaluation…"
"…or face removal."
Their expressions tightened.
"Aeris Vale."
A pause.
"…Unranked."
"…Above this class."
Silence.
Heavier this time.
Aeris didn't react.
The teacher turned.
"Improve."
"Or fall behind."
The tension lingered.
Kai stood there.
Bruised.
Exhausted.
Thinking.
Ray leaned closer.
"…Second place, huh?"
Kai exhaled.
"…Doesn't feel like it."
Ray smirked.
"…Yeah… but you shook him."
From the side—
Rex glanced over.
Eyes sharp.
Focused.
At the window—
Aeris watched quietly.
He's not second…
Kai looked forward.
A faint smile forming.
So how did the fight go, drop your comment if there is anything you want me to add in the next chapter