đź“– Chapter 35: First BloodÂ
The impact echoed across the training ground.
Dust rose into the air.
Both of them stood still.
Watching.
Waiting.
His heart was pounding.
Fast.
Loud.
The boy in front of him smirked.
"Not bad… for a beginner."
He didn't reply.
His eyes stayed focused.
This wasn't like before.
He wasn't frozen.
He wasn't running.
He was fighting.
The boy suddenly disappeared—
"Too slow."
A strike came from the side.
Fast.
Sharp.
BAM!
He was pushed back.
His feet dragged across the ground.
Pain shot through his arm.
But—
He didn't fall.
His eyes narrowed.
"I saw it…"
Not clearly.
But enough.
Something inside him was reacting again.
That same energy.
This time—
Slightly calmer.
More responsive.
He took a deep breath.
"Focus…"
The world around him slowed—
Just a little.
The boy attacked again.
Faster.
Stronger.
But this time—
He moved.
He dodged.
Barely—
But successfully.
The boy's eyes widened slightly.
"Oh?"
No time to think.
He countered.
A direct punch.
BAM!
The hit connected.
The boy stepped back.
For the first time—
The smirk faded.
Silence.
Then—
A small drop of blood fell to the ground.
Both of them looked at it.
First blood.
The air changed.
The boy wiped his lip.
Then smiled again—
But this time—
Sharper.
"Now it's interesting."
The pressure around him increased.
This wasn't just a test anymore.
It was a real fight.
He tightened his stance.
His breathing slowed.
His focus sharpened.
Inside him—
The energy moved again.
Not wild.
Not exploding.
Flowing.
"I can feel it…"
The boy rushed forward again.
But this time—
He didn't hesitate.
He stepped in.
Instead of back.
Their attacks collided.
BOOM!
Shockwave spread.
Both pushed against each other.
Power vs control.
His body trembled—
But he held his ground.
"I'm not the same anymore…"
With a sudden burst—
He pushed forward.
The boy was forced back.
His eyes widened again.
"What—?!"
He didn't stop.
He followed up.
Strike after strike.
Faster.
Sharper.
More controlled.
The energy was listening to him.
For the first time—
It felt like his.
The boy blocked—
But struggled.
Step by step—
He was being pushed back.
Then—
Suddenly—
The boy vanished.
Gone.
A chill ran down his spine.
Too late.
BAM!
A heavy blow hit his back.
He crashed forward.
Rolling across the ground.
Pain exploded through his body.
He coughed.
Tried to stand.
But his legs shook.
The boy stood behind him.
Calm.
Unharmed.
"You improved…"
Pause.
"…but you're still predictable."
Silence.
He clenched his fists.
Frustration burned inside him.
He had improved.
But it wasn't enough.
Not yet.
Slowly—
He stood again.
Even though his body screamed.
The boy looked at him—
Surprised.
"You're still going?"
He raised his head.
Eyes filled with determination.
"Until I win."
Silence.
Then—
A faint smile.
"Good."
The air tightened again.
Round two.
And this time—
He wouldn't lose so easily.
🔥 End of Chapter 35