The arena still trembled from the aftermath of the clash.
At the center of the battlefield stood Nick—silent, steady, and unshaken. Across from him, Rehmon lay defeated, his body barely stirring against the cold stone floor. For a moment, there was nothing. Then the arena erupted.
Cheers, gasps, and whispers flooded the stands as thousands of eyes locked onto the boy who had just done the impossible. Rehmon wasn't weak—far from it. He was known for his brute strength and relentless attacks. Yet Nick had dismantled him with a calm precision that felt almost unnatural.
Nick exhaled slowly, his distant eyes scanning the arena. The voice didn't come this time. For once… there was silence.
"Impressive."
The voice came from behind him—clear, composed, and laced with quiet authority. Nick turned. A girl stood a few steps away, her silver hair flowing like liquid metal under the arena lights. Pinned to her uniform was a diamond-shaped badge, gleaming with an unmistakable brilliance. It marked her as someone far above the rest. Her sharp eyes studied him, not with arrogance—but with interest.
"You didn't just defeat him," she said. "You understood him." Nick said nothing. She gave a faint smile, almost amused by his silence. "Nick, right?" she continued. "I'll be watching you." Before he could respond, she turned and walked away, her presence fading into the crowd as quickly as it had appeared.
Nick frowned slightly. Watching…? His thoughts were interrupted by the roar of the crowd shifting once more. High above, in the stands, Kael leaned forward with a grin stretched across his face.
"He actually did it…" he muttered, shaking his head. "You really are great Nick." There was pride in his voice—genuine and unfiltered. A loud chime echoed across the arena, silencing the noise. The announcer's voice boomed through the massive structure. "Next match—Kael Versus Basanta!"
Kael's grin faded, replaced by something sharper. Focus. Back on the arena floor, Nick looked up toward the stands. Their eyes met briefly. Nick didn't smile—but he gave a small nod. "Think." That was all he said. Kael blinked, then chuckled under his breath. "Yeah… I get it." Moments later, Kael stepped into the arena. His opponent was already there.
Tall. Broad. Confident to the point of arrogance. A gold badge gleamed proudly on his chest.
Basanta.
He cracked his knuckles as Kael approached, his lips curling into a mocking grin. "So you're my opponent?" he scoffed. "You don't look like much."
Kael rolled his shoulders, trying to stay loose. "Yeah? I hope we have a fair and good fight." Basanta laughed. "Don't worry. I'll make it quick." The signal rang.
The match began. Basanta moved first—and fast. His fist slammed into Kael's guard with crushing force, sending him sliding back across the stone. Before Kael could recover, another strike came, then another. Each blow heavier than the last. Kael tried to counter—but he was too slow. A kick to his ribs. A punch to his jaw. The impact echoed through the arena as Kael crashed to the ground. The crowd winced. "This is one-sided," someone whispered. Kael pushed himself up, his vision blurring. His arms felt heavy. Every movement hurt.
Basanta didn't stop. He grabbed Kael by the collar and drove a knee into his stomach, forcing the air out of him. "Is this it?" Basanta sneered. "Pathetic." Kael stumbled back, barely staying on his feet. He swung. Missed. Another punch from Basanta slammed into his face, sending him crashing down again. The arena grew quieter. Even from the stands, it was obvious.
Kael couldn't land a single hit. Down below, Nick watched without moving. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Kael," he muttered under his breath. Kael coughed, forcing himself up once more. His body screamed at him to stop—but something deeper refused. His gaze flickered toward Nick. And in that moment—He remembered.
"Think."
Not fight harder. Think better. Kael steadied his breathing. Basanta rushed him again, confident, predictable. This time… Kael didn't react immediately. He watched. The angle of the shoulders. The rhythm of the steps. The pattern of attacks. Left. Right. Knee. Repeat. A pattern. A flaw.
Basanta swung. Kael stepped back—just barely avoiding it. The next punch came.
Kael shifted to the side. For the first time—He didn't get hit. Basanta paused for a split second, surprised. "What—?" Kael moved. Not with strength—but with precision. He slipped past Basanta's guard and struck—not hard, but accurately—at the side of his ribs.
Basanta flinched. Kael retreated immediately. The crowd stirred. Again. Basanta charged, anger flashing in his eyes. Again—Kael watched. Again—he adapted. Each movement became sharper. Cleaner. Smarter. He wasn't overpowering Basanta. He was outthinking him. Another strike landed. Then another.
Basanta's frustration grew with every missed attack. "You—!" He swung wildly. That was the opening. Kael stepped in.
One precise hit to the solar plexus. Basanta froze. A final strike to the jaw—
And the gold badge wielder collapsed.
Silence.
Then— The arena exploded. Kael stood there, breathing heavily, staring at his fallen opponent. He had done it. Not with strength. But with his mind. From the stands, Nick watched quietly. This time—he allowed himself the faintest hint of approval. The announcer's voice rang out once more.
"Victory—Kael!" Moments later, another announcement followed.
"All participants are to proceed to the Hall of the Academy immediately." The excitement began to settle as students started moving. Kael stepped out of the arena, wiping blood from his lip. Nick was already waiting. "That was rough," Kael said with a weak laugh. "You adapted," Nick replied. Kael smirked.
"Yeah… guess I did."
The two began walking side by side toward the massive gates leading deeper into the academy.
"You know," Kael added, "I thought I was done for back there." "You were," Nick said bluntly. Kael groaned. "Thanks." "But you changed it." Kael glanced at him.
"…Yeah."
For a moment, there was a comfortable silence between them. Until—"YOU!" A voice cut through the air like a blade.
Before they could react, a figure landed directly in front of them, blocking their path. A boy with fiery red hair and burning eyes.
His presence was intense—almost explosive. "You're Nick," he said, pointing directly at him. "Fight me." Nick blinked.
"No."
The answer was immediate. The boy's expression twisted. "I said fight me."
"I said no." The air grew tense. Students around them began to stop and watch.
"You think you're above me?" the red-haired boy snapped, stepping closer. "After beating someone like Rehmon, you think you can just walk away?"
Nick didn't move. "I'm not interested."
The boy clenched his fists. "Then I'll make you interested." Before he could take another step—Two figures appeared instantly beside him.
Authorities.
Their grips were firm and unyielding as they restrained him. "Stand down," one of them ordered. "Let go of me!" the boy shouted, struggling. "This isn't over!"
But he was already being dragged away.
His eyes never left Nick. "I'll find you again," he called out. "And next time—you won't refuse!" Silence followed as he disappeared from sight.
Kael let out a long breath. "…Well. That was intense." Nick said nothing. But his eyes lingered in the direction the boy had been taken. Then, without a word, he turned and continued walking. Kael followed. Ahead of them, the towering doors of the Academy Hall slowly opened.
And whatever awaited them inside—
Was only the beginning.