Was Yukino Yukinoshita's talent really this good? To think she could condense True Qi so quickly.
Many people hadn't even touched the threshold yet, but Yukino had already mastered it and could even fight Ren Isana to a standstill.
It was one thing for Ren Isana, who possessed a monstrous learning talent, but what was going on with Yukino? Did she really look like someone who had just condensed True Qi?
Wasn't she mastering this proficiency a bit too fast? Was this scientific? Was this reasonable?
Ren Isana was equally surprised by Yukino's performance. He hadn't expected her to become so proficient with True Qi this quickly.
*Is this her talent?* Recalling what Yukino had said earlier, Ren's heart stirred, and he focused his mental energy into his eyes.
A flash of purple light flickered across Ren's eyes. Every movement and shift in power from Yukino was instantly etched into his mind.
This was the first time Ren had actively activated the eyes of [Jianjigu]. Since the morning, he had learned everyone's moves just by glancing at them, without ever needing to push the power of his eyes.
Even when passively learning Megumi Kato's innate trait, he hadn't activated his ocular powers.
At this moment, Ren truly unleashed the power of [Jianjigu]. As he fought Yukino, he began to learn everything about her.
Her talents, her techniques—nothing could hide from his eyes. Ren even discovered that while [Jianjigu] was active, he could foresee her every movement.
What followed was pure agony for Yukino. The guy in front of her seemed to know exactly where she was going to strike before she even moved.
Every single one of her attacks was effortlessly blocked. Ren had seen through her completely.
She even realized that he was learning her movements. All of her techniques were being perfectly copied.
It gave Yukino the eerie sensation that she was fighting herself, sending a chill down her spine.
She quickly pulled back to create some distance, glaring at him warily. "Did you just copy all my moves?"
Yukino could hardly believe it. Every single technique she possessed had been stolen.
Facing her question, the corners of Ren's mouth curled up slightly. He didn't deny it. "That's right!"
*Not just your techniques, but your talent as well. I've mastered it all—this innate ability to perfectly control every ounce of power within one's body.*
*It's truly incredible. With this, my bodily control will reach a state of absolute perfection.*
*No wonder Yukino was able to grasp True Qi so quickly after condensing it and immediately apply it in actual combat.*
*With a talent that grants such absolute physical dominance, achieving that is practically effortless.*
*But now, this talent is mine.* A wave of satisfaction washed over Ren. Having acquired Yukino's innate trait, he felt his strength surge yet again.
Hearing Ren admit it out loud, Yukino felt her composure crack. *He actually learned it just like that?*
It was incredibly frustrating. Yukino felt like pulling her hair out. Ren had copied everything she had, and when combined with his own formidable strength, he was essentially an upgraded version of herself.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. Her gaze instantly hardened with resolve.
*Fine. If I can defeat him, it means I've surpassed my own limits.* Having figured this out, Yukino fell back into a combat stance. "Let's continue!"
With that, she took the initiative to attack. True Qi coated her hands as her small fists smashed toward Ren.
Facing her assault, Ren activated the talent he had just replicated from her.
His control over his body instantly reached its absolute peak. He could effortlessly dictate exactly how much power to exert in every muscle.
Watching Yukino charge at him, Ren sidestepped to dodge her strike, then threw a punch of his own.
The punch landed squarely on her stomach. A violent wave of agony instantly washed over her entire body.
The sudden, intense pain made Yukino's mind go completely blank. By the time she registered what was happening, she felt herself flying through the air.
And then... she slammed hard into the ground. While she was dazed, Ren had grabbed her arm and executed a flawless shoulder throw, slamming her ruthlessly onto the floor.
Many of the students witnessed Ren's utter lack of mercy, staring at him as if they had just seen a ghost.
Even Shizuka Hiratsuka, who had been keeping a close eye on their spar, nearly choked on her own saliva.
*Good grief, that's a first.* The kid really didn't hold back at all. He was showing zero mercy to a pretty girl, striking her down without a second thought.
This single exchange made Yukino question her entire existence. *Wait... this isn't how the script is supposed to go.*
*Why am I the one lying on the ground? Was he holding back earlier? Why is he fighting with such ease now?*
"Are you okay?" Ren asked kindly, looking down at Yukino on the floor.
*Did I hit her too hard?* The thought had barely surfaced before Ren ruthlessly crushed it. *No, not at all!*
*Going all out is the only true way to show respect to an opponent.* This was his way of honoring her after acquiring her talent.
"I... I'm fine!" Hearing Ren's voice, Yukino finally snapped back to reality.
She stood up, her face looking rather pale. Taking a direct hit to the stomach made her feel as though all the strength had been knocked out of her body.
However, as she rose, Yukino slowly utilized her innate talent, attempting to shift the pain away from her torso.
Once she managed this, her complexion improved slightly. With her perfect bodily control, accomplishing such a feat was relatively easy.
The pain was redirected to her arms, and after using a bit of True Qi to heal herself, she finally recovered her bearings.
Yukino stared straight at Ren. "Were you holding back earlier?"
Her tone was laced with frustration. If he admitted to it, she would be truly upset. It would mean he had been looking down on her!
She had told him to go all out from the very beginning, yet he had still held back?
"No, I wasn't holding back. I just got stronger while fighting you," Ren explained calmly.
He hadn't held back at all; he had simply grown stronger mid-battle.
Hearing this answer, Yukino looked at the boy in front of her as if he were a monster.
"Freak!" Yukino blurted out subconsciously. *He's an absolute monster! How could he just get stronger like that?*
"Hey, what's with you? Why are you calling me names?" Ren was instantly displeased. *Are you cursing at me? Looks like I went too easy on you after all!!!*