The fight was over.
But no one in the class could speak.
It felt like the air had become heavier, as if everyone's breath was stuck in their throats.
Even Teacher Zero stood frozen. His mouth was slightly open. The eyes beneath his blindfold seemed unwilling to believe what they had just witnessed.
The destruction Elisa had caused… the cracks and craters on the ground were far beyond what a student match should look like.
Noah was the most shocked of all.
After a brief silence, he turned to Elisa and asked without thinking:
"Elisa… are you an alien?"
Elisa blinked.
She didn't answer.
Just a blank expression.
---
15 minutes earlier
"Begin."
The moment the word left the air, both of them moved.
This time, Noah didn't hesitate.
He swung his sword with cold precision.
Straight for the neck.
A killing angle.
But Elisa ducked at the last second.
At the same time, she twisted her leg, trying to break Noah's balance.
Noah jumped back.
And the moment he landed, Elisa was already on him.
A punch.
Chest.
Noah's eyes narrowed.
No time to react.
His sword shifted upward.
Toward Elisa's eye.
One more centimeter…
Blindness.
Elisa stopped.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"…She would really do it."
For the first time, she hesitated.
Noah didn't miss the chance.
He brought his blade down toward her legs.
Impact.
Elisa retreated, but her expression didn't change.
She had felt the hit… but didn't care.
Noah attacked again.
This time from above.
But it was a feint.
The real attack came as a kick to her stomach.
BOOM
Elisa was sent flying back.
Her feet carved marks into the ground.
Noah didn't stop.
The sword began to dance.
Right.
Left.
Right again.
Faster and faster.
Elisa kept stepping back.
Her breathing changed for the first time.
Noah accelerated.
The sword was no longer just a weapon—it was the claws of a predator.
Final strike…
The chin.
Elisa barely dodged.
But Noah was already controlling the distance.
Step.
Another slash.
Elisa dodged.
But now she was no longer fully defending.
She started blocking with her arms.
Clang… Clang…
Each impact echoed like metal striking metal.
Noah narrowed his eyes.
"This isn't working."
He pulled his sword back.
And sheathed it.
The class froze.
Elisa stopped too.
Noah lowered his stance.
Hands on the hilt.
Breathing steady.
Quick Draw Technique.
He burst forward.
A diagonal slash.
But—
It didn't reach Elisa.
It passed just beside her.
Her head turned toward the blade.
A split-second opening.
Noah's fist struck her face.
BAM
Elisa didn't step back.
Her eyes narrowed.
And she moved.
Like a dancer.
Right leg.
Toward Noah.
Noah flinched.
"Th—!"
But Elisa didn't stop.
Behind him, a shadow appeared.
Teacher Zero.
He grabbed Noah by the collar.
And threw him back.
CRASH
Elisa's kick continued.
The ground cracked.
It was as if the earth itself had been forced to break.
A crater formed.
---
Silence.
Real silence.
Everyone stared at Elisa.
Like a monster.
Even Zero had become serious. He slightly lifted his blindfold.
His blue eyes…
measured the destruction on the ground.
Noah was stunned.
But not out of fear.
Out of curiosity.
He looked at Elisa again and asked:
"Elisa… are you an alien?"
Elisa froze.
Then—
Her face turned red.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"It just… happened! I lost control!"
Panic.
Real panic.
Zero stepped in.
His voice was sharp.
"That's enough."
The class went silent.
"I congratulate both of you."
A pause.
"The winner of this match… Noah Valier."
A shock.
Elisa froze.
Even Noah didn't understand.
The class erupted.
"What?!"
"He's favoring him!"
But Zero shouted:
"IDIOTS!"
Silence again.
"You are here to learn how to fight!"
"And how to control your power!"
His gaze shifted to Elisa.
"Elisa Rose lost."
"Because she lost control of her power."
"If Noah hadn't pulled back… that kick would have killed a student."
The words were heavy.
"Uncontrolled power… brings destruction."
"And destruction… takes lives."
---
Elisa trembled.
"I… I didn't mean to…"
Noah exhaled lightly.
Then smiled.
"It's fine."
He held out his hand.
"Come on, Elisa. Get up."
She grabbed it.
But then froze.
Noah's hand…
was rough.
Covered in calluses.
"Do you… always train like this?"
"Huh?"
Elisa panicked.
"N-no, it's nothing!"
Noah chuckled.
"It doesn't matter."
He let go.
And turned away.
"I'm going to the infirmary."
Elisa stayed where she was.
And for the first time…
she remained silent.
Author's Note:
If you have any criticism, feedback, or thoughts about the story, please don't hesitate to share them. Your opinions are valuable to me and will help me become a better writer. I'm always open to suggestions and improvements, so feel free to point out anything you think could be better.
Author:Zeravon