Wood slammed against wood.
The deafening crack echoed throughout the underground training hall.
Two figures stood facing each other in complete silence.
One of them was Aibar.
He was shirtless from the waist up. Almost his entire body was wrapped in white bandages, with even half of his face hidden beneath them. In his hands, he firmly held a wooden replica of a massive greatsword.
Standing opposite him was Azamat.
He also gripped a wooden sword tightly with both hands.
Neither of them spoke.
Their eyes met.
In the next moment—
Clang!
The wooden swords collided with tremendous force.
Aibar's massive sword swept sideways, but Azamat blocked it effortlessly and immediately launched a counterattack.
Aibar quickly stepped back, twisted his body, and struck again.
Azamat once again defended perfectly.
Neither of them was able to gain the upper hand.
Their swords danced through the air, each movement displaying incredible skill. One fought with human mastery, while the other moved with cold and precise calculation.
At the same time, both of them retreated, creating distance between themselves.
Silence returned to the training hall.
Neither took their eyes off the other.
Azamat rested his wooden sword on his shoulder and casually asked:
— My lord... what did Lucas tell you? Will you share it?
Aibar planted his massive wooden sword against the floor.
— According to him... for those with these modes, time in space affects them the same way as time on Earth.
Azamat's expression slightly changed. He placed one hand beneath his chin, falling into deep thought.
— So... time in space passes the same way as it does on Earth... — he muttered slowly. — That sounds like a power that completely defies the laws of physics.
Aibar silently nodded.
— Exactly... The power granted by this injection doesn't follow logic at all.
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Suddenly—
Azamat launched himself forward, raising his wooden sword as he charged toward Aibar.
— Enough. Break time is over. The training continues!
Aibar moved with incredible speed.
He raised his massive wooden sword and swung it from the right side with overwhelming force.
The strike landed directly on Azamat's waist.
In the next moment, Azamat's body was sent flying toward the left side. He crashed against the wall and fell to the ground.
Azamat slowly stood up and dropped his wooden sword.
Looking at Aibar, he said:
— It seems this isn't just about the modes... You don't even obey the first letter of the word "physics."
Aibar placed his massive wooden sword back against the floor.
— Yes... your words make sense. I was able to activate the Blue Flame Mode immediately.
He paused for a moment.
— According to Lucas, I was supposed to first completely master the first flame mode. After that, I would need to fully master the Green Flame Mode before I could proceed to the next level. But... I managed to activate one of the most difficult modes to awaken right away.
Azamat silently looked at Aibar.
— My lord... Lucas, So-Hyeon, and even Maria... they are all extremely rare individuals.
He stopped for a brief moment.
Aibar looked at him calmly.
— I would evaluate their abilities like this, — Azamat said. — Fifty percent effort. One hundred percent talent.
He looked directly at Aibar.
— But you...
A brief silence filled the room.
— One hundred percent effort. Nine hundred percent talent.
Aibar's expression did not change.
— You are exaggerating.
Azamat slightly shook his head.
— No. This is simply my personal analysis.
Azamat's expression darkened.
— Aibar... don't forget that a single strike from you could destroy an entire city. Tell me... does someone like you even exist in this world right now?
Aibar let out a small sigh.
— Sigh...
Azamat smiled slightly.
— My lord... as I said, thank you very much for this armor. Because of this armor, I have started to feel human again.
He paused briefly.
— I can show emotions once more.
Aibar began collecting the wooden swords and carefully placing them back into the box.
Azamat looked at him for a moment.
— Ignoring me, huh...?
Aibar walked up the stairs and stepped out of the underground training hall.
Azamat silently followed behind him.
After taking a few steps, Aibar suddenly came to a stop.
He slightly turned his head and looked back over his shoulder.
— Master...
His voice was calm and quiet.
— There is no need to worship me... nor to see me as someone who is invincible.
A brief silence followed.
— Instead... I have only one request for you.
Azamat remained silent.
He patiently waited for Aibar to continue.
— Yes, my lord... I'm listening.
Aibar lowered his voice even further.
He whispered.
Azamat listened without interrupting.
A few seconds later, a faint smile appeared on his face.
— I understand...
He slowly nodded.
— If an emergency ever arises...
Aibar walked up the stairs without looking back, heading toward his room.
Azamat remained where he was, standing in silence.
He watched Aibar's figure slowly disappear into the distance.
— My lord...
His voice was barely above a whisper.
— If only you knew how grateful I am to have met someone like you...
A faint smile appeared on his face.
— Everything you've achieved... you've earned through your own hard work. Yet despite that... you still choose to share what you have with others.
He took a slow, deep breath.
— You've remained humble...
The light in Azamat's eyes softened.
— Since you were a child, you've walked through hell itself. And even so...
He fell silent.
— I still can't understand it...
— Where do you find the strength to keep from losing yourself?..
Silence filled the corridor once again.
Azamat slowly lowered his head.
— I'm... proud of you, my lord.
The next morning arrived.
The pale rays of the morning sun quietly streamed through the window, filling the room with a soft glow.
As usual, Aibar chose the simple outfit he had always preferred.
A black turtleneck.
Black dress pants.
Black leather shoes.
Instead of wearing his long black coat, he simply draped it over his shoulders.
After picking up his bag, he headed to the kitchen.
His breakfast, as always, was simple.
Two boiled eggs.
A glass of milk.
Aibar silently finished his meal.
After taking the last sip of milk, he slowly stood up.
Leaving the house, he made his way toward school.
Before long, Aibar arrived at the school.
However, there would be no first class today.
Instead, all of the students were gathering in the auditorium.
Aibar stepped onto the stage.
He raised the microphone to his lips and slowly swept his gaze across the auditorium.
— May I have everyone's attention, please.
The hall gradually fell silent.
Aibar handed the microphone to Nurdaulet Samatuly, who had walked over to him.
Taking the microphone, Nurdaulet looked around at both the students and the teachers.
A warm smile appeared on his face.
— Dear students and teachers...
He paused for a brief moment.
— Today, I am officially announcing my resignation as the Student Council President.
Whispers immediately spread throughout the auditorium.
Nurdaulet continued.
— I am sincerely grateful for every single day I've spent with all of you. However, this is my final year at school. My graduation exams are approaching, and I need to devote all of my attention to preparing for them.
He took a deep breath.
— Because of that... I would like to entrust my position to someone I truly believe in before I leave.
Nurdaulet extended his hand toward Aibar.
— My successor... will be Aibar Rasululy.
For a brief moment, the entire auditorium fell silent.
Nurdaulet looked at Aibar and smiled.
— Aibar... has been the greatest assistant I could have ever asked for.
He suddenly let out a quiet laugh.
— To be honest... there were times when it felt like he was the president, not me.
Soft laughter spread through the audience.
Shrugging his shoulders, Nurdaulet continued,
— In fact... there were moments when I felt like I was the assistant, and he was the one leading the school.
Nurdaulet slowly removed the golden star badge from his chest.
Just as he reached out to pin it onto Aibar—
Aibar gently caught his hand, stopping him.
Nurdaulet looked at him in surprise.
— Aibar... is something wrong?
Aibar silently shook his head.
Then, with a simple gesture, he called Maria over.
Maria slowly rose from her seat.
At once, every student's attention shifted toward her.
She quietly made her way onto the stage.
"Aibar... what are you planning to do...?" she wondered.
A few seconds later, she stopped beside them.
Aibar released Nurdaulet's hand.
He then took a single step toward Maria.
Without saying a word, he carefully removed the "Guardian of Order" badge from her chest.
The next moment, he pinned it onto his own.
The entire auditorium fell silent.
Not even a whisper could be heard.
Aibar took the microphone from Nurdaulet.
His eyes slowly swept across the teachers and students.
Then, in a calm voice, he spoke.
— More than anything... I believe this is where I truly belong.
He gently brushed his fingers across the badge on his chest.
— For me... the place I deserve most is that of the Guardian of Order.
Nurdaulet stared at Aibar in silence for a brief moment.
Then, an involuntary smile spread across his face.
He walked over to Aibar, took the microphone back into his hand, and turned toward the students and teachers with a cheerful grin.
— This stubborn idiot... he's never once followed any of my plans. At the very least, you could've waited until I officially handed over the presidency... agh...
Although the auditorium remained quiet, smiles began to appear across many faces.
The heavy atmosphere from before had completely disappeared.
Walking over to Maria, Nurdaulet held out the golden star badge to her.
Smiling, he said,
— Maria... here. It looks like my stubborn assistant has found himself a new boss.
He flashed a teasing grin at Aibar.
Aibar's brows twitched slightly.
Maria, along with several students, struggled to hold back their laughter.
Nurdaulet raised both hands in surrender.
— Hey, don't look at me like that. I'm not afraid of you. Besides... you've been like a little brother to me for a long time now. So stop acting so scary.
Aibar said nothing.
Instead, his crimson glowing eyes slowly swept across the auditorium.
The moment his gaze passed over the crowd...
Every laugh.
Every whisper.
Stopped instantly.
Taking the microphone back from Nurdaulet, Aibar spoke in his usual calm voice.
— This assembly is now over.
He returned the microphone to its stand.
One by one, the teachers and students began leaving the auditorium.
Maria walked up beside Aibar and spoke softly.
— He was only trying to joke... forgive him.
Nurdaulet immediately put on an exaggerated guilty expression.
— Please... sowwy...
Aibar shot him a brief glance.
— If you don't stop right now... you're getting slapped.
Nurdaulet let out a dramatic sigh.
— Agh... what a grump...
Without another word, Aibar stepped down from the stage and began walking toward his classroom.
Nurdaulet quietly watched his figure disappear down the hallway.
Then he glanced at Maria and smiled faintly.
— Don't worry. He already forgave me.
His eyes drifted back toward Aibar.
— You know... he's been like a younger brother to me for a long time.
A brief silence followed.
— That's why... sometimes I can understand what he's thinking without him saying a single word.
The break had begun.
Aibar sat quietly at his desk.
A moment later, Lucas walked over and stopped beside him.
— Guardian of Order... looks like you're back to your old position.
Aibar turned his head slightly toward him.
— Lucas... have you actually been training?
Lucas immediately looked away, avoiding eye contact.
— Uh... I don't need training. I'm already strong enough.
Just then, Maria entered the classroom.
Without saying a word, she walked over and took her seat beside Aibar.
Lucas smiled at her.
— Oh... Maria, congratulations. You're the Student Council President now.
Maria returned a gentle smile.
— Thank you.
Aibar glanced at her.
— Maria... that badge suits you.
Maria simply nodded.
Suddenly—
— Maria!
So Hyeon rushed over excitedly and wrapped her in a hug.
Maria couldn't help but laugh softly.
— You're the Student Council President now! I'm so proud of my bestie!
Lucas puffed out his chest proudly.
— Of course she's amazing. But... none of you can compare to me.
So Hyeon rolled her eyes.
— Here we go again...
She looked at Maria and smiled.
— Just ignore him.
Lucas frowned as if he had been offended.
— Hey! I'm seriously the strongest hero right now.
So Hyeon shrugged.
— Yeah, yeah... maybe.
She glanced at Aibar.
— But... I think Aibar is stronger than you now. Or at the very least... the two of you are equals.
The smile on Lucas's face instantly disappeared.
Without saying another word, he slowly turned to look at Aibar.
Lucas silently stared at Aibar.
There wasn't a single emotion on his face.
Meanwhile, Aibar paid no attention to anyone, completely lost in his own thoughts.
— Lucas?
So Hyeon's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Lucas immediately came back to his senses.
— Yeah... I'm listening.
So Hyeon looked at him suspiciously.
— Are you... upset?
Lucas forced a smile.
— No. No... everything's fine.
But he couldn't hide how fake that smile really was.
Both Symbat and Aibar noticed it the moment they looked at him.
Aibar said nothing.
"I don't need someone else's personal problems..." he thought to himself.
Meanwhile, Symbat silently looked at Lucas.
"Yeah... you're truly strong. I respect you."
"But... don't forget your place."
"I still remember how you begged that madman... Meyrambek."
"You're a hero..."
"But you're not on Aibar's level."ээ