The combat class was really tough.
It wasn't trying to be nice or anything.
It was brutal and direct.
The whole point of this class was to push people to their limits and see how they handle it.
The teacher yelled out "Pair up!"
All the students quickly found a partner.
Kalen just stood there.
No one wanted to be his partner.
That was when a boy came up to him.
This boy was tall and broad. He looked very confident.
He was even smiling like he already knew he was going to win.
"My name is Darius Vorn " he said. "I am B-rank"
Kalen just nodded at him. Said "Okay."
Darius started laughing.
"That's all you have to say?" he asked.
The teacher blew a whistle. Said "Begin!"
Darius moved fast.
He was clearly well trained.
His Echo appeared behind him. It was huge and had a lot of armor on it.
You could feel the power coming from it.
Kalen didn't do anything.
He just stood there.
He didn't even react.
That was until Darius swung at him.
Kalen moved a little bit to the side.
The timing was perfect.
Darius missed him.
It was silent, for a moment.
Then Darius said "What—?"
Kalen's eyes got sharper.
Then he moved.
He took one step forward. Hit Darius.
It was an clean hit.
Darius. Then fell to the ground.
The whole room went quiet.
Lyra started laughing.
"That was really smooth " she said.
Nyxara was humming softly.
"You are getting better " she said.
Asha'Kareth didn't say anything.
You could tell she was impressed.
The teacher just stared.
"The match is over " he said.
Then everyone started whispering.
"That was a B-rank player—"
"He did not even use an Echo—"
"What the F**k is he—?!"
Kalen just turned around.
He didn't seem to care.
But on the Inside something was happening.
The system pulsed once again.
[SYNC PASSIVE EFFECT INCREASED]