When Sol Mirek crossed the finish line, Yamamoto Hidetaka's stopwatch stopped at 1 minute, 12 seconds, and 33 milliseconds.
The sports field fell into stunned silence.
Baki Hanma followed, finishing at 1 minute, 31 seconds, and 01 milliseconds. Both of their 1500-meter times had far surpassed the 3 minutes and 26 seconds set by Moroccan athlete Hicham El Guerrouj. A record unbroken for 27 years had been shattered by two high school students in a single afternoon.
"This… this is impossible." Yamamoto's hand trembled violently. He nearly dropped the stopwatch, repeatedly checking the numbers, slapping his face, even pinching himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"Teacher, how were our results?" Sol walked up casually, breathing steady as if he had just taken a leisurely stroll.
Baki approached as well, beads of sweat glinting on his forehead, but otherwise in peak condition.
"Did I pass?" he asked.
"You…" Yamamoto swallowed hard. "You didn't just break the world record. You've rewritten the limits of human physiology…"
Classmates erupted in cheers, staring at the two as if they were witnessing monsters.
"So amazing!"
"Baki, don't worry! Even if you were slower than Sol, you're still incredible!"
Sol offered a small smile, glancing at Baki. "Looks like we're both pretty good at running."
Baki scratched his head and grinned simply. "Yeah, but you're definitely faster than me. Still…" His eyes sharpened. "This makes me look forward to our fight after school even more."
Baki's fighting spirit blazed. Only a fight against a strong opponent could challenge him. He had initially assumed this seemingly lean young man was just arrogant, but Sol's speed proved otherwise.
"Me too," Sol said, nodding, a subtle smile on his lips.
The air around them seemed heavier, charged with intensity. Classmates instinctively stepped back, sensing an invisible pressure emanating from the two. Those who had doubted Sol's challenge to Baki now only felt awe and curiosity. A few girls approached shyly, asking how he trained for such endurance.
"Just some basic training," Sol replied politely, though his gaze often flicked to Baki at the window. The two shared a tacit glance, each recognizing the burning fighting spirit in the other. The girls, noticing this silent exchange, returned to their seats, hearts sinking. Why did strong, capable boys always end up together?
Afternoon classes dragged on. Sol appeared to listen, though he was daydreaming, while Baki rested, conserving energy for the showdown.
Finally, the dismissal bell rang. Sol packed his bag neatly and approached Baki. "To the back of the gym?"
Baki's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's go!"
They exited the classroom, followed by curious classmates. At the open space behind the gym, a circle quickly formed, leaving the center to the two combatants.
Baki assumed a classic fighting stance, muscles tensed. Sol stood relaxed, hands hanging naturally. He wasn't underestimating Baki; he simply didn't feel the need for a showy pose. A casual stance could psychologically dominate an opponent just as effectively.
Hiss!
Baki struck first, a straight punch tearing through the air toward Sol's face with a sharp whistle. An ordinary person would have seen only a blur. Sol, however, perceived the trajectory clearly. He tilted his head slightly, dodging easily, and countered with a punch to Baki's chest.
Bang!
The muffled thud sent Baki flying backward, the impact rattling his internal organs. By the time he regained balance, Sol had returned to his casual stance, as if nothing had happened.
"Such fast reactions…" Baki murmured, fire igniting in his eyes. He had underestimated this opponent. This style, formless yet lethal, seemed beyond ordinary martial arts.
The students gasped.
"What just happened?"
"How did Baki get knocked away?"
"Sol is so strong!"
Baki attacked again, this time with a low sweep kick. Sol adjusted instantly, stepping toward Baki's calf. Baki twisted, hands digging into the ground, preventing the kick from landing fully.
"This guy… he predicts my moves and counters them immediately," Baki thought, astonished.
Sol was also surprised. Combat Intuition allowed him to anticipate Baki's attacks, but Baki's reactions were exceptional. Even when foreseen, Baki could adjust at the last moment.
The air around them felt solid. Classmates held their breath, watching the two blurred figures clash relentlessly.
Baki smiled. "Sol, you're really strong. However…"
Before he could finish, he vanished from sight and reappeared beside Sol, elbow aimed at Sol's ribs.
"My practical combat experience is richer!" Baki's so-called "teleportation" was an explosive speed technique, creating the illusion of instantaneous movement.
Sol's Combat Intuition warned him. Reacting instinctively, he sidestepped and delivered a punch to Baki's chin.
Bang!
Baki flew backward again but used the momentum to backflip, immediately launching a more ferocious counterattack. The clash of fists and feet echoed across the open space, their movements blurring beyond recognition.
"This is insane…"
"Are they really high school students?"
"It's like a Jackie Chan movie."
The duel continued for ten minutes, both gasping, sweat-drenched, and battered. Finally, Sol's right hook connected with Baki's chin, knocking him unconscious. Even with Hanma Blood and incredible resilience, Baki collapsed, motionless.
Sol inhaled deeply, a small smile on his lips. The fight had been tougher than expected; Baki's durability had far exceeded his assumptions.
Ding!
Host detected defeating Baki Hanma, satisfying evolution conditions
Talent ability: Hanma Blood can evolve
Evolve immediately?
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