The academy wasn't chaotic anymore.
It was controlled.
---
After the collapse—
After the infighting—
After the fires—
---
Everything changed.
---
Instructors took command.
Students were pulled back.
Zones were locked down.
---
And in the middle of it—
One target remained.
---
Kai Verdan.
---
The Problem
Kai stopped moving.
Not because he was tired.
---
Because something felt wrong.
---
"…Too quiet," he muttered.
---
The system flickered.
---
[Warning]
Hunter Behavior Changed
Threat Level Increasing
---
Kai exhaled slowly.
---
"Yeah," he said.
"They're adapting."
---
The Hunter Appears
"You're learning."
---
The voice came from behind him.
---
Kai didn't turn immediately.
---
"…You again?" he said.
---
Instructor Rael stepped into view.
---
No dust.
No damage.
No hesitation.
---
Untouched.
---
Pressure Returns
The air grew heavy.
---
Not chaotic like before.
---
Focused.
Locked.
---
Kai's body tensed.
---
This wasn't like earlier.
---
Rael wasn't dividing attention anymore.
---
Now—
Kai was the only target.
---
No Escape
"You've caused enough damage," Rael said.
---
Kai smiled faintly.
"Debatable."
---
Rael raised his hand slightly.
---
Invisible force pressed down.
---
Kai's legs bent slightly under the weight.
---
"…Yeah," he muttered.
"That's still annoying."
---
The Difference
Before—
Kai escaped using distraction.
---
Now—
There was none.
---
No students.
No chaos.
---
Just him.
---
And Rael.
---
System Push
---
[Suggestion]
Create Chaos
---
Kai almost laughed.
---
"Yeah," he whispered.
"Working on it."
---
The Plan
His eyes moved.
Quick.
Sharp.
---
Hallway.
Cracks.
Support beams.
Residual damage.
---
Everything was weaker now.
---
Because of him.
---
Kai's grin returned.
---
"Guess I prepared this earlier."
---
Engagement
Rael moved first.
---
Not fast.
---
Precise.
---
Controlled.
---
Kai activated Dirty Escape—
---
Too slow.
---
The force caught him mid-movement.
---
SLAM.
---
He hit the ground hard.
---
Pain exploded through his body.
---
"…Okay," he coughed.
"That's new."
---
No Tricks
Rael walked closer.
---
"You rely too much on chaos," he said.
---
Kai smirked weakly.
"Yeah."
---
Then his eyes sharpened.
---
"But you're standing in it."
---
Trigger
Kai slammed his hand into the ground.
---
CRACK.
---
The already weakened structure responded instantly.
---
Rael's eyes flickered.
---
Just slightly.
---
That was enough.
---
Chain Reaction
The walls trembled.
---
The ceiling cracked.
---
Support beams shifted.
---
Everything unstable—
---
Began to collapse.
---
Collapse Zone
BOOOOM.
---
The hallway gave in.
---
Dust exploded.
---
Stone crashed down.
---
Rael moved instantly.
---
Perfect control.
---
Debris shattered before hitting him.
---
Untouched.
---
But Not Untouched
Kai didn't aim at Rael.
---
He aimed at the ground beneath him.
---
CRACK.
---
The floor split open.
---
Rael dropped—
---
Just slightly.
---
Not enough to fall.
---
But enough—
---
To break his stance.
---
Opening
Kai moved.
---
This time—
---
It worked.
---
He slipped through the pressure.
---
Past Rael.
---
Barely.
---
Strike
As he passed—
Kai didn't attack directly.
---
He struck the wall.
---
Hard.
---
Final Break
BOOOOM.
---
The entire section collapsed.
---
Separating them.
---
A wall of debris crashed between Kai and Rael.
---
Escape
Kai didn't hesitate.
---
He ran.
---
Fast.
---
Not looking back.
---
System Reward
---
[High-Risk Maneuver Successful]
+4 Stat Points
---
Kai exhaled sharply.
---
"…Still alive."
---
Behind Him
The debris shifted.
---
Slowly.
---
Then—
---
Stopped.
---
Rael didn't chase.
---
Not immediately.
---
Realization
Kai slowed slightly.
---
"…Yeah," he muttered.
---
"That wasn't a win."
---
Truth
Rael wasn't stopped.
---
Just delayed.
---
And that difference—
---
Was massive.
---
System Update
---
[Evaluation]
Current Threat Level: Rising
Survival Rating: Moderate
---
Kai smiled faintly.
---
"Improving."
---
Final Line
He disappeared deeper into the academy.
---
But his voice echoed quietly—
---
"Next time…"
---
His grin returned.
---
"…I'll do more than run."
---
End of Chapter 13