The wind roared through the empty street.
Jaden stood surrounded by a powerful storm, his eyes locked onto Kai.
"Come on!" Jaden shouted. "Show me your real power!"
Kai stood still.
Calm.
Silent.
"…You asked for this," he said quietly.
Jaden rushed forward.
WHOOSH!
A blast of wind shot toward Kai—
But Kai didn't move.
The wind stopped.
Just… stopped.
Jaden's eyes widened.
"What—?"
In the next second—
Kai disappeared.
BAM!
A punch slammed into Jaden's stomach.
Jaden's body bent forward as all the air left his lungs.
Before he could react—
CRACK!
Kai struck his shoulder with a sharp blow.
Jaden stumbled back, shocked.
"You're… faster…?"
Kai said nothing.
His eyes were cold.
Jaden roared and unleashed a massive wave of wind.
The ground cracked as the attack rushed forward.
But Kai lifted his hand.
And the wind…
Changed direction.
Jaden froze.
"You… copied it…"
Kai stepped forward slowly.
Not even trying to hide it anymore.
Jaden attacked again, desperate.
But now it was useless.
Every move he made—
Kai read it.
Copied it.
Countered it.
BAM!
Kai kicked Jaden to the ground.
CRASH!
Dust filled the air.
Jaden tried to stand.
Kai was already there.
He grabbed Jaden by the collar and slammed him down again.
"Stop…" Jaden coughed.
Kai didn't stop.
Punch.
Punch.
Punch.
Each hit was stronger than the last.
Jaden's power faded.
His body went weak.
Finally—
Kai stopped.
Jaden lay on the ground, barely conscious.
Breathing heavily.
Broken.
Kai stood over him silently.
Then he turned away.
"…I told you," Kai said calmly.
"You couldn't handle it."
The wind disappeared.
The street became quiet again.
Kai looked at his hand for a moment.
The dark energy slowly faded.
"…I went too far," he muttered.
But deep down…
He knew the truth.
If he ever stopped holding back completely…
No one at Nova High would be able to stand against him.
And that…
Was exactly why he had to keep hiding.