The sky was already turning dark when Kai left Nova High early.
Classes had ended, but he didn't stay.
He didn't go to the training field.
He didn't meet Zara.
He just… left.
Too many eyes, he thought.
Walking alone down the quiet street, Kai kept his hands in his pockets.
Everything felt calm.
Too calm.
Then—
Footsteps.
Multiple.
Kai stopped.
"…Here we go again."
Figures stepped out from the shadows.
Not three.
Not five.
Ten students.
All of them strong.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
"You guys really planned this, huh?"
One of them stepped forward.
"We were told to test you."
Kai frowned.
"By who?"
The student smirked.
"You don't need to know."
Before Kai could react—
They attacked.
BOOM!
A blast of fire rushed toward him.
Kai dodged to the side—
But a kick slammed into his ribs.
CRACK!
He crashed into the wall.
Another student appeared behind him.
BAM!
A punch hit his back.
Kai dropped to one knee.
They didn't give him time.
Attack after attack.
Fire.
Wind.
Strength.
Speed.
Kai blocked what he could…
But there were too many.
Too fast.
Too strong together.
BAM!
A powerful strike hit his face.
Blood splattered onto the ground.
Kai fell.
The group surrounded him.
"Is this really the guy the King is interested in?" one laughed.
"Looks weak to me."
Kai tried to stand—
A foot slammed into his chest.
THUD.
He hit the ground again.
His vision blurred.
Too many… he thought.
If I use my power…
He clenched his fist slightly.
But then—
He stopped.
"No…"
His voice was weak.
"I can't…"
If he used his full power here…
Everything would be exposed.
The Top Ten.
The Headmaster.
Everyone.
So he made a choice.
He let it happen.
Punch.
Kick.
Strike.
The attacks didn't stop.
Until finally—
Kai stopped moving.
The group stepped back.
"…He's done."
"Let's go."
They walked away, leaving him lying there.
Broken.
Half-conscious.
The street became silent again.
Minutes passed.
Kai slowly opened his eyes.
Blood covered his face.
His body trembled as he tried to move.
"…I'm still alive…"
He forced himself to sit up.
Every movement hurt.
But his eyes…
For a brief second—
They flickered red.
Then went back to normal.
Kai leaned against the wall, breathing heavily.
"…Next time…"
His voice was cold.
"…I won't hold back."
Because whoever sent those students…
Had just made a very big mistake.