The training field was bigger than Kaito expected.
Way bigger.
It wasn't just a mat or a small arena like the dojo back home.
It was a huge open space surrounded by stone walls, with dozens of platforms spread across the ground.
Some people were training.
Some were fighting.
Some were just watching.
And now…
Everyone was looking at him.
Kaito scratched the back of his head.
"…Why is everyone staring again?"
Tanaka walked beside him.
"Because you're new."
"That's it?"
"And because they can feel you."
Kaito groaned.
"I don't like that."
His mother stopped near the entrance.
"I'll watch from here."
Kaito blinked.
"You're not coming?"
She smiled faintly.
"You don't need me for this."
That didn't make him feel better.
Tanaka kept walking.
"Come on."
Kaito followed him onto the field.
The ground felt different.
Heavy.
Like the air itself had weight.
His chest tightened again.
The vibration started.
Not exploding.
Not yet.
Just there.
Waiting.
In the center of the field, Ryo stood with his arms crossed.
He didn't look nervous.
Didn't look excited.
Just bored.
When Kaito got closer, Ryo glanced at him.
"…You're slow."
Kaito frowned.
"You said ten minutes."
"You took nine."
"That's still ten."
Ryo smirked.
"Not here."
Kaito rolled his eyes.
"Everyone here is annoying."
A few people nearby laughed.
Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You talk too much."
"You say that a lot."
Tanaka stepped forward.
"That's enough."
He looked at both of them.
"This is not a real match."
Ryo shrugged.
"It never is."
Tanaka's voice turned sharp.
"No serious injuries."
Ryo nodded once.
"Fine."
Tanaka looked at Kaito.
"Listen carefully."
Kaito straightened.
"Yes, sensei."
"Don't try to win."
Kaito blinked.
"…What?"
"Just survive."
Kaito frowned.
"That's not very inspiring."
Tanaka didn't smile.
"I'm serious."
Kaito swallowed.
"…Okay."
Tanaka stepped back.
The people around the field moved closer.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
"New guy."
"That's the one."
"His energy's unstable."
"He's fighting Ryo?"
"He's dead."
Kaito heard that last one.
"…Hey."
Ryo stepped forward.
The pressure in the air increased instantly.
Kaito's chest burned.
The vibration reacted.
Stronger.
Ryo stopped a few steps away.
"No rules," he said.
Kaito raised his fists.
"…That's not comforting."
Ryo tilted his head.
"Ready?"
Kaito took a breath.
His heart pounded.
His body felt light.
Too light.
"…Yeah."
Ryo moved first.
Fast.
Way faster than Kenji.
Faster than the men on the road.
Kaito barely raised his guard in time.
BAM.
The impact slammed into his arms.
His feet slid across the ground.
"…What...?!"
Ryo stopped.
"…Too slow."
He moved again.
Punch.
Kick.
Step.
Kaito blocked one.
Missed the second.
The kick hit his side.
THUD.
Pain shot through his ribs.
He stumbled back.
The crowd murmured.
"He's done."
"Told you."
"Too weak."
Kaito gritted his teeth.
"…Not yet."
He stepped forward.
Punch.
Ryo didn't even block.
He moved his head slightly.
The punch missed.
Ryo's hand shot forward.
BAM.
Kaito flew back and hit the ground hard.
Dust rose around him.
The crowd went quiet.
For a second, he couldn't breathe.
His chest burned.
His arms shook.
His whole body hurt.
"…Get up," Ryo said.
Kaito coughed.
"…You don't have to say it like that."
He pushed himself up slowly.
His legs felt weak.
But he stood.
The vibration inside him started again.
Louder.
Stronger.
Ryo noticed.
"…There it is."
Kaito clenched his fists.
"…I'm not done."
Ryo smirked.
"Good."
He stepped forward again.
Faster than before.
Kaito moved without thinking.
Step.
Block.
Turn.
His body reacted on its own.
For a split second...
His fist moved.
THUD.
It hit Ryo's shoulder.
Not hard.
But it hit.
The entire field went silent.
Ryo blinked.
"…You hit me."
Kaito blinked too.
"…I hit you."
The vibration exploded inside him.
The air trembled slightly.
People in the crowd leaned forward.
"He felt that."
"Did you see it?"
"His energy jumped."
Ryo's smile slowly returned.
"…Interesting."
He stepped forward again.
This time faster.
Kaito tried to move.
Too late.
BAM.
The hit slammed into his stomach.
All the air left his lungs.
His vision went white.
His knees hit the ground.
He couldn't stand.
Couldn't breathe.
Couldn't move.
Silence filled the field.
Ryo stopped.
He looked down at him for a moment.
Then turned away.
"…Enough."
Tanaka stepped forward.
The pressure in the air faded.
Kaito fell onto his hands, gasping.
His chest hurt.
Everything hurt.
Tanaka stood over him.
"…Good."
Kaito looked up.
"…Good?!"
Tanaka nodded.
"You lasted longer than I expected."
"That's not a compliment…"
Ryo glanced back.
"…He's weak."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"Yes."
Ryo smirked.
"…But loud."
Tanaka didn't deny it.
Ryo started walking away.
"Get stronger," he said without looking back.
"…Next time I won't stop."
Kaito lay on the ground, breathing hard.
His chest still burning.
The vibration still there.
Stronger than before.
He slowly smiled.
"…Good."
Tanaka raised an eyebrow.
"…Good?"
Kaito pushed himself up.
"…Now I know how strong this place is."
He looked toward the training field.
Toward the fighters.
Toward Ryo.
"…And I'm not staying weak."
Tanaka watched him for a moment.
Then nodded once.
"…Good answer."