Kaito could barely move his arms.
He sat on the steps near the training field, breathing slowly while holding an ice pack against his ribs.
"…I hate this place," he muttered.
Tanaka stood nearby, arms crossed as always.
"You said that yesterday."
"I meant it more today."
"You lasted longer."
"That's not helping."
Tanaka didn't respond.
Kaito looked down at the field.
People were still fighting.
Still training.
Still moving like getting hit by Ryo wouldn't destroy their entire body.
"…How is everyone here so strong," Kaito asked.
Tanaka answered without hesitation.
"They weren't born strong."
"That's worse."
"They trained longer."
Kaito sighed.
"…So I just need like… ten more years."
Tanaka shook his head.
"No."
Kaito blinked.
"…No?"
"You don't have ten years."
Cold air ran down Kaito's spine.
"…That sounds bad."
Tanaka looked at him.
"It means you train faster."
"That sounds worse."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
Kaito groaned and leaned back against the stone wall.
His whole body hurt.
But the vibration in his chest was still there.
Stronger than yesterday.
Steadier.
Like it didn't disappear anymore.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
"…When do I get to fight someone weaker than me."
Tanaka didn't even think.
"You don't."
Kaito opened one eye.
"…This place is evil."
Before Tanaka could answer...
A loud bell rang across the training grounds.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Everyone on the field stopped.
Fights paused.
People looked toward the center of the courtyard.
Kaito frowned.
"…What's that."
Tanaka looked toward the main building.
"…Announcement."
Kaito blinked.
"…Announcement for what."
Tanaka turned.
"Come."
Kaito groaned.
"I can't even stand up."
"Stand up."
Kaito sighed and pushed himself to his feet.
His legs hurt.
His ribs hurt.
Everything hurt.
But he followed anyway.
People were already moving toward the center of the training grounds.
Dozens of them.
Maybe hundreds.
Kaito looked around.
"…There's way more people than I thought."
"Yes."
"That's not comforting."
They reached the main courtyard.
In the middle stood a huge stone wall.
Kaito stopped when he saw it.
"…What is that."
The wall was covered in names.
Hundreds of them.
Carved into the stone.
Some near the top.
Some near the bottom.
Some crossed out.
Some glowing faintly.
Kaito blinked.
"…Is that… a scoreboard?"
Tanaka nodded.
"The ranking board."
Kaito stared.
"…Ranking for what."
"For fighters."
"…All of them?"
"Yes."
Kaito's eyes widened.
"…You're kidding."
"No."
People gathered around the board, looking at the names.
Some nodded.
Some frowned.
Some smiled.
Ryo stood near the top of the list, arms crossed.
Kaito squinted.
"…Wait… he's near the top."
Tanaka nodded.
"Top ten."
Kaito groaned.
"…Of course he is."
The bell rang again.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
An older man stepped onto the platform in front of the board.
Everyone went quiet.
Tanaka stopped walking.
Kaito stopped too.
"…Who's that," he whispered.
"Instructor," Tanaka said.
The man looked over the crowd.
His voice was calm, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Ranking evaluation begins tomorrow."
The crowd started whispering.
Kaito blinked.
"…Evaluation?"
The man continued.
"All fighters below rank fifty will be tested."
More whispers.
Some people looked excited.
Some looked nervous.
Some looked annoyed.
Kaito frowned.
"…What does that mean."
Tanaka answered quietly.
"It means you fight."
Kaito stared at him.
"…Again?"
"Yes."
"…Against who?"
Tanaka looked at the board.
"…Whoever they assign."
Kaito swallowed.
"…I just got here."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
"…I'm not even ranked."
Tanaka looked at him.
"…You will be tomorrow."
Cold air ran down Kaito's spine.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
"…This place really wants me dead."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"It wants you strong."
Kaito looked at the board again.
Hundreds of names.
Hundreds of fighters.
All stronger than him.
His chest tightened.
The vibration hummed softly.
Stronger.
Steadier.
He clenched his fists.
"…Good."
Tanaka raised an eyebrow.
"…Good?"
Kaito smirked slightly.
"…If there's a ranking… then I can climb it."
Silence.
Tanaka watched him for a moment.
Then nodded once.
"…Good answer."
Across the courtyard, Ryo glanced at Kaito.
He smirked.
"…He's entering the rankings already."
The girl beside him crossed her arms.
"He won't last long."
Ryo's smile didn't fade.
"…Maybe."
He looked at Kaito again.
"…Or maybe he will."
The bell rang one last time.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
The ranking board glowed faintly.
And Kaito felt the vibration in his chest react.
Like something inside him was ready.