Kaito's legs felt like stone.
He stood near the edge of the training field, hands on his knees, trying to slow his breathing.
"…How many fights do they want me to do," he muttered.
Tanaka stood beside him.
"As many as needed."
"That's not an answer."
"It is here."
Kaito groaned.
"I just moved up three ranks."
"You moved because you fought."
"That doesn't mean I need to fight again today."
Tanaka looked at him.
"You're still standing."
"That's not a good reason."
The bell rang again.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Kaito froze.
"…No."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
"I just fought twice."
"You'll fight again."
"This place is actually evil."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
Kaito sighed and stood up straight.
His whole body hurt.
His ribs ached.
His shoulder burned.
His legs felt heavy.
But the vibration in his chest was stronger than before.
Steady.
Clear.
Like it wasn't disappearing anymore.
He clenched his fist slowly.
"…Okay… I still got energy."
Tanaka nodded.
"Good."
"That's all you ever say."
Kaito walked back toward the field.
This time, fewer people were talking.
More were watching.
Some of them recognized him now.
"That's the new one."
"He fought twice already."
"He's still going?"
"He's stubborn."
Kaito frowned.
"…I heard that."
Someone laughed.
He stepped onto the field again.
The moment his foot touched the ground...
The vibration reacted.
Stronger.
Faster.
His body tensed automatically.
"…Yeah… I feel it."
The instructor looked at the tablet.
"Next match."
He paused.
Then spoke.
"Rank 309… Arata Kaito."
Kaito sighed.
"…Of course."
The instructor continued.
"Against… Rank 271… Toma Rei."
The crowd reacted louder this time.
"271?"
"He's moving up fast."
"That guy's strong."
Kaito blinked.
"…That doesn't sound good."
A tall boy stepped forward.
Broader shoulders.
Older.
Calm expression.
But the pressure around him felt heavier than the last two.
Not Ryo level.
But closer.
Toma stepped onto the field and looked at Kaito.
"…You're the noisy one."
Kaito frowned.
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"You don't control your energy."
"I'm working on it."
Toma nodded once.
"…Good."
Kaito raised his guard.
"…You talk more than the others."
"I don't like wasting time."
"…That sounds like something someone strong says."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Toma moved instantly.
Faster than the last fight.
Kaito barely blocked in time.
BAM.
The impact slammed into his arms.
His feet slid back hard.
"…Okay… that's strong," Kaito muttered.
Toma didn't stop.
Punch.
Kick.
Step.
Turn.
Every movement was clean.
Precise.
Heavy.
Kaito focused.
The vibration hummed.
He moved with it.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air trembled.
Toma blocked.
But his arm moved slightly.
His eyes narrowed.
"…You adapt fast."
Kaito smirked.
"I'm trying not to die."
Toma attacked again.
Faster.
Harder.
Kaito followed.
Barely.
Block.
Turn.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
The vibration surged.
His body felt lighter.
Faster.
For a moment...
He almost kept up.
The crowd reacted.
"He's matching him."
"No… not yet."
"He's close."
Toma stepped in.
Close.
Too close.
Kaito tried to move...
Too slow.
BAM.
The hit slammed into his ribs.
Pain exploded through his side.
He stumbled.
Almost fell.
But stayed up.
The vibration roared.
Stronger than ever.
His chest burned.
"…What… is this…"
Toma noticed.
"…There it is."
Kaito clenched his fists.
The energy surged.
His vision sharpened.
The air felt heavier.
He stepped forward without thinking.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder than before.
The air shook.
Toma blocked...
But slid back half a step.
The crowd went quiet.
"…He pushed him."
"…That was real."
"…His energy spiked."
Kaito blinked.
"…I did that…"
Toma's eyes narrowed.
"…Dangerous."
He stepped forward again.
Fast.
Too fast.
Kaito tried to react.
His body moved...
But not enough.
BAM.
The hit slammed into his chest.
All the air left his lungs.
He flew back and hit the ground hard.
Dust rose around him.
He tried to stand.
His legs shook.
Didn't work.
He dropped to one knee.
Breathing hard.
The vibration faded slowly.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Stop."
Silence filled the field.
Toma stepped back.
"…You're not weak."
Kaito coughed.
"…Feels like I am."
Toma shook his head.
"You just don't control it yet."
He turned and walked away.
"…Next time will be different."
The ranking board flickered.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 304
Kaito looked up.
"…It moved again."
Tanaka stepped onto the field.
"Yes."
Kaito laughed weakly.
"…I lost three times and still moved up."
"You pushed higher ranks."
Kaito lay back on the ground.
His whole body hurt.
But the vibration in his chest felt stronger than ever.
Like it was trying to break out.
He smiled slightly.
"…Good."
Tanaka looked down at him.
"…Good?"
Kaito closed his eyes.
"…Next time… I'm not stopping at one hit."
Across the field, Ryo watched from the steps again.
His smile was wider this time.
"…He's close."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…Yeah."
Ryo crossed his arms.
"…One more push."
He looked at Kaito.
"…And he'll break through."