Kaito could barely breathe.
He sat on the ground near the edge of the courtyard, elbows on his knees, staring at the dirt.
His chest still burned from the last fight.
Not pain.
Not exactly.
Just heat.
Like something inside him was trying to move but didn't know how.
"…I don't like this feeling," he muttered.
Tanaka stood nearby, arms crossed as always.
"You felt it again."
"Yes."
"Good."
"That's your answer for everything."
Tanaka didn't argue.
Kaito leaned back against the stone wall and looked up at the ranking board.
The numbers flickered slowly.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 295
He stared at it for a long moment.
"…I moved again."
"Yes."
"I lost again."
"Yes."
"…Still moved."
"You pushed higher ranks."
Kaito sighed.
"This system makes no sense."
Tanaka looked at him.
"It makes perfect sense."
"Not to me."
"You're improving faster than they expected."
Kaito frowned.
"That doesn't feel like improving."
"You're still standing."
"That's because I'm stubborn."
"Yes."
"…Fair."
Kaito closed his eyes for a second.
The vibration hummed faintly.
Still there.
Still steady.
Stronger than yesterday.
Stronger than this morning.
He clenched his fist slowly.
The air trembled just a little.
He opened one eye.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
"…It's easier to feel now."
Tanaka nodded.
"You're getting closer."
"…Closer to what."
Tanaka didn't answer.
Before Kaito could ask again...
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
The bell rang across the courtyard.
Kaito froze.
"…No."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
"I just fought."
"You'll fight again."
"This place is evil."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
Kaito groaned and pushed himself up slowly.
His legs protested.
His ribs hurt.
His shoulder still burned.
But the vibration in his chest felt stronger than ever.
Like it was waiting.
Like it wanted something.
He rolled his neck.
"…Alright… one more."
Tanaka looked at him.
"You don't have a choice."
"Still saying it like I do."
They walked back toward the field.
The crowd was louder now.
More people had gathered.
Some standing on the steps.
Some sitting on the walls.
Some leaning on the railings.
Kaito frowned.
"…Why are there more people."
Tanaka didn't look at him.
"They felt it."
"That's not comforting."
They stepped onto the field again.
The moment Kaito's foot touched the ground...
The vibration reacted.
Hard.
His chest tightened.
His breath caught.
"…Okay… that's stronger…"
The instructor looked at the tablet.
His eyes paused for a second.
Then he spoke.
"Next match."
Silence fell.
He read the names.
"Rank 295… Arata Kaito."
Kaito sighed.
"…Of course."
The instructor continued.
"Against… Rank 240… Jin Raku."
The crowd reacted louder than before.
"240?!"
"That's too high."
"He's not ready."
Kaito blinked.
"…That sounds really bad."
A boy stepped forward.
Older.
Taller.
Broader shoulders.
Calm face.
But the pressure around him was heavy.
Way heavier than the last fight.
Kaito swallowed.
"…Yeah… that's bad."
Jin stepped onto the field slowly.
He looked at Kaito once.
"…You're the one climbing fast."
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"I'm also the one getting punched a lot."
Jin nodded.
"…Good."
"That's not a nice answer."
Jin didn't smile.
"You need pressure."
"…I have plenty of that already."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Jin moved.
Fast.
Much faster.
Kaito barely blocked.
BAM.
The impact slammed into his arms.
His feet slid back hard.
Pain shot through his shoulders.
"…Okay… that's stronger…"
Jin attacked again.
Punch.
Kick.
Turn.
Step.
Every movement heavy.
Clean.
Precise.
Kaito focused.
The vibration roared.
He moved with it.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air trembled.
Jin blocked easily.
But his eyes narrowed.
"…You're unstable."
Kaito smirked.
"I hear that a lot."
Jin stepped closer.
"Good."
He attacked again.
Faster.
Harder.
Kaito followed.
Barely.
Block.
Turn.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
The vibration surged.
His chest burned.
Stronger.
Too strong.
The air around him trembled.
The crowd leaned forward.
"He's spiking again."
"That's big."
"He can't hold it."
Kaito clenched his fists.
"…Move…"
The energy surged.
His body reacted.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
Loud.
Very loud.
The ground shook slightly.
Jin blocked...
But slid back two steps.
The entire courtyard went silent.
Jin's eyes widened.
"…There."
Kaito blinked.
His arm trembled.
His chest burned.
"…What… was that…"
The vibration roared.
Too strong.
Too fast.
His vision blurred.
His legs shook.
He tried to move...
His body wouldn't listen.
He dropped to one knee.
Breathing hard.
The energy faded again.
Slowly.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Stop."
Silence.
Jin looked at him for a moment.
"…You're right on the edge."
Kaito coughed.
"…Edge of what…"
Jin turned away.
"…You'll see."
The ranking board flickered.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 286
Kaito stared at it.
"…Again…"
Tanaka stepped onto the field.
His eyes sharp.
"…You felt it."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
"…It almost broke."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
Kaito smiled weakly.
"…Good."
Above the courtyard, Ryo watched with crossed arms.
His expression serious now.
"…Next one."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…He won't hold it back next time."
Ryo's eyes stayed on Kaito.
"…Yeah."
He smirked slightly.
"…Next fight… he breaks through."