Kaito's legs were shaking.
Not from fear.
Not from pain.
From exhaustion.
He stood near the edge of the courtyard, breathing slowly, trying to calm the heat inside his chest.
It wouldn't go away.
It never went away now.
The vibration hummed constantly, like something inside him was awake and refusing to sleep.
"…I don't think I can do another one," he muttered.
Tanaka stood beside him.
"You can."
"I just fought three times."
"You can."
Kaito looked at him.
"You always say that."
Tanaka didn't react.
"Because it's true."
Kaito sighed and looked up at the ranking board again.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 286
He stared at the number.
"…I climbed a lot."
"Yes."
"I also almost died a lot."
"Yes."
"…Still climbing."
"Yes."
Kaito shook his head.
"This place makes no sense."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"You're close."
"…Everyone keeps saying that."
"Because you are."
Kaito clenched his fist slowly.
The air trembled slightly.
He looked down at his hand.
"…It's easier now."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
"…But I can't control it."
"You will."
"…When."
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 can't even feel my legs."
"You don't need them."
"That's not how legs work."
Tanaka grabbed his shoulder.
"You're fighting."
Kaito groaned.
"This place is evil."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
They walked back toward the field.
This time, the crowd was bigger than before.
Way bigger.
People were standing on the steps.
On the walls.
On the roof of the training hall.
Whispers spread as Kaito walked past.
"That's him."
"He's still going?"
"He's about to break."
"He won't last."
Kaito frowned.
"…I heard that."
No one answered.
The instructor stood in the center of the field.
He looked at the tablet longer than usual.
Then he spoke.
"Next match."
Silence fell instantly.
He read the names.
"Rank 286… Arata Kaito."
Kaito sighed.
"…Of course."
The instructor continued.
"Against… Rank 220… Raizen Kuro."
The entire courtyard reacted.
Louder than before.
"220?!"
"That's too high."
"He's dead."
Kaito blinked.
"…Okay that sounds really bad."
A boy stepped forward.
Tall.
Lean.
Cold eyes.
No smile.
No emotion.
But the pressure around him was heavy.
Heavier than anyone Kaito fought so far.
Not Ryo.
But close enough to make his chest tighten.
Raizen stepped onto the field slowly.
He looked at Kaito once.
"…You're the unstable one."
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"I prefer stubborn."
Raizen didn't react.
"You're loud."
"Everyone says that."
"You can't control it."
"I'm working on it."
Raizen nodded once.
"…Good."
Kaito raised his guard.
"…You talk less than the others."
"No reason to talk."
"…Yeah… that's scary."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Raizen moved instantly.
Too fast.
Kaito barely blocked.
BAM.
The impact slammed into his arms.
Pain shot through his shoulders.
His feet slid back hard.
"…Okay… that's strong…"
Raizen didn't stop.
Punch.
Kick.
Turn.
Step.
Every hit heavier than before.
Kaito focused.
The vibration roared.
He moved with it.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air trembled.
Raizen blocked easily.
"…Too slow."
He stepped closer.
Faster.
Kaito followed.
Barely.
Block.
Turn.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
The vibration surged.
His chest burned.
Too hot.
Too strong.
The air around him shook.
The crowd leaned forward.
"He's spiking."
"That's huge."
"He can't hold it."
Kaito clenched his fists.
"…Move… move…"
The energy surged.
His body reacted.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
LOUD.
The ground trembled.
Raizen blocked...
But slid back two steps.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…There it is."
Kaito blinked.
His vision blurred.
His chest burned like fire.
The vibration roared louder than ever.
Too loud.
Too strong.
He couldn't breathe.
"…I can't… hold it…"
The air around him started shaking.
Dust lifted from the ground.
People in the crowd stepped back.
"He's breaking."
"Too much."
"He can't control it."
Raizen stepped forward again.
Fast.
Kaito tried to move...
His body wouldn't listen.
His legs shook.
His arms trembled.
The energy exploded inside his chest.
The ground cracked under his feet.
CRACK.
The sound echoed across the courtyard.
Everyone froze.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"…What… is happening…"
The vibration roared.
Louder than ever.
Stronger than ever.
Tanaka's eyes sharpened.
"…Now."
Raizen stopped moving.
The entire field went silent.
The air trembled around Kaito.
Like something was about to burst.
He clenched his fists.
His chest burned.
His vision blurred.
The energy surged one more time...
And everything went white.