White.
That was all Kaito could see.
White light filled his vision, and the sound in his ears became a loud ringing that drowned out everything else.
His chest burned.
Not pain.
Not exactly.
It felt like something inside him had been locked for years… and the door just broke open.
The vibration roared.
Louder than ever.
Stronger than ever.
He couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't move.
"…What… is this…"
The ground under his feet trembled.
Cracks spread across the stone floor of the training field.
Dust lifted into the air.
The crowd stepped back.
Some people stood up.
Some shouted.
Some just stared.
"He broke it."
"No way…"
"That's real."
"His energy changed."
Tanaka's eyes narrowed.
"…Good."
Across the field, Raizen stopped moving.
For the first time since the fight started, his expression changed slightly.
"…So it happens now."
Kaito's fists trembled.
The heat in his chest spread through his arms.
Through his legs.
Through his whole body.
It didn't feel wild anymore.
It felt clear.
Like the energy was finally listening.
He took a breath.
The air felt heavy.
But his body felt lighter.
"…I can… feel it…"
The vibration didn't roar anymore.
It flowed.
Slow.
Strong.
Steady.
Kaito opened his eyes.
The world looked sharper.
Clearer.
He could hear every movement around him.
Every breath.
Every step.
He clenched his fist.
The air around his hand trembled.
Not exploding.
Not out of control.
Just power.
He looked at Raizen.
"…Okay…"
Raizen's eyes narrowed.
"…You changed."
Kaito smirked slightly.
"…Yeah."
Raizen stepped forward.
"Show me."
Kaito didn't hesitate.
He stepped forward too.
Faster than before.
His body moved without fighting him.
Without shaking.
Without pain.
Raizen punched.
Kaito blocked.
BAM.
The impact hit his arms...
But he didn't slide.
Didn't fall.
Didn't lose balance.
Raizen's eyes sharpened.
"…Good."
He attacked again.
Faster.
Kaito moved.
Step.
Turn.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air shook.
Raizen blocked...
But slid back one step.
The crowd gasped.
"He pushed him."
"He actually pushed him."
"He broke through."
Kaito blinked.
"…That felt… easy."
Raizen stepped forward again.
This time faster.
Kaito followed.
No hesitation.
No delay.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
The ground trembled slightly.
Raizen stopped.
He looked at Kaito for a moment.
Then nodded once.
"…Enough."
Kaito blinked.
"…What?"
Raizen turned away.
"You passed."
The instructor raised his hand immediately.
"Stop."
Silence filled the courtyard.
Everyone stared at Kaito.
Some shocked.
Some excited.
Some confused.
The ranking board flickered.
The numbers changed fast.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 240
Kaito stared at it.
"…Wait… what."
Tanaka walked onto the field.
His expression calm.
But his eyes sharp.
"…You broke through."
Kaito looked at his hands.
The vibration was still there.
But now it felt different.
Controlled.
Quiet.
Strong.
"…That's it?"
Tanaka nodded.
"For now."
Kaito blinked.
"…For now?"
"You just started."
Kaito groaned.
"This place is never satisfied."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"No."
Kaito looked back at the board again.
He laughed weakly.
"…I skipped a lot."
"Yes."
"…Worth it."
His legs suddenly shook.
His vision blurred.
The energy inside him faded all at once.
"…Oh… that's not good…"
His knees gave out.
He fell forward.
Tanaka caught him before he hit the ground.
"…Too much at once."
Kaito tried to talk.
"…Did… I win…"
Tanaka shook his head.
"You survived."
"…Good enough…"
His eyes closed.
The courtyard stayed silent.
People kept staring at him.
Some whispering.
Some smiling.
Some frowning.
On the roof, Ryo watched with a wide grin.
"…He did it."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…First stage."
Ryo crossed his arms.
"…Now it gets interesting."