The training room felt smaller than before.
Kaito stood in the center of the stone floor, fists raised, breathing slowly.
Everything felt different.
Not the room.
Not the air.
Him.
The vibration inside his chest was still there, but it wasn't shaking anymore.
It flowed.
Slow.
Heavy.
Like something solid had formed where the noise used to be.
He clenched his fist.
The air trembled slightly.
"…Okay… that's still cool," he muttered.
Tanaka stood across from him, arms crossed as always.
"Focus."
"I am focusing."
"You're smiling."
"I can focus and smile."
Tanaka didn't react.
"Move."
Kaito stepped forward.
Punch.
CRACK.
The sound echoed across the room.
Louder than before.
Sharper.
But his arm felt heavy after.
He blinked.
"…Why does it feel harder now."
Tanaka nodded.
"Because you're using the first stage."
"That doesn't explain anything."
"You have more power."
"Yeah."
"You don't control it yet."
"…That sounds familiar."
Tanaka stepped closer.
"Before, your energy moved on its own."
"Yeah."
"Now it listens."
"Yeah."
"You don't know how to tell it what to do."
Kaito frowned.
"…Okay that makes sense."
Tanaka pointed.
"Again."
Kaito groaned.
"I just broke through yesterday."
"And now you train."
"This place really never stops."
"Yes."
Kaito sighed and raised his fist again.
He closed his eyes for a moment.
Felt the energy in his chest.
Not wild.
Not loud.
Heavy.
Like it wanted direction.
He moved.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air shook harder.
His arm trembled.
He lowered it slowly.
"…Okay… that one felt strong."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
"…Also felt like my arm might fall off."
"You used too much."
"I don't know how much is too much!"
"That's why you train."
Kaito groaned.
"I miss normal punching."
"You're past that."
"…I liked normal punching."
Tanaka ignored him.
"Again."
Kaito punched.
CRACK.
Again.
CRACK.
Again.
CRACK.
Each hit louder.
Each hit heavier.
Each hit harder to control.
Sweat ran down his face.
His breathing got heavier.
The energy inside his chest started heating up again.
Not exploding.
But building.
He stopped.
"…Wait."
Tanaka didn't move.
"What."
"…It's getting hot again."
Tanaka's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Good."
"That's not good."
"You need to feel it."
"I liked it better when I didn't."
Tanaka stepped closer.
"Move slower."
"…Slower?"
"Yes."
Kaito raised his fist.
Moved carefully.
Slow punch.
CRACK.
The air trembled, but his arm didn't shake as much.
His eyes widened.
"…That felt easier."
Tanaka nodded.
"Control first. Power later."
"…I hate that."
"You need that."
Kaito sighed.
"…Fine."
He punched again.
Slower.
Cleaner.
CRACK.
This time the sound echoed without hurting his arm.
He smiled slightly.
"…Okay… that felt right."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
Before Kaito could punch again...
The door opened.
Both of them looked over.
An instructor stood at the entrance.
"You're needed on the field."
Kaito froze.
"…No."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Yes."
"I just woke up today!"
"You're rank 240 now."
"That doesn't mean I'm ready!"
The instructor spoke calmly.
"Rank evaluation continues."
Kaito groaned.
"This place is evil."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
Kaito rolled his shoulders slowly.
His body still felt sore.
His chest still felt heavy.
But the energy inside him was clearer than before.
He clenched his fist.
The air trembled.
Not wild.
Controlled.
He exhaled.
"…Alright."
Tanaka looked at him.
"You fight differently now."
"…I know."
"You're not the same as yesterday."
"…I know."
"You still might lose."
"…I really know that."
Tanaka nodded.
"Good."
Kaito walked toward the door.
His legs felt steady.
His chest felt heavy.
His fists felt stronger.
But the pressure in the air outside already felt different.
Like the opponents waiting now were stronger.
Much stronger.
He stepped out of the building.
The courtyard was loud again.
The ranking board glowing.
People watching.
Whispers spreading.
"That's him."
"He broke through."
"He's rank 240 now."
"Let's see if it was luck."
Kaito frowned.
"…I heard that."
He stepped toward the field.
The vibration inside him moved slowly.
Calm.
Heavy.
Ready.
He clenched his fists.
"…Okay."
He smirked slightly.
"…Let's see how strong rank 240 really is."
Far above the courtyard, Ryo leaned against the railing again.
His eyes locked on Kaito.
"…He's different."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…First stage."
Ryo smiled.
"…Good."
He pushed off the railing.
"…Now the real fights start."