The moment Kaito stepped onto the field, he felt the difference.
Before, the pressure of the courtyard always felt heavy.
Like the air itself was pushing down on him.
Now…
It still felt heavy.
But his body didn't shake anymore.
The vibration inside his chest moved slowly, like a steady current instead of a storm.
He clenched his fist once.
The air trembled slightly.
Controlled.
Not wild.
"…Okay," he muttered.
"…That's better."
Tanaka stood near the edge of the field, arms crossed.
"You feel it."
"Yes."
"You don't look like you're dying."
"That's a big improvement."
Tanaka nodded.
"Don't get careless."
"I won't."
The instructor stood in the center, tablet in hand.
The ranking board flickered behind him.
Names shifting.
Numbers changing.
People gathered around the field, whispering.
"That's the one."
"He broke through yesterday."
"He jumped to 240."
"Let's see if it was real."
Kaito frowned.
"…I heard that."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Next match."
Silence fell.
He read the names.
"Rank 240… Arata Kaito."
Kaito sighed.
"…Of course."
The instructor continued.
"Against… Rank 233… Sora Jin."
The crowd reacted quietly this time.
Not shocked.
Just interested.
Kaito blinked.
"…That's close."
Tanaka spoke calmly.
"Closer ranks. Harder fights."
"That sounds bad."
"Yes."
A boy stepped forward.
Short black hair.
Lean build.
Calm eyes.
But the pressure around him was heavier than anyone Kaito fought before the breakthrough.
Not overwhelming.
But real.
Sora stepped onto the field.
He looked at Kaito for a moment.
"…You're the new one."
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"Yeah."
"You broke through yesterday."
"Yeah."
Sora nodded once.
"…Good."
Kaito frowned.
"That's not scary at all."
Sora raised his guard.
"You won't last if it was luck."
Kaito smirked.
"…Guess we'll see."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Sora moved first.
Fast.
Very fast.
Kaito reacted instantly.
Step.
Block.
BAM.
The impact hit his arms.
Heavy.
But he didn't slide.
Didn't lose balance.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…Okay… that's new."
Sora's eyes sharpened.
"…You held it."
Kaito smirked.
"I told you."
Sora attacked again.
Punch.
Kick.
Turn.
Step.
Clean.
Precise.
Fast.
Kaito focused.
The energy moved through his chest.
Not exploding.
Flowing.
He moved with it.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air shook.
Sora blocked...
But his arm moved back slightly.
The crowd reacted.
"He's stable now."
"That's first stage control."
"He's not losing balance anymore."
Kaito blinked.
"…Okay… I like that."
Sora stepped closer.
Faster.
Kaito followed.
Step.
Turn.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
Cleaner.
His arm didn't shake this time.
Sora slid back half a step.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Not luck."
Kaito grinned.
"Told you."
Sora rushed forward again.
Faster than before.
Kaito reacted.
Block.
Turn.
Kick.
THUD.
His kick hit Sora's side.
Clean.
The crowd gasped.
"He landed one."
"That was real."
"He's rank 240 for real."
Kaito blinked.
"…I did that on purpose."
Sora smirked slightly.
"…Good."
He stepped in.
Close.
Too close.
Punch.
BAM.
The hit slammed into Kaito's shoulder.
Pain shot down his arm.
He stumbled back.
Still standing.
Still steady.
The vibration moved calmly in his chest.
He clenched his fist.
"…Again."
He stepped forward.
Punch.
CRACK.
Sora blocked...
But slid back.
One step.
Two steps.
Silence spread across the field.
Sora stopped.
Looked at Kaito.
Then nodded once.
"…You belong here."
Kaito blinked.
"…That's the nicest thing anyone said today."
Sora stepped forward again.
Fast.
Kaito reacted.
But this time...
Sora was faster.
BAM.
The hit landed in Kaito's chest.
Heavy.
Strong.
His breath left his lungs.
He staggered back.
Almost fell.
But stayed on his feet.
The instructor watched carefully.
Both fighters stopped moving.
Silence.
Sora lowered his guard.
"…Enough."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Stop."
The ranking board flickered.
Numbers changed.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 235
Kaito stared at it.
"…Wait."
He blinked.
"…I moved again."
Tanaka nodded.
"You held your stage."
Kaito smiled.
"…Good."
His legs finally gave out.
He sat down hard on the field.
"…Okay… now I'm tired."
Tanaka walked toward him.
"You did better."
"I didn't die."
"That too."
Kaito laughed weakly.
"…Rank 235…"
He looked at the board again.
His name was still low.
Still far from the top.
But not at the bottom anymore.
He clenched his fist slowly.
The air trembled slightly.
Controlled.
Steady.
"…I'm climbing."
Above the field, Ryo watched with crossed arms.
His smile returned.
"…Yeah."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…He's real now."
Ryo turned away.
"…Good."
His eyes sharpened.
"…Now I want to fight him again."