The courtyard felt different.
Kaito noticed it the moment he stepped outside.
Nothing had changed.
Same stone walls.
Same training fields.
Same ranking board glowing in the center.
But the air felt heavier.
Quieter.
More serious.
He stopped walking and looked around.
"…Did something change," he asked.
Tanaka stood beside him.
"Yes."
"I knew it."
"You entered the Top 100."
"That shouldn't make the air heavier."
"It does here."
Kaito frowned.
"…I don't like that."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"You wanted this."
"I still want it."
"Then walk."
Kaito sighed and kept moving.
The closer they got to the courtyard, the more he noticed it.
Less talking.
Less laughing.
More people watching.
More people training alone.
Even the fights looked different.
Cleaner.
Faster.
Stronger.
He stopped near the ranking board.
His eyes went straight to the number.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 99
He stared at it for a long moment.
"…Still feels weird."
Tanaka nodded.
"You just got here."
"Yeah."
Kaito looked higher.
Top 50.
Top 20.
Top 10.
The names near the top almost felt heavy just to look at.
His chest tightened slightly.
Not fear.
Pressure.
"…They feel different," he said quietly.
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
"They're that strong?"
"Yes."
Kaito smirked.
"…Good."
Tanaka glanced at him.
"You say that every time."
"And every time it's true."
Before Tanaka could answer...
A voice came from behind.
"So you're the new one."
Kaito turned.
Three older fighters stood a few steps away.
All wearing the dark uniforms of high ranks.
All looking directly at him.
The one in front crossed his arms.
"…Rank 99."
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"Yeah."
"You beat Ryo."
"Yeah."
The man nodded slowly.
"…Not bad."
Kaito blinked.
"That sounded like a compliment."
"It was."
"…Weird."
The second fighter spoke.
"You know what happens now, right?"
Kaito frowned.
"…I keep climbing?"
The man shook his head.
"You start over."
Kaito blinked.
"…What?"
The first fighter pointed at the board.
"Top 100 isn't the same."
"How."
"Everyone here broke through."
"…Yeah?"
"Most of them twice."
Kaito froze.
"…Twice."
The third fighter smirked.
"You think first stage makes you strong?"
Kaito sighed.
"…I was hoping."
The man shook his head.
"First stage just lets you enter."
Kaito looked back at the board.
The names in the top 100 seemed heavier now.
Like the pressure in the air came from them.
He clenched his fist slowly.
The vibration moved calmly.
Controlled.
Steady.
But he could feel it.
He wasn't at the top anymore.
Not even close.
He smiled slightly.
"…Good."
The three fighters looked at him.
"You're not scared?"
Kaito shook his head.
"I've been weak my whole life."
They stared at him for a moment.
Then the first one smirked.
"…You'll fit here."
They turned and walked away.
Kaito exhaled slowly.
"…Okay."
Tanaka spoke quietly.
"You feel it now."
"Yes."
"You're at the bottom again."
"Yes."
"You still want to climb."
Kaito smirked.
"…Of course."
Tanaka nodded.
"Good."
The bell rang.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Everyone in the courtyard went quiet instantly.
Kaito frowned.
"…That sounded different."
Tanaka's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Yes."
The instructor stepped forward.
His voice louder than usual.
"Top 100 evaluation begins tomorrow."
The courtyard reacted immediately.
Some fighters smiled.
Some frowned.
Some didn't react at all.
Kaito blinked.
"…Already?"
Tanaka nodded.
"You don't get time here."
Kaito sighed.
"This place really never changes."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"No."
Kaito looked at the ranking board again.
Rank 99.
Top 100.
Just the beginning.
He clenched his fist.
The air trembled slightly.
Controlled.
Steady.
"…Alright."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Yes."
Kaito smirked.
"…Let's see how strong the Top 100 really is."
Far above the courtyard, Ryo leaned on the railing again.
He watched the board quietly.
"…He made it."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…Now he finds out."
Ryo smirked.
"…Yeah."
He looked down at Kaito.
"…This is where most people stop climbing."