The courtyard was quieter than usual.
Not empty.
Not calm.
Just quieter.
Kaito noticed it the moment he stepped onto the stone path leading to the ranking field.
Fewer people talking.
More people watching.
Even the air felt heavier than yesterday.
He rolled his shoulders slowly.
"…Yeah… this feels different."
Tanaka walked beside him.
"You're in the Top 100 now."
"You keep saying that."
"You keep noticing it."
"…Fair."
Kaito looked toward the ranking board.
It glowed brighter than before.
The names near the top seemed sharper.
Stronger.
Like they had weight.
His eyes found his number quickly.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 99
He stared at it for a moment.
"…Still feels weird."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"You fight today."
"I figured."
"You won't get easy matches."
"I never do."
"You'll lose if you're careless."
"I always lose when I'm careless."
Tanaka nodded.
"Good."
Kaito smirked.
"You only say one word answers now."
"Yes."
"…You're getting worse."
The bell rang.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
The entire courtyard went silent.
Even the fighters training nearby stopped moving.
The instructor stepped forward.
His voice louder than usual.
"Top 100 evaluation."
Kaito felt his chest tighten slightly.
Not fear.
Pressure.
The instructor looked at the tablet.
"First match."
He paused.
Then read the names.
"Rank 99… Arata Kaito."
Kaito exhaled slowly.
"…Of course."
The instructor continued.
"Against… Rank 94… Ken Shiro."
The crowd reacted quietly.
Not surprised.
Just interested.
Kaito blinked.
"…Only five ranks."
Tanaka spoke calmly.
"That's enough."
"…Yeah, I figured."
A tall boy stepped forward.
Older.
Broader shoulders.
Calm eyes.
The pressure around him felt heavier than anyone Kaito fought since the timeskip.
Not overwhelming.
But solid.
Heavy.
Ken stepped onto the field.
He looked at Kaito once.
"…You're the new one."
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"Yeah."
"You broke into the Top 100 yesterday."
"Yeah."
Ken nodded once.
"…Then don't embarrass it."
Kaito smirked.
"No pressure."
Ken raised his guard.
"Show me."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Ken moved first.
Fast.
Faster than the last fight.
Kaito reacted instantly.
Step.
Block.
BAM.
The impact hit his arms hard.
His feet slid back.
Not far.
But enough to feel it.
His eyes widened slightly.
"…Heavy."
Ken attacked again.
Punch.
Kick.
Turn.
Step.
Clean.
Precise.
Every hit solid.
Kaito focused.
The energy flowed through his chest.
Calm.
Controlled.
He moved.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
The air trembled.
Ken blocked...
But didn't move.
Not even a step.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Good control."
Kaito smirked.
"I worked on it."
Ken rushed forward.
Faster.
Kaito followed.
Step.
Turn.
Punch.
CRACK.
Louder.
Ken slid back half a step.
The crowd reacted slightly.
"He moved him."
"Not bad."
"He belongs here."
Kaito blinked.
"…Okay… I like that."
Ken stepped closer again.
This time faster.
Kaito reacted...
But Ken was still ahead.
BAM.
The hit landed in Kaito's shoulder.
Pain shot down his arm.
He stumbled.
Still standing.
Still steady.
The vibration moved calmly.
He clenched his fist.
"…Again."
He stepped forward.
Punch.
CRACK.
Ken blocked...
But this time his arm moved back.
His eyes sharpened.
"…Better."
Ken attacked again.
Harder.
Faster.
Kaito followed.
Block.
Turn.
Strike.
Kick.
Counter.
The fight got faster.
Harder.
Neither backing down.
The ground cracked under their feet.
Dust lifted around them.
Kaito felt the pressure building.
Not wild.
Not out of control.
Just heavy.
He stepped forward one more time.
Energy flowed perfectly.
Punch.
CRACK.
LOUD.
Ken blocked...
But slid back two steps.
Silence.
Ken stopped moving.
Looked at Kaito.
Then nodded.
"…Enough."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Stop."
The ranking board flickered.
Numbers changed.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 94
Kaito blinked.
"…Wait."
He looked again.
"…Ninety four?"
Tanaka nodded.
"You held your rank."
Kaito laughed quietly.
"…Barely."
Ken walked past him.
"…You belong here."
Kaito smirked.
"…Thanks."
Ken stopped for a moment.
"…Don't slow down."
Then he walked away.
Kaito sat down on the field, breathing hard.
His body hurt.
His arms burned.
His chest felt heavy.
But the energy inside him stayed calm.
Controlled.
He looked at the board again.
Rank 94.
Still far from the top.
Still far from the strongest.
He clenched his fist.
The air trembled slightly.
"…Good."
Tanaka looked down at him.
"Yes."
Kaito smiled.
"…Now I climb again."
Far above the courtyard, Ryo watched from the railing.
He smirked slightly.
"…He's holding."
The girl beside him nodded.
"…Barely."
Ryo crossed his arms.
"…That's how the Top 100 works."