The night was restless for Akira as the shrill in his ears pierced through his attempts at slumber. He tried everything he could think of to cancel out the sound - using {Supersonic Waves}, the skill that had served him well before, trying to force himself to sleep with the technique he had used on Birch during their confrontation, and even using loud headphones to drown out the noise. However, nothing worked, and the shrill continued to torment him.
The next morning, Akira's bed was soaked with blood, a grim reminder of his sleepless and painful night. He got up from bed and began his morning routine, trying to hide the weariness and frustration that weighed on him. Renjiro, his ever-attentive friend, noticed the distress and concerningly asked what had happened to him. Akira, feeling a sense of trust and openness with his friends, decided to share the truth.
He told them about the condition that Aya had placed on him, causing the incessant shrill, and how he had tried in vain to deflect or suppress it. His friends were shocked and empathetic, with Avius expressing disbelief at his sister's actions.
As days turned into months, the shrill persisted, affecting Akira's performance in the monthly power rank assessments. He went from Low B-rank to Low C-rank and eventually plummeted to I-rank. The frustration and helplessness he felt were overwhelming, but he remained determined to find a solution.
Gathering his friends in a secluded spot, Akira decided to confide in them about his predicament. As he shared his struggles, Birch, who had overheard their conversation, couldn't help but laugh at the irony of the situation. Akira, unable to hear him, continued explaining the severity of the situation and how it affected him.
Birch, amused by Akira's vulnerability, stepped forward and taunted him, saying, "I'm literally LMAO. Look at you, the great bully, brought down by a mere condition. Who would have thought?"
Akira, unfazed by Birch's mockery, responded defiantly, "I can't hear you, and despite this 'measly state,' I bet I can still defeat you."
Birch saw this as an opportunity and took the challenge. Akira donned his armor from his storage ring, ready to face his opponent. Running forward, Akira unleashed the skill [Thousand Slashes], creating a flurry of diagonal slashes. Birch, with his black-clawed hands, evaded every attack with agility.
Swiftly dodging with [Cloud Wind Footwork], Akira retaliated with another [Thousand Slashes] barrage. Unexpectedly, Birch's hands fell to the ground, leaving him shocked and defenseless.
Akira stopped the assault and called for Renjiro to heal Birch's wounds. He extended an unexpected offer to Birch, saying, "You relied too much on your beast form, and that's why you lost. I can teach you how to be more versatile in combat if you're willing to learn."
Surprised by Akira's offer, Birch nodded, acknowledging his defeat. The unexpected turn of events brought about a newfound sense of camaraderie among them, and they decided to return to their rooms together, with a shared understanding and a promise of growth and learning.