July 7th, 3172 marked a significant day for Akira, as he turned 14 years old. He couldn't help but express his excitement, saying, "I can't believe I'm finally 14 years old." This milestone was essential for his progress, as the skill {Piercing Shrill} required users to be between the ages of 14 and 18. With Hano's guidance, Akira mastered {Piercing Shrill}, successfully blocking Aya's skill. Now, even after deactivating it, the shrill no longer disrupted his peace. He returned to his dorm and reunited with his former roommates, who congratulated him. Renjiro chimed in, "That's good for you," and Akira responded, "Now, I can move up the ranks." His bracelet indicated that he had ascended to the Peak of I-rank, marking another step forward in his journey.
Amidst determined huffs and exhausted sighs, Akira had been imploring Hano to teach him new skills. After some persuasion, Hano agreed to instruct him in the art of {Dragon's Claw}. As they practiced, Hano couldn't resist teasing Akira about his progress. "Hey, what's that measly thing? It looks as if a cat scratched a window," he chuckled. Unfazed, Akira replied, "Man, why is this skill so difficult? {Hurricane} was child's play, but this one is testing my limits. Okay, one more..." His voice trailed off as a knock interrupted their session.
"Come in," Akira called, and Shirley entered the room. Her eyes widened at the sight of the training room in disarray - broken machines, damaged training dolls, and the lingering traces of multiple realm auras. Gathering her composure, she tried to find the right words. Akira glanced at her and said curtly, "Hello, young miss? If you don't have anything to say, then get out. I'm busy."
Stunned by his bluntness, Shirley activated the B-rank skill {Charm} in an attempt to sway him. Akira's reaction was unexpected as he activated {Cold Heart} and remarked, "Really? You think I'm weak enough to fall for something like that?" Swiftly grabbing her collar, he effortlessly flung her out of the room and warned, "Don't be so stupid. If you try to pull this stunt again, I'll cut off your glyph."
Observing the encounter, Hano was impressed by Akira's poise and the effectiveness of {Cold Heart}. He shifted his focus back to Akira, who was pacing around the room. He offered some reassurance, "Relax, brat. If she comes back, you can knock some sense into her. Besides, I'm pretty sure she broke a bone or two from that throw." Hano's approval and guidance resonated with Akira, reinforcing his determination to stand his ground and face the challenges ahead.