### **Arc 1: Awakening of Trash**
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### **Chapter 5: The First Real Battle**
The Training Hall fell deathly silent for a moment as Kai's declaration hung in the air. His heart raced, every muscle tensed as he prepared for the imminent battle. Surrounding him were Kaito and the rest of the rival faction, each one eager to prove their strength and put the "Trash" in his place.
Ryo stepped forward, his fists clenched. "We're not backing down," he said firmly, standing beside Kai. Lena and Taro moved into position as well, their eyes set in determined glares.
Kaito sneered, his eyes narrowing as he cracked his knuckles. "You're making a mistake, Asakura. This isn't just a little duel anymore."
Without warning, Kaito charged, his massive form barreling forward with the force of a freight train. His Berserker profession allowed him to summon raw, explosive power, and it was clear he intended to bulldoze through anyone in his path.
*"Here we go,"* Kai thought, activating **Void Step** just as Kaito's fist came crashing down toward him. In a blur of motion, he sidestepped, feeling the wind from the powerful strike rush past him.
Kai retaliated immediately, channeling his energy into his fist. "Void Strike!" he shouted, aiming for Kaito's exposed side. The punch landed with a dull thud, but Kaito barely flinched.
"You'll need more than that to bring me down!" Kaito growled, swinging his arm in a wide arc. Kai leapt back, narrowly avoiding the blow.
But Kaito wasn't alone. The rival faction moved in, launching attacks at Kai and his friends. Two more students charged at Ryo, who blocked their attacks with practiced ease, his Berserker profession allowing him to match their raw strength blow for blow. Lena unleashed her **Elemental Arrows**, conjuring fiery projectiles that struck her opponents with precision, while Taro utilized his **Barrier Crafting** abilities to shield them from incoming attacks.
Despite the chaos, Kai's focus remained on Kaito. The massive Berserker was relentless, each swing of his fists shaking the ground. Kai dodged and countered, his **Void Step** allowing him to stay one step ahead, but he knew he couldn't keep this up forever.
*"He's stronger than I thought,"* Kai realized, beads of sweat forming on his brow. *I need to find a way to break through his defenses.*
The Aegis System's voice chimed in, calm and steady. *"Analyze target. Weakness detected in movement speed. Strategy suggestion: exploit openings during Berserker's recovery time after heavy attacks."*
Kai's eyes lit up. *Of course!* Kaito's attacks, while powerful, were slow and left him open after each strike. If Kai could time his movements right, he could land a decisive blow.
Kaito roared, launching another massive punch toward Kai. This time, Kai didn't dodge immediately. He waited, watching the muscles in Kaito's arm bulge as the punch came crashing down.
At the last possible second, Kai activated **Void Step**, darting to the side. Kaito's fist slammed into the ground with a deafening crack, the floor beneath them splintering from the impact. Kai wasted no time. He channeled all of his remaining energy into his fist, focusing on the point of contact.
"Void Strike: Enhanced!"
Kai's fist glowed with dark energy as he brought it down on Kaito's exposed back. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the room, and Kaito stumbled forward, a look of shock flashing across his face. He fell to one knee, breathing heavily.
"You… you actually hit me," Kaito muttered, disbelief in his voice.
Kai panted, his knuckles throbbing from the impact. "And I'll do it again if I have to."
But the battle wasn't over yet. Though Kaito was momentarily down, the rest of the rival faction was still attacking relentlessly. Ryo was holding his own against two opponents, his fists blazing with energy as he traded blows with them. Lena's **Elemental Arrows** kept the other students at bay, but it was clear they were starting to wear down.
"We need to end this now," Lena shouted, her eyes darting between the enemies and her allies. "We can't keep this up forever!"
Kai nodded. His energy was running low, but the Aegis System hummed in the back of his mind, offering him a glimmer of hope. *"Unlock new ability: Void Pulse. Expel stored energy in a radial burst to incapacitate multiple enemies."*
*Void Pulse?* Kai thought quickly. It was a risky move. The System hadn't given him any training on this ability, but he didn't have a choice. They needed something powerful to turn the tide of the battle.
*"Do it!"* Kai ordered, feeling the energy gather in his core. He raised his hands, the air around him crackling with dark energy.
"Void Pulse!"
A shockwave of void energy exploded from Kai, rippling outward in a powerful burst. The rival students were caught in the blast, their bodies thrown backward by the force of the attack. Even Kaito, still on one knee, was sent skidding across the ground, groaning in pain.
For a moment, everything was still. The Training Hall was littered with the groaning forms of the rival faction, all incapacitated by the sudden onslaught of power. Kai stood in the center, panting heavily, his entire body trembling from the exertion.
The students from Arcadia Academy, who had been watching the fight in stunned silence, erupted into cheers. They rushed forward, congratulating Kai, Ryo, Lena, and Taro for their victory.
"You did it, Kai!" Lena said, rushing over to him with a wide grin. "That was amazing! You've got to teach me that move."
Ryo walked over, his expression a mix of respect and surprise. "Looks like you've got some serious potential, Asakura. I'm impressed."
Kai smiled weakly, still catching his breath. "Thanks… but I couldn't have done it without you guys."
Before they could celebrate further, the door to the Training Hall swung open, and an imposing figure stepped inside. It was Instructor Hayato, the head of the Academy's Combat Division, his expression stern.
"What's going on here?" Hayato demanded, his voice echoing through the room. His eyes swept over the scene, taking in the broken dummies, the damaged floor, and the defeated students from the rival faction.
Ryo stepped forward. "It was a… sparring session that got a little out of hand," he explained, choosing his words carefully.
Hayato's gaze shifted to Kai, his eyes narrowing slightly. "You're the one who used that pulse attack, aren't you?"
Kai swallowed hard, nodding. "Yes, sir."
For a moment, Hayato said nothing, his expression unreadable. Then, to Kai's surprise, he smiled. "Not bad. I'll admit, I didn't expect much from someone with your profession. But it seems you've proven me wrong."
Kai blinked in shock. *Did Hayato just compliment me?*
"But," Hayato continued, his voice turning serious, "this kind of recklessness won't be tolerated again. You're lucky no one was seriously hurt." He glanced at the rival students, most of whom were groaning but still conscious.
"Understood, sir," Ryo replied, bowing slightly in deference.
Hayato turned to leave but stopped at the door. "Asakura," he said, looking over his shoulder. "You've got potential. Don't waste it."
And with that, he walked out, leaving Kai and his friends to process everything that had just happened.
As the adrenaline from the fight began to fade, Kai couldn't help but smile. For the first time since his Awakening, he felt a sense of belonging, of purpose. He wasn't just a "Trash" anymore. He was someone to be reckoned with, and this was only the beginning.
*"Congratulations,"* the Aegis System chimed in, its voice softer than usual. *"Your potential has increased significantly. Prepare for further challenges ahead."*
Kai took a deep breath, feeling the weight of those words settle over him. He had won this battle, but he knew there were many more to come. And with the Aegis System by his side, he was ready for whatever lay ahead.
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### **End of Arc 1: Awakening of Trash**