Power Crest Academy was a fortress of tradition and discipline, its stone walls and arching hallways echoing the whispers of generations. For Andre, those whispers had always carried judgment, derision, and fear. He had spent years walking the academy's corridors with his head down, trying to make himself invisible.
But today was different. Today, he carried himself taller, his stride confident. There was a certain thrill to seeing the ever cocky Idel and his crew sprawled on the floor. He had wiped the annoying smug smile off Idel's face.
"Why didn't you say anything when they came up to me?" Andre asked,
"I wanted to see how you would fare against them on your own with no abilities." Kael replied, "And you did pretty good there."
'It had to count for something if even the great dragon thought he did good' Andre thought to himself, welling in pride from the approval of the great dragon.
"However you could have done better." Andre heard his cohabitant, Kael continue "particularly with the water ability user..."
Andre listened intently to Kael on how to better improve his chances, critiques on his reflexes as he made way to the combat classes.
As euphoric as this brawl might have seemed, he knew he still didn't stand much of a chance against the actual talented Earl class and Marquise class bunch. One of the major reasons why this went smoothly was because the trio had greatly underestimated him.
Turning out to be their biggest mistake, if they had displayed their abilities right from the onset, it would have been more than a handful to try defeating them without showing his ability. Andre judged he was stronger than the ember class students and he could take on Bruce and Flynn, even if they had used their abilities but with Idel in the background, he would have lost.
Estimating his strength based on how he currently felt. With his the flame flowing through his body coupled with his martial arts knowledge, he believed he stood a chance against the average Earl class students.
***
The gym class otherwise known to be be the combat hall buzzed with energy as Andre stepped inside. The air smelled of sweat and leather, and the sounds of sparring filled the space. It was a sanctuary for the strong, a place where skill and determination spoke louder than words.
Andre moved to his usual corner, where the punching bags hung in neat rows. Usually he would stay in this corner to shy away from the masses - his classmates - and more importantly to avoid trouble. But today he felt confident, deciding to practise his moves on the punching bag closest to him. He began his routine, each strike precise, each kick fluid. Kael's presence hummed in the back of his mind, a steady reminder of the power that now coursed through his veins. Kael had reminded him to watch his power output to not arouse too much suspicion. But even though Andre was doing it leisurely, he was drawing attention already, no one had ever before seen the 'never-bloomer' try out any combat move. To top it all off, it seemed smooth and effortless.
"Andre!" a voice called out, breaking his concentration.
He turned to see Marcus, his worst foe, striding toward him. Marcus was tall and broad-shouldered, his confidence radiating with every step. His reputation as an unbeatable fighter preceded him, and he relished every opportunity to remind others of it.
"Didn't think you'd show up today," Marcus said, his smirk widening.
Andre met Marcus's gaze, unflinching. He knew Marcus's type - an egotist who thrived on dominance. "I don't have anything to prove to you, Marcus."
"Oh he can speak now, and to my face nonetheless. You must really be confident huh, Zero." Marcus jeered, the 'zero' he had bullied over the years seemed different, like he actually had some strength.
Andre on the other hand, was weighing his options - Marcus was much stronger than Idel even though they were both Earl class and he was good at hand to hand combat too, the second best this class had to offer behind Iglesias.
Andre didn't believe he stood much of a chance against him, but he found Marcus' smug face irritating.
Kael's voice echoed in Andre's mind, calm and steady. "This is your moment, Andre. Face him. Not for anyone's approval, but for your own."
Andre smiled at Kael's words, that was all he needed to hear. He looked at Marcus, knowing how to initiate a combat between them.
"Marcus, you're not all that. You know that right?" Andre muttered softly, but it echoed through the now dead silent hall.
Jaws dropped in astonishment, as questions popped on everyone's mind.
"Was the 'never-bloomer' actually looking for a fight?"
It was no secret that Marcus had a big ego, to say this was equivalent to asking for a whooping.
"Had the 'never-bloomer' finally gone crazy?"
"Is that so?" Marcus tilted his head, mock surprise in his tone. "How about proving it in the ring, then? Unless, of course, you're scared."
Andre could tell he was angered even though he was trying to cover it up with a smile. His fragile ego had taken a hit.
Andre took a deep breath. "Fine. Let's do it."
Marcus looked towards the coach, Mr Burke who seemed not too concerned, sitting on his chair a few meters from the students with his eyes half-open.
Mr Burke gave a nod, but not before muttering in his usual gruff voice "The rule for this duel is 'no abilities allowed'."
It was a known fact that Mr Burke would only get involved if there was a clear winner or it was considered to be getting too serious.
The combat classes over the past two weeks centered on just pure hand to hand combat - no abilities involved - as opposed to the usual coordination of abilities with combat skills, making it valid why he had chose the 'no ability rule' for the duel but even then everyone all had the same thought, the 'never-bloomer' was being suicidal.
***
The combat hall grew quiet as Andre and Marcus stepped into the sparring ring. A crowd of students gathered around, their curiosity piqued. No one had ever challenged Marcus and walked away unscathed, other than Iglesias.
The bell rang, and Marcus wasted no time. He lunged at Andre with a quick jab, his movements sharp and calculated. Andre sidestepped, his body moving with a fluidity that surprised even himself.
Marcus smirked. "Not bad. But let's see how long you last."
The fight was intense. Marcus's attacks were relentless, but Andre met each strike with a block or a counter. His movements were a seamless blend of his martial arts training and the raw power Kael had awakened within him.
Kael's voice guided him like a second instinct. "Stay grounded. Watch his shoulders, he's telegraphing his next move."
Andre ducked under a heavy swing and delivered a sharp kick to Marcus's side. The impact made Marcus stumble, his face flashing with irritation.
The crowd murmured in surprise. Andre wasn't just holding his own, he was pushing Marcus to his limits.
"Alright," Marcus growled, his tone shifting from cocky to serious. "Let's end this."
He charged at Andre with renewed aggression, his strikes faster and harder. Andre felt the strain in his muscles as he blocked and dodged, but he refused to give in. Even as Marcus landed a heavy blow to his ribs, sending him to the mat, Andre leaped back up, his determination burning brighter than the pain.
With his unexpected leap, Marcus seemed to be caught off guard. Unable to block Andre's punch that sent him staggering backwards for a few meters, almost falling on his rear. Marcus blinded by rage, lunged at Andre with a kick sending Andre back into the mat again.
"Enough," Kael's voice boomed in his mind, steady and firm. "You've proven yourself. Whether they see it or not, you've won."
Andre nodded subtly, his breath ragged but steady. He raised his hands, ready for more.
But before Marcus could strike again, Mr Burke stepped in, signaling the end of the match. "That's enough for today," he said, his voice cutting through the tension, announcing Marcus as the winner but casting his glance to Andre, he was shocked as well as he was impressed.
Mr Burke extended a hand to Andre, his face a mask of respect. "You've got guts," he muttered.
Andre took the hand and stood, his classmates watching in stunned silence. He had done more than anyone expected - not just in the fight, but in proving that he wasn't the same timid boy they'd known.
As the crowd dispersed, Kael spoke again, his tone filled with quiet pride. "You've taken your first step, Andre. This is only the beginning. Remember, your strength is yours to define."
Andre left the combat hall with his head held high, a small smile playing on his lips. He didn't need their validation anymore. He had found something far more important; belief in himself.