Chapter 20: Flawless Execution – The First Trial Begins
The first official Aether Academy trial had begun.
The battlefield was a massive, high-tech simulation, divided into multiple control zones.
Teams had six hours to capture and defend key areas.
Failure meant elimination.
And for Rei Kurogane, this was his first true test.
The Battlefield Setup
✔ Five Control Zones spread across the battlefield.✔ Each team must capture and hold zones for as long as possible.✔ Losing a zone = losing points.✔ Top teams pass. Bottom teams are expelled.
Rei, Souta, and Akari took their positions.
Rei (adjusting his glasses): "We're going to win. But this time, we'll do it my way."
Souta (grinning): "That means?"
Rei (serious): "You two won't make a single mistake."
For the first time, Rei was taking full control.
He wasn't just reacting—he was predicting.
He wasn't just strategizing—he was dictating the flow of battle.
And with his vision, his teammates would fight at their absolute peak.
The First Encounter – Outsmarting the Enemy
As Rei's team moved toward the first control zone, another team blocked their path.
Enemy Leader (smirking): "You guys again? We'll be taking this point."
Rei scanned their stance, balance, and breathing.
In less than a second, he found their weakness.
Rei (calmly): "Souta, move 3 steps right. Akari, bait the attack."
They obeyed instantly.
Souta dodged before the enemy even attacked. Akari positioned herself perfectly, making them overextend. The enemy lunged—and left their side exposed.
Rei (sharp voice): "Now!"
Souta and Akari struck simultaneously.
One enemy collapsed instantly. The second barely reacted before Akari countered and took him down. The third tried to escape, but Souta was already there.
Flawless.
The fight was over in five seconds.
Enemy Team (stunned): "W-What just happened?!"
Rei (coldly): "You lost before you even started."
DING!
[Control Zone 1 Captured – Team Rei Kurogane]
Rei smirked.
Rei (thinking): This is what it means to fight with no weaknesses.
Other Teams Take Notice
As Rei's team continued flawlessly capturing zones, the strongest teams began to notice.
🔹 Kozuki Renjou watched from afar, expression unreadable.
Kozuki (muttering): "He's adapted… Interesting."
🔹 Lina Veras clicked her tongue.
Lina (annoyed): "How the hell are they moving so perfectly?!"
🔹 Kenji Arata grinned.
Kenji: "That nerd finally found his groove, huh? This just got interesting."
Rei wasn't just keeping up.
He was controlling the battlefield.
Rei's True Strength – Making His Team Unstoppable
As the trial continued, Rei refined his control.
✔ He saw everything before it happened.✔ He adjusted their movements instantly.✔ Every battle became a perfect sequence.
For the first time, Souta and Akari felt unbeatable.
Souta (laughing): "Damn, Rei! This is crazy!"
Akari (impressed): "I've never fought this efficiently before."
And Rei?
For the first time, he felt in control.
The next challenge was coming.
And this time, he wouldn't lose.