Chapter 32: The Breaking Point
The night was cold and silent.
Aether Academy's training grounds were empty, except for one figure standing alone in the dimly lit space.
Rei Kurogane.
His breath was ragged. His body screamed in pain.
His knuckles were raw and bleeding.
For the past four hours, he had been practicing alone.
✔ Striking the training dummy.✔ Dodging invisible attacks.✔ Trying—desperately—to be better.
Rei (panting): "Again… just one more…"
💥 He threw a punch.
But his fist barely made an impact.
💥 He tried to kick.
But his balance failed, and he collapsed onto the cold ground.
Rei (thinking, frustrated): Why…? Why can't I do this?
His body was weak. No matter how much he pushed himself, it refused to change.
But he couldn't stop.
Because if he stopped—he would always be nothing.
Rei (clenching fists): I don't want to be nothing…
And then—
🚨 A scream echoed through the training field.
Rei's head snapped up.
Someone was in danger.
And before he could think—his legs were already moving.
The Nightmare Unfolds
As Rei ran, his mind raced.
✔ The scream came from one of the academy's outer courtyards.✔ No students were allowed there at this hour.✔ If someone was there, it meant only one thing—trouble.
When he turned the corner, his blood ran cold.
A group of older students—third-years—stood over a figure on the ground.
And that figure was—
🔹 Souta Arclight.
His cheek was bruised, his arms covered in dirt.
And standing over him was the one responsible.
🔹 Cain Vortek.
A third-year ranked in the top 10 fighters of Aether Academy.
Cain (smirking, arms crossed): "You first-years are too damn cocky. You needed a little lesson."
Souta spat blood onto the ground.
Souta (grinning weakly): "…What, that's all you got?"
Cain's smirk darkened.
💥 BAM!
A single kick to Souta's ribs sent him crashing against the courtyard wall.
Rei's mind blanked.
Rei (thinking): No… Souta…
Cain turned, finally noticing Rei.
Cain (mocking): "Oh? Another one? You must be that weakling everyone's been talking about."
The third-years laughed.
Rei's hands shook.
He should run.
He should get help.
He should do anything but fight.
But—Souta was on the ground.
Rei (thinking): If I run now… I'll never forgive myself.
He took a step forward.
Cain raised an eyebrow.
Cain (grinning): "You actually think you can stop me?"
Rei was terrified.
But his fear didn't matter anymore.
Rei (whispering): "I don't care if I lose. I won't let you hurt my friends."
Cain's grin widened.
Cain: "Alright, then. Let's break you too."
💥 And then the fight began.
Rei's Worst Nightmare
The moment Cain moved, Rei knew—this wasn't a fight.
It was a massacre.
💥 A single punch sent Rei crashing to the ground.
💥 A knee to the stomach stole his breath.
💥 A kick to the ribs made him collapse.
Pain. Everywhere.
Rei (thinking, struggling to move): Get up… Get up…
Cain grabbed a handful of Rei's hair, forcing him to look up.
Cain (mocking): "That all you got? I thought you were some kind of genius."
Rei's vision blurred.
Rei (thinking): This… this is what weakness feels like…
He wasn't even a threat.
He wasn't worth fighting.
And yet—
His body, broken and battered, still tried to move.
Rei (weakly, whispering): "I… won't lose…"
Cain clicked his tongue.
💥 A final blow sent Rei crashing into the stone wall.
Darkness swallowed his vision.
Rei's Mind Breaks – A Moment of Despair
For the first time, Rei felt true helplessness.
He had always been weak.
But now, he was powerless.
Rei (thinking, distant): I was never meant to fight, was I…?
For the first time in his life, a terrible thought entered his mind.
Rei (thinking): Maybe I should just stop trying…
Souta and Akari Arrive – The Aftermath
Just before Cain could strike again—
💥 A blur of silver and black slammed into him.
Souta (glaring, breathing heavily): "Touch him again, and I'll end you."
Cain stumbled back, laughing.
Cain (grinning): "Relax, I was just having fun."
A second later, Akari appeared, standing protectively in front of Rei.
Akari (coldly): "Leave. Now."
Cain shrugged.
Cain (mocking): "Weaklings shouldn't be here. Better get rid of him before he slows you down."
With that, he and the third-years walked away.
Rei lay motionless on the ground.
Souta and Akari crouched beside him.
Souta (softly): "Hey, dumbass. Don't scare us like that."
Akari (whispering): "You didn't have to do this, Rei."
Rei barely heard them.
Because inside, something had changed.
His body was broken.His spirit was shattered.But his will was still alive.
Rei (thinking, painfully): I don't care what it takes…Rei: I will fight… Even if it costs me my life.