Chapter 33: The Path of Desperation
Rei sat in the dorm bathroom, staring at his reflection.
His face was bruised, swollen, and barely recognizable.His arms felt numb.His ribs ached with every breath.
The memory of Cain's blows replayed in his mind.
Cain (mocking): "You were never meant to fight."
His fingernails dug into his palm.
He had failed.Again.
But this time—it wasn't just a failure.
It was humiliation.
Souta and Akari had to save him.They had to protect him.And worst of all—he let them.
Rei (thinking, shaking): I refuse… I refuse to let this be my reality.
He would fight.He would win.No matter what it cost.
Midnight Training – A Body That Won't Move
The clock struck 2 AM.
The academy was asleep.
But in the deserted training hall, Rei stood alone.
The training dummy in front of him was untouched.
Rei (gritting teeth): "I don't care if my body can't handle it."
Rei: "I don't care if I collapse."
Rei: "I… will learn how to fight."
He threw a punch.
💥 His wrist twisted painfully.
His body wasn't built for this.
His legs shook. His vision blurred.
But he kept going.
💥 Punch.💥 Kick.💥 Dodge.
Every strike felt pathetic.
Every movement felt wrong.
He lasted ten minutes before his body collapsed.
He couldn't breathe.
Rei (thinking, gasping for air): I can't… I can't do this…
Tears of frustration burned his eyes.
But then—he forced himself back up.
Because if he stayed down now…
He would never stand again.
Rei (whispering): "One more time…"
And so—he kept going.
Again.And again.And again.
A Harsh Reality – Someone Is Watching
From the shadows, a pair of golden eyes observed him.
Kozuki (watching quietly): "…Idiot."
He had been expecting Rei to give up.
But here he was—destroying himself.
Kozuki (thinking): He won't last a week like this.
But even Kozuki couldn't deny it.
For the first time—Rei truly wanted to fight.
And something about that was… interesting.