chapter 45:The Shift – When the Hunter Feels Hunted
Kenji's breathing was uneven.
His explosive attacks weren't working. His opponent, Rei Kurogane, wasn't fighting back in the traditional sense—yet somehow, Kenji felt like he was losing.
Kenji (gritting his teeth): This guy… he's just a weakling! No way I'm letting him win!
With a roar, Kenji charged in again.
💥 A left hook—Rei leaned just enough to avoid it.💥 A powerful kick—Rei's body moved before Kenji's foot even reached him.💥 A brutal elbow strike—Rei twisted his body, dodging it by inches.
Kenji (frustrated): "STOP RUNNING AND FIGHT ME!"
But Rei wasn't running.
His footwork was calculated. Every move he made was precise, like he already knew what Kenji would do before he even did it.
Then—Rei stepped forward again.
Kenji's eyes widened. Not again—!
💥 A quick, surgical jab to the ribs.💥 A sharp flick to the nerve point on Kenji's wrist.💥 A controlled push to off-balance him.
Kenji staggered backward. His arms tensed, his legs locked.
Kenji (thinking, stunned): Why do I feel like I'm the prey here…?
The Spectators React – Shock Across the Arena
The watching students had gone completely silent.
They weren't seeing some weak nerd struggling to survive anymore.
They were watching something dangerous in motion.
Student 1 (whispering): "He's reading him. Every single move."Student 2 (in disbelief): "Kenji's attacking like crazy, but he's not landing a thing…!"Student 3 (nervous): "And he's getting hit back, little by little…"
Even Souta Arclight and Akari Kisaragi, Rei's teammates, exchanged glances.
Souta (smirking slightly): "Looks like someone's been training."Akari (arms crossed): "It's not just training. He's adapting at an insane rate."
Meanwhile, Kozuki Renjou, one of the strongest students in Class 1-A, watched closely.
Kozuki (muttering): "He's not fighting normally. He's erasing the concept of combat strength entirely."
And then—Professor Graves laughed.
Graves: "Kenji."
Kenji looked up, panting, sweat dripping down his face.
Graves (grinning): "You're not in control of this fight anymore, are you?"
Kenji froze.
He knew it was true.
The Final Exchange – A New Form of Victory
Kenji clenched his fists.
Kenji (thinking, furious): No way. NO WAY I'M LETTING THIS HAPPEN!
💥 He threw everything he had—a desperate barrage of attacks.
Rei remained calm.
✔ He sidestepped. ✔ He pivoted. ✔ He adjusted without hesitation.
And then—he countered.
💥 A small, precise tap to Kenji's ankle—disrupting his balance.💥 A controlled shove at just the right moment—forcing Kenji's weight forward.💥 A final step aside—letting Kenji fall under his own momentum.
Kenji crashed onto the mat.
The entire room froze.
For the first time in Aether Academy, someone had won a fight without using strength.
Rei exhaled slowly. He never needed power.
He just needed perfection.
Aftermath – The Academy Takes Notice
No one spoke for several seconds.
Then—whispers erupted.
Student 1: "He took down Kenji…?"Student 2: "But he barely even hit him!"Student 3 (gulping): "This guy… is dangerous."
Kenji lay on the mat, stunned and humiliated.
Kenji (muttering): "I… I lost…?"
Professor Graves clapped once.
Graves (grinning): "Looks like we have a new kind of fighter in Class 1-A."
Rei turned away without saying a word. He didn't care about recognition.
He only cared about what he learned.
✔ His instincts had evolved.✔ His movements were reaching inhuman precision.✔ He was still weak… but no longer helpless.
And now—everyone knew it.
From the sidelines, Kozuki Renjou watched, a dangerous smile forming on his lips.
Kozuki (smirking): "Interesting… Maybe it's time I test him myself."