Chapter 49: The Announcement of Special Training
Rei sat quietly in the training hall, still feeling the echoes of his defeat against Kozuki Renjou.
His mind replayed the fight over and over.
✔ He had dodged—but barely.✔ He had analyzed—but it was useless.✔ He had tried to fight—and got humiliated.
Rei (thinking, frustrated): I was completely helpless…
And now, the entire academy had seen it.
But before he could dwell on it further—
🔊 BEEP! BEEP!
A sharp sound rang through the speakers across the training hall.
The massive announcement screens flickered on, displaying the Aether Academy Emblem.
Every student in the hall froze.
Something big was about to be announced.
The Official Announcement – What Comes Next?
A holographic projection of Head Instructor Magnus Valeford appeared in the center of the hall.
Magnus was a man known for his brutal training methods—and his absolute zero tolerance for weakness.
Magnus (voice deep and commanding): "Attention, students of Aether Academy."
The entire hall fell silent.
Magnus: "The entrance exam was merely the beginning. Your real training begins now."
Some students exchanged nervous glances.
Others grinned in excitement.
Magnus: "Starting tomorrow, all students will be divided into training programs designed to push you beyond your limits. The weak will be eliminated. The strong will rise."
Rei's eyes narrowed.
Magnus (continuing): "Your performance in the entrance exam and duels has been recorded. Based on your abilities, you will be assigned to different training regimens."
💠 Elite Combat Training – For the top-tier fighters.💠 Advanced Tactical Training – For strategists and those excelling in analysis.💠 Survival Endurance Training – For those who need to improve stamina and adaptability.💠 Rehabilitation & Strength Development – For students too weak to meet the academy's minimum combat standards.
Magnus (coldly): "Those in the last category… should start reconsidering their place in this academy."
A ripple of whispers spread through the students.
Rei stayed quiet.
Rei (thinking): Where will they put me?
Then—Magnus revealed the assignments.
The Student Rankings & Training Assignments
📌 Elite Combat Training:✔ Kozuki Renjou (Rank #1)✔ Ryoma Takeda✔ Renji Aoyama✔ Daichi Kagura✔ Souta Arclight
📌 Advanced Tactical Training:✔ Akari Kisaragi✔ A few other students with high-level strategic abilities
📌 Survival Endurance Training:✔ Most of the middle-ranked students.
📌 Rehabilitation & Strength Development:✔ Rei Kurogane.
A wave of laughter erupted across the hall.
Student 1 (mocking): "Of course! The weakling gets thrown into the failure group!"Student 2 (grinning): "Guess even the academy thinks he's useless!"Student 3 (laughing): "Damn, after all that dodging, he still couldn't escape being at the bottom!"
Rei closed his eyes, suppressing his emotions.
He expected this.
But hearing it still stung.
Magnus (final words): "Your training begins at sunrise. Come prepared. Or don't come at all."
🔊 BEEP!
The announcement ended. The screen shut off.
The hall was still buzzing with murmurs and laughter.
But Rei?
He remained completely silent.
His hands clenched into tight fists.
Rei (thinking, determined): If they think I belong at the bottom…
Then I'll start from the bottom.
Because this time…
He wouldn't stay there for long.