Chapter 60: A Deal with the Devil
The Grand Challenge was over.
And Kozuki Renjou had won without even trying.
The other students were furious, shocked, and frustrated.
But for Rei Kurogane…
It was a harsh reality check.
The Prize – Kozuki's Unexpected Offer
After the competition, the students gathered in the academy's main hall.
A massive screen displayed the official reward transfer.
💰 100 Million Yen – Deposited into Kozuki Renjou's account.
The room was tense.
Students whispered among themselves.
Student 1 (gritting teeth): "Tch. That should've been mine."Student 2 (muttering): "He didn't even break a sweat… how do you even beat someone like that?"
Kozuki stood at the front, stretching his arms.
Then—he suddenly turned to Rei.
Kozuki (grinning): "Oi, Kurogane."
Rei looked up, confused.
Kozuki: "Come here for a sec."
Rei slowly walked toward him, while the other students watched curiously.
Then—Kozuki did something insane.
He pulled out his phone, clicked a few buttons—
And transferred 10 million yen to Rei's account.
💥 BEEP! 💥
🔹 10 Million Yen Deposited to: Rei Kurogane.
💀 Silence. 💀
Shockwaves Through the Academy
Student 1 (eyes wide): "W-WHAT?! He just… gave him money?!"Student 2 (whispering): "Why the hell would Kozuki do that?!"Student 3 (stunned): "Wait, are they secretly friends or something?"
Even Rei was speechless.
Rei (thinking, stunned): Why…?
But before he could even ask—Kozuki smirked.
Kozuki: "Consider it a loan."
Rei tensed.
Rei: "…A loan?"
Kozuki's grin widened.
Kozuki: "Yeah. That means you gotta pay me back. And I only accept one type of payment…"
Rei already knew the answer.
Kozuki (grinning): "A duel."
The entire room froze.
A duel between Kozuki and Rei?
It was suicide.
Student 1 (muttering): "Rei's gonna get destroyed."Student 2 (shaking head): "This isn't even fair."
But then—Rei did something unexpected.
He nodded.
Rei (serious): "Fine. I accept."
💥 More whispers erupted. 💥
But then—Rei raised a finger.
Rei: "But give me two months."
Kozuki blinked, then chuckled.
Kozuki: "Two months, huh?"
He thought about it for a moment.
Then—he grinned.
Kozuki: "Alright. I'll wait. But don't disappoint me, Kurogane."
And just like that—
🔥 Rei Kurogane had officially challenged Kozuki Renjou. 🔥
The Academy's Decision – One Month of Training
Later that evening, an official announcement was made.
Magnus Valeford's deep voice echoed through the academy's speakers.
Magnus:"Due to the exceptional performance in the Grand Challenge, Aether Academy has decided to grant one month of personal training leave for all students."
More whispers filled the dorms.
Student 1 (shocked): "One month off?!"Student 2 (grinning): "This means we can train however we want!"
But Magnus wasn't done.
Magnus:"After this break, students will be sent to international academies to represent Aether Academy. If you do not wish to be humiliated on the global stage, use this time wisely. That is all."
💥 The announcement ended. 💥
And just like that—
🔥 The real training was about to begin. 🔥
Rei's Determination – The Road to Strength Begins
Rei sat alone in his dorm room, staring at his phone.
✔ 10 million yen. Enough to help his mother and sister.✔ A duel against Kozuki in two months.✔ A chance to prove himself before the world.
Rei (thinking, determined): I can't waste this time.
Tomorrow, his one-month training would begin.
And this time—
💀 He wasn't just training to survive. He was training to win. 💀