Chapter 63: The Strongest Return to Aether Academy
The month-long training break was over.
One by one, the students returned to Aether Academy.
But something was different.
🔥 They weren't the same people who left. 🔥
Each of them had evolved.
And now—tensions were at an all-time high.
Because for the first time—they weren't just competing for the top spot in Aether Academy.
They were preparing to fight the strongest students in the world.
The First Meeting – The Monsters Gather
The academy's main hall was packed with students.
Whispers filled the room.
Student 1 (grinning, whispering): "Tch. Everyone looks different…"Student 2 (nodding): "Yeah… this break changed them. Even the weaklings look stronger now."Student 3 (nervous): "No way… is that really Kurogane?"
Rei walked into the room, his aura completely different.
✔ His movements were sharper.✔ His eyes looked even more focused.✔ His presence felt heavier—like he wasn't just analyzing, but hunting.
As he moved through the crowd—he was stopped.
By Souta Arclight.
Souta (grinning, cracking his neck): "Yo, Kurogane."
Rei looked up, calm.
Rei: "Arclight."
Souta (smirking): "You look… different. What'd you do, fight a bear?"
Rei (shrugging): "Something like that."
From behind Souta, Akari Kisaragi stepped forward, arms crossed.
Akari (narrowing her eyes): "I heard you were training alone in the wild. Didn't think you'd actually survive."
Rei (smirking slightly): "I had to. Wouldn't be interesting if I came back the same, right?"
Before they could continue—
💥 BOOM! 💥
The crowd parted instantly.
Because at the entrance—Kozuki Renjou had arrived.
💀 The monster himself. 💀
And everyone felt it.
His presence was overwhelming.
Even Souta—who was known for his reflexes—tensed slightly.
Kozuki scanned the room.
Then—his eyes locked onto Rei.
Kozuki (grinning): "Kurogane."
Rei didn't flinch.
Rei (calmly): "Renjou."
The entire room stiffened.
Because they all knew.
🔥 In one month, they were going to fight. 🔥
Kozuki (grinning): "Hope you didn't waste that money, Kurogane. Would be a shame if you trained for nothing."
Rei stared back.
Rei (serious): "You'll find out soon enough."
Kozuki's grin widened.
Because for the first time—
💀 Rei wasn't looking at him with fear anymore. 💀
The Announcement – The Last Test Before the International Stage
🔊 BEEP! BEEP!
The academy's speakers activated.
Magnus Valeford's voice echoed through the hall.
Magnus:"Attention, students. Before we send you to represent Aether Academy in the International Tournament, there will be one final test."
Silence.
Magnus:"You will fight against our strongest AI combatants. These are simulations of legendary warriors who have fought at the highest level. If you cannot defeat them—you are not ready to fight internationally."
💥 The room erupted into chaos. 💥
Student 1 (stunned): "T-The legendary AI simulations?! No way!"Student 2 (gritting teeth): "They're stronger than humans! They don't feel pain, they don't get tired!"Student 3 (panicking): "People have DIED fighting these things!"
Magnus continued.
Magnus:"This is not a team battle. You will each fight alone. Your performance will determine your ranking before the tournament. Prepare yourselves."
🔊 BEEP!
The announcement ended.
And for the first time—
🔥 Everyone felt real fear. 🔥
Because fighting humans was one thing.
But fighting machines designed to kill?
💀 That was an entirely different level of hell. 💀
The AI Combat Chamber – The First Fight Begins
The next day, the AI Combat Challenge officially started.
One by one, students entered the simulation chamber.
Inside?
A battlefield built for destruction.
✔ Steel walls reinforced with shock absorbers.✔ AI warriors designed with inhuman speed and power.✔ A fight that only ended when someone was unconscious.
💀 This wasn't a sparring match. This was war. 💀
First up—
Ryoma Takeda vs. The War Machine.
Fight 1: Ryoma vs. AI
The AI opponent towered over Ryoma.
✔ It was built to counter brute strength.✔ Its metallic body absorbed heavy attacks.✔ It had no fear, no hesitation—only efficiency.
💥 BEEP!
🔹 FIGHT START.
💥 BOOM!
The AI rushed forward instantly—its fists moving at supersonic speed.
But Ryoma?
🔥 He didn't even block. 🔥
💥 CRACK! 💥
The AI's punch landed directly on Ryoma's jaw.
Student 1 (gasping): "T-That's it?! Is he out?"
The AI stepped back, scanning.
Then—
💥 CRACK! 💥
Ryoma grinned.
He hadn't moved an inch.
Ryoma (grinning): "That all you got?"
🔥 The monster had just tanked a full-force punch from an AI built to kill. 🔥
The AI reevaluated the fight.
But before it could react—
💥 BOOM! 💥
Ryoma's fist slammed into its chest.
The AI flew across the arena, smashing through a steel wall.
And just like that—
💀 The fight was over. 💀
Next Up – Rei Kurogane vs. The Adaptive Killer AI
After several battles, it was Rei's turn.
As he stepped into the arena, the AI opponent materialized.
Unlike the others, this AI was different.
✔ It was built to counter every fighting style.✔ It learned from its opponent's movements—adapting instantly.✔ It had no patterns, no weaknesses.
🔥 It was the ultimate test for Rei's new instincts. 🔥
Souta (watching from the sidelines): "This AI is different from the others… It can copy moves in real-time."Akari (serious): "This is the worst possible opponent for someone like Rei…"
Kozuki leaned against the wall, watching closely.
Kozuki (grinning): "Alright, Kurogane… Let's see if you actually got stronger."
💥 BEEP! 💥
🔹 FIGHT START.
The AI moved instantly.
Its first punch shot forward at inhuman speed—
And Rei didn't dodge.
💥 Instead, he moved INTO the attack. 💥
🔥 The crowd's eyes widened. 🔥
Because this wasn't normal.
💀 Rei wasn't fighting like a human anymore. 💀
💥 BOOM! 💥
And the battle of instincts had begun.