The academy felt different the next morning.
Not quiet.
Just… aware.
Voices still filled the courtyard. Students still moved between classes and training grounds.
But beneath it all—
there was observation.
Raizen noticed it immediately as he stepped into the main courtyard.
Eyes followed him.
Some subtle.
Some not.
Whispers moved like wind through the crowd.
Daigo leaned closer, half amused.
"…Yeah. This is new."
Akari didn't even look around.
"That's what happens when you beat second-years."
Daigo smirked.
"Correction."
He pointed at Raizen.
"When he beats second-years."
Raizen ignored them.
Inside his mind Astra spoke.
"Social attention increase confirmed."
"Academy reputation level: elevated."
Raizen walked forward without reacting.
Reputation was useful.
But attention—
attention created pressure.
And pressure created conflict.
The Sparring Yard
By midday, the academy's main sparring yard was packed.
Students lined the wooden fence surrounding the ring.
First-years.
Second-years.
Even a few upperclassmen.
A match was already underway— but the moment Raizen approached—
attention shifted.
Completely.
"…That's him."
"…The ridge fight…"
"…First-year…"
Daigo spread his arms slightly.
"Well."
"Looks like we're famous."
Akari sighed.
"I hate this."
Then—
someone stepped forward.
The First Challenge
A tall second-year entered the ring.
He didn't look at anyone else.
Only Raizen.
"You."
The yard quieted instantly.
Daigo muttered under his breath.
"…And there it is."
Akari folded her arms.
"Of course."
The second-year crossed his arms.
"I heard you beat Haruto."
A pause.
"I want to see if that was luck."
No hostility.
Just pride.
Raizen stepped forward.
Inside his mind Astra spoke.
"Opponent analysis incomplete."
"Combat stance: aggressive."
Raizen entered the ring.
"Fine."
The crowd tightened.
No one wanted to miss this.
Instructor Eyes
From the upper balcony, Ren leaned forward.
"Well."
"That didn't take long."
Aran stood beside him.
Silent.
Watching.
Ren smirked.
"A first-year pulling second-year challenges already?"
"That's rare."
Aran didn't answer.
But he didn't look away either.
The Duel Begins
"No weapons," the second-year said.
"Taijutsu."
Raizen nodded.
"Fine."
The instructor raised a hand.
"Begin."
The second-year moved instantly.
Fast.
A straight punch toward Raizen's chest—
Raizen shifted half a step.
Miss.
A sweeping kick followed—
Raizen stepped back just enough.
Air.
Inside his mind Astra spoke.
"Opponent favors direct pressure."
"Strike patterns: linear."
The second-year attacked again.
Punch.
Kick.
Elbow.
Each strike carried force.
Intent.
But Raizen barely moved.
A step.
A turn.
A slight shift of balance.
Nothing wasted.
The crowd murmured.
"…He's not even attacking."
"…What is he doing?"
Akari's voice was quiet beside the ring.
"He's reading him."
Daigo grinned.
"…Yeah."
"And that guy doesn't know it yet."
The Break
Frustration showed.
"You're just dodging!"
The second-year surged forward again.
Faster.
Harder.
Less controlled.
Exactly what Raizen was waiting for
The punch came wide.
Raizen stepped in.
Inside the guard.
His hand snapped forward—
A clean palm strike to the centerline.
Balance broken.
Immediately—
A pivot.
A shoulder redirect.
The second-year stumbled—
And crossed the ring boundary.
Silence.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Match concluded."
The Shift
For a moment—
no one spoke.
Then—
whispers exploded across the yard.
"…That was instant…"
"…He didn't even try…"
"…That was controlled…"
The second-year stood slowly.
Embarrassed.
But not angry.
He understood what had happened.
He stepped back into the crowd without a word.
After the Match
Raizen stepped out of the ring.
Daigo laughed.
"…Yeah. That was clean."
Akari shook her head slightly.
"You didn't even need a full exchange."
Raizen didn't respond.
Inside his mind Astra spoke.
"Combat efficiency: optimal."
"Energy expenditure: minimal."
Raizen glanced across the yard.
The crowd was still watching.
But the feeling had changed.
Before—
curiosity.
Now—
caution.
Respect.
Awareness.
The kind that spreads quietly—
and lasts.
The storm surrounding Raizen Tenrai wasn't just forming anymore.
The academy was beginning to feel it.