The courtyard was louder than usual.
Whenever someone in the Top 100 fought, people watched.
Whenever someone near the Top 70 fought, everyone watched.
Kaito stood at the edge of the field, arms crossed, staring at the ranking board.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 78
He exhaled slowly.
"…This might be bad."
Tanaka stood beside him.
"Yes."
"That's not helping."
"You asked."
Kaito rolled his shoulders.
His body felt ready.
His energy steady.
His control better than before.
But the pressure in the air felt heavier than usual.
Rank 71.
That was close to the Top 50.
He could feel the difference already.
"…He strong?" Kaito asked.
"Yes."
"…Stronger than Aoi?"
"Yes."
"…Stronger than Ryo?"
"Yes."
Kaito smirked.
"…Good."
Tanaka glanced at him.
"You might lose."
"I know."
"You might drop."
"I know."
"You still want to fight."
Kaito smiled.
"…Of course."
The bell rang.
CLANG.
CLANG.
CLANG.
Silence spread across the courtyard.
The instructor stepped forward.
"Ranking match."
He read the names.
"Rank 78… Arata Kaito."
Kaito stepped forward.
His chest steady.
His breathing calm.
The instructor continued.
"Rank 71… Daigo Ren."
A tall fighter walked onto the field.
Older.
Broader.
Calm eyes.
But the pressure around him was heavy.
Solid.
Like standing in front of a wall.
Daigo looked at Kaito once.
"…You climbed fast."
Kaito scratched his cheek.
"I get that a lot."
"You'll stop here."
"…Everyone says that too."
Daigo raised his guard.
"Show me."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Daigo moved instantly.
Fast.
Faster than anyone Kaito fought since entering the Top 100.
Kaito reacted.
Block.
BAM.
The impact slammed into his arms.
His feet slid back.
Three steps.
His eyes widened.
"…Heavy."
Daigo didn't stop.
Punch.
Kick.
Turn.
Strike.
Every hit stronger.
Every movement tighter.
Kaito focused.
Energy flowed.
He moved.
Block.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
Daigo blocked easily.
Didn't move.
"…Too light."
Kaito smirked.
"…Not done."
He rushed forward.
Punch.
Kick.
Turn.
CRACK.
LOUD.
Daigo slid half a step.
The crowd reacted.
"He moved him."
"Not bad."
Daigo nodded.
"…Better."
Then he stepped in.
Fast.
Too fast.
BAM.
The hit landed in Kaito's chest.
Air left his lungs.
He staggered.
Stayed up.
Tried again.
Step.
Punch.
CRACK.
Daigo blocked.
Countered.
BAM.
Kaito dropped to one knee.
Pain shot through his body.
The vibration shook.
Not stable.
Not clean.
He forced himself up.
"…Again…"
Daigo shook his head.
"You're not ready."
He moved.
One step.
Punch.
BAM.
Kaito hit the ground hard.
Silence.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Stop."
The ranking board flickered.
Numbers changed.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 80
Kaito stared at it from the ground.
"…Dropped."
Tanaka walked onto the field.
"Yes."
Kaito sat up slowly.
His chest hurt.
His arms shook.
His breathing heavy.
"…Damn."
Tanaka looked down at him.
"You pushed."
"Not enough."
"No."
Kaito laughed quietly.
"…Top 70 hurts."
"Yes."
He stood up slowly.
Looked at the board again.
Rank 80.
Lower.
Further.
The gap felt bigger than ever.
His chest tightened.
For a moment...
He felt angry.
Not at Daigo.
Not at the board.
At himself.
He clenched his fists.
The energy inside him shook.
Hard.
Louder than before.
Tanaka's eyes sharpened.
"…Again."
Kaito breathed hard.
"…Not yet."
He turned and walked away.
Not toward the dorm.
Not toward the courtyard.
Toward the training hall.
Tanaka followed.
"You're injured."
"I know."
"You should rest."
"No."
They entered the stone room.
Kaito stood in the center.
Raised his fists.
His energy moved wildly.
Not controlled.
Not steady.
Burning.
"…I hate losing," he muttered.
Tanaka didn't stop him.
"Move."
Kaito punched.
CRACK.
Again.
CRACK.
Again.
CRACK.
Harder.
Faster.
His breathing got heavier.
The vibration roared.
Not calm anymore.
Not steady.
Building.
Tanaka's eyes narrowed.
"…Careful."
Kaito ignored him.
Punch.
CRACK.
Punch.
CRACK.
Punch...
The energy surged.
Louder than ever.
His chest burned.
His vision blurred.
The ground trembled.
Dust lifted.
The air shook.
Tanaka stepped forward.
"…Now."
Kaito clenched his fists.
"…Move… move… move…"
The energy exploded.
Not wild.
Not broken.
Clear.
Heavy.
Stronger than before.
His body felt lighter.
His breathing steadier.
The vibration flowed deeper than ever.
He froze.
"…What…"
Tanaka nodded.
"You broke through."
Kaito blinked.
"…Again?"
"Yes."
"…Second stage?"
"Yes."
He stared at his hands.
The air trembled without him trying.
Not loud.
Not unstable.
Strong.
His chest felt heavier.
But clearer.
He smiled slowly.
"…Good."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"You lost."
"I know."
"You dropped rank."
"I know."
"You still smiling."
Kaito laughed quietly.
"…Yeah."
He raised his fists again.
Energy flowed smoothly.
Stronger than ever.
"…Then I climb again."
Tanaka nodded.
"Yes."
Kaito looked toward the door.
Toward the courtyard.
Toward the ranking board.
"…Rank 80…"
He smirked.
"…Not for long."
Far above the courtyard, Ryo leaned on the railing.
Aoi stood beside him.
"He lost."
"Yes."
"He broke through."
"Yes."
Ryo smiled.
"…Of course he did."
Aoi looked toward the training hall.
"…He never stops."
Ryo nodded.
"…That's why he's still here."