The room fell heavily quiet, Kai's eyes anxiously scanned the class immediately his eyes locked with Ryder's, triggering a memory from last night.

  Flash – His head snapped backwards as he zoomed down the street, a crystalline blue object in his palm and Ryder surrounded by heat and flames propelling himself forward.

  His gaze drifted across the room, meeting Dax

  Flash – Dax's massive leg slammed into Kai’s ribs. His body folded inward as he was launched like a soccer ball.

  Panic set in.

  His eyes kept wandering the room

  He met Damien.

  Flash – A pair of glowing blue eyes against the night, cornering him into a circle.

  His eyes darted, met with Freya.

  His chest slowly rose and fell. "These guys? I know these guys. They're the same from yesterday night."

  Ryder got up aggressively. Kai panicked, watching him close in on him.

  "You done running?" He mocked implying last night's event.

  "W-w-w-what are you talking about?" Kai's mind raced with fear and uncertainty.

  Ryder closed in on him, a sinister grin crawling across his face, his shadow slowly consuming Kai, who slowly cowered down like he was about to fall.

  DUN!

  Ryder's fist landed atop Kai's head lightly.

  He turned heading back to his seat. "That's what you get for making me chase you like a lost puppy."

  The entire class erupted in laughter.

  Mr. Zane casually turned towards Kai with a heinous grin "Any questions?"

  Kai gulped down. "I'm dead."

  One Week Later

  Crimson Vanguard - Battle Arena

  An open arena, shaped like a Colosseum empty seats all around and right in the center a long slab of concrete slightly elevated from the main ground demarcating something sacred.

  Atop it Kai stood, muscles tensed, breath sharp, eyes locked onto his opponent far on the other side

  Ryder.

  His limbs trembled, not from fear, but from the strain of relentless training. A tight white singlet clung to his body, its once-pristine color stained by the countless hours of grueling drills. Every inch of him was a testament to pain and perseverance.

  The arena was empty, saved for the first-year Alpha Squad standing at the sidelines with Mr. Zane, watching as Kai and Ryder clashed.

  In an instant, a torrent of blazing fire erupted from Ryder’s palm, the scorching heat rushing toward Kai’s face.

  Instinct took over. Kai bent his knees, lowering himself just enough for the inferno to graze the tips of his hair.

  Without hesitation, he exploded forward, his speed a blur. His progress over the past week was undeniable, his movements seamless, his torso tilted forward, arms trailing behind him as he closed the gap.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Ryder responded with another blast, thrusting his arm forward. A second wave of flames roared toward Kai, but he sidestepped effortlessly, never slowing down.

  Ryder huffed, eyes narrowing as Kai advanced. He unleashed another relentless barrage, but Kai’s swift, precise movements rendered each attack futile. The heat licked at his skin, but he remained unfazed.

  Before Ryder could react, Kai was already in front of him, his fist coiled, ready to strike.

  Ryder didn’t flinch. Instead, he adjusted his stance, feet spreading slightly for balance. The moment Kai’s punch shot forward, Ryder pivoted left, dodging the attack while raising his elbow. Kai’s fist sailed past harmlessly. Exactly as Ryder had anticipated.

  Without missing a beat, Ryder clamped his elbow down, trapping Kai’s arm beneath his armpit.

  In one fluid motion, he leaped into the air, flames bursting from his free hand to propel him higher. At the peak of his ascent, he twisted, using his momentum to hurl Kai toward the ground.

  Kai’s back slammed into the concrete with a force that sent a shockwave through his body. He bounced slightly before landing, a grimace flashing across his face as he suppressed the searing pain.

  Ryder smirked, his voice echoing through the empty arena.

  "Take that!"

  "Did you really have to go that hard on him?" Damien muttered.

  "Of course I do! It’s part of the training!"

  Zane exhaled, shaking his head. "Alright, that’s enough for today."

  He turned his attention to Kai, who lay sprawled on the ground. "Hey, Kai! You okay?"

  A weak arm lifted slightly, a shaky thumbs-up appearing before it dropped back down.

  Zane watched him for a moment, a small smile creeping onto his face.

  "He's improving fast... Too fast, I think it's time for him to get a taste of what a real mission feels like."

  The Recovery Room

  Kai lay on the bed, his body wrapped in bandages, exhaustion etched onto his bruised face.

  "This is like the fifteenth time you've been here this week. Are you sure you don’t need to take a break?" Cleo asked, arms crossed. A young girl with flowing, lustrous yellow hair cascading down to her waist, she wore a sleek black costume that hugged her slender frame, accentuating every movement with effortless grace. Like Kai, she was also a first-year.

  "Trust me, if it were up to me, I’d have taken a break already," Kai muttered.

  "She’s interested in us," Kurozaki’s voice echoed in his mind.

  Kai groaned inwardly. "Shut up, man… and stop with the ‘us’ thing. It’s really creeping me out."

  Cleo smirked. "Is that Kurozaki again?"

  "Oh, she’s asking about me," Kurozaki’s tone practically beamed. "Tell her I said, ‘Hey, beautiful.’"

  "No," Kai replied flatly, annoyance creeping into his voice.

  Cleo chuckled. "You know, I really think the two of you should try to get along better. You’re going to be with him for a long time." She stretched out the last words for emphasis.

  "She’s not wrong," Kurozaki admitted.

  Kai sighed. "Well, if you could stop talking for one second, then maybe we could get along."

  "I haven’t spoken a single word in over a thousand years, and now you’re the only one who can hear me. You seriously expect me to shut up? Sorry to break it to you, kid, but that’s not happening."

  "Fine. Then there’s no way we’re getting—"

  Before he could finish, the door swung open.

  "Cleo!" Zane’s voice filled the room.

  "Mr. Zane!" Cleo called out, excitement lacing her tone.

  Zane grinned. "How’s my favorite healer?"

  Cleo placed her hands on her hips, a playful smirk crossing her lips. "Still patching up reckless idiots, as usual."

  Zane chuckled. "And I assume Kai is your number one patient?"

  She rolled her eyes. "Obviously. At this rate, I should start reserving a bed just for him."

  Kai let out a tired sigh. "Yeah, yeah, real funny."

  Zane stepped closer, glancing at Kai’s bandaged body. "Well, at least he’s surviving. That’s a good sign." He turned back to Cleo. "How’s his recovery?"

  Cleo tapped her chin in thought. "Faster than normal, but still not great. He’s pushing his limits, which is good… until he breaks them. If this keeps up, I might need to start rejecting him."

  Zane raised an eyebrow. "You’d actually do that?"

  Cleo shrugged. "Probably not, but I’d at least give him a good scolding first."

  Zane smirked. "That, I believe." He then looked down at Kai. "Well, good news, kid. I think you’re ready for something bigger."

  Kai’s eyes narrowed. "Bigger?"

  Zane crossed his arms. "It’s time for your first real mission."