Cheers still echoed through Hazandeen International High School.
The school trembled with excitement from the earlier basketball match—but now, all eyes were fixed on the martial arts arena at the center of the grand hall. This was the climax of the event.
HIHS had already lost on points—7 out of 10 sports events were dominated by MES. The art competitions ended in a 2–2 draw, and HIHS barely scraped a 3–2 win in science and tech.
But martial arts... was a different story.
This was pride. Honor.
And most importantly, the final entertainment for HIHS's nobles.
"Welcome to the ultimate showdown!" shouted the commentator.
"The most anticipated event—martial arts between two elite schools!"
The Fighters Appeared
From HIHS:
Rina Ashara – a martial prodigy, standing tall with confidence.
Jogo Karagara – calm face, sharp eyes.
Al – slouched posture, blank face, half-lidded eyes.
Whispers spread among the audience.
"Who's that last one?"
"He's new?"
"They say he's from an orphanage... scholarship kid."
"Pfft… an orphan? In this match? Disgusting."
"Embarrassing HIHS by letting a street rat in…"
Al remained silent. Like a statue.
Unfazed by the mockery. Because how could he ever stand firm at the top if even a fly could shake him?
Rina clenched the edge of her jacket. Irritated—but held back. Now wasn't the time to deal with their words.
From MES:
Yolanda Karagara – an athletic, tanned girl with a high ponytail and fierce aura.
Two strong male fighters—MES's martial powerhouses.
Yolanda walked forward casually. Her eyes brushed over Al for a second, then locked on Rina.
"Ah, the princess of HIHS. Looks like your win streak ends today."
Rina paid no attention to Yolanda's provocation and simply turned her face away, deliberately refusing to engage.
Her mind was focused on only one thing at that moment—to make absolutely certain that Al would not be dragged into a pointless fight.
Meanwhile, Al allowed a faint smile to form on his lips as his gaze rested upon Yolanda.
From what he could sense, Yolanda herself was standing at the upper stage of the Adept Level, Martial Artist Class, while the two companions flanking her were already solidly in the early stage of the Adept Level Martial Artist Class.
Even so, what struck Al was not merely their magical energy levels, but the way the three of them carried themselves. There was an undeniable sharpness in their movements, a hint of discipline and polish that spoke of professionalism.
It was clear to him that these three were not ordinary combatants—they likely possessed an arsenal of tricks, techniques, and refined skills capable of amplifying their strength beyond the mere measure of their realms.
Seventeen or maybe eighteen years old and already this capable, Al mused silently, his thoughts carrying a faint tone of admiration.
The children of the elite truly are different from those of the middle or lower classes. With the stability of wealth and resources at their backs, they can easily acquire rare energy sources, receive specialized training, and dedicate themselves entirely to honing their bodies and abilities. No distractions, no survival struggles—just refinement and growth.
There was no bitterness in his reflection, merely a quiet acknowledgment of the reality before him.
Al could not deny that the elite world was overflowing with talent, individuals who seemed to shine brighter simply because they were given the space and support to polish their potential to its peak.
From a distance, David had already arrived at the special stands reserved for the MES delegation. Rudi and a few HIHS students were also hanging around there instead of gathering with the rest of their schoolmates.
"So you used that girl to crush that fly, huh? Interesting. Very interesting," Rudi said with a wide grin at David.
"Hum…" David let out a small chuckle. "I'm not even sure how long that brat will last. But I've already ordered Yolanda to make it entertaining," he replied in an amused tone.
"Hahaha, that's how it should be! If possible, just kill him," Rudi said gleefully like some deranged psychopath.
"Haah… stop acting tough. You've never killed anyone. You'd probably shiver just from seeing a corpse, let alone making one," David mocked.
"True, hehe." Rudi scratched his head awkwardly. "By the way… that girl's not bad. You should introduce her to me," he added, referring to Yolanda.
"Huh… tone down that playboy attitude of yours. Besides, you'll only end up crushed if you try approaching a girl like her," David replied.
"Hmpf… you're no different from me, playboy," Rudi said with a pout.
"Of course I'm different. We're elites— even in chasing women, we must be elegant. Besides…" David smiled faintly, "I'm a lover of women, not a player of them."
Rudi froze this time, speechless, unable to believe he was being lectured by David of all people.
David, on the other hand, just smiled and turned his gaze toward Yolanda.
Yolanda looked back at him, and David gave a subtle nod — a signal telling her to make it as entertaining as possible.
Then his eyes shifted toward Al, who was sitting leisurely on the players' bench.
You dare go against me, huh? You were lucky last night. But now… just pray that you can still stand after this, he thought silently.
He then glanced back at Yolanda. In his eyes, a faint dark aura surrounded her. David smirked.
Erase him.
And so, with both sides now standing ready, the martial arts competition was about to begin.
The rules were simple:
Win and stay. Lose and you're out.
The team that loses all three fighters first... loses.
And the match began.
Rina vs MES Fighter #1
A crushing win. Fast strikes. Precise counters.
Rina vs MES Fighter #2
Tougher. But she still pulled through.
HIHS roared with cheers.
"That's our Rina!"
"Wipe them out, Rin!"
"HIHS is rising again!"
Only Yolanda remained.
Rina, who had already endured two consecutive battles, now stood with her breathing ragged and uneven, chest rising and falling as sweat dampened her brow.
The exhaustion was evident in her body, yet she refused to bend her posture, forcing herself to remain upright and proud.
Just as had been said earlier, the only reason she had managed to secure victory against those two opponents was because her magical energy level stood one level above theirs. In terms of actual combat skills, however, they had been evenly matched.
That meant the fights had been less about technique and more about endurance—about which side possessed the deeper reservoir of energy.
But such a battle pattern was far from favorable for Rina. The consequence was obvious: her reserves had been chipped away little by little. And the cruel reality was that her next opponent was none other than Yolanda.
Which meant Rina would have to face her strongest challenge yet with energy that had already been reduced and weakened by the previous two matches.
Yolanda entered the arena.
"You can forfeit now, Rina,"
she said with a mocking smile.
"Why ruin your perfect record?"
"Didn't you want to break it? Then shut up and fight,"
Rina replied, catching her breath.
The fight began.
Rina attacked first, but...
Yolanda was different.
Her movements were composed—calm. She easily deflected Rina's weakening blows.
Then she struck back—
Hard.
Throwing Rina across the stage.
A powerful hit—typical of the Karagara clan.
But something was off. The energy… It felt wrong. Dark. Evil.
Elsewhere, on the edge of the arena, Al, who had been sitting with an air of nonchalance, finally opened his eyes. His expression shifted, the usual indifference replaced by a sharp seriousness.
It was clear to him—the fluctuation of Yolanda's aura revealed that she had advanced into the early stage of the Practitioner Level. Yet even more unsettling was the instability of that power.
This energy… Al thought with growing concern, his gaze narrowing. This is not merely physical strength. There is something darker coursing through it, something malevolent hidden deep within…
A quiet sense of dread spread through him, the feeling that Yolanda's strength was not entirely her own, and that whatever force lingered inside her carried a dangerous, almost sinister resonance.
Back to the Arena
Another heavy blow landed on Rina's abdomen.
Rina staggered.
Yolanda chuckled.
"Come on, Rina. Show me what you've got. Or are you just a name with no substance?"
Rina tried to hold on—but her body was spent.
Yolanda's energy was suffocating.
Boom!
A final blow.
Rina flew backward—right into Al.
Al caught her effortlessly with one arm.
Their eyes met briefly—Rina gasped for breath—then collapsed.
Yolanda crossed her arms, amused.
"Not bad reflexes, Kid… so even orphans can be useful, huh?."
Al blinked.
Kid? Aren't we the same age?
Cheers now shifted to MES.
HIHS fell silent.
Rina was down.
Now came Jogo.
HIHS students cheered—sure Jogo would turn things around.
Jogo stepped forward.
And raised his hand.
"I forfeit,"
he announced.
The crowd gasped.
"What?!"
"Jogo?!"
"Why?!"
"Sorry. She's my cousin. Our family forbids us from fighting each other." He said it so casually.
Whispers turned to boos—but Jogo didn't care.
He shook Yolanda's hand and whispered:
"Crush that orphan."
Yolanda smiled back.
"That's my mission today."
Then Jogo stepped down from the ring amid a wave of boos from the audience who couldn't accept the outcome. He glanced at Al with a sly grin and sat down beside him.
"I just gave you a chance, kid. You'd better put on a good show. Don't disappoint me," he said sarcastically.
Al only shook his head slightly.
"Someone who's disappointed hundreds of people with a coward's decision doesn't deserve to ask not to be disappointed," Al replied calmly, then stood up.
Jogo's expression darkened for a moment but he brushed it off, smirking again—already eager to see Al's downfall.
Hmph… still acting tough, huh? Just think of that as your last words, Jogo sneered inwardly.
"So she's your cousin…" Al said while stretching his body. "I hope you won't get mad if she gets hurt after this. It might get dangerous for her," he added as a warning.
Jogo ignored him.
"Hurt? Because of you? Haha… only if you can even touch her. You should worry about yourself," Jogo shot back.
Al didn't respond this time. Warm-up's done.
He was ready to teach those arrogant kids a proper lesson.
Now It Was Al's Turn
Whispers started again.
"Finally the orphan gets his turn."
"HIHS is doomed now."
"What a joke…"
But Al walked forward.
Slow. Lazy. Hands in pockets.
Each step calm—but his eyes… had changed.
That energy... How could a kid her age possibly use it—especially in such large quantities? And yet, there was nothing wrong with her soul, he thought.
HIHS students muttered in despair.
"It's over… Rina lost, Jogo gave up."
"Only that beater boy remains."
"We're screwed."
A few clung to hope—but Al looked lifeless, like a joke.
I thought this was supposed to be a competition without magical energy involved. But they took it to that level… They're taking this way too seriously for something this small. And now, that girl is using a dangerous kind of energy. If I let this go on, it could be trouble… Al muttered inwardly.
He stepped forward lazily, as if walking toward an execution ground.
For some reason, his presence brought a faint sense of discomfort to Yolanda.
But Yolanda didn't dwell on it.
How pitiful, kid. Just another unlucky boy caught in the games of the elites. And today… I'm your executioner, she thought.
Yolanda smirked, welcoming Al like a joke.
"You? That orphan boy? You dare challenge me? Hah! What a joke. This is an insult!" she scoffed. "Tch, maybe this is just your way of seeking attention. Pathetic."
Al simply stood still. His gaze sharp. Then he suddenly asked,
"Where did you get… that energy?"
Yolanda froze. Her eyes widened. Her body stiffened, like a child caught stealing. Shocked by Al's question.
"E-energy? Wh-what are you talking about?"
Her tone changed—panicked.
"You know exactly what I mean," Al replied, his voice low enough that only the two of them could hear.
How does he know? Yolanda thought.
"If you're talking about inner strength, I could teach you," Yolanda said. "That is… if you're still breathing after this."
She felt cornered—restless and nervous. That growing discomfort stirred her aggression. An invisible, dark energy began seeping from her. Unseen by normal eyes—but its pressure was palpable.
From afar, David's eyes lit up, pleased by Yolanda's aggression.
Crush him, he muttered in his mind.
Not far away, in the corner of the room, stood a man wearing an oversized jacket, a hood, dark sunglasses, and a mask.
No one knew who he was. but he looked uneasy.
Back in the arena, the tension grew thicker.
"That energy will destroy you if you keep using it. You should let it go… before it consumes you," Al said firmly, his voice laced with genuine warning.
But Yolanda only grew more irritated. She couldn't take it anymore—
She attacked.
A sudden, high-speed strike—full of raw power.
The dark energy gathered in both her fists—dense and sinister.
"Enough talk. Take this!" she shouted, hurling a devastating punch.
Even the spectators in the stands could feel the pressure of her attack. And then—
WOSHH!
Al swiftly dodged to the side, making Yolanda's back completely exposed—then struck the back of her torso with the edge of his hand.
BRAKK!!
The girl's body slammed hard onto the floor.
"What?! What just happened?" Yolanda gasped, confused.
But in a fight, there's no time for confusion.
Al lifted his leg high and brought it down.
WOSHH!
BAMM!!
The impact was strong enough to crack the floor—but fortunately, Yolanda rolled away just in time, creating some distance.
She looked at Al, utterly shocked.
"Y-You? You can fight?!" she blurted out in disbelief at what just happened.
Al simply smiled faintly and dashed forward again.
"You already said, 'enough talk.' So stop talking and fight," Al said calmly.
A flurry of blows followed—no magic energy, no reinforcement, just pure, ordinary strikes.
Yet each of them landed hard enough to make Yolanda stagger.
She could only defend, desperately blocking his relentless attacks. Many of them still connected.
What is this!? He's fast… and ughh—strong. My defense is meaningless. There's no opening for a counterattack at all. And he's not even using any inner energy. Just who is this guy? Does David want me to punish this guy, or the opposite? she thought, analyzing as she tried to endure.
Until finally, she could no longer hold her ground and was thrown again to the edge of the arena.
"Haah… all your talk earlier was just nonsense," Al mocked. "Even with that energy, you're still too weak. That's why I hate users of borrowed power."
Yolanda staggered as she tried to stand. There weren't many visible wounds on her body, but the pain inside was severe—like Al's strikes were aimed purely to hurt her internally.
"You! Who the hell are you!?" she demanded, frustrated.
"Me? You've been calling me an orphan boy since earlier, haven't you? Why ask again?" Al replied casually.
"That's not what I meant!" Yolanda snapped. "Who are you, and how can you be this strong?!"
"Wait, wait. I think you're the one who should explain, instead of asking who I am. Where you got that dark energy from?," Al countered.
Realizing she wouldn't get an answer, Yolanda decided to stay quiet and refocus on the fight.
She observed carefully—there was no opening. Even without using internal energy, Al's speed, precision, movement, and attack power were already overwhelming.
Her gaze shifted toward David in the stands, hoping for help or a signal—but what she saw froze her in disbelief.
David, Rudi, and the MES members were all cheering in delight. Meanwhile, the HIHS side looked gloomy and concerned. Even Jogo had a wicked grin on his face.
"What's going on? Why are they cheering while I'm being beaten like this?" she muttered in confusion, glancing around.
"Ah, that," Al answered. "We're inside an illusion barrier surrounding the arena. What they see outside is different from what's happening here. Right now, they're probably seeing you beating me instead."
Yolanda immediately sharpened her magical senses—but she couldn't detect anything.
Al shook his head. "You won't sense it. You're still too weak."
He waved his hand toward the edge of the arena, and a faint mist-like energy shimmered before Yolanda's eyes.
"At least I'm not like you. I didn't plan to humiliate you here. That's why, even though you're the one suffering now, they'll all think you're the one torturing me. Your reputation as a strong fighter will stay intact. I'm nice, aren't I?" he said with a teasing smile.
"Tchh… Who wants to be part of your little game anyway? What's the point of keeping my reputation if I'm the one being tortured here?" Yolanda shot back bitterly.
Realizing she had no chance of winning and that no help was coming, she decided to go all out.
Her dark energy surged violently, a black aura bursting out from within her body, engulfing her completely.
"Arghhh… This is all I can do now!" she screamed, enduring the searing pain as the energy raged inside her.
Al shook his head.
"I told you not to use that energy. It'll only destroy you, you idiot."
But Yolanda didn't stop. She kept forcing the energy out, as much as she could.
Al's eyes grew cautious.
This girl… she's really impossible to talk to. And that energy—it's too much. Where did she even get it?
And then—
SKRWIRR. SKRWIRR.
The dark energy flared up violently, distorting even the illusion barrier.
Al's eyes widened slightly—he hadn't expected his barrier to be affected.
Damn. I miscalculated. That energy isn't just massive—it's feeding off her own life force as its source, he muttered.
He dashed forward, but dark whips of energy lashed out, cutting off his approach.
He blocked several, but there were too many—it became difficult to close the distance.
"This will get dangerous if I let it continue. If the barrier breaks, I won't be able to fight freely," he murmured, watching the trembling edges of the illusion.
From the stands, even the audience could see faint black flickers flashing within the arena—but the illusion still showed Yolanda brutally thrashing Al.
"That means I'll have to sacrifice a bit," Al muttered, assessing the situation.
At that moment, Yolanda had finished her preparations.
Without warning—and seemingly with her consciousness slipping—she dashed forward.
WOSHHH!
Al saw it and smiled faintly.
"This might hurt a little. Try to endure it," he whispered.
And—
DUGHH!
Yolanda's punch landed squarely on Al's crossed forearms in front of his face. He blocked it with both hands—right as the barrier deactivated. Somehow, the visualization of that part still connects.
WOSHHH!
Al's body was sent flying far out of the arena—
BRUGHH!
—and crashed hard into the wall.
The students of HIHS, who hadn't expected much from this match, let out a collective sigh.
Some were disappointed, some felt pity—
Watching a match that offered nothing impressive. Just a weak boy unlucky enough to take a hit from a trained martial artist.
But then...
AAARRGGGHHH!
Suddenly, Yolanda screamed.
Her body spasmed. A dark aura erupted from her. Eyes turned white. Breath erratic. She moved like a wild beast.
The audience froze in shock, then panic erupted. The surge of energy shook the hall. Tremors rippled through the air, sending people fleeing in terror as the auditorium descended into chaos.
"AAAAHH!!"
"Everyone out!"
"What's happening?!"
"Help!"
"My shoooooes!!"
Yolanda moved like a wild beast—screaming and thrashing—like a nine-tailed fox that hadn't fully awakened inside a blond-haired man.
Of course, Jogo panicked as well.
"What is this?! Yolanda!!" he shouted.
But there was no response. Yolanda's condition had turned bizarre—waves of energy danced wildly, striking across the entire hall.
Jogo dashed forward, followed by several students and school security members who had rushed in to help.
But unfortunately—
BRAKK!
A massive surge of wild energy slapped them all away, throwing bodies in every direction—crashing into the stands, the walls, and everything else nearby. Almost everyone was instantly knocked unconscious.
Jogo managed to remain barely conscious, staring at the rampaging Yolanda.
The energy that had just hit him wasn't only painful—it disrupted the flow of his own internal energy, leaving him weak and unable to move his strength at all.
"What… is this?" he muttered in confusion.
And suddenly, Al's earlier warning flashed through his mind. But in the end, he hadn't believed it. His body couldn't hold out—his energy was in complete disarray—and he too lost consciousness.
Meanwhile, from the upper stands, David clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
"Tchh… I thought that pill had already been stabilized."
A few moments before the match began, David had handed Yolanda a pill.
"This should be more than enough if you want to defeat Rina. And… make sure that orphan boy gets crushed. At least break his legs and arms."
Yolanda had nodded. And that was how she ended up accepting a power she never should've used—ending in this disastrous state.
Amid the chaos—
Al shouted, giving orders,
"Dedy! Hold her down!"
From the shadows at the edge of the hall, a figure leapt out.
Throwing off his thick jacket, glasses, mask, and beanie—
With calm precision and explosive speed—Dedy.
His hand sliced through the air like it was cutting space itself.
Yolanda's body froze midair, restrained, as her rampaging energy began to shrink slightly.
That brief control was enough time for the entire audience to flee the hall safely without being struck by the dark energy.
The teachers could only secure the perimeter outside, waiting for the arrival of the special response team.
Back inside.
Dedy approached Al, still holding the writhing Yolanda.
"Young Master… you knew I was here?"
Al smirked.
"How could I not?" He said.
"Pick me up. We're going to the back forest." He ordered.
Dedy nodded and carried them both—bursting through the cracked glass ceiling.
---
Deep in the Forest
Al stood tall.
No injuries.
He dropped his act.
Yolanda still squirmed in dark energy.
"This energy…"
Al placed his hand on her forehead.
A soft white light glowed.
Bit by bit, the dark aura faded.
It took a while. The energy was overwhelming. But... it was finally over.
Yolanda collapsed instantly—unconscious.
All the energy had been neutralized.
Al exhaled deeply, staring at his hand—now pitch black.
"Young Master, what's wrong with your hand?" Dedy asked in shock, noticing the darkened skin.
Al glanced at him, grimacing slightly, then patted Dedy's shoulder.
"You don't need to worry about it. Anyway… good job.
But you really shouldn't have taken off your beanie."
"Ah… haha… thank you, Young Master," Dedy replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. Yet his face still carried clear worry.
"Young Master… but your hand—are you really alright?"
Al simply nodded.
Dedy hesitated for a moment, then decided not to press further.
"By the way, what exactly happened to this girl, Young Master?" he asked.
"Hmph... Do you believe in ghosts?" Al replied with a question of his own.
Dedy blinked, confused by the sudden shift in topic.
"I… not really, Young Master."
Al simply shook his head.
"Then I can't explain it to you right now." he said casually.
"Dedy, take us back to the others."
Dedy was even more confused. His question went unanswered, and now this person was talking about ghosts. What does that have to do with anything?
But for now, all he had to do was follow orders.
"Understood, Young Master."
Dedy carried the unconscious Yolanda—and the "unconscious" Al—back to the school.
Crowds had gathered outside.
Students erupted in cheers.
Everyone cheered as Dedy appeared.
Many were still confused about what had just happened.
Some believed it was a supernatural event, others thought it was some kind of natural disaster.
But one thing was clear—To most of them, Dedy was now seen as the hero who saved them from the chaos.
"School hero!"
"He saved us all!"
Dedy glanced at Al.
Uncomfortable with the praise.
But Al said nothing.
Let them cheer for Dedy…
Dedy sighed.
Then David appeared—arms crossed. A fake calm on his face.
Dedy saluted David.
The students immediately assumed:
"So David sent that guy!"
"David Virellano… the true hero!"
David smiled, soaking in the praise.
But inside—he boiled.
Why did Dedy save him too?
"Dedy. Take them to the school bus.
We need to head to the hospital."
"Yes, Young Master."
David, Dedy, Yolanda, and a few MES staff members left for the hospital.
The rest of the MES delegation stayed behind, along with HIHS, to resume the School Festival.
Al, who was still receiving first aid among the crowd, slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze narrowed as he caught sight of David from afar.
From David's pocket—faint traces of dark energy flickered.
So that's the source... This power… no human should access it.
Al clenched his fist—now hidden beneath a faint illusion.
---
At the Hospital
Yolanda writhed.
Cold sweat drenched her brow.
Her breath shallow.
She dreamed—No—remembered.
After gathering massive energy, she saw herself lunging forward—dark energy completely cloaking her body—as she charged straight at Al.
Suddenly—
Time slowed.
Her body froze in extreme slow motion.
The world—silent, frozen.
Except Al.
He walked normally through the frozen time.
Time magic? No… what kind of skill is this?!
Only inches between them—yet it felt like a century.
Al's voice echoed.
"Sorry, miss."
"This energy… should never belong to humans."
He touched her forehead.
A surge of light flowed from his fingers—gentle, yet piercing.
Yolanda twitched.
Pain jolted through her skull as the foreign energy clashed with the darkness inside her.
Her corrupted energy spiraled violently… no longer solid, no longer stable—twisting and writhing like a storm barely contained.
Suddenly—
Time resumed.
Her punch landed.
But her body gave out, and she lost control
Then...
Yolanda woke up... screaming.
"AAAAAH!!"
She gasped. Heart racing.
Looking around—hospital room. Empty.
David entered.
"Took you long enough.
You nearly ruined everything, Yolanda."
Yolanda tried to speak. Tried to explain.
"David… that boy… he… time… he said…"
But—
Her head throbbed.
She screamed, clutching it.
Blood dripped from her nose.
She tried again.
"A-Al… he—"
She coughed. Blood again.
Frozen in fear.
Why… why can't I say it?
---
Back at the School Infirmary
Al sat quietly.
Rina lay on the bed—pale, but breathing steadily.
Al touched her forehead, releasing a soft wave of healing energy.
"Good thing I remembered… to plant the seal,"
he whispered.
"Yolanda can't speak a word about me now."
Rina stirred. Slowly opened her eyes.
Breathing fast.
"Al!! Are you okay?... Did Jogo win?"
Al blinked.
Then smiled.
"Of course…"
Rina's face lit up. She smiled in relief, thinking they had won.
But then he added:
"…we lost, Rina."
Her expression dimmed.
Eyes narrowed.
"Huff… I figured…"
She sat up, holding her head.
"Yolanda… that woman used something strange.
I'll prove she cheated!"
Al chuckled.
"You should worry about healing first.
It's very annoying to take care of you." Al said, joking.
"Ugh… you're the worst."
Rina pouted.
Then laughed.
Outside—the sun was setting.
Orange light spilled through the infirmary windows.
Two students sat at the edge of the bed—
In a world that didn't care.
But they knew…
Something had begun.
Something big.
And dark.
---