Sol Mirek released Baki's hand with a sincere smile. Even if he couldn't defeat Baki right now, holding his own against him was manageable. Fighting Baki would likely earn his genuine approval, and once Sol acquired the Fighting Genius talent, he wouldn't be far from meeting the evolution conditions for Hanma Blood.
"Baki, could we spar after school?" Sol asked directly, his voice calm but carrying enough clarity for the whole classroom to hear.
The room froze for a moment, all eyes turning toward the two of them. Then a ripple of whispers swept through the students.
"What's happening? Is this like one of those Hot-Blooded High School movies? Is Sol going to become the top of Tokyo Den High?" a boy with black-rimmed glasses whispered, pushing them up his nose bridge in excitement.
"Baki can take out delinquents from outside the school with ease. Sol doesn't stand a chance, right? And he looks so… refined. Maybe this isn't a real fight — just some kind of game?" another student speculated.
"Is Sol asking Baki out on a date? Why do handsome guys always gravitate toward each other?" the girls whispered, their eyes sparkling with gossip.
The classroom buzzed with curiosity. Nobody could understand why an otherwise inconspicuous transfer student had suddenly challenged the infamous Baki Hanma to a spar.
Baki himself looked surprised. He squinted at Sol with slight confusion. By appearance alone, Sol seemed gentle, ordinary, not someone issuing a challenge.
"Why… me?" Baki murmured, still processing the invitation.
Ding ding ding! The class bell rang, and the chatter fell silent.
A tall, thin middle-aged man entered, holding a stack of test papers. This was Yamamoto Hidetaka, Tokyo Den High School's physical education teacher.
He scanned the room briefly before his gaze lingered on Sol and Baki. The unusual tension in the classroom seemed to register with him.
"Today, we'll conduct the physical fitness tests," Yamamoto announced. "Everyone, change into your sportswear and head to the field!"
As he left, students hurried to prepare, the classroom buzzing with energy again. Baki began rising from his seat when Sol approached him once more.
"My challenge earlier," Sol said quietly, smiling. "I'm serious. I want to learn from you, get pointers on fighting techniques."
Baki studied Sol carefully. His build was well-proportioned, but there were no obvious signs of intense training. His hands were long and clean, not like someone used to constant combat.
"Are you sure? I'll go all out," Baki said shortly.
"I've trained a bit myself, but I need a master to verify my skills," Sol replied confidently.
Baki paused, assuming the transfer student might be joking, yet he never refused a fight invitation.
"After school, behind the gym," Baki said, turning to leave.
---
In the changing room, some classmates gathered around Sol as he changed into his sportswear.
"Wait, Sol, you're really going to fight Baki?" a boy with dyed blonde hair exclaimed. "That guy's a monster who takes out all the delinquent groups outside! Are you insane?"
Sol changed calmly, replying without haste, "Thanks for your concern. I've done some training myself, and I want to ask him for pointers."
The boys exchanged glances, suddenly realizing how little they knew about the normally unremarkable transfer student.
---
On the sports field, Yamamoto Hidetaka announced the events.
"As discussed, we will start the fitness tests: 100 meters, softball throw, long jump, pull-ups, and 1500 meters."
Groans echoed, except from Sol and Baki.
"He's serious," one student muttered.
"This is insane," another said.
"I don't want to run 1500 meters," a third complained.
With whistles signaling the 100-meter dash, Sol took his position, stretching slightly as countless curious eyes fixed on him. Everyone wanted to see why this quiet transfer student dared challenge Baki.
Baki, in the adjacent lane, looked slightly dazed — it was his first time participating in a formal fitness test.
"Ready—!" Yamamoto blew the whistle.
The moment it sounded, Sol shot forward like an arrow. His start was astonishingly fast, a blur to everyone else, who barely caught the sound of rushing wind past their ears.
The spectators watched in awe as Sol crossed the finish line before most could even react.
"So fast!"
"What's with that transfer student?"
"He must have broken the world record!"
Yamamoto Hidetaka stared at the stopwatch, shaking. "6.83 seconds!" He rubbed his eyes and checked again. It was correct. Sol's result had shattered the world record.
"Impossible…" Yamamoto muttered, sweat forming on his forehead. "The stopwatch must be broken."
"Teacher, do you want me to run again?" Sol asked casually, breathing evenly as if he had merely walked a short distance.
Yamamoto nodded, clearing the track and calling in other PE teachers to verify the results.
Baki, still catching his breath, crossed his arms and studied Sol carefully. Despite Sol's calm, almost effortless performance, Baki's instincts told him this transfer student's strength was anything but ordinary.
"Ready—!" Yamamoto blew the whistle again, his voice shaky with disbelief.
---