The long-awaited moment had finally arrived. The stands were no longer just crowded seats; they were a volcano of cheers and a tension so thick it could be felt by hand. Today, Rion was not merely a mysterious "monster"—he was a contender aiming to shatter barriers and join the elite of Class A.
In the center of the arena stood Seiya Witer. His short, muscular build radiated the solidity of a mountain. His black hair, slicked back, accentuated the sharpness of his silver eyes, which gleamed with a cool, steady confidence. He adjusted his black combat gear and looked at Rion with a gaze devoid of malice, yet brimming with challenge:
"No hard feelings, Rion... but know that I won't hold back. This field recognizes nothing but strength."
The Headmistress raised her hand. The roar of the crowd died down for a single heartbeat before she shouted:
— "Begin!"
Seiya's energy exploded instantly. His skin transformed into polished silver metal, reflecting the arena lights. He launched himself like a metallic projectile, cracking the ground beneath his feet. Before Rion could even blink, Seiya collided with him with such immense force that he was sent reeling back several meters. Seiya didn't stop; he rained down heavy blows, each one ringing out like a hammer striking an anvil.
Growling, Seiya raised his hands high. Massive metallic masses sprouted from his energy, closing in on Rion from every side, trapping him in a solid, iron cocoon. Seiya exhaled, wiping the sweat from his forehead, believing the fight had been decided. But then!
BOOM!
A terrifying explosion erupted from the heart of the metal mass. Silver shards scattered like shattered glass, and Rion emerged from the smoke. His clothes were torn, but his eyes glowed with an unbreakable resolve.
"You truly are strong, Seiya," Rion said in a calm, sharp tone, "but now, it's my turn."
In the blink of an eye, Rion vanished. It wasn't just a sprint; it was a total disappearance. He reappeared suddenly in front of Seiya, who froze in shock. Rion delivered a lightning-fast strike to his abdomen—a blow so powerful it pierced through Seiya's armored defense and brought him to his knees.
Seiya smiled through the pain, gasping:
"You're... much stronger than you look."
Rion replied with his usual coldness:
"You could say that."
The battle continued; Seiya unleashed brilliantly shaped metal shards, while Rion manipulated space and angles, evading them with fluid movements as if dancing through rain. He closed the distance again, showering Seiya with a barrage of rapid punches that left no room for breath, until Seiya finally collapsed, exhausted.
The Headmistress's voice shook the foundations:
"The winner... Rion Grein! And as of tomorrow, he is officially transferred to Class A!"
As Rion and Seiya exchanged a sportsmanlike salute, the silence was pierced by a confident female voice from above:
"Wait, Rion!"
Everyone looked up. There stood a stunning girl with long red hair that swayed behind her like a flame, and amber eyes radiating intelligence and mischief. She descended slowly, defying the laws of physics as if the air itself were carrying her.
"I am Alex... and I want to test this newcomer. A duel for two thousand points—what do you say?"
The stands erupted. The Headmistress agreed immediately, eager to see the limits of Rion's power. Alex stepped forward, a mysterious smile playing on her face:
"I hope you have a pleasant day, Rion."
Rion replied curtly:
"The pleasure is mine."
Suddenly, everything changed. Rion felt a crushing pressure clamp down on his body. It was as if gravity had multiplied dozens of times; his back arched, and his feet sank into the arena floor, which began to crack.
"My ability is Gravity," Alex said, walking toward him with graceful steps, unaffected by the pressure. "Can you endure it?"
Rion was on the verge of being crushed, but he summoned his strength. With veins bulging and a face hardened with effort, he resisted the immense pressure and stood upright once more, defying the cosmic force pulling him down. Alex's eyes widened in astonishment:
"Impossible! How are you still standing?!"
Rion lunged through the gravity field, seizing Alex by the neck with a speed she hadn't anticipated, then hurled her away to crash against the protective Mana wall. Alex stood up, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, but her smile didn't fade:
"You're amazing! I won't let this fun go to waste!"
Alex shifted into full combat mode, a black Mana armor glowing with red lines. She doubled the gravity in a circle around Rion and attacked with punches reinforced by gravitational mass—strikes that shook the very foundations of the Academy. Rion fell, rose, then fell and rose again, his face covered in blood, but for the first time in the battle, he smiled.
The shouts of Trangen, the worry of Kairen, and the confidence of Mira filled the air, until the Headmistress intervened firmly, ending the duel:
"Enough! The match is over... The winner is Alex Wilson!"
In the prep room, Rion sat visibly exhausted. His friends entered; Vodo praised him, and Kairen congratulated him on his promotion to the new class. As for Trangen, she threw herself into his lap, weeping bitterly:
"My dear Rion! I will take revenge for you on that b—..."
"Trangen!" Mira interrupted sternly, crossing her arms, "That kind of language is inappropriate."
Trangen lowered her head in shame, but whispered to Rion while still clinging to him:
"I'll get her back for you, no matter what."
Three days of rest followed. Rion sat in his room, the words of Headmistress Dalia ringing in his ears like a bell:
"You are not a monster, Rion... I trust you. Remember, Class A protects the Academy, but Class S protects the entire island."
Rion sighed and stretched out on his bed, feeling the weight of the coming responsibility, yet feeling a slight sense of gratitude that the Headmistress had halved the points wager. He closed his eyes and surrendered to a deep sleep, ready for whatever tomorrow in Class A would bring.