Kali's body did not recover.
It adapted.
By the time he reached Vanguard Institute the next morning, every step felt like walking on broken glass, yet the invisible pressure inside his chest had changed. The fracture in the Rank 5 barrier no longer felt fragile. It felt alive — straining, expanding, demanding more.
He entered the main training district, where the day's assessment crowds were already forming.
Today was Combat Evaluation Day.
Hundreds of students filled the open arena floor. The instructors stood on elevated platforms while massive screens hovered above, displaying the evaluation order.
FEDERATION COMBAT EVALUATION — ROUND ONE
Chen Rui found Kali near the outer ring.
"You look like you died," Chen Rui said quietly.
"Not yet."
Chen Rui swallowed. "People are talking. They saw the medical logs from Gravity Hall."
Kali didn't answer.
On the far side of the arena, a group of elite students had already drawn attention. Their uniforms were pristine, their energy signatures overwhelming.
At the center stood Zhao Jie.
Planetary Rank 6.
He laughed as his opponent was thrown across the arena floor and crashed into the barrier wall.
One move.
The fight ended.
The crowd roared.
Kali's name appeared on the screen.
Match 17 — Kali vs. Han Yao
Han Yao stepped forward — tall, broad, Rank 5, confident.
They took their positions.
The barrier field activated.
"Begin."
Han Yao attacked first, his fist tearing through the air with raw power.
Kali didn't retreat.
He slipped inside the strike, the gravity training having rewired his instincts. He seized Han Yao's wrist, twisted, and drove his elbow into the man's ribs.
Crack.
Han Yao staggered.
Kali followed with a knee to the abdomen and a palm strike to the chest.
Han Yao collapsed.
The entire exchange lasted three seconds.
Silence fell.
The instructors stared.
The elite students turned.
Zhao Jie's smile faded.
The screen updated:
Winner: Kali — Rank Disparity Overcome
Chen Rui's breath caught.
Kali felt the fracture in his chest surge.
The barrier trembled.
For the first time, the world began to notice him.