Rex Titan's fist came crashing toward Dominic like a falling boulder.
The air roared.
Students leaned forward excitedly.
"That's Rex's Titan Strength!"
"Dominic's finished!"
"That punch could knock out a Stone Vanguard!"
Dominic watched the massive fist approaching his face.
Inside his mind, however, he was surprisingly calm.
'Okay… don't panic.'
'Just a tiny bit of cosmic power.'
The sealed Cosmic Stone inside his soul glowed faintly.
A microscopic wave of gravity manipulation spread out.
Not strong.
Not flashy.
Just enough.
---
Rex suddenly felt something strange.
His body felt… heavier.
Only slightly.
But enough to throw off his balance.
His punch slowed.
Dominic tilted his head to the side.
'WHOOSH'
The fist barely missed his face.
The crowd froze.
"…He dodged?"
Rex's eyes widened.
"What?!"
Dominic blinked.
"Huh."
"That was close."
Inside his mind he screamed.
'HOLY CRAP THAT ACTUALLY WORKED!'
---
Rex quickly turned and swung another punch.
This time even faster.
Skill: Titan Rush
His legs exploded with power as he charged like a rampaging beast.
The ground cracked beneath his feet.
Students gasped.
"He's serious now!"
"Dominic's dead!"
Dominic sighed.
"Man…"
"Why are you so aggressive on the first day of school?"
Rex roared.
"BECAUSE YOU'RE ANNOYING!"
His fist descended again.
Dominic lifted one finger.
Just one.
He flicked forward casually.
But at the same time—
A tiny fragment of cosmic gravity condensed at his fingertip.
---
Flick.
The moment Dominic's finger touched Rex's forehead—
'BOOM'
A shockwave exploded.
Rex Titan's massive body flew backward like a cannonball.
He smashed into the arena wall.
'BOOOOOOM!!'
Dust erupted everywhere.
Cracks spread across the stone wall.
Silence fell across the arena.
Complete silence.
Then someone whispered slowly.
"…Did… did the Grey Stone guy just flick Rex?"
Another student rubbed his eyes.
"…I think I need glasses."
---
Rex slid down the wall slowly.
His eyes spinning.
A red mark appeared on his forehead.
Dominic stared at his finger.
"…Wow."
"That actually worked."
Inside his head he was celebrating wildly.
'COSMIC STONE IS OP.'
---
Instructor Varel Draken narrowed his eyes.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Grey Stone users didn't possess that level of strength.
"Rex Titan."
His voice echoed across the arena.
"Stand up."
Rex slowly rose to his feet.
His pride was shattered.
His face turned red with humiliation.
"You…"
He pointed at Dominic.
"You cheated!"
Dominic blinked.
"…How?"
"You used some trick!"
Dominic shrugged.
"If I knew tricks I wouldn't have almost died yesterday."
Some students started laughing.
Rex clenched his fists.
Black energy surged around his body again.
"THIS TIME I'LL CRUSH YOU!"
---
His Physical Stone glowed brighter.
Muscles expanded even larger.
Skill: Titan Smash
Rex jumped high into the air.
His shadow covered Dominic like a mountain.
"If this lands…"
"You're dead!"
Students gasped.
"That move can destroy the arena!"
Dominic sighed dramatically.
"Why does everyone want to kill me today?"
He looked up.
The massive fist descended like a meteor.
Dominic lifted his hand slowly.
Inside his soul—
The Cosmic Stone pulsed again.
A stronger wave of gravity spread out.
Still tiny.
Still hidden.
But deadly.
---
Rex suddenly felt his body become unbelievably heavy.
Like a mountain had landed on his shoulders.
"Wha—?!"
His body lost control.
Instead of smashing Dominic—
He dropped straight down.
'BOOOOOOOOOOM!!'
Rex crashed face-first into the arena floor.
The ground shattered.
A massive crater appeared.
Dust filled the entire arena.
---
Silence.
Even the wind stopped.
Then someone spoke.
"…Rex lost."
Another student whispered.
"…To a Grey Stone."
Dominic scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Oops."
"Did I use too much strength?"
Inside his mind:
'Please believe that.'
'Please believe that.'
---
Instructor Varel jumped into the arena.
His sharp eyes stared at Dominic.
"You."
Dominic waved.
"Yes teacher?"
"What did you just do?"
Dominic thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"I flicked him."
The arena exploded with laughter.
Even some teachers watching from the balcony looked confused.
Varel's eyebrow twitched.
---
Suddenly a calm voice spoke from the crowd.
"…Interesting."
Students turned.
A girl stepped forward.
Silver hair.
Green eyes.
Elegant posture.
Wind slowly circled around her body.
Her name was Lyra Windvale.
Stone Type: Elemental Stone
Element: Wind
One of the strongest geniuses of the academy.
The crowd instantly became quiet.
Lyra looked directly at Dominic.
Her eyes were curious.
"You're strange."
Dominic pointed at himself.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"You don't move like a Grey Stone user."
Dominic laughed nervously.
"Maybe I'm just talented."
Inside his mind:
'Oh crap she noticed.'
Lyra slowly stepped into the arena.
Wind began swirling around her fingers.
Instructor Varel crossed his arms.
"Lyra Windvale."
"Yes, instructor."
"You wish to test him?"
She nodded calmly.
"Yes."
The students exploded with excitement.
"ANOTHER FIGHT?!"
"Lyra vs Dominic!"
"This is going to be good!"
Dominic stared at the sky.
"…God."
"What did I do to deserve this."
Lyra smiled slightly.
"Relax."
"I won't hurt you."
Dominic looked at the swirling wind blades around her hand.
"…Your wind looks like it wants to hurt me."
The breeze around Lyra suddenly sharpened.
Skill: Wind Blade
Invisible blades of air formed around her.
Dominic sighed.
'Alright.'
Round two.
Inside his soul—
The Cosmic Stone pulsed again.
And this time…
It was slightly stronger.
---