-------------------------- (for readers " don't get confused with ability names " )
1.(Main) Never Give Up – (Progress: ???)
Strengthens his mental resilience and willpower, ensuring he never gives up, no matter how dire the situation.
2. Iron Stride – (Progress: Ongoing)
Evolved from Iron Grip → Iron Body → Iron Stride.
Enhances his endurance, durability, and physical strength, making him much harder to take down.
3. Bloodforged Tenacity – (Progress: Ongoing)
Acquired in Chapter 5.
Grants increased resistance to blood loss and slightly enhances his physical stats whenever he's bleeding.
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The sun had barely risen over Orion Awakener Academy, yet Ethan was already awake. His muscles ached from the previous day's training, and faint scars lined his knuckles from relentless punches against wooden dummies. But he wasn't stopping. He couldn't stop.
His progress had been slow, but undeniable. He had gained his second passive ability, Bloodforged Tenacity, and although it wasn't an overwhelming power, it was a step forward. The ability made him more resistant to blood loss and granted him slight stat boosts when bleeding. It was painful, but it made him stronger.
Today, he would push himself further. Because in this world, strength was everything.
The Academy's Challenge
The Academy had announced a combat challenge, a battle royale-style event where students could test their abilities against each other. The rules were simple: Defeat as many opponents as possible, and the top five would be granted special rewards.
For Ethan, this was an opportunity.
"Ethan Cross? You're actually participating?"
A voice sneered behind him. Logan Pierce, the arrogant B-Rank Awakener who had tormented Ethan since day one, stood with his arms crossed. "You barely survived against Kevin, and now you think you can handle a full-fledged battle?"
Ethan didn't respond. Instead, he tightened the white bandages wrapped around his forearms and walked past Logan without a word.
Logan scowled. "Tch. Whatever. Just don't cry when you get your ass kicked."
The combat grounds were packed. Students of varying ranks, from D-Rank to B-Rank, stood in anticipation. Some had flashy elemental abilities, while others specialized in physical enhancements. Ethan, as always, stood out—not because of his strength, but because of his weakness.
They all think I'm nothing.
Ethan clenched his fists. Let's prove them wrong.
The Battle Begins
The horn sounded, and chaos erupted.
Fireballs soared through the air. The ground trembled as earth-shaping abilities tore it apart. Ethan ducked, narrowly avoiding an energy blast that singed the ground where he had stood just moments ago.
Three students rushed toward him. One wielded a spear, another had wind-enhanced agility, and the last one coated his fists in raw mana energy.
They think I'm easy prey.
Ethan sidestepped the spear thrust and deflected the punch with his forearm. The impact stung, but Iron Stride absorbed most of the force. Using the momentum, he pivoted and slammed a well-placed elbow into the wind user's ribs.
"Guh!"
The wind user staggered back, but the spear wielder was quick to recover. He thrust again, this time faster, forcing Ethan to dodge backward. But Iron Stride had made him tougher. He didn't need to dodge every hit—he could take some and keep moving.
The moment the spear barely grazed his shoulder, Bloodforged Tenacity activated. His movements felt sharper, his muscles stronger. He charged in, grabbing the spear shaft and yanking the wielder forward before driving a knee into his stomach.
The student collapsed.
One down.
The mana-infused brawler roared and threw a punch. Ethan tilted his head just enough for the fist to graze his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.
Perfect.
Bloodforged Tenacity kicked in again, and Ethan retaliated with a counterpunch straight to the jaw. The student stumbled, eyes wide, before crumpling to the ground.
Two down.
The wind user hesitated. Ethan cracked his knuckles. "Still want to fight?"
The student fled.
A Dangerous Opponent
Ethan barely had time to breathe before a new challenger appeared.
A girl stepped forward, her presence commanding immediate attention. Long silver hair, piercing blue eyes, and a sword strapped to her back. Unlike the others, she wasn't underestimating him.
Her name was Selene Aldridge, an A-Rank Awakener—one of the strongest students in the academy.
"Interesting," she mused, watching him with curiosity. "You fight well. Without mana, no less."
Ethan exhaled, keeping his stance ready. "Are you here to fight?"
Selene smiled. "I'm here to test you."
She drew her sword, and Ethan felt a chill run down his spine.
The battle wasn't over yet.
A Battle Against A-Rank
Selene vanished.
Ethan barely reacted before she reappeared behind him, swinging her sword in a deadly arc. He twisted his body at the last second, but the tip of the blade sliced across his side, drawing blood.
His body screamed in pain, but his mind remained clear.
Bloodforged Tenacity activated.
Selene raised an eyebrow. "You're still standing?"
Ethan exhaled. "I don't fall easily."
Selene smirked. "Good."
She attacked again, her movements precise and far faster than any opponent he had faced before. Ethan relied on Iron Stride to endure, dodging where he could and countering where possible.
For every attack he took, he grew stronger. His body adapted. His passive abilities pushed him forward.
After what felt like an eternity, Selene suddenly stepped back, lowering her sword.
"That's enough," she said, sheathing her weapon. "You pass."
Ethan frowned, panting. "Pass?"
She nodded. "I like strong men. You intrigue me, Ethan Cross."
The way she looked at him sent a different kind of shiver down his spine.
Aftermath and Growth
The challenge ended. Ethan hadn't won, but he had proved himself. He was no longer just the weak, mana-less Awakener. He was a fighter.
And most importantly, he had caught the attention of someone powerful.
As he left the battlefield, he pulled up his system screen.
Passive Ability: Never Give Up (Progress: ???) Passive Ability: Iron Stride (Progress: 35%) Passive Ability: Bloodforged Tenacity (Progress: 10%)
A small smirk crossed his lips. He was growing.
And he wasn't stopping now.