the fight started.
Kyotai rushed toward Kon trying to punch him. He succeeded with the first punch to Kon's stomach, then tried again, but Kon partially dodged it but was still hit.
Kyotai kicked his opponent, but Kon blocked the kick.
"Three strikes is the limit… You couldn't defeat me," said Kon.
In a flash, Kon punched Kyotai in the stomach. Kyotai was pushed back. He looked at Kon and attacked him with a wall from above and a kick to the chest, but Kon dodged it. He tried to spin and hit Kyotai, but Kyotai trapped Kon's hand inside a cube and made it fall to the ground, then kicked Kon's head. Before Kyotai could finish the fight, Kon used his ability—Engines—which suddenly increased his speed, and he struck Kyotai with his other hand. But this time, the blow was stronger than usual. An enhanced strike? That's almost what it felt like. It was enough to take down Kyotai. But what the hell, what kind of physical strength does Kyotai have?
Everyone returned to the class, but I paused for a moment. I saw Kyotai's face, filled with anger and hatred.
The next day, we had a lecture about the third division of the Shinta—the Shinton. The Shinton is divided into several branches, but for now, we have to learn only the first branch of the Shinton, which is Shinta release. In short and simple terms, you extract the Shinta from your body and release it in the shape you want, but most of the time it takes a spherical form to ease the process.
Days passed and we trained. And after some time, Kyotai was able to use the Shinton. And on the same day, shortly after, another person from Class A was able to use the Shinton—Neron Ryum.
It's not surprising that he mastered this technique this quickly. What is surprising is that he didn't master it before everyone else, as the Ryum royal family is known for always producing powerful warriors—unlike the Shinga family, who forbid anyone in the family from becoming a warrior. But it's clear that Kinto broke this rule. He'll bear the consequences in the end for sure.
But they still remain better than the Lavalik family. But Lavalik is better than Shinga for having the Four Lavalik Warriors—veteran warriors whose information is extremely secret, known only to the grandfather of the family.
And although the ruling royal family is Romanova, it is the least interesting of the four royal families.
Two days later, I was able to use the Shinton, becoming the third in the academy. After me, Karez was able to use it, and after him, Kinto.
Little by little, the students of both classes were able to use the Shinton, and the last two to use it were Mary and Kani.
And with the end of the training period, the school year ended.
I was gazing at the place in the hall of talk, and I couldn't hide my feeling of comfort, saying, "Finally, we will be done with this stage."
Sai, who was standing next to me, nodded his head and said, "It was indeed long."
While Mary was looking toward the door and sighed, saying, "I want to return to my family…"
As for Kinto, he remained silent.
Seven students from Class A entered the hall, and of course Neron is one of them, who looked at the boy walking beside him and said, "Damian."
Damian responded calmly, "Yes?"
"What do you think, what will our ranks be after the reclassification?"
Damian replied with a smile, "Who knows?"
Then their classmate, with a visible burn scar on his neck, interjected, "You will be the top."
Then Brika spoke in a quiet voice, without showing any desire to speak, "Most likely, Itor and I will be the last."
Itor replied pessimistically, "How can you be so sure?"
Damian said calmly, "It's okay. You're doing your best."
But their classmate Seron, who was standing next to them, spoke in a harsher tone, "The weak remain weak. Don't pity them too much."
Damian replied in a low voice, jokingly, "Shut up."
Then a boy named Arkan, who entered with a boy from the Lavalik family named Kaiser, said, "Seron Silver, you don't ever stop talking with racism."
Kaiser said grimly, "Can we stop this?"
Then the last two students from Class A entered—Arian and Hakan. Hakan, looking at Damian, said, "Damian, you're here!"
Damian nodded with a smile.
At that moment, the curtain opened, revealing Karon and the professors Langst and Griff.
Karon said with a smile, "Welcome, our dear students. As you know, today is the last day of the first educational stage. On this occasion, you will be reclassified. But this classification will be comprehensive for all your skills. Meaning this classification will determine your real ranks."
Karez raised his hand and asked, "What should we do for the classification? A test or something like that?"
Karon replied with a cunning and confident smile, "The classification is already ready. Your development throughout the year and our observation of you is what determines your ranks. Meaning that the reclassification test has been ongoing throughout the whole year."
We were being observed the whole year?! As far as I know, no academy does such a thing!
Then Karon said, "We already know the previous classification ranks."
Class A:
1st place: Neron Ryum
2nd place: Kaiser Lavalik
3rd place: Arkan Winn
4th place: Damian Vander
5th place: Seron Silver
6th place: Hakan Seza
7th place: Zalin Envizel
8th place: Arian Erbo
9th place: Itor Kioren
10th place: Brika Dolman
Class B:
1st place: Garin Lavalik
2nd place: Kyotai Winn
3rd place: Karez Lavalik
4th place: Beatrix Linlin
5th place: Kano Winn
6th place: Kani Winn
7th place: Leo Vitalite
8th place: Kinto Shinga
9th place: Sai Vitalite
10th place: Mary Litari
Then Karon said:
"As for your new and comprehensive classification, the ranks are as follows…"
1st place: Neron Ryum
2nd place: Kyotai Winn
3rd place: Damian Vander
4th place: Karez Lavalik
5th place: Leo Vitalite
6th place: Hakan Seza
7th place: Kinto Shinga
8th place: Garin Lavalik
9th place: Sai Vitalite
10th place: Arkan Winn
11th place: Arian Erbo
12th place: Kaiser Lavalik
13th place: Beatrix Linlin
14th place: Seron Silver
15th place: Zalin Envizel
16th place: Kano Winn
17th place: Mary Litari
18th place: Itor Kioren
19th place: Kani Winn
20th place: Brika Dolman
I… am in fifth place!
My hand formed into a fist of excitement and I gripped my sword tightly. First place is closer than ever!
Sai jumped on my back, happy with our progress. Kinto turned his back to us, but I could see his smile. Mary high-fived Kani in joy. Kano lay down on the ground as soon as he saw his rank. Joy was painted on Karez's face while Garin congratulated him. Beatrix was contemplating the ranks with a light smile.
And on the other side, Kyotai was glaring at Neron with a sharp look while Neron looked at him with calm and silence.
Finally, Director Yuron said to us, "At the beginning of the year, you stood here as well, but now you are ten times stronger. We are proud of you, and we will see you again in four months, our dear students."
We left the hall, while Langst and Griff waved us goodbye with smiles, and with farewell words filled with hope and appreciation.