Ch 5
PART 1 - MY MISSION
PART 2 - STRONGEST
PART 3 - PROMISE
PART 4 - TRAINING
PART 1
Ak slowly opened his eyes, his vision blurred as the world came back into focus. His mind felt foggy, his head still spinning from whatever had happened on the island. He struggled to process the events he last remembered—the dragon, the mysterious figure who'd extracted the green energy, the eruption of power he hadn't fully controlled. And now…he was lying in a bed in a small room, completely unfamiliar and quiet.
Sunlight slipped through a nearby window, casting a warm, golden hue across the walls. He blinked, trying to adjust, feeling the strange stillness of the room settle around him. The faint smell of herbs and something medicinal hung in the air, a hint that someone had been taking care of him. He attempted to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his body, forcing him back against the pillow.
As he looked around, his gaze caught on a small table beside him. A bowl of water, bandages, and a folded piece of paper rested on top. He reached over, his fingers trembling slightly, and unfolded the note.
In neatly written words, it read: "Rest. Answers will come soon. You've entered a new world now."
Ak's heart pounded. Where was he? Who had saved him? And what did they mean by "a new world"?
Ak winced as the sharp pain in his shoulder flared up, bringing back flashes of his fight with the Erebus. He remembered the sickening crack when he first struck it, the brutal force of their clash leaving his shoulder fractured. Now, wrapped in bandages and splinted with wood, he felt his entire body weighted by the reminders of that battle.
"Where am I?" he muttered, his voice hoarse. His gaze drifted back to the note on the table. "And who wrote this?" He tried to push himself upright, intent on finding answers, but his legs felt like lead, his body too weak to respond.
Just as frustration started to build, he heard a soft creak, and the door swung open. A tall, mysterious figure stepped in, silhouetted against the light from the hallway. The figure wore a dark cloak, hood pulled low, concealing most of their face except for a faint smile and piercing eyes that seemed to radiate a knowing calm.
Ak's jaw clenched. "I need to know what happened. Who are you? Where am I?"
The stranger pulled back her hood, revealing a young woman's face with calm, steady eyes that studied Ak with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Her voice was gentle but firm as she spoke.
"You shouldn't move so much, Ak. Your body is still weak—it hasn't fully recovered yet."
Ak's brow furrowed as he tried to sit up, wincing at the strain on his injuries. "But… who are you? Where am I? And what about my friends?"
The girl held his gaze, her expression softening. "You're safe now. You're strong, but even you need rest after what you've been through," she said with a faint smile. "Welcome to the Natural Academy Training Centre. I'm Lyra, a student here—and I've been given orders to make sure you're looked after, as part of my mission."
"Natural Academy Training Centre…" Ak repeated, feeling the name resonate with something deep within him.
"Yes, the Natural Academy Training Centre," Lyra replied, her tone a mix of patience and urgency.
Ak, still groggy but determined, muttered, "Okay, thanks for looking after me, but I don't care about this academy thing. I need to go."
Ignoring the pain in his body and the stiffness in his shoulder, Ak stood, slowly making his way to the door, his steps heavy but resolute.
Lyra called out, "Hey, wait! You're in no shape to move, let alone go outside!"
But Ak didn't look back. He grasped the door handle, pulled it open, and stepped forward.
"Damn it!" Lyra hissed under her breath, rushing after him.
Lyra followed closely as Ak limped down the hall, his movements slow but driven by purpose. She glanced at him with a mixture of concern and amusement, noticing how determined he was despite his injuries.
"Where exactly do you think you're going?" she asked, keeping her voice steady.
"I need to find my friends," Ak replied. "Once I'm sure they're safe, then I'll..."
Lyra cut him off, a slight smile breaking through. "So you're heading to the Restroom, then?"
Ak blinked in surprise. "The... Restroom?"
"Yeah," she said, smirking. "That's where all your friends are recovering, so I assume that's your destination."
"Yes! Exactly," Ak stammered, relieved but embarrassed. "But... could you show me the way?"
Lyra paused, thinking for a moment before nodding. "Fine, I'll take you there. But let me be clear—this is against my better judgment."
Ak gave her a grateful nod, and together they started down the winding halls, each step bringing him closer to the answers he needed.
As they reached the restroom, Ak stepped through the doorway, he took in the scene before him—his friends were scattered around the room, each one showing signs of recovery from their ordeal. Ria sat on a chair with light bandages on her arms, looking alert. Nikh, with his hands wrapped in fresh bandages. Ved lay in sofa, his bruises mostly healed, though he still looked a bit worn.
But it was Bhum who caught Ak's gaze and held it. Her left eye was hidden beneath layers of bandages, a harsh reminder of what they had gone through. Seeing her like that stirred something fierce within him—a combination of guilt, anger, and gratitude that she'd made it out alive.
Ved was the first to notice him standing there, a wide grin breaking across his face. "Ohhh, Ak! You're here!" he called out, his voice a mix of relief and excitement.
Ria turned at Ved's words, her eyes lighting up when she saw Ak. "Ak!" she said, rising from her seat. "You made it!"
Nikh joined in with a smirk. "Took you long enough, didn't it?"
Ak chuckled, his voice a bit shaky. "You guys don't look too bad yourselves."
Just then, Bhum looked up, and her face softened at the sight of him. A quiet, almost fragile smile formed on her lips. Ak took a few steps forward, his own pain forgotten as he was finally reunited with the friends he had fought so hard for.
Ak looked at Bhum, concern in his eyes. "Are you okay, Bhum?" he asked.
Bhum nodded softly. "I'm... I'm fine. What about you?"
Before Ak could respond, Ria interjected, grinning. "You know, Bhum was checking in on you every chance she got while you were out cold."
Ak turned to Bhum, a little surprised. "Really?"
Bhum's cheeks flushed with a faint blush, and she looked down, a little embarrassed.
"Thank you... for looking after me, Bhum," Ak said warmly, his gaze softening.
Bhum managed to meet his eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank *you* for surviving, Ak..." She took a small step forward, as if she was about to reach out, but just then,
Nikh abruptly moved between them, his expression clouded with unmistakable jealousy. He cleared his throat, breaking the moment.
"Alright, Bhum, that's enough fussing over Ak," Nikh said, his voice tense. He cast a quick glance over his shoulder at Ak, then back to Bhum. "You do remember we're all here too, right?"
Ak raised an eyebrow, taken aback by Nikh's sudden interruption.
"Nikh, relax," Ria said with a knowing smirk, catching on to his tone. "Maybe someone's feeling a little protective."
Nikh ignored her, keeping his gaze on Bhum. "We should be heading to the meeting room," he said firmly. "There's a lot we need to get out of Haars."
Ria nodded, agreeing. "He's right. Haars has avoided so many questions since we got here. I think it's time we get some answers."
Bhum, flustered, glanced between Ak and Nikh, clearly caught off guard. "Y-Yes, you're right," she said softly, stepping back.
Ak gave Nikh a faint smirk, recognizing the hint of jealousy in his friend's face. "Alright, let's go, then. The sooner we get answers, the better."
The group turned toward the meeting room, each with their own thoughts, as Nikh moved to walk beside Bhum, glancing back at Ak as if to assert his place at her side.
As Lyra helped Ak walk, supporting his right shoulder, she glanced at him and smiled. "That girl Bhum, she's really a cute one, isn't she? She was sitting by your side almost every time I checked on you."
Ak, slightly embarrassed, murmured, "Yeah... she is cute," his voice barely above a whisper.
Part 2
They continued down the hall and reached the meeting room. Inside, Haars was deep in conversation with a tall, young man in his 30s, sporting white hair and a commanding presence.
As Haars noticed them enter, he smiled. "Ah, Ak, you're here! Captain, meet Ak—the one I've been telling you about."
The captain turned, giving Ak a once-over with an approving nod. His gaze held a mixture of curiosity and respect.
Captain K gave Ak a slight nod, his gaze sharp but friendly. "So, you're Ak, the one I keep hearing about."
"Yes, that's me," Ak replied, still trying to process everything around him.
Lyra stepped in, giving a brief introduction. "Ak, this is Captain K, one of the academy's top captains."
Ria crossed her arms, looking slightly impatient. "That's all good, but can someone explain why we're here? And how exactly does Haars know all these people—and especially that old man who saved us?"
Nikh chimed in, his tone serious. "Yeah, Haars, we deserve to know what's going on. No more secrets."
Just then, another figure entered the room, a presence impossible to forget—the old man who had saved them on the island. He stepped in with a calm but powerful aura, his gaze moving over each of them.
"Ah," he said with a warm smile. "So we all finally meet again."
Lyra started to introduce him, "Ak, he is—"
But the old man raised a hand, interrupting her with a gentle smile. "Relax, Lyra. Your mission is over now." He turned to the group with a kind, knowing look. "Ak, everyone—I'm pleased to meet you. You may call me Master Zenit. I'm one of the top executives overseeing natural energy in this world." He motioned to Haars. "And this young man here is my grandson."
Kaito added, "And I'm Kaito. Students call me Captain K, or just K, or Kaito."
Everyone's eyes widened. "Grandson?" they all echoed, voices full of disbelief.
Haars sighed, a faint hint of guilt on his face. "Yes, I'm his grandson. And I've been on a mission from the start to obtain a specific energy source hidden on that island. So…I gathered a group of you under the pretense of a treasure hunt, but really…you were all part of my plan. I'm sorry."
Ak's voice shook with disbelief. "So you knew about that evil organization, about all those dangers? And you risked our lives?"
Bhum looked at Haars, hurt in her eyes. "I never imagined you'd be involved in something like this… We were schoolmates."
Ved jumped in, still processing. "So that energy... you actually found it? And—"
Nikh interrupted, frustration evident in his voice. "So you knew about natural energy? About everything that Doc Evil mentioned?"
Master Zenit stepped forward, his expression serious. "There's a lot more to this world than what you know. And you were all drawn into it, yes—but you also possess the strength to stand against it."
The room grew silent as the weight of the truth settled in, leaving each of them to wonder just how deep this hidden world of natural energy truly went.
Haars nodded. "Yes, I know about natural energy," he admitted, glancing at Ak. "But I didn't know Ak had it."
Ria leaned forward, her face etched with confusion. "So… can someone please explain all of this? Natural energy, Erebus, Doc Evil… and Ak's part in it?"
Kaito raised a hand calmly. "Relax, everyone. Take a seat—I'll explain."
The group settled down, their eyes fixed on him, eager for answers.
Kaito began, "So, in simple terms, there exists a force in this world—a divine energy flowing through nature itself. A select few can access this energy, and we call them natural users."
Ved frowned. "But if this natural energy is real, why have we never heard of it? Science doesn't recognize it."
Kaito nodded. "That's because we keep it hidden. Only a few know about it, and here, at this academy, we teach natural users to control their powers
Nikh leaned in, curiosity burning in his eyes. "So, that green aura around Ak's fists—that's natural energy?"
Kaito glanced at Ak, then back to Nikh. "Yes… it is. But Ak's energy is a bit… different."
Nikh pressed further, "Different? How exactly?"
Ak stayed silent, listening intently, his mind racing with questions he didn't yet know how to ask.
Zenit took over the explanation. "Ak's energy—that green aura you've seen—doesn't come from within him like it would for a typical natural user. Instead, it appears to form outside his body before it flows inward."
Ria looked puzzled. "What does that even mean?"
Zenit continued, "For most natural energy users, their power originates inside their bodies and then manifests externally. But with Ak, it's the opposite. His energy first gathers around him, then it channels inward. But make no mistake—it is indeed natural energy."
Bhum glanced at Ak thoughtfully. "So, Ak's energy… it's different from everyone else's?"
Kaito nodded. "That's one way to put it. His connection to the energy seems unique."
Haars, piecing it together, added, "That's why I couldn't recognize Ak's powers when we were in the ruins. His energy didn't behave like any natural energy I've seen before."
Ak finally spoke, his voice a quiet but firm question. "So… what does this mean for me? For all of us?"
K looked at Ak intently. "Natural energy is usually expressed through elemental powers like wind, water, or fire, each linked to the user's inner energy. But you... you're different."
Ria raised an eyebrow. "Different? What do you mean?"
Zenit leaned in, his expression thoughtful. "Ak's energy isn't like typical natural energy. It has a unique signature, something we've never encountered before. Sometimes, a rare form of energy does emerge, but Ak's energy doesn't match any known type."
Nikh looked intrigued. "Unique?"
Zenit nodded. "Yes, unique—just like Captain K, who's an exception among users. While most can only wield one elemental form, K can harness all of them."
K added, "I think Ak's energy might be a new, untapped form of natural energy, or even its purest form."
Lyra leaned close to Ak and whispered, "You know, Captain K is said to be the strongest user in this world."
As Ak watched K and Zenit leave, he mulled over K's words, *"strongest user..."* The weight of his own potential felt both intriguing and daunting.
Ak glanced up. "So, what do you want from me now?"
K turned back briefly. "We want you to train and understand the depths of your energy here at the academy. It's not just for you but for all of us to grasp its significance."
Ak considered it silently, the responsibility settling on his shoulders.
Bhum interjected hopefully, "So... we're all going to train here from now on?"
K shook his head. "No, only Ak. The rest of you will be returned safely to your homes."
Bhum's face fell, her sadness evident. She exchanged a quiet look with Ak, who seemed equally uncertain about parting ways so soon.
Zenit, noticing the mood, gave a gentle nod. "That's all for today. You all should go and get something to eat. We'll meet again soon."
With a last wave, Zenit and K exited, and Lyra gave Ak a friendly smile and a quick, "See you around!" before leaving as well.
PART 3
Haars took a deep breath, gesturing to the group. "Alright, let's head to our rooms and rest a bit."
As everyone headed back to their rooms, Ak moved slowly, wincing with each step due to his injuries. Suddenly, a young man appeared in front of him, seemingly in a hurry.
"Hey, are you the one they're calling the guest here?" the guy asked.
"Yes, that's me," Ak replied, slightly puzzled.
The guy held out a small box of bandages and medicine. "Could you give this to the girl with the bandage over her eye? Tell her she needs to change it. I would go myself, but I have to handle an emergency elsewhere."
"Sure, I can do that. Thanks for helping us out, by the way," Ak replied, taking the items. "But… who are you?"
"Oh, right! The name's Leon. I work here as a medic," he said, flashing a quick grin. "Nice to meet you, newbie!"
Before Ak could respond, Leon gave him a quick wave and disappeared down the hallway. Ak, still processing the encounter, turned and made his way toward Bhum's room, clutching the medicine he'd been entrusted to deliver.
Ak walked up to Bhum's door and knocked softly.
"Who is it?" came her voice, muffled and shaky, as if she'd been crying.
"It's me, Ak. Can you open the door?"
After a moment's pause, Bhum opened the door, her face flushed, eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Why are you here so late? Do you need something?"
Ak could clearly see the streaks on her cheeks, the lingering signs of her tears. Trying to ease the mood, he held up a small bundle of bandages. "A guy named Leon asked me to bring you these, said you should change your bandages."
"Oh… thanks." She looked away, as if embarrassed. "Just leave them on the desk."
Instead of setting them down and leaving, Ak quietly walked over to the door and, with a soft *click*, locked it.
Bhum looked at him in shock. "Ak, what are you doing?"
Ak turned back to her, his voice gentle but firm. "Can you tell me why you're crying?"
"I wasn't crying," she said quickly, looking away. "It's… it's nothing. Just some things on my mind."
He stepped closer, his gaze kind and understanding. "Bhum, I know you're strong. But you don't always have to keep everything to yourself. I'm here, and you can tell me anything."
For a moment, Bhum looked like she might brush him off again, but her resolve weakened. She let out a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm just… scared, Ak. Everything that's happened, the fights, Haars' betrayal, and now being sent away while you stay here… it's overwhelming. I feel… lost."
Ak gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I get it. We've all been through a lot. But you're not alone, Bhum. We're in this together, okay? I'll make sure everything's alright."
Bhum managed a small, fragile smile, her shoulders relaxing. "Thank you, Ak. I really needed that."
They shared a quiet moment, a sense of trust and comfort settling between them.
Finally, Ak handed her the bandages with a gentle grin. "Now, let's get that eye taken care of, yeah?"
Ak gently lifted the edge of her old bandages, revealing her swollen, reddened eye beneath. He winced slightly, feeling a pang of guilt. "Bhum… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you back then," he said quietly. "But I promise, from now on, I'll be there. I won't let anyone hurt you like this again. And the next time I see Doc Evil, I'll make sure he doesn't have the chance to hurt anyone else."
Bhum's expression softened, her lips curling into a small smile despite the pain. "Thank you, Ak… that means a lot."
With careful fingers, Ak dabbed a bit of medicine onto a soft cloth. "This might sting a little," he warned gently. Bhum nodded, her gaze steady on his, even as he leaned closer. She could feel the warmth radiating from him as he worked, the closeness filling the room with a quiet intensity.
As he lightly pressed the cloth to her eye, she drew in a small breath, feeling both the soothing coolness of the medicine and the comforting warmth of his presence. He moved with such care, his touch gentle yet firm, and her heartbeat quickened, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.
After a moment, Ak reached for the fresh bandages, carefully wrapping them around her head, his hands brushing against her hair as he secured them. They were close now, closer than ever, his focus completely on her, his gaze intense and caring. The small space between them seemed to thrum with unspoken feelings, a sense of something deeper.
As he finished, he met her gaze, a soft smile on his face. "There. All done."
Bhum held his eyes, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you, Ak… for everything."
For a second, it felt as if time had stopped, both of them held in a moment of quiet understanding and warmth. Neither one spoke, but they didn't need to—the look in each other's eyes was enough.
As Bhum lay down on her bed, her eyelids heavy, she looked over at Ak, who had settled into a chair beside her. "You can go now, Ak," she murmured softly, "get some rest… you've been through enough."
Ak shook his head with a gentle smile. "I'll go in a little while. Just rest."
She gave him a faint nod, her eyes drifting closed as she finally surrendered to her exhaustion. Ak watched her breathing even out, the tension in her face softening as she slipped into sleep. He felt a sense of calm settle over him, just being there, knowing she was safe and right in front of him.
Leaning back in his chair, Ak's own eyes began to grow heavy, the events of the day catching up with him. Without realizing it, he, too, drifted off to sleep, the quiet of the room surrounding them, the distance between them feeling closer than ever as they rested side by side.
As Bhum slowly awoke, she glanced down and noticed something strange. Her right hand was glowing a soft, radiant green, from her elbow to the tips of her fingers. The light was steady, like a pulse, but it wasn't like Ak's aura—it was more like her hand had become part of the light itself. She stared at it in awe, lifting her hand closer to her face to study it, but just as quickly as it had come, the glow faded, leaving her hand normal once again.
A sudden realization hit her. This was the hand Ak had held while applying the bandages the night before. Could that have been the cause? The thought lingered in her mind, but before she could think much further, she felt a gentle warmth from the hand, a quiet connection, and her thoughts shifted back to Ak.
She turned to see Ak still fast asleep, slouched in a chair beside her bed. His top half was resting against the bed while his legs dangled in the chair. He looked exhausted, his face peaceful in slumber.A smile crept onto her face as she whispered, "So you stayed the whole night, didn't you?" , but she knew it was time to leave him to rest.
PART 4
Quietly, she stood up, careful not to wake him. With gentle movements, she lifted his arm and guided him fully onto her bed, adjusting the pillow under his head so he'd be more comfortable. Once she made sure he was settled, she paused for a moment, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead, a warm feeling spreading through her.
The last thing she wanted was to disturb him, but she had things she needed to do. As she closed the door softly behind her, she glanced back once more at Ak, a gentle warmth in her heart, before heading out.
Bhum stepped out into the crisp morning air, her mind still lingering on the strange, green glow she'd seen on her hand. Following directions from one of the academy staff, she headed to the outdoor training grounds, where Captain K was leading an intense session with a group of students.
Captain K, his white hair catching the sunlight, stood at the center of the training field, guiding the students as they practiced elemental techniques. Fire, water, and even streaks of lightning crackled through the air as the trainees focused on harnessing their abilities.
Taking a deep breath, Bhum approached cautiously, waiting until Captain K noticed her presence. When he caught her eye, he motioned for a break, then walked over to her.
"You're up early," Captain K said, studying her. "Is there something you need?"
Bhum hesitated, glancing at her hand. "I think... something unusual happened to me last night." She paused, unsure how to explain. "My hand started glowing in this green light, almost like Ak's energy."
Captain K raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Interesting. Ak's energy is unique—pure natural energy, unlike any we've seen. Tell me, Bhum, did you have any contact with Ak's energy recently?"
She nodded, her cheeks warming as she recalled the previous night. "When he was helping me... he held my hand while bandaging my eye."
Captain K crossed his arms, a contemplative look crossing his face. "It's possible you absorbed a trace of his energy. This kind of transfer is rare, but not unheard of with pure energy like Ak's. You might want to keep an eye on it."
Bhum looked down, flexing her fingers thoughtfully. "So, could this mean I'll be able to use natural energy, too?"
Ak woke up, blinking against the morning light filtering through the room. He shifted, groaning as he felt a dull ache in his shoulder. "Ahhh... my shoulder. It's still sore, but way better than yesterday. They must have some kind of unique medicine here."
Looking around, he realized he was still in Bhum's room. "I actually fell asleep here… What's she going to think of me?" He shook his head, embarrassed, and muttered to himself, "Guess I owe her an apology."
Standing up slowly, he noticed Bhum wasn't in the room. Feeling more rested, he decided to go find her. After asking a passing academy staff member, he headed toward the outdoor training grounds, where he spotted Bhum talking with Captain K.
Just as he approached, he overheard Bhum's question.
"So, could this mean I'll be able to use natural energy too?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.
K looked like he was about to respond when he noticed Ak walking over. His expression shifted to a more serious one as he addressed Bhum, "No, I will not teach someone who doesn't know how to use their own power."
Bhum blinked, surprised by K's sudden firmness. "But... I want to understand it. If there's even a chance I could use natural energy, shouldn't I learn?"
Captain K crossed his arms. "Learning to wield natural energy isn't something you just 'try out,' Bhum. It requires control, discipline, and—most importantly—a deep understanding of yourself."
Sensing the tension, Ak cleared his throat. "Uh, hey, Bhum... Captain K. Sorry to interrupt."
Captain K turned to him, raising an eyebrow with a slight smirk. "Ah, our guest of honor finally wakes up. Feeling better?"
Ak shrugged, rubbing his shoulder. "Yeah, thanks to the medicine. But... I was surprised to see Bhum here. I didn't mean to intrude."
Ak turned to Bhum, his expression softening. "Thanks, and... sorry about last night. But, what were you two talking about?"
Bhum hesitated for a moment, then replied, her voice a little uncertain. "Actually, I want to learn to use natural energy. I know I can." She looked at K, hoping he would understand.
Captain K's gaze shifted to Ak, and with a dismissive tone, he spoke, "She believes that some power awakened inside her after touching you. She wants me to teach her, but I won't train someone who thinks power just appears out of nowhere. That's delusional."
Bhum flinched at K's harsh words. She looked down, her heart sinking, her mind racing with embarrassment. She couldn't help but feel a sting from his disbelief.
Ak watched her closely, sensing the hurt in her expression. He took a step forward, his voice quiet but firm. "Hey, really—did something happen with you? Did some power awaken?"
Bhum's voice trembled, humiliated by the situation. "Yes… when I woke up, I saw a green light glowing on my hand. I don't know if it's real or…"
Before she could finish, Ak cut her off, his tone resolute as he turned to face Captain K. "She's telling the truth. Please, teach her to use it. And if you won't, then I won't train here either."
Captain K stared at Ak, surprised by his determination. The atmosphere between them was tense, and the weight of Ak's words hung in the air.
Bhum's voice was soft, filled with concern as she tugged at Ak's shirt. "You don't have to do something like this for me."
Ak turned to her, his gaze steady, and gave a small nod. "I know, but I'll do it. You deserve the chance to learn."
Captain K watched the exchange for a moment, his arms crossed. After a brief pause, he looked at Ak and then at the gathered students. "You really want to do this?" K asked, his tone serious. "If you defeat me, I'll teach her. But if you lose... she has to go."
Bhum's eyes widened with worry, and she quickly pulled Ak's shirt again, whispering in his ear, "You know that K is the strongest, right? Just say no, please."
But Ak shook his head with quiet determination. "No. I will do it."
Captain K nodded, almost impressed by Ak's resolve. He raised his hand and addressed the rest of the students. "Clear the ground!" His voice echoed across the training grounds, and everyone quickly scrambled to make space. "This is a fight to the death, Ak. Use your full power, or you will die."
A gasp spread through the students at K's ominous words. "Who the hell is this guy?" one whispered. "He's going to fight against Captain K? Is he out of his mind?"
Zenit walked over, sensing the intensity of the situation. His calm demeanor didn't hide the curiosity in his eyes as he took his place at the sidelines, silently observing the challenge.
Moments later, Haars arrived with Ria, Nikh, and Ved, who were all equally stunned by the unfolding scene. The group exchanged glances, unsure of what to make of Ak's decision. This was more than just a training exercise—it felt like something far more dangerous.
As the ground cleared and the students gathered to watch, the tension in the air grew palpable. Everyone knew this would be a battle like no other.
Ch 5 NATC ends
Tune in for chapter 6
Fight with the strongest begins !!