On the arena, David stared grimly at Han.
Han, in turn, studied his opponent with sharp focus. Seconds stretched in tense silence—ten full seconds had passed.
David dashed forward, attacking. Han was ready. A swing—and the first strikes rained down from David. Han quickly parried, but at one moment David slipped—throwing a punch with his left hand, leaving himself exposed.
Han didn't miss the chance. Seizing the opening, he caught David's arm, yanked him closer, and slammed his palm into David's stomach.
For an instant, David felt nothing. Then the pain struck like a storm, an aftershock ripping through his body as a shockwave blasted behind him. Saliva burst from his mouth. Han gave him no respite: releasing his grip, he leapt up, spun mid-air, and struck David across the face with a powerful kick.
David flew straight into the wall. A thunderous crash shook the arena, stone cracking under the impact as a cloud of dust engulfed him. The stands fell into sudden silence.
Leo was stunned, his eyes trembling with emotion. He turned toward Emma.
"How…?"
Emma's eyes darkened. It was hard for her to believe Han possessed such technique. And yet… something about it felt familiar, as if she had seen it before.
"No way…" she whispered, though she couldn't remember where.
Lucy asked anxiously:
"What's going on?"
"Nothing," Emma replied shortly.
Leo clenched his teeth, choosing not to press further. Even Emma had no answer.
Across the stands, May covered her mouth with her hand.
"Oh god! Is he okay?"
"Kha-ha-ha!" Kai burst into laughter. His laugh echoed for several seconds before he wiped a tear from his eye.
"And this is your so-called genius? Any second-rate awakened is better than him!"
"Calm down, Kai. We still haven't seen David fight seriously," Joseph said.
Meanwhile, on the arena, David pushed himself out of the wall. With one hand pressed against the cracked stone, he stepped forward. The cloth covering his eyes slipped off, and his gaze turned cold and grim, locked on Han.
"Ooh, how scary," Han mocked, though a flicker of unease crossed his face.
David said nothing. He advanced silently, fingers radiating a dark aura. It wasn't ordinary energy—this was something else entirely.
Han tensed. The distance was fifteen meters. Suddenly, David vanished.
"What…?" Han's eyes widened. He spun around, only to catch a glimpse of writhing darkness behind him. A strike followed, and Han was sent flying.
From the stands, Lucas froze in shock for the first time. His eyes blazed with excitement.
"A second-year… using not just energy, but his innate attribute technique!"
Nearby, Vincent and Ryan exchanged looks. Even they couldn't hide their surprise. The same thought echoed in both their minds:
"This… is an innate attribute technique!"
Every awakened who passed the Prologue gained attributes—magic, strength, healing—their fate shaped the gift. In clans, however, attributes were often inherited, embedded in bloodlines.
The Asimat clan, famed for manipulating blood, was a prime example.
---
David stood, watching Han slowly rise. Deep inside, Han felt it: a little more, and he could have died. Yet as he regained his breath, a smile curved on his lips.
"Oh, my… you're magnificent. No wonder they call you a genius."
David gave no reply. In a blur of speed, he rushed forward again, leaving behind a trail of dark energy. In an instant, he was upon Han, fist raised for the strike.
Han braced himself, body shifting into stance. Left arm back, right arm forward, legs firmly set.
"Technique… Aura Thread Control!"
He swung—and parried the blow.
But the clash didn't stop. David moved with such speed that many students couldn't even follow. The arena became scarred with trails of energy: David's dark streaks clashing against Han's pink aura—like falling sakura petals.
Their fists and kicks collided in rapid succession. Han once more caught David's arm, trying to repeat his earlier move. But this time David anticipated it. He broke free before the hold was complete, countering at close range. Still, Han managed to push him back more than ten meters.
Taking stance again, Han rais
ed his hand and declared:
"Technique—Sakura Bloom. Whirlwind Strikes!"