The arena was still buzzing after the clash.
"Damn…" one student whispered, eyes wide. "That Jerry just beat Mark's ass like it was nothing."
Another nodded eagerly. "Bro, that fight was cold as hell."
But the third frowned, pointing to the faintly glowing sphere in the center of the stage. "No… look closer. It wasn't even energy. The orb didn't flare at all. How the hell did he do that?"
Before their whispers could grow louder, a sharp snap echoed through the hall. In an instant, the Principal appeared on stage, materializing in front of Jerry and Michael like he had stepped through space itself.
He tapped the microphone, voice calm yet carrying a weight that silenced the crowd.
"Sorry for the interruption, children. But I have something important to announce."
The students leaned forward, already sensing something heavy was coming.
"As you all know," the Principal continued, "the rule of this exam is simple: pass… or fall out. And with that said—Michael Rogers has failed. Effective immediately, he is dismissed from this academy."
The words cut through the hall like a blade.
Michael froze, his face pale as tears welled up in his eyes. He stumbled forward, his voice cracking.
"P-please, sir… forgive me. I'm the only child of my parents. My father… he worked himself half to death, raised so much money just to send me here. If I go back now, what will become of them? Please… I beg you…"
Gasps rippled through the students. Some turned their heads away, unable to watch his shame.
But Lucian—calm, sharp-eyed, standing like an unmovable wall—only scoffed.
"And how," he said coldly, "does that concern me?"
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Jerry's fists clenched. He stepped forward, fury etched across his face.
"Bro, that's messed up!" he shouted, glaring straight at Lucian. "Is this how you treat people? Chasing out potential heroes and leaders just because they 'don't meet your standards'? What the hell is wrong with you?"
The students erupted in murmurs.
"What's going on?"
"They're really kicking Michael out?"
"Well, can't blame anyone but him… he was too weak…"
Lucian raised his hand, silencing them all. His voice remained calm, almost amused.
"Mr. Jerry, you misunderstand me. I'm not kicking him out for no reason. Think of it like this: if you apply for a job without the right degree, you're rejected. This academy is no different. We aren't training people to be average, to be weaklings who can barely protect themselves. We are training them to face the unimaginable—extraterrestrials, xenomorphs, forces that could wipe this country off the map."
He adjusted his glasses, eyes gleaming coldly.
"If we sent him out there, and he died… tell me, who would the blame fall back on? On me. On this school. Weakness costs lives."
Jerry's glare softened slightly. He exhaled, understanding Lucian's point but refusing to yield.
"Fine… I get it. I get what you're saying. But sometimes… rules shouldn't come before people. Just let him slide this once."
For a long moment, Lucian studied him in silence. Then, almost reluctantly, he smiled.
"…Very well. But you'd better be ready to pay for the damages if things go south. I'll allow it only because of your father, Jerry."
He turned his gaze to Michael, whose knees were trembling with relief.
"Young man, be thankful. If not for that one over there, you wouldn't even be standing in this academy. From this day forth, you will stay here—not as a regular student, but as a special student."
The hall erupted in cheers and whispers.
Michael dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"Th-thank you! Thank you so much! God bless you both!"
Jerry placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling softly. "It's okay. I'm always happy to help."
Later, as they walked out of the stage, Jerry quietly slipped four thick wads of cash and a sleek black business card into Michael's hands.
"Use this to take care of yourself and your family. If you ever need anything… contact me anytime. Don't forget the name."
And before Michael could even respond, Jerry's body dissolved into thick, curling smoke—vanishing like a phantom.
Michael stood frozen, clutching the money, staring into the empty air where Jerry had been. His lips trembled as he whispered,
"Thank you… thank you so much…
The arena lights flared to life, bathing the stage in a golden radiance.
"Next up!" the commentator's voice rang out, brimming with excitement. "We have Rose Stones versus Michael Angelo!"
The spotlight swept across the battlefield, locking onto Rose. A girl of striking beauty and steel resolve, she looked no older than fifteen. Her long blue hair shimmered under the light, tied elegantly with golden rings that gleamed like tiny suns. Her green eyes glowed with a fierce yet captivating brilliance, earning gasps from the crowd as she strode forward with confidence.
On the opposite end, Michael entered. Taller, broader, and older at seventeen, he carried himself like a noble prince. His body was sculpted, muscular and sharp, his handsome face paired with golden rings—though his were fastened around his fingers, gleaming each time he raised his hand. The two locked eyes, the arena buzzing with tension.
The whistle shrieked.
"Fight!"
Instantly, the crowd erupted.
"Oh my gosh, it's Michael!" one student squealed.
"The rich kid! He's so adorable!" another cheered.
"The girl's cute too, but… I mean, come on—it's Michael! He's hot and rich!"
The noise heavily favored Michael.
"Thank you, thank you…" Michael waved, flashing a perfect smile like a celebrity basking in attention.
Rose blinked in disbelief. "What the hell is this guy doing?"
Before his hand could fall from the air, she appeared before him. Crack! Her fist slammed into his stomach at full force, the sound echoing.
"You know," she smirked, driving another punch into him, "you should always pay attention to the one you're fighting, Michael."
His charming grin twisted into rage. "How dare a woman punch me!" He roared, surging up. His hand gripped her hair, yanking her into the air, before he spun her and sent a vicious kick crashing against her ribs.
Rose slammed into the barrier with a boom. The crowd gasped.
"Ouch." She winced, then—shockingly—laughed. Her neck cracked as she rolled it side to side, her muscles flexing. "Interesting."
Like a bullet, she dashed forward, her body moving faster than the eye could follow. At hyperspeed, her fists rained down like a storm, hammering into Michael from every angle.
"Damn…" Michael staggered, struggling to block, his arms a blur. The strikes pushed him back, relentless, merciless.
His patience snapped. "I really didn't want to do this because you're a girl, but—!" He caught both her fists mid-flurry, veins bulging, and jerked her forward. His forehead slammed against hers, the shockwave booming across the stage.
"Ouch." Rose staggered, feigning pain before grinning. "Just kidding."
Her uppercut cracked into his jaw, sending him flying skyward. In a flash, she was above him, hands gripping his head. With brutal precision, she yanked him downward—his face colliding with her knee.
Blood sprayed.
Michael snarled, catching her waist mid-fall. With a surge of power, he hurled her backward and landed a crushing punch to her face.
The crowd stirred, split between awe and discomfort.
"Damn… seems this match doesn't care about gender."
"Bro's a scumbag, beating up a girl like that."
"She's strong though… but still, he's being such a dick."
For the first time, the cheers turned to curses aimed at Michael.
Up in the stands, Lucian Stark sipped his wine, his eyes glimmering with intrigue. "This match… interesting. Could be today's highlight."
"They're evenly matched," George remarked.
Lillian shook her head. Her sharp eyes focused on Rose. "No. They are not. Look closely at her wrists and hair—the golden rings. Those are energy limiters."
Lucian's eyes narrowed. "So… she's holding back."
Down below, Michael panted, sweat dripping as Rose dodged effortlessly. His sharp gaze softened, a flicker of respect crossing his face. "You're strong… but you're holding back, aren't you? You mocking me?"
He ripped off his limiters. His black hair shimmered, shifting into a radiant blue.
The arena murmured in shock.
"They were both holding back!?"
"This isn't fair! Show us the real fight already!"
Far at the back, Johnson leaned against his seat, watching calmly. "Finally… they've caught on."
Rose fell to her knees, her body trembling as she tore two limiters free. The golden rings clattered against the ground with a deafening vibration, releasing waves of suppressed energy. Her hair blazed brilliantly.
"Sorry, kid…" she muttered. "I can't remove more than two, or you'll die instantly. And I'm not here to kill you—at least not yet." She vanished.
Michael steadied his breath, eyes closing. His senses spread outward, the flow of Ki pulsing around him. A faint smirk tugged his lips. "I can't see you… but I can sense you, bitch."
He twisted, catching her invisible fist midair. His counter right hook crashed against her face, his grip crushing her arm.
Rose flipped, locking her legs around his neck. With a violent spin, she slammed him into the ground.
Crack! His ribs rattled, but he roared, surging back up. "I'm not done yet!!!"
Their fists blurred, sonic booms bursting as their blows shattered the reinforced barrier.
The audience was stunned.
"Did they just destroy the anti-energy barrier!?"
"This is like watching a movie!"
Lucian chuckled. "Seems we'll be here a while."
Sandra frowned. "Why?"
"Because Michael grows stronger with every hit he takes," Lillian explained. "But Rose…"
Lucian cut in with a knowing grin. "Rose just has too much raw firepower. She could keep this up all day."
George sighed. "Perhaps we should stop this match, sir."
Lucian swirled his glass. "Not a bad idea. Both of them have potential. The winner is irrelevant."
On stage, Michael hurled waves of Ki blasts. Rose laughed maniacally, tossing her final limiters aside. Her entire body glowed brilliantly, flames licking around her aura as she rose into the air.
"I won't hold back any longer! Hahaha!"
Michael's roar shook the arena as his muscles swelled, his body bulking, hair lengthening. "Neither will I, Rosemary!!!"
Their fists collided, detonating the stage into rubble. Debris floated, suspended by Rose's ability.
Joyce rushed forward, transmuting the falling blocks into harmless sand while teleporting the front row to safety.
"Sandra!!!" Lucian barked.
Sandra shot forward like lightning, intercepting. Her arms trembled as she blocked both of their fists, the pressure threatening to crush her. "END… OF… MATCH!!!" she screamed.
The two combatants fell back, collapsing into exhaustion, unconscious.
The arena exploded in cheers, curses, and roars of disappointment.
The light dimmed, ending the match in thunderous uncertainty.