As Raze walked up to the platform, his eyes flicked briefly to Jackson's wristwatch. The display showed a power level of two.
If this fight weren't happening on a platform that restricted awakenings, Raze knew he'd probably win without much trouble.
But this was the arena.
No awakenings allowed.
Here, it came down to physical ability alone and Raze's body was already stronger than most unawakened humans.
Jackson stepped onto the platform opposite him, gripping a whip tightly in one hand. The weapon's tip gleamed under the lights, sharp enough that a few solid strikes could tear flesh apart.
A familiar screen appeared in Raze's vision.
[You are about to spar.]
[Opponent is level 2 in terms of awakening power.]
"Alright, begin!" Ray shouted.
Jackson didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, the whip snapping toward Raze's legs.
Raze focused instantly, eyes locked on the weapon.
'One hit and it'll hurt. A lot.'
To the students watching from outside the platform, the whip looked blindingly fast.
Raze barely reacted.
He sidestepped smoothly and grabbed the whip before Jackson could pull it back.
"Let go! That's not fair!" Jackson shouted, struggling.
Raze didn't respond.
He yanked hard, dragging Jackson forward despite his frantic resistance. The whip user tried to regain control, but it was useless. The strength difference between them was overwhelming.
When Jackson was close enough, Raze pulled back his fist and drove it forward.
The punch landed cleanly on Jackson's jaw.
His body slammed into the edge of the platform and went limp.
Silence followed.
The watching students stared in disbelief. A level one had just knocked out a level two—without using an awakening.
"That's cheating!" someone yelled.
"He grabbed his weapon—" another started.
Before the noise could grow, Ray shut it down with a single sharp look.
"The winner is Raze," he announced.
[Opponent has been defeated. 100 EXP has been awarded.]
[First time defeating a higher power level +50 EXP.]
[150/200 EXP]
Raze glanced over the notifications, noting he was now only fifty EXP away from leveling up. The bonus was nice, but he knew it wouldn't happen again.
Before leaving, he looked once at Jackson, unconscious on the floor.
'Did I really hit him that hard?'
Then he shrugged inwardly. 'Well… thanks for the EXP, Jackson.'
As Raze stepped back into the crowd, he felt dozens of eyes on him. Some looked suspicious. Others curious. No one quite knew what to make of him yet.
The first day of class ended soon after.
As students filtered out, Ray's gaze lingered on Raze longer than the others.
'Basic-tier gauntlets,' he thought. 'So how did he move like that? One punch knockout…'
A faint smile tugged at Ray's lips.
'Looks like I'll need to keep an eye on this one.'
It wasn't just Raze's performance that bothered him.
The scythe Raze carried pulsed faintly, its energy subtle—undetectable to students, but impossible for Ray to miss. Something about the boy felt… wrong.
Once class ended, Raze returned the gauntlets to the weapons hall and headed back to the dorms. The corridors were quieter now.
As he walked, he opened his status screen. Three unused stat points blinked at the bottom.
'I can't just leave those sitting there.'
After a moment, he made his choice.
One point into Strength.
One into Agility.
One into Stamina.
[Strength: 16]
[Agility: 16]
[Stamina: 16]
[Endurance: 15]
The logic was simple—speed to dodge, strength to strike, stamina to last.
He closed the screen and reached the dorm.
The moment he stepped inside, he stopped.
Liam was sprawled across the floor, drenched in sweat and breathing like he'd just survived a marathon. Felix and Beatrix, meanwhile, sat casually on their beds, far too relaxed.
Raze raised an eyebrow. "What happened to Liam?"
Felix stretched lazily. "Elemental class. The teacher made us spar to gauge potential.
Liam beat a level three with his wind awakening."
He grinned. "Beatrix wiped out level fours and fives like it was nothing."
Beatrix shot him a look. "You're not innocent. You humiliated a level five, then gave him advice afterward."
Raze glanced at Liam, who was mumbling something that sounded like, "Never again…"
"Guess elemental class isn't for the weak," Raze said, smirking slightly.
Felix laughed and tossed a towel at Liam. "Weak? You should've seen him. He went all out. Even the teacher was impressed."
"Y-yeah… impressed," Liam groaned, sitting up. "Pretty sure I passed out mid-swing."
"You did," Beatrix said calmly. "The teacher caught you."
Felix grinned. "At least you went out with style."
Raze shook his head, hiding a small smile. Two days ago, they'd been strangers. Now… it already felt different.
He sat on his bed and stretched. His muscles were a little sore, but manageable. The stat boost helped.
"Tomorrow'll be worse," Felix said, lying back. "They're starting combined combat and awakening training."
Liam froze. "C-combining?"
"Yup," Felix said, clearly pleased. "Means fighting while using awakenings."
Beatrix sighed. "You're enjoying this too much."
"That's how you get stronger," Felix replied.
Raze stared out the window at the orange glow of sunset.
'Combat with awakenings…'
The room fell quiet.
Everyone was exhausted but beneath it all, there was anticipation.
Whatever came next, it was only going to escalate.