Do you want my help?
The voice slipped into Kota's mind as the courtyard shook beneath another collision.
Kota's eyes remained fixed on Remi.
No.
You're going to need me eventually.
Kota tightened his fingers.
If you help, I lose control. Then they'll really think I'm a monster.
The voice fell silent for a moment.
Just be patient. I'll need you for something.
Kota returned his attention to Remi.
Remi stood several feet away, breathing steadily as dust drifted around his body.
His Sanctum robes were torn in several places, and a thin line of blood ran down his cheek. Yet he was smiling.
Remi wiped the blood away with the back of his hand. "You're still holding back," he said.
Kota said nothing.
Remi lowered his stance. "I can tell," he said.
Kota's face stayed blank.
"You've barely attacked me," Remi continued.
"I don't need to," Kota answered.
Remi's smile faded. "Then I'll make you," he said.
He disappeared.
Kota's eyes tracked him. Left.
Remi appeared at his side. Kota blocked the incoming fist. Remi twisted and struck with his other hand.
Kota leaned backward. The attack passed inches from his face. Remi followed with a kick. Kota caught his ankle.
Remi's eyes widened. Kota threw him. Remi flipped through the air and landed on both feet.
The surrounding nobles watched without speaking. Harlan's expression tightened. He's reading my son's movements.
Remi rushed forward again. This time his movements became faster. His feet barely touched the ground.
One attack became two. Two became four. His fists came from different angles, each strike aimed at a vital point.
Kota moved between them with small, precise adjustments. A step back. A turn. A slight duck. Nothing wasted.
Remi's frustration began to show. "Stop running," he snapped.
Kota's eyes narrowed. "I'm not running," he replied.
Remi swung. Kota slipped beneath the punch. "I'm waiting," Kota said.
Remi's fist slammed into the ground where Kota had been standing. Stone exploded beneath his knuckles. Kota was already behind him.
Remi spun. Kota wasn't there. His eyes widened. "Where?" he asked.
"Here," Kota said from behind him.
Remi turned. Kota's fist stopped an inch from his face. Remi froze. The courtyard went silent.
Kota lowered his hand. Remi stared at him. "You could have hit me," he said.
"Yes," Kota answered.
"Why didn't you?" Remi asked.
Kota looked at him. "You weren't ready," he said.
Remi's jaw tightened. "I'm an Acolyte!" he shouted.
"The hell's an Acolyte?" Kota asked. "Am I supposed to fear that?"
"I'm the sixth strongest Solstian," Remi said.
"So I've heard," Kota replied.
Remi clenched his fists. "Then fight me," he demanded.
Kota stood silently.
Behind him, Leiya watched with growing concern. She had stayed quiet through most of the fight, but every exchange made her more uneasy.
She knew what his body could take. She also knew what happened when he pushed past that limit.
"Kota," she called.
Kota glanced toward her.
"Don't go too hard," she said. "You know the consequences if you push your body too far."
Kota held her gaze for a moment. "I know," he answered.
"Then don't forget it," Leiya pressed.
"I won't," Kota said.
Leiya lowered her eyes. He says that now. She looked back at him. But he's been waiting for this.
Something had changed in his eyes. This was no longer just a fight.
Kota looked down at his hands. For years those hands had been useless to him in the way he wanted. His legs had always felt heavier than they should. His body had always betrayed him.
Every attempt to move faster had ended with pain. Every attempt to push harder had reminded him of the sickness inside him.
But now…
Kota bent his knees slightly.
Remi noticed. "What are you doing?" he asked.
Kota looked at him. "Something I've wanted to do for a long time," he said.
Remi's eyes narrowed. "Which is?" he asked.
Kota stepped forward. One step. Then he vanished.
The reaction was immediate. Several nobles straightened. The guards along the walls looked around in confusion. Soho pushed herself away from the pillar.
"Oh?" she said. Her eyes darted across the courtyard. "Where did he go?" she asked.
Roco's expression shifted. She followed the movement of the wind but couldn't find him.
A gust swept across the training grounds. Remi turned sharply. Kota appeared behind him. Remi spun and threw a punch, but Kota was already gone.
Another gust tore across the courtyard. Kota reappeared several feet away, then vanished again before Remi could fully turn.
A faint sound came from his left. He reacted too late. Kota appeared at his side. Remi barely blocked the strike. The impact sent him sliding across the stone.
Soho stared. Her grin slowly widened. She looked toward Roco. "He may be faster than you, Roco," she said.
Roco's eyes stayed locked on Kota. She didn't answer immediately. Then she narrowed her eyes. "He might be," she said.
Soho blinked. "You're actually admitting it?" she asked.
Roco crossed her arms. "I said he might be," she replied.
Soho laughed. "That still counts," she said.
Kota disappeared again. Remi looked around desperately. Kota appeared in front of him, vanished as Remi swung, then reappeared behind him.
The courtyard filled with the sound of rushing wind as Kota moved faster than anyone could track.
For years, he had watched his family move like this. He had watched them disappear from one place and appear in another. He had wanted to do the same.
As a child, he had tried. He had pushed his legs until they shook. He had forced himself to run despite the pain.
But his sickness had always stopped him. His body had never allowed him to experience the speed that lived within his blood.
Now, for the first time, it wasn't stopping him.
Kota smiled faintly. Not from arrogance. Not from pride. From relief.
So this is what it feels like.
He vanished again. Remi barely managed to raise his arms before Kota struck. The impact sent him backward. Remi dug his feet into the ground and stopped himself. He stared at Kota.
"That speed…" Remi muttered.
Kota said nothing.
Remi wiped his mouth. "You've been hiding that this entire time?" he asked.
"No," Kota answered.
"Then how?" Remi pressed.
Kota looked down at his legs. "I couldn't use it before," he said.
Remi frowned. "Why?" he asked.
"My body wouldn't let me," Kota replied.
Remi's expression changed. For the first time, he wasn't looking at Kota like an opponent. He was looking at him like a mystery.
Kota slowly raised his eyes. "But now it can," he said.
Remi smiled. "Then let's see how fast you really are," he said.
He lowered himself. Kota did the same. The courtyard seemed to hold its breath.
Remi moved first. Kota moved after him. The two disappeared.
A series of impacts echoed across the training grounds, each one faster and sharper than the last. The nobles struggled to keep track of them.
Xerxus narrowed his eyes. "Can you follow them?" he asked.
Caldera shook her head. "Barely," she answered.
Another impact shook the courtyard.
Rhen stared toward the center. "They're getting faster," he said.
Harlan's eyes remained fixed on the battle. That isn't normal movement.
Kota appeared behind Remi. Remi spun and blocked. Kota vanished, then appeared above him. Remi raised his arm just as Kota kicked him downward. Remi crashed into the ground. Stone cracked beneath him. He rolled away and quickly rose.
Kota stood several yards away.
Remi wiped the blood from his nose. "You're incredible," he said.
Kota didn't respond.
Remi smiled. "But you're slowing down," he said.
Kota looked at him. "No," he answered.
Remi's smile faded.
Kota lowered his body. "I was getting used to it," he said.
Then he vanished. Remi's eyes widened. Kota crossed the courtyard in an instant and appeared directly in front of him. His fist struck. The impact sent Remi flying into the stone wall. Dust erupted around him.
"Remi!" Roco and Soho both shouted.
The dust cleared. Remi was still standing, though barely. His arms trembled. He looked at Kota, then laughed.
"That was amazing," he said.
Kota stood several feet away. His breathing had become heavier.
Leiya noticed immediately. "Kota," she called.
He looked toward her.
She shook her head. "That's enough," she said.
Kota didn't answer.
"Kota, your breathing," she said.
He looked down. His hands were trembling slightly.
The sickness wasn't gone. It had only been quiet. The more he pushed himself, the more his body reminded him that it was still there.
The voice returned.
You see?
Kota closed his eyes.
Let me help.
No.
You're hurting yourself.
I said no.
A pause followed.
You really intend to do this alone?
Kota opened his eyes.
For now.
The voice disappeared again.
Kota looked toward Remi. Remi straightened himself against the wall.
"You're hurting too," Remi said.
Kota wiped the sweat from his brow. "Not enough," he answered.
Remi smiled. "Then one more," he said.
Leiya stepped forward. "Kota," she called.
He glanced back. Her expression was serious.
Leiya stepped forward, her voice cutting through the quiet. "Don't forget what happens when you push yourself too far."
Kota held her gaze for a split second, then turned back to Remi. "I won't."
Remi raised his fists. Kota lowered his stance.
The nobles watched silently. For the first time, they weren't looking at a strange boy who had appeared in their kingdom. They were watching a Speedhardt.
Kota's eyes sharpened. Remi charged. Kota disappeared.
And this time, Remi didn't even see him vanish.