The atmosphere had shifted.
After Milim, the arena seemed… narrower.
As if something had just been placed, and the next fight needed to live up to it.
— "Next candidate: Douriel."
The name was spoken without emphasis.
Yet several instructors straightened in their seats.
Douriel rose calmly.
He stretched his shoulders, ran a hand through his hair, and stepped forward.
No nervousness.
No arrogance.
Just quiet certainty.
— "He's different," murmured one instructor.
— "Yes… this boy has been fighting for a long time."
Diopha observed his friend.
He recognized that posture.
— He is serious.
Mini-Zenkai nodded slowly.
— He won't show everything either.
— But what he does show… will hurt.
Simulation — Initialization
Environment: Collapsed temple, circular floor, broken pillars
Simulated Threat: Transcendental martial entity
Parameters: Technical adaptation + motion reading
The opponent appeared.
A massive humanoid, skin dark as burned steel, etched with moving glyphs.
Its arms were bare, but every movement exuded overwhelming pressure.
— "Pure combat class…" analyzed an instructor.
— "But his energy flow… it's magical."
The entity raised its fists.
And smiled.
First Exchange
Douriel inhaled.
Then advanced.
No shout.
No theatrics.
The first strike came.
A straight punch.
The entity blocked.
The impact made the pillars tremble.
Douriel stepped back.
— "…Solid."
The opponent countered.
A brutal combination.
Douriel dodged, blocked, partially absorbed.
Every impact made his bones vibrate.
Yet his gaze remained clear.
— "He reads the angles," murmured Milim.
— "And adjusts with every exchange."
Douriel smiled faintly.
— "Perfect."
Adaptation
He changed his rhythm.
His strikes became shorter.
More precise.
Each blow sought an invisible gap.
The entity reacted.
Martial Adaptation Activated
It copied.
It improved.
The exchange became violent.
Fist against fist.
Knee against elbow.
The floor cracked.
— "They're even," whispered a student.
— "No," corrected Diopha.
— "Douriel is still testing."
Partial Revelation
The entity unleashed a close-range magical wave.
Douriel absorbed it.
His body flew back several meters.
He spat blood.
Then… laughed.
— "There."
His aura changed.
Not an explosion.
A density.
Something deeper than ordinary mana.
— "He's opening a second layer," murmured an instructor, pale.
Douriel advanced.
Each step made the air vibrate.
His fist glowed with a faint draconic light, barely visible.
— "I'm not hitting hard."
He struck.
Space bent.
The entity was slammed into a pillar, which collapsed.
Silence.
Final Exchange
The entity rose.
Slower.
But still active.
It focused all its energy.
Douriel did the same.
No flashy stance.
Just a step.
A single strike.
A perfect strike.
The impact pierced the entity.
The simulation froze.
Then collapsed.
End of Simulation
— "Simulation… successful."
The portal dissipated.
Douriel stepped out, breathing calmly.
He turned to Diopha.
— "I could have gone further."
Then, quieter, almost to himself:
— "But it wasn't necessary."
Milim crossed her arms.
— "Idiot."
But she was smiling.
Mini-Zenkai watched long and carefully.
— He's already walking the edge.
— When he crosses it… he'll no longer be classified as human.
Douriel passed by Diopha.
And thought, without saying it:
— I can do this, miss tsundere.
STATUS WINDOW — DOURIEL (partial update)
Name: Douriel
Academic Rank: Upper Elite (Unofficial)
Origin of Abilities:
• Primary Passion — Martial Arts (all styles)
• Secondary Passion — Absolute Mage (novel)
Stats (academic estimates)
• Strength: 85
• Endurance: 82
• Agility: 79
• Mana: 88
• Martial Mastery: 94
Note: Abnormally balanced stats — no obvious weak points.
Known Passives:
• Total Martial Body
Instant assimilation and optimization of observed combat styles.
• Draconic Resonance (latent)
Partial access to a magical reservoir comparable to that of a dragon.
Observed Abilities:
• Absolute Strike (partial)
Concentrates physical strength and magical flow without dispersion.
• Combat Adaptation
Continuous improvement against an evolving opponent.
Traits:
• Unshakable Calm
Precision increases as the fight intensifies.
• Instinctive Loyalty
Nearby allies indirectly benefit from his mental stability.
Analysis: Abilities deliberately restricted. Potential far exceeds current display.
To be continued…