The simulation portal closed behind Keldis Yerger.
No explosion.
No shout.
No spectacular effect.
And yet…
The arena remained silent.
A heavy, almost oppressive silence.
The screens still displayed the results, but no one spoke.
The data blinked, some lines simply… ignored by the system.
An instructor finally broke the quiet.
— "He survived a simulation designed for profiles above SS Class."
Another answered, more slowly:
— "No. He didn't just survive."
The Chairman, hands clasped before his face, stared long at the frozen screen.
— "He accepted every attack."
— "He integrated them."
No one disagreed.
This kind of fighter wasn't rare.
This kind of fighter who progresses by enduring, however…
— "If he faces someone too strong, he'll die quickly."
— "But at equal level…" added an instructor.
— "…he will become a nightmare."
Stands
Diopha had said nothing since the end of the fight.
He understood.
Keldis wasn't a wall to break.
He was a blade sharpening with every impact.
Mini-Zenkai floated nearby, arms crossed, gaze elsewhere.
— This boy isn't a protagonist, he thought.
— But he will survive for a long time.
Diopha slightly frowned.
— "He's strong."
Mini-Zenkai chuckled.
— No.
— He's dangerous because he accepts being weak.
A silence passed.
Then Mini-Zenkai added, in an almost casual tone:
— But this is still not the peak.
Diopha lifted his head.
Several portals before them remained inactive.
— "…The others."
Mini-Zenkai smiled.
Instructor Table
— "Next candidate."
An instructor checked the list.
— "Special Class."
A murmur ran through the arena.
— "Member number three."
No name.
No specialization displayed.
Just a silhouette calmly walking toward the portal.
The screens displayed:
Class: Special
Profile: Classified
Simulation: Enhanced — Extreme Level
— "They're going all out," someone murmured.
The Chairman replied coldly:
— "Not enough."
Simulation Start
The environment loaded.
An unstable world.
Altered physical laws.
Enemies capable of adapting in real time.
Even the instructors had a brief doubt.
And yet…
The fight was short.
Not because the Special Class member was overwhelming.
But because…
He used only a tiny fraction of what he could do.
One movement.
An invisible pressure.
A detail no one could explain.
The simulation froze.
SIMULATION FAILURE
CAUSE: UNMEASURABLE PARAMETER
The portal closed.
The student left without a word.
Reactions
Douriel gritted his teeth.
— "…He barely did anything."
Milim crossed her arms.
— "And yet, the simulation yielded."
Diopha felt a shiver run up his spine.
Mini-Zenkai let out a soft chuckle.
— Do you understand now?
— "Yes…"
— The Special Class isn't here to be ranked.
— It's here to remind the others…
His smile widened.
— …that there is always something worse.
Diopha stared at the remaining portals.
And for the first time since the start of the exams…
He didn't wonder if he would win.
But how many people here could truly push him to the limit.
STATUS WINDOW — UPDATE (Chapter 30)
▶ Diopha Hitari
State: Stable
Perceived Threat: Rising
Internal Observation:
"I'm not the only one hiding my true nature."
▶ Keldis Yerger
Class: SS
Status: Qualified
Confirmed Feature:
• Total adaptive regeneration
• Permanent appropriation of damage endured
Limit: Ineffective against an overwhelming power gap
▶ Special Class — Member #3
Name: Classified
Abilities: Not revealed
Actual usage observed: < 5%
Danger Level: Indeterminate
▶ Mini-Zenkai
Status: Privileged Spectator
Satisfaction: High
Internal Comment:
"The real exam starts now."
To be continued…