Chapter 78 (Part 09)
The air inside the hall changed the moment they took their positions.
No cheering.
No shouting.
Just silence.
The kind that appears
When something unexpected is about to happen.
The Beginning of the Fight
Ravel rolled his shoulders once.
His stance lowered slightly.
Balanced.
Grounded.
Experienced.
This was his territory.
His world.
He had fought here countless times.
Won countless times.
And standing in front of him
Was someone he thought he already understood.
A quiet boy.
A distant one.
Someone easy to push aside.
"…this'll be quick," he muttered.
Across from him
Alok stood still.
No stance.
No visible preparation.
Just calm.
The First Move
"Begin."
Ravel didn't hesitate.
His body surged forward
Fast.
A clean step.
A direct punch.
No wasted motion.
A strike aimed straight at Alok's face.
The Miss
Alok moved.
Not backward.
Not sideways.
Just
A slight shift.
Barely visible.
The punch passed him.
Missed.
Completely.
The Second Attempt
Ravel's eyes narrowed.
He adjusted instantly.
A follow up strike.
Faster.
Sharper.
More force.
Missed.
Third.
Fourth.
Fifth.
All missed.
The Realization
The room fell silent.
Because something was wrong.
Ravel stopped moving for half a second.
Breathing steady.
Eyes locked.
"…what…?"
This wasn't defense.
This wasn't dodging based on speed.
This was
Prediction.
Inside Ravel's Mind
His thoughts shifted rapidly.
What the hell happened to this guy…?
Another step forward.
Another attack.
Alok moved again.
Minimal.
Precise.
Untouchable.
Back then…
He was quiet.
Weak.
Always alone.
I got used to pushing him around…
So what is this now…?
A cold realization crept in.
This isn't the same person.
Pressure Builds
Ravel increased his speed.
No more testing.
No more holding back.
His movements became sharper.
Faster.
Stronger.
Strikes aimed at vital points.
Angles meant to corner.
To force.
To overwhelm.
But
Nothing connected.
Alok didn't rush.
Didn't counter.
Didn't show off.
He simply
Avoided.
Every single attack.
Like water slipping through fingers.
Untouchable.
The Fear
For the first time
Ravel felt it.
Not defeat.
Not yet.
But something close.
Something unfamiliar.
Fear.
The Shift
Alok's eyes changed.
Not visibly
But perceptibly.
Calmer.
Colder.
More distant.
As if
He had already finished the fight in his mind.
The First Strike
Then
He moved.
No warning.
No buildup.
Just
One step forward.
One motion.
One punch.
The pendant pulsed.
Gold
Mixed with violet.
The strike connected.
Impact
THUD—!!
The sound echoed across the hall.
Not loud
But heavy.
Final.
Ravel's body froze.
For a single moment
Everything stopped.
Then
He flew back.
His body hit the ground hard.
Sliding.
Stopping.
Silence followed.
Complete.
Absolute.
The Result
No one spoke.
No one moved.
Because they all saw it.
One hit.
That was all it took.
Ravel
The strongest fighter in their class
Lying on the ground.
Defeated.
The Cold Distance
Alok walked forward slowly.
Step by step.
Until he stood in front of him.
Looking down.
No anger.
No pride.
No excitement.
Just
Cold clarity.
Ravel tried to move.
Failed.
His vision blurred.
His chest tightened.
And above him
Alok spoke.
Quietly.
Calmly.
Cold.
"Don't stand in my way."
A pause.
His gaze didn't waver.
"I'm not here to take your place."
Another step back.
"I joined… because I'm looking for someone."
Silence.
Those words
Did more damage than the punch.
The End of the Match
The instructor stepped forward.
"…match over."
But his voice carried something new.
Not authority.
Recognition.
Ravel's Mind
On the ground
Ravel stared upward.
Breathing uneven.
Mind racing.
Not from pain.
But from something deeper.
I lost…
In one hit…
His fingers tightened.
Slightly.
And deep inside
Something dark formed.
Not fear anymore.
Not confusion.
Hatred.
Closing Line
As Alok turned away
The pendant pulsed again.
Stronger.
Sharper.
More urgent.
As if reminding him
This wasn't the real fight.
Not yet.