## **Chapter 6: Inch Punch**##
*(From the novel "I Became the Gamer Who Controls Reality")*
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Tanish Verma having a Strength of 7 surprised Vivaan Sharma slightly.
The Strength-measuring device's value was slightly different from the Strength stat shown in the game on his phone. However, the difference wasn't much — they could basically be considered the same.
Before Vivaan received the mysterious phone, his Strength had also been just a 7.
"It's your turn," Tanish said, stepping aside.
Vivaan stood before the Strength-measuring device as the trio's eyes landed on him. All of them were eager to know how much strength the former number-one genius of **Varuna High Institute** still possessed.
Inside the Primordial Energy module, **Arvind Rao** shared the same curiosity. After spending more than a month as a so-called wastrel, how much strength could Vivaan possibly have left?
Although Strength didn't decline as quickly as one's reaction speed in combat, having strength was one thing — delivering it effectively was another.
The skills required to release one's full Strength took constant practice. Over time, a person could grow rusty. Even if one still had physical power, they might not be able to unleash it perfectly.
Vivaan took his position in front of the pressure board, preparing for an **Inch Punch**. It wasn't a Primordial Energy Skill, but a basic combat skill — part of the school's regular training.
However, Inch Punch was easy to learn but hard to master. It focused on generating maximum power in the shortest possible distance, something that required countless hours of practice. Because it looked plain and lacked flashy movements, most students avoided it. They preferred skills that looked cooler or delivered immediate results.
Even more students focused on weapon techniques since weapons dealt far greater damage in real battles.
When Vivaan positioned his fist so close to the pressure board that it nearly touched, **Riya Malhotra** and the others realized he was using Inch Punch.
Tanish smirked. "The explosive power from an Inch Punch is impressive, sure — but only if you've trained for years. Let's see if Vivaan doesn't end up embarrassing himself."
Although his words were unpleasant, **Arvind Rao** silently agreed. Inch Punch required incredible precision and discipline. Vivaan hadn't seemed to practice much lately; everyone thought he'd spent most of his time gaming. Using such a technique for a strength test could easily backfire.
**Bang!**
As everyone was still thinking, Vivaan's fist moved — or rather, *trembled* — with incredible speed. The motion was so fast that they might have missed it entirely, if not for the explosive *bang* echoing from the pressure board.
It looked as if Vivaan's fist had never even moved.
All eyes shot toward the display screen.
*The gap's too small!*
That same thought flashed across the minds of Tanish, Riya, and Rohit simultaneously.
The distance was nearly zero. Normally, one could generate more power by winding up — just like how a deeper squat produces a higher jump. But Inch Punch was different. It was about releasing maximum strength from minimal movement — a feat only true experts could achieve.
**Arvind Rao's** heart was racing as he stared at the screen.
Then, the numbers lit up — one by one — until the final value flashed:
**10.**
Ten.
Vivaan's Inch Punch had measured a Strength of 10.
"Ten! It's a ten! How is this possible?" Arvind exclaimed, unable to hide his shock.
He had been teaching for years, and even among high school students who used Strength Crystals, very few could reach a Strength of 10 without any Primordial Energy Skills.
Normal Strength Crystals barely worked beyond level 7. Beyond that, only advanced crystals or dedicated physical cultivation could raise one's stats.
But to reach 10 purely through physical training, without crossing into the Legendary stage, was almost unheard of.
Vivaan was still clearly in the Mortal stage, yet he had unleashed raw Strength valued at 10 — something so rare it could be called one in a million, even across the entire Federation.
*Could it be that Vivaan hasn't been slacking off at all?* Arvind thought. *Maybe all that sleep in class is from late-night training sessions?*
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. His gaze toward Vivaan turned from doubt to admiration — and even pride.
*Yes… this must be it. The former principal was right about him. Ten Strength at the Mortal stage — that's unmatched in all of Varuna City. Even on Earth, he'd rank among the top students… what a remarkable boy.*
Tanish Verma, meanwhile, couldn't help but gulp. "No way… Ten without Primordial Energy Skills? Has this guy been secretly training all along?"
Both **Riya Malhotra** and **Rohit Nanda** looked at Vivaan with newfound respect. Riya had always believed Vivaan wasn't someone who'd give up easily — but even she hadn't expected *this* level of progress.
*So, the device's readings differ slightly from the game,* Vivaan mused. *In-game my Strength is 9… but in reality, it's 10.*
"To be able to deliver 10 Strength — you truly live up to your title as Varuna High's number-one genius," Tanish said slowly, his tone half admiring, half competitive. "But don't think this means you've beaten me yet."
Even though he was impressed, Tanish wasn't ready to accept defeat.
He could still exceed 10 when using his **Lightning Fist**, though that technique consumed a lot of Primordial Energy. It was powerful but couldn't be sustained.
Vivaan, on the other hand, had shown the ability to maintain that Strength purely through muscle control — making him far more reliable in prolonged combat.
Moreover, the mastery of Inch Punch itself showed discipline and perseverance. Clearly, Vivaan hadn't given up on himself at all.
Still, pride wouldn't let Tanish admit it so easily.
He planned to defeat Vivaan in a real fight — and only then, magnanimously, welcome him into the team.
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