I created several more needles throughout the molten metal.
"Alright… I'll retreat for now…"
"Wai—"
"Don't ask too many questions. I've been kind enough to you, so be grateful."
-----------------------------------------
My body felt unbearably heavy…
Even though the battle lasted only around two hours, carrying the burden of two talents at once had pushed my body far beyond its limit.
Darkness.
My breathing grew ragged.
Help…
My body wouldn't move…
Anyone…
Iych…
Father… Mother…
SILENCE!
Wh— ah—
Iron…
RIGHT… THAT'S ME…
I don't have any strength left right now… could you leave me alone for a while?
DON'T WORRY… I WON'T BE GONE FOR LONG…
A massive figure stood before me, arms folded across its chest, towering over me like an immovable wall.
Hey… I know you heard everything I said to Roy earlier…
So… what are you exactly?
How can you exist inside me?
HMMM… I CANNOT TELL YOU ABOUT THAT.
The figure slowly lowered its head.
YOU WILL FIND OUT SOON ENOUGH… JUST BE PATIENT A LITTLE LONGER.
-----------------------------------------
A bright light pierced through my eyelids.
I didn't know what had happened after the battle, but now I was lying inside the academy's medical ward.
I wondered how many times I had ended up in this room during the past year…
Huft…
UGH!
The moment I tried opening my left eye, a burning sensation shot straight into my brain. It seemed Roy's smoke regeneration had no effect on injuries caused by the strain of my own talent.
CREAK!
The heavy door of the infirmary opened. A doctor walked in, carrying medical supplies.
"How are you feeling?" he asked while preparing medication.
"I'm fine… though some parts of my body still hurt," I replied, pointing toward the aching areas.
The doctor stared at me with a puzzled expression.
"Your opponent is a high-class fugitive. He has already claimed numerous victims… and until now, no one has discovered a way to kill him," he said quietly.
"…Did you learn anything while fighting him?"
I froze for a moment. Surviving that battle alone already felt like a miracle.
"I did," I answered firmly. "Roy's talent is smoke. He can merge with it."
"And?"
"His talent requires blood as payment."
I took a breath before continuing.
"Besides blinding his opponents, every wound he creates within the smoke—whether on himself or his enemy—immediately closes. There is almost no bleeding."
The doctor nodded slowly, looking satisfied.
"I see now… that explains why his victims never showed clear signs of violence…"
Yes…
Roy's ability was terrifying. Not only could he drain his enemy's stamina, but the lack of physical evidence made investigations nearly impossible.
"For now, you must continue resting. Your condition is still unstable and requires treatment," he said.
He paused before adding,
"And don't forget… there will be a duel soon. Make sure you're fully prepared."
His words dragged my nightmares back to the surface.
I followed his advice and closed my eyes. Soon after, my parents arrived to pick me up. Thanks to Roy's ability, I didn't suffer any fatal wounds… but my body still felt crushed by extreme exhaustion.
When I arrived home, I planned to do several things. However, my body refused to cooperate. My consciousness faded before I even managed to stand properly.
-----------------------------------------
The next day, school continued as usual.
The only difference was the increased number of soldiers patrolling around the academy.
"Hey, Rinne! Did you know? While you were trapped inside that smoke, I actually cried thinking about you!" Iych suddenly jumped onto my back.
"Aaahaha… thank you," I replied with a faint smile.
"By the way… who was the man that helped me back there?"
"Honestly, I don't know either…" she answered.
"He showed up suddenly… and left right after everything ended. Tall build, slicked-back hair… he looked like he belonged to the military."
Interesting…
Too many things had been happening lately.
I didn't even remember the last time I lived a normal life. Problems kept appearing endlessly—from the awakening of my talent… to the constant attacks surrounding me.
TING-TONG!
The school bell rang, signaling the start of class. I prepared my books and study materials.
Soon after, the teacher entered, and the lesson began.
-----------------------------------------
Time dragged on.
My mind wandered elsewhere. School lasted nearly nine hours—starting with theory and ending with practice, repeating throughout the entire week.
BANG!
The classroom door slammed open.
A fairly muscular man stormed inside without permission.
"HEY! YOU GOLDEN GENERATION BRATS!" he shouted while waving a piece of paper.
"HELLO EVERYONE!! THE NEWS YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! THE TWO-VERSUS-TWO TOURNAMENT BRACKET HAS BEEN DECIDED!"
"YOU CAN CHECK IT ON THE NOTICE BOARD AFTER SCHOOL! GIVE IT YOUR ALL! YAHOOO!"
He arrived like a storm—destroying the calm—and left just as quickly as he came.
After his announcement, the classroom fell silent.
No one dared to speak. Only the ticking of the clock and the faint scraping of desks filled the air.
That strange teacher was right.
There was no more time to daydream.
The day of judgment was approaching—the day academy students would fight each other under the gaze of noble and elite families.
I clenched my fist.
"I have to win… no matter what."