Night settled quietly over AUMC. The campus that was usually filled with noise and chatter had grown strangely silent. A cold wind moved through the empty pathways, rustling the leaves scattered along the concrete roads.
Most students had already returned to their rooms, unaware that something important was about to happen inside one of the older buildings near the back of the campus.
The old gymnasium of Hostel 5 was lit by a few dim lights hanging from the ceiling. The place looked worn down, the wooden floor marked with years of scratches and scuffs. But tonight, it wasn't empty.
Nearly forty members of Hostel 5 stood around the gym floor, forming a large circle. Their faces were serious, their arms folded as they waited for the meeting to begin.
At the center of the gym stood Akshat.
Beside him were Alexander and Tae Jin.
Across from them stood the leader of Hostel 5, Thomas.
Thomas was tall, with a solid, disciplined build that immediately told anyone looking at him that he had trained for years. His short blond hair was slightly messy, and his sharp eyes calmly studied the three men standing in front of him. Unlike the other students in the room, Thomas looked completely relaxed, as if the situation didn't bother him at all.
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
The tension in the room slowly grew thicker.
Finally, Thomas broke the silence.
"So," he said calmly, his voice echoing slightly in the gym. "You're the one who's been making all the noise around campus."
His eyes stayed fixed on Akshat.
Akshat stood with his hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed. He didn't seem impressed or intimidated by the number of people watching them.
"I'm not here for noise," Akshat replied calmly.
"I'm here for your answer."
Some of the Hostel 5 members exchanged glances after hearing that. Akshat's tone was straightforward, almost indifferent, as if the outcome of this meeting had already been decided in his mind.
Thomas watched him for a moment longer before letting out a quiet chuckle.
"I've heard about you," Thomas said. "Taking over hostels, defeating leaders, forcing alliances."
He slowly walked forward, stopping a few steps away from Akshat.
"Most people would call that reckless."
Alexander crossed his arms. "Most people are weak."
A few students in the circle shifted slightly, clearly annoyed by the comment, but Thomas raised his hand slightly, stopping them from reacting.
Then he looked back at Akshat.
"You want Hostel 5 to join you."
Akshat didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Thomas nodded slowly.
"That makes sense. Hostel 1 has been getting stronger every year. If the rest of us stay divided, they'll crush us eventually."
For a moment, it seemed like the discussion might end peacefully.
Then Thomas added,
"But before I agree…"
His eyes moved toward Tae Jin.
"I want to test something."
Tae Jin blinked in surprise.
"Test what?"
Thomas tilted his head slightly.
"Your strength."
The room became quieter.
Alexander frowned slightly. "If you want a fight, fight Akshat."
Thomas shook his head.
"No."
His gaze stayed on Tae Jin.
"If the people standing beside him aren't strong, then he's not a leader worth following."
He stretched his neck casually.
"So let's see what kind of men follow you."
Tae Jin looked at Akshat.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Akshat simply nodded once.
That was enough.
Tae Jin stepped forward, slowly rolling his shoulders as he moved into the center of the circle.
"Fine," Tae Jin said. "Let's do it."
Thomas smiled slightly.
He removed his jacket and tossed it onto the floor beside him. As he stepped forward, his entire posture changed. His back straightened, his feet planted firmly on the wooden floor, and his fists rose calmly in front of him.
The stance was precise.
Balanced.
Disciplined.
A classic Shotokan karate stance.
Across from him, Tae Jin lowered his body slightly. His hands remained open instead of clenched, his weight shifting carefully from one foot to the other.
His posture looked relaxed, but his eyes were sharp.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Two completely different fighting styles.
The room became completely silent.
Thomas spoke calmly.
"Don't hold back."
Tae Jin cracked his neck slightly.
"I wasn't planning to."
For a second, both fighters simply stared at each other.
Then Thomas moved.
His body shot forward with explosive speed. His right fist launched toward Tae Jin's face in a perfectly straight punch. The movement was sharp and incredibly fast.
Tae Jin barely managed to tilt his head aside.
The punch sliced through the air just inches from his cheek.
Before Tae Jin could react, Thomas rotated his hips and unleashed a powerful roundhouse kick.
The kick slammed directly into Tae Jin's ribs.
THUD.
The impact echoed loudly across the gym. Tae Jin staggered backward, his breath catching in his chest as the pain shot through his side.
Thomas didn't give him a moment to recover.
Another punch flew toward Tae Jin's face.
Then a quick side kick toward his stomach.
Each attack was precise and controlled, showing years of disciplined training. Thomas moved like a machine, every strike clean and efficient.
Tae Jin raised his arms, blocking what he could, but the power behind the attacks forced him backward step by step.
Around them, the members of Hostel 5 watched silently.
Even Alexander was watching closely now.
"His technique is solid," Alexander muttered.
But then something changed.
Instead of continuing to retreat, Tae Jin suddenly stepped forward.
Directly into Thomas's range.
Thomas's eyes narrowed slightly.
Tae Jin grabbed Thomas's punching arm with both hands and twisted his body, attempting to pull him off balance for a takedown.
But Thomas reacted instantly.
His elbow slammed downward.
CRACK.
The strike landed hard on Tae Jin's shoulder.
Pain shot through Tae Jin's arm, but he didn't release the grip. Instead, he pulled harder, dragging Thomas down with him.
Both fighters crashed onto the wooden floor.
The circle around them erupted with noise.
Now the fight had entered Tae Jin's territory.
Tae Jin quickly wrapped his legs around Thomas's waist, locking him into a tight guard position. His arms immediately reached for Thomas's right arm, trying to trap it.
Thomas struggled, attempting to pull away.
But Tae Jin shifted his hips quickly, tightening the position.
He began setting up an armbar.
Thomas realized it immediately.
He twisted his body and rolled sideways, escaping the position just before Tae Jin could fully extend the lock.
Both fighters separated and jumped back to their feet.
Thomas wiped a small streak of blood from his lip.
Then he smiled.
"Not bad."
Tae Jin exhaled slowly, trying to steady his breathing.
"Thanks."
This time, when they moved again, the fight became even more intense.
Thomas stepped forward and launched a brutal front kick that slammed directly into Tae Jin's stomach.
The force knocked the air out of Tae Jin's lungs.
But Tae Jin grabbed Thomas's leg before he could pull it back.
With a sharp pull, he dragged Thomas forward.
Both fighters fell again.
This time Tae Jin moved faster.
He climbed onto Thomas's back, locking his legs around his waist and wrapping his arm around Thomas's neck.
A rear choke attempt.
The crowd around them shouted in excitement.
Thomas struggled violently.
His fists slammed backward into Tae Jin's ribs again and again.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Each hit landed hard, but Tae Jin refused to let go.
His grip tightened.
Thomas's movements began to slow.
Then suddenly Thomas shifted his weight and threw himself backward.
SLAM.
Both fighters crashed against the floor.
The impact forced Tae Jin to loosen his grip just enough.
Thomas rolled away and stood up again.
Both men were breathing heavily now.
Sweat dripped from their faces.
The fight had gone on long enough that even the spectators had grown quiet again.
Then Tae Jin moved one final time.
He rushed forward.
Thomas threw a straight punch.
Tae Jin slipped inside the strike.
His hands grabbed Thomas's arm.
In one smooth motion, he turned his body and slammed Thomas onto the floor.
BOOM.
Before Thomas could recover, Tae Jin locked his legs around the arm and twisted his body.
A tight arm lock.
The pressure increased quickly.
Thomas tried to pull his arm free, but the position was perfect.
Another second and the joint would snap.
The entire gym held its breath.
Then Thomas tapped the floor twice.
The signal of surrender.
Tae Jin immediately released the hold and rolled away, breathing heavily.
For a moment, no one said anything.
Then Thomas slowly stood up.
He looked at Tae Jin with a thoughtful expression.
Then he turned to Akshat.
A smile appeared on his face.
"Alright," he said.
"I'm convinced."
Thomas walked toward Akshat and extended his hand.
"Hostel 5 will join you."
Akshat looked at the hand for a moment before shaking it firmly.
The alliance had been formed.
But as the cheering from Hostel 5 members began to fill the room, Thomas leaned slightly closer to Akshat and spoke quietly.
"You're going to need every ally you can get."
Akshat raised an eyebrow.
Thomas's smile faded slightly.
"Because when Hostel 1 decides to move…"
His voice lowered.
"…this entire campus will become a battlefield."
Akshat's lips slowly curved into a faint smile.
"Good," he said calmly.
"I was starting to get bored."
End of ch 33
To be continue...
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