The training arena at Nova High was enormous.
Students filled the seats around the circular battlefield, excited to watch the fights.
Combat training day was always the most popular.
Kai stood near the entrance with the rest of his class.
He sighed.
I really don't want to do this.
The teacher stood in the middle of the arena holding a tablet.
"Students will fight one by one. Use your abilities, but do not seriously injure your opponent."
The first few fights began.
A boy with wind powers defeated another student with enhanced strength.
The crowd cheered loudly.
Soon, the teacher called the next names.
"Kai… versus Marcus."
Kai looked up slowly.
Across the arena stood Marcus, a tall and muscular student with glowing red fists.
Some students whispered.
"Marcus is B-Rank."
"That powerless guy is finished."
Kai walked into the arena calmly.
Marcus laughed when he saw him.
"You're the powerless kid, right?"
Kai scratched his head.
"Yeah… that's me."
The teacher raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Marcus rushed forward immediately.
BOOM!
His fist slammed into Kai's stomach before Kai could react.
Kai flew backward and crashed onto the ground.
The crowd gasped.
"Too easy!" Marcus laughed.
Kai slowly stood up.
Before he could say anything—
BAM!
Another punch hit his face.
Marcus attacked again and again.
Punch.
Kick.
Punch.
Kai tried to block, but he wasn't fighting back.
Finally Marcus delivered one last powerful kick.
Kai collapsed onto the arena floor.
The teacher stepped forward.
"Match over. Marcus wins."
Students in the stands whispered and laughed.
"Pathetic…"
"He really has no power."
Kai lay on the ground for a moment before slowly sitting up.
His lip was bleeding again.
Marcus smirked and walked away proudly.
Kai quietly stood and brushed the dust off his uniform.
Good, he thought calmly.
No one suspects anything.
He walked out of the arena like nothing happened.
But high above in the arena seats…
Two members of the Top Ten were watching him carefully.
And one of them frowned.
"Something about that boy feels strange."