The training grounds were vast — an enormous outdoor arena reinforced with spiritual barriers and lined with observation platforms.
Other students trained in the distance, flashes of light and explosions echoing across the field.
Tatsuya stood in the center, arms crossed sternly over his broad chest.
He looked down at Akira with a serious expression.
”Hit me,” he ordered.
Akira blinked in surprise.
“Huh?
Just… hit you?
Like, full power?”
Tatsuya nodded once.
“Don’t hold back.
Come.”
Akira took a deep breath, gripping his fist tightly.
He stepped forward and threw a straight punch with everything he had.
THUD.
Tatsuya casually parried the punch with one hand, pushing Akira’s arm aside effortlessly.
“Too slow.
Your stance is wide open.
Your power is scattered.
Tatsuya suddenly threw a quick feint punch toward Akira’s face.
Akira flinched.
”Parry it!” Tatsuya shouted.
Before Akira could react, Tatsuya lightly slapped him across the cheek — not hard enough to knock him down, but firm enough to sting.
Akira stumbled back a step, eyes wide.
”Again,” Tatsuya said sternly.
“Focus.”
He stared directly into Akira’s eyes.
“Training isn’t just about hitting hard.
It’s about observation.
Sharp, keen eyes.
Watch your opponent’s shoulders, their breathing, the way their feet shift.
Predict before they move.
That’s how you survive when facing something stronger than you.”
Akira stared back at Tatsuya, breathing heavily.
After a moment, he nodded firmly.
“I understand… I’ll try again.”
Deep inside Akira’s chest, in the dark space where the demon resided, Gashin lounged lazily, leaning his chin against his palm. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
A wide, fanged grin spread across his ancient face as he observed the scene through Akira’s senses.
”Hoh… Not bad,” Gashin murmured, voice echoing in the void.
“That muscle-headed boy has decent instincts.
Raw power and solid fundamentals.
He might actually be worth breaking.”
Gashin’s crimson eyes narrowed with interest.
”But why…?” he whispered, tilting his head.
“Why does this boy feel strangely connected to me?
It’s faint… but there’s something familiar about him.
Strange… yet it intrigues me.”
The ancient demon chuckled lowly, a dark and hungry sound that vibrated through Akira’s core.
Outside, Akira suddenly felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
The red scarf around his neck grew slightly warmer, as if reacting to Gashin’s amusement.
Tatsuya raised an eyebrow.
“Something wrong?”
Akira shook his head quickly.
“N-no… I’m fine.
Let’s keep going.”
Kairo watched from the sidelines with a sly smile, while Saki, Haruto, Yumi, Rika, and Ren observed the training with varying levels of interest.
The real test was only beginning.