From the sidelines, the others watched intently.
Ren remained quiet, observing with calm interest behind his high collar.
Rika smirked, spinning her revolver.
“Not bad for a newbie.
He’s got some guts at least.”
Yumi adjusted her glasses.
“His movements are still raw, but his adaptability is decent.
The demon’s influence might be helping.”
Haruto pumped his fist with a big grin.
“Come on, Akira!
You can do it!”
Saki just stared sternly, arms crossed, saying nothing.
Kairo laughed goofily in the background.
“Hahaha!
Look at him go!
This is getting good!”
Tatsuya nodded at Akira.
“Again.
Don’t hesitate.”
He suddenly slammed a heavy fist forward.
Akira barely dodged, feeling the wind rush past his face.
Tatsuya twisted his head, shoulder, and torso in one fluid motion, dodging the kick by a hair.
With a grin, he grabbed Akira’s raised thigh in an iron grip.
Akira reacted fast.
He twisted his entire body mid-air and delivered a sharp spinning kick that connected solidly with the side of Tatsuya’s neck.
THWACK!
Tatsuya didn’t even flinch.
He released Akira’s leg and stepped back with a satisfied grin.
”Checkmate.”
They both pulled away.
Akira breathed heavily, rubbing his thigh.
“You’re… insanely tough.”
Tatsuya stared at him intensely, still smiling.
There was clear approval in his eyes.
The five observers reacted at once.
”Nice counter!” Haruto cheered.
”Not bad,” Rika said with a smirk.
Yumi simply nodded while fixing her glasses again.
Saki’s stern expression softened just a fraction.
Tatsuya clapped his large hands together.
“So, kid.
Do you know Kinetic Blast?”
Akira froze, tilting his head in confusion.
“Kinetic… what?”
Tatsuya blinked.
Then he let out a deep, booming laugh.
”Ah, right.
I forgot you’re brand new here.” He rolled his shoulders.
“Kinetic Blast is a powerful technique.
You focus your entire strength — every muscle, every drop of spiritual energy — and channel it into a single fist.
When you punch, it releases a devastating kinetic wave.
The stronger your base power and the better your flow, the bigger the impact.
It can shatter barriers, send high-tier demons flying, or even level a small area if you master it.”
Akira’s eyes widened as he listened.
The explanation made something stir faintly inside his chest.
Tatsuya grinned wider.
“Want to learn it?”
From deep within, Gashin’s low chuckle echoed softly in Akira’s mind.
Kairo watched the scene with a sly, excited expression, clearly enjoying how things were unfolding.