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POV: Leandro's
I had already grown sick of my homeland — a continent where challenges had become nearly nonexistent after all the strong fighters migrated to the academy.
Two months left until it opened, and everyone had already left.
Everyone… except me.
So, I chose Loraice, the human continent.
It was the easiest to enter, and its fighters were more diverse.
And honestly…
I had zero interest in going to the Demon Continent or to the Mermaid Domain.
Too far, too boring, and I don't have the patience — or the desire — for that.
When I arrived, I noticed something laughable:
their plant life was pathetic.
They clearly cared more about technology than nature.
But I have to admit…
this hybrid of humans and dwarves was a smart move.
Their shared obsession with science and tech? Impressive.
Not that I'm disrespecting the other continents —
their scholars were everywhere here as well.
After days of wandering, I realized something very important:
this continent is loud… and disgusting to look at, especially at night.
Actually, is there even a "night" here?
Sometimes I stayed awake until five in the morning without realizing it.
Time slipped away.
A whole month… gone.
Only one month left until the academy opens.
And despite my efforts, I couldn't find a single opponent worth my time.
Everyone was training.
Everyone was busy.
Everyone was boring.
I chuckled:
"Heh… if I had arrived earlier, I wouldn't be leaving empty-handed."
While wandering aimlessly, I walked into a public training center —
a completely random decision, just to kill my boredom.
Then I saw the ranking board.
Someone held first place.
So I decided to crush him.
Why?
Because I hate the idea of someone being "number one" when I'm clearly stronger.
I went to the counter and registered for one match.
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Training Room
The metal door shut behind me with a heavy clang.
The room was spacious, and its walls were covered with magical screens showing advanced data.
Far more advanced than anything we had back home.
I clenched my teeth slightly.
"Seriously… we really are living in the stone age back there."
I stepped into the center as the blue lines beneath my feet lit up.
A holographic menu appeared:
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[Choose Challenge Type]
• Single Combat
• Wave Challenge
• Ranking Duel
• Abyss Simulation
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I smirked.
"Ranking Duel. Give me the current top dog."
The screen flickered, then displayed the name:
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[Opponent: Kalo Red — Rank #1]
Rank: E–
Style: Physical Combat + Mana Fist
Win Rate Against Others: 99%
Win Rate Against You: 18%
---
I laughed.
"Eighteen percent? Hah… how adorable."
I wasn't excited…
but at least my body began to warm up —
a sign that boredom was finally fading.
The room dissolved into a stone arena.
Heavy footsteps approached.
Kalo Red appeared —
massive build, mana bleeding from his fists, confidence written all over his face.
He scoffed:
"You're the newcomer? I heard you're from the far continents…
But here, I'm number one."
I gave him a disrespectful smile.
"Let me make this easier for you."
I lifted a finger:
"Attack."
He roared and charged like a bull.
His punch would've broken three ribs if it landed.
But…
right before it reached my face, I bent slightly —
just a millimeter.
The punch flew past my shoulder.
I whispered:
"Slow."
His expression shattered.
A light kick from me sent him flying two meters back.
"What—?!"
he gasped.
I stared coldly:
"I said… you're slow."
He attacked wildly.
Punches, shockwaves, kicks —
all wasted on thin air.
I dodged everything with minimal movement:
Step right.
Shift left.
Lower my head.
My whole presence said:
"You're nothing to me."
He screamed:
"Stop dodging!!!"
I lifted my gaze:
"Fine."
I vanished —
and reappeared behind him.
One tap with my finger to his neck.
Tak—
He dropped like a stone.
---
[Battle Complete]
Crushing Victory
Opponent Damage: 94%
Your Damage: 0%
---
I smirked.
"Thought I'd be bored…
but at least you were funny."
I looked at the ceiling:
"Someone better. Now."
I left the room, my mood slightly improved.
---
The Next Day
The next day was no better.
Wandering here and there…
Fun: zero.
Challenge: zero.
So I decided to head to the Central Continent — where the academy was.
They don't allow early entry except during registration…
but that doesn't matter.
My father is there, and he will let me in.
Before leaving Loraice, I returned to the same training center.
To this day, I don't know why —
something just pulled me back.
And when I looked at the ranking screen…
I froze.
---
[Arthur Gray — 2 Seconds]
[Leandro — 7 Seconds]
---
"Two… seconds?"
I whispered:
"He defeated my simulation in just two seconds?"
Impossible.
Or at least… unnatural.
But instead of anger…
I felt something else.
Excitement.
I entered the same room.
Chose the same mode.
---
[Opponent: Arthur Gray — Physical-only Simulation]
---
When he appeared —
face obscured, golden eyes glowing —
I knew one thing:
This was no ordinary fighter.
---
0.0s — I charged.
0.7s — Three strikes. He dodged all.
1.4s — A blow he blocked with absurd strength.
2.1s — He kicked; I countered and knocked him down. He stood immediately.
3.4s — He created distance — too fast.
4.1s — I punched his abdomen; he bent but didn't fall.
4.8s — A spinning strike to his temple. Perfect hit.
5.0s — He fell.
---
[Battle Result]
Winner: Leandro
Time: 5 Seconds
Arthur's Damage: 82%
Your Damage: 6%
---
Breathing slowly —
not from fatigue,
but from thrill —
I smiled.
"Five seconds…?"
"Arthur Gray… you're different."
I touched his name on the screen.
"Two seconds? Fine…
Next time, I'll bring you to zero."
I repeated the simulation five more times.
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Final Result After Adjustments
Winner: Leandro
Time: 2 Seconds
Arthur's Damage: 93%
Your Damage: 0%
---
For the first time in ages,
I walked out genuinely pleased.
"When he sees this… he'll push himself.
And who knows…
maybe I'll meet him in person."
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