Talent determines where you begin...
but your choices determine how far you'll go.
The wind swept across the grass as the setting sun painted the sky a deep crimson. Its light streamed through the academy's windows, making the entire horizon look as if it were engulfed in flames.
The training ground was covered with marks left by countless impacts.
Sweat.
Blood.
Heavy breathing.
Ren remained standing.
His uniform was torn, and his body was covered in bruises. Even so, his fists remained raised.
Standing before him, Daichi Inuzuka watched in silence.
For the first time...
The Head of Security looked impressed.
Ren charged forward once again.
Despite being knocked down countless times, he refused to stop.
Inside his mind, only one voice echoed over and over.
"Fight..."
"Fight..."
"Keep fighting."
Daichi took a deep breath.
He drew back his fist, ready to end the training.
"It's over."
He threw the punch.
But...
Ren dodged.
Daichi's eyes widened.
Before he could react, a punch slammed into his stomach.
The impact forced him to slide several meters backward.
"..."
For the first time...
Ren had landed a hit on Daichi.
Daichi slowly raised his head.
"He dodged..."
"...and actually managed to hit me."
Ren smiled.
"So... I can do it."
Without wasting another second, he rushed forward again.
The two collided once more.
Fists.
Elbows.
Knees.
With every exchange, Ren understood something new.
Daichi noticed it immediately.
"He's changing."
"It's not just his strength..."
"He's starting to predict my movements."
A smile spread across Daichi's face.
"Interesting..."
Then...
He decided to fight seriously.
The pressure intensified.
Ren was forced backward once again.
Even so...
He refused to give up.
"Fight..."
"Keep going."
"Fight."
Every blow seemed to awaken something inside him.
His movements began to change.
His reflexes became more natural.
Daichi noticed.
"This kid..."
"...is evolving in the middle of the fight."
Suddenly...
Daichi lowered his guard.
He smiled.
"That's enough for today."
Ren blinked.
"...Huh?"
"Training's over."
Ren scratched the back of his head.
"Really?"
"Come to my office tomorrow."
Daichi turned and walked away.
After taking a few steps, he spoke without looking back.
"Ren..."
"Why do you fight?"
Ren fell silent.
He placed a hand on his chin.
"...I don't know."
"I just... fight."
Daichi remained silent.
Then he left.
The moment he turned the corner...
Daichi dropped to his knees.
"Tch..."
He coughed up blood.
He placed a hand over the spot where Ren had struck him.
"Damn..."
"I really am getting old."
The strength left his body.
And he collapsed unconscious.
Meanwhile...
Ren walked through the academy's hallways.
It was already late afternoon.
Suddenly...
A girl appeared in front of him.
Long blonde hair.
Brown eyes.
About 1.73 meters tall.
Her presence was calm.
Yet there was something about her that made the atmosphere feel heavy.
Ren kept walking.
In an instant...
She vanished.
And reappeared behind him.
A kick.
Ren barely dodged.
Another attack.
Another.
Another.
Ren blocked every single one.
He assumed a fighting stance.
"Attacking someone out of nowhere isn't exactly polite."
The girl simply smiled.
She let out a quiet laugh.
Placed her hands behind her back.
And walked away.
As she left...
She thought,
"Shoji was right..."
"There really is someone interesting here."
"Ayaka will be pleased to hear about this."
At the dormitory...
Akira's eyes widened.
"Ren!"
"What happened to you?"
Ren walked over to his bed.
"I'm fine..."
"I don't need to go to the infirmary."
"And I definitely don't want to run into Keiko-sensei."
Akira sighed.
"You look like you've been trampled by a herd of bulls."
Just then...
The bathroom door opened.
Enzoku walked out, drying his hair.
"What's all the noise about?"
He looked at Ren.
He noticed the bruises covering his body.
Without saying another word...
He grabbed a tube of ointment.
And tossed it toward him.
"Use this."
"And go change your clothes."
"You stink."
Ren caught the ointment.
He looked at Akira.
The two stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then...
Ren smiled.
"Thanks."
Enzoku turned his face away.
"Tch."
"Don't get the wrong idea."
Inside the Headmaster's office...
Hayato lay on the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
A smile slowly appeared on his face.
"...I think it's finally time."