Oren believed he could win, but even if he was at peak condition, that could not be more than just a belief against a deme-ranker. While he was trying to stand up, failing repeatedly, he repeated the difference in their strengths. It has not been long since Oren reached the rei-rank thanks to the training, but even then…
"Rei-rank," muttered Oren as blood leaked from his mouth, turning his voice hoarse. "Vetus-rank," he continued while his arms failed to lift his body and slammed to the clouds again. "Deme-rank!" shouted Oren as he clenched his fist with frustration, the clouds beneath him turning red.
"Do you think that shouting the ranks will make you overcome them?" asked Jono as he walked toward Oren, who was lying down. "I was hailed as a genius the moment I was born, but I needed years to reach the deme-rank. You should be familiar with what their names imply, right?"