The Rebel’s Calculus

After a minute of tense silence, Aether was the first to step into the ring, cracking his knuckles with a smirk. The small gesture sent a ripple of confidence through the others.

"Alright then," he muttered, glancing at Anna, who remained beside him. "Mind explaining the exact difference between Rank 1 and Rank 2?"

Anna exhaled softly, lifting her hands as she spoke. "Father always compared it to a crash. A Rank 1 is like a bicycle hitting a boy—the boy being the realm itself."

Across from them, Mirkaos crouched low, his claws digging into the ground. His lips curled back, revealing sharp fangs.

"And Rank 2?" Aether asked, shifting into an unsteady boxing stance—more instinct than form.

Anna's voice grew quieter, her breathing heavier. "A right star exploding at the boy's feet."

Aether let out a short laugh, sweat already trailing down his back. "I've stood in the face of a right star explosion before. I think I can handle this."