CHAPTER 9

Chapter 9: The First Real Battle

The wild screams of the monsters echoed in the air, and the ground beneath the students trembled. There was no time to think—only one thing mattered: survival.

Ryo dashed forward. He still didn't fully understand how to use his newfound power, but his body felt lighter, his movements smoother. When one of the monsters lunged at him, he instinctively stepped back, and that familiar sensation of time slowing down returned. The creature's claws barely missed his face.

"I have to use this… but how?"

Kazuki, however, didn't hesitate. He clenched his fists and shouted. As soon as one of the monsters charged at him, he slammed his fist into the ground with all his strength. A shockwave of energy burst from him, sending the attacking monster flying backward.

"Heh, looks like my power is awakening too!"

Yuma gritted his teeth, cursing in his mind.

"So now everyone is getting stronger? I have to prove myself too!"

He grabbed a rock from the ground and hurled it with all his might. To his surprise, the rock flew through the air at an unnatural speed, smashing into the skull of one of the monsters. Yuma's eyes widened.

"What? I had this kind of power?"

Aya and Sachiko quickly joined the fight. Aya focused, sensing the energy around her. Before one of the creatures could attack her, she stepped back—a precise and calculated movement, as if she already knew what the enemy would do.

Sachiko, however, was a little slower to react. One of the monsters lunged at her, and she instinctively closed her eyes… but instead of being struck, she suddenly found herself several meters away in the blink of an eye.

She gasped, looking around in shock.

"Did I… teleport?"

---

The Minister Watches

In the distance, the Minister of the Interior stood atop a hill, observing the battlefield with sharp eyes. He analyzed every movement the students made. Beside him, one of the army commanders stood watching.

"It seems their powers are awakening."

The minister nodded.

"Yes. But they're still unstable. They need more training. This is only the beginning."

The commander smirked slightly.

"With this level of talent, maybe they really can challenge the Kingdom of Light one day."

The minister said nothing. He simply continued watching the battle unfold.

The future of the Kingdom of Darkness rested in the hands of these eight students.

End of Chapter 9.