Chapter 9: The Battle That Shouldn’t Be

(不该发生的战斗 - Bù gāi fāshēng de zhàndòu)

A gust of wind swept through the training grounds as Wu Jiang's crimson aura flared like a raging fire. The air grew tense, charged with energy as students formed a loose circle around them, eager to witness what was about to unfold.

Raiko exhaled slowly. Another fight… He had wanted to avoid this, but Wu Jiang wasn't giving him a choice.

"Afraid?" Wu Jiang taunted, a smirk tugging at his lips. His fists crackled with energy, revealing his mastery over the Flame Fist Technique.

Raiko remained still. His mind was calm, but his left hand instinctively curled into a fist.

"I don't fight pointless battles," Raiko said, meeting Wu Jiang's gaze. "You're wasting your time."

Wu Jiang's smirk widened. "Pointless? No battle is pointless. Either you prove yourself, or you get crushed. That's how the world works."

Raiko sighed. He had met people like Wu Jiang before fighters who lived to dominate others. The strong ruled, and the weak obeyed.

But Wu Jiang didn't know the truth.

Raiko wasn't weak.

He was just pretending to be.

Without warning, Wu Jiang lunged forward, his fist engulfed in crimson flames. He struck with blinding speed, aiming straight for Raiko's ribs.

Fast!

Raiko twisted his body at the last second, narrowly avoiding the blow. The force of the punch shattered the ground behind him, sending shards of stone flying.

Gasps erupted from the watching students.

"He dodged it?" someone whispered.

Wu Jiang's eyes flickered with surprise. "Hmph… not bad."

He didn't give Raiko a chance to breathe. In an instant, he launched another flurry of attacks each one burning with raw power.

Raiko sidestepped, ducked, and weaved through the onslaught. His movements were effortless, precise. He wasn't attacking only dodging.

Wu Jiang's frustration grew. "Why aren't you fighting back?"

Raiko remained silent. He couldn't risk revealing his strength. Not yet.

Instead, he allowed Wu Jiang to push him back, making it look like he was struggling.

A clever deception.

As the battle dragged on, Raiko sensed something strange.

A presence.

Someone was watching him closely.

He glanced at the crowd and spotted a man in dark robes, standing in the shadows. His piercing gaze was locked onto Raiko, analyzing every movement.

Who is he?

An elder? A scout?

Raiko's heart pounded. If the wrong people noticed his abilities, he wouldn't be able to hide anymore.

He needed to end this fight without exposing himself.

Wu Jiang roared, flames intensifying around his fists. "Enough running! Let's see how long you can last!"

He gathered all his power into one final attack Blazing Fang Strike a devastating move that could break bones upon impact.

The moment Wu Jiang charged, Raiko saw his opening.

Now.

As Wu Jiang threw his punch, Raiko shifted his stance, subtly redirecting the force. With minimal effort, he twisted Wu Jiang's wrist at the perfect angle a counter technique disguised as an accident.

Wu Jiang's body spun in the air.

Then CRASH!

He slammed into the ground, dust and debris exploding around him.

Silence.

The students stared in shock.

"…What just happened?" someone muttered.

It looked as if Wu Jiang had lost by his own mistake. A humiliating defeat.

Raiko stepped back, feigning exhaustion. "Guess I got lucky."

Wu Jiang groaned, struggling to rise. His pride was shattered. He clenched his fists but didn't attack again.

This battle was over.

As the crowd dispersed, Raiko felt the gaze of the dark-robed man lingering on him.

A cold chill ran down his spine.

Whoever he was, he had noticed.

Raiko had played weak. But it might not have been enough.

And for the first time, he realized—

Hiding his power might not be an option anymore.