First fight[2]

The air was thick with tension. The garden, once a place of calm and beauty, had now become a battleground. The second-year student, Magot, stood up, his black hair covering his bloodshot eyes. He clenched his fists, knuckles turning white, as he glared at Samuel.

"You think you're something special, huh?" Magot spat, his voice laced with venom. "Just because you've got some flashy tricks?"

Samuel cracked his neck, the tightness of his shirt emphasizing his massive build. His crimson-red hair almost seemed to glow under the dim lights of the academy. He rolled his shoulders and raised his fists, a cocky grin forming on his face.

"I don't think I'm special," Samuel said, stepping forward. "I know I am."

With a sudden burst of speed, Magot lunged, his fists glowing with a dark aura. Boom! His punch was like a cannonball, but Samuel raised his arm to block—CRACK! The ground beneath him shattered as the force of the impact sent shockwaves through the area. Students nearby gasped, some even taking a step back.

Samuel remained unmoved.

"Hah. That was cute," he taunted before launching a counterattack.

BOOM!

His fist rocketed forward, slamming into Magot's chest. A deep, echoing explosion followed as Magot was sent flying, his body crashing through a nearby stone pillar. Dust and debris filled the air.

I watched, frozen in place. My heart pounded in my chest.

"That… was definitely super strength," I muttered.

Andrew, standing beside me, nodded. "No kidding. I didn't even see him move."

Magot groaned, pushing himself up from the rubble. His body was bruised, but his pride seemed more damaged. He spat blood onto the grass. "Tch… fine. No more playing around."

With a deep inhale, his muscles bulged unnaturally, his veins turning black as his aura grew darker. The air became heavier, thick with his mana. His ability wasn't just brute force—it was enhanced strength and speed at the cost of his body's health.

In an instant, Magot vanished.

A loud BANG erupted behind Samuel, followed by a second punch that connected cleanly with his ribs. Samuel grunted, stumbling back as the impact forced him to exhale sharply.

Magot didn't stop. He moved like a shadow—darting from place to place, attacking Samuel from multiple angles. Each hit landed with the force of a wrecking ball.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Bruises started forming on Samuel's arms and torso.

Andrew clenched his fists. "We have to help!"

"Wait—" I started, but Andrew had already dashed forward.

Magot turned just in time to see Andrew's fist covered in stone swinging at him. CRACK! Andrew's punch landed against Magot's jaw, sending him skidding back.

Samuel wiped his mouth. "Took you long enough."

Andrew smirked. "Well, I thought you had it covered."

Magot wiped blood from his lip. His expression twisted into rage.

"You insects… I'll crush you both."

His aura flared wildly as he charged again, but I raised my hand, summoning my healing tortoise, Lona.

Golden light surrounded Samuel and Andrew, healing their wounds instantly.

"Don't get reckless," I said.

Andrew gave me a thumbs-up. "Got it."

The fight resumed—Samuel and Andrew fighting in perfect synchronization, dodging and countering Magot's berserk attacks. Magot was strong, but he was fighting two powerhouses now.

It didn't take long. With one final, earth-shattering punch, Samuel sent Magot flying into a tree, knocking him out cold.

Silence.

Then—the sound of footsteps.

A group of professors and academy guards arrived, their expressions grim.

"What the hell is going on here?" one of them barked.

We all froze.

Well… shit.

---

Meanwhile somewhere in some dungeon 

The underground cavern was vast, its ceiling barely visible in the dim blue glow of mana crystals. Corpses of S-rank monsters lay scattered, their bodies torn apart as if they were mere paper.

A group of government guild members stood, some shaking, others speechless. In the center of the chaos, standing atop the corpse of a dragon-like beast, was the academy's principal, Vex Dorian.

His long black hair was messy, his crimson eyes glowing with amusement. He had a long blue coat draped over his shoulders, giving him an effortless swagger. His smile was wide—mischievous, almost childish.

One of the guild members gulped. "I-I thought this was supposed to be an S-rank threat…"

Vex yawned. "Yeah, I was hoping for a challenge."

The leader of the guild, a woman in a sleek black combat suit, adjusted her glasses. "Principal Dorian, you make it look too easy."

Vex hopped off the dragon's corpse, landing softly despite the sheer height. He dusted off his coat and grinned. "Well, what can I say? I'm just built different."

"Legendary-rank…" someone whispered.

Vex clapped his hands together. "Alright, kiddos! Mission complete! Time for ramen!"

"…We still have more floors to clear."

"Ughhh." He stretched lazily. "Fine, fine. But if another S-rank pops up, someone else better deal with it."

The team exchanged glances. They all knew they wouldn't even last a second.

Vex sighed dramatically. "Fiiiiine. I'll carry you all. Again."

With a smirk, he turned towards the darkness of the next dungeon floor.

"Let's see if anything down there can actually put up a fight."

---

Back at the Academy…

The professors stood in front of us, arms crossed. The guards restrained the unconscious Magot.

"Fighting in the academy is strictly forbidden," one professor scolded. "You three are lucky we arrived before more damage was done."

I gulped.

Samuel, bruised but still grinning, shrugged. "He started it."

Andrew nodded. "Yeah, we were just—"

The professor held up a hand. "Enough. You will report to the disciplinary office first thing in the morning."

I sighed. Well, this was going to be a long day.

As I looked at the broken garden and the unconscious Magot, one thought crossed my mind—

This was only the beginning.