RYKER'S HUMILIATION

"Look who came back," Ryker snickered as Eagan walked into the classroom. "I thought you ran away after you found out you were a good for nothing."

Eagan ignored Ryker's taunts, staring out the window as if the outside world held more interest than the classroom full of buzzing students. But his fists clenched under the desk, the only indication of his irritation.

The academy bell echoed through the room, and their combat instructor, Master Liam, strode in, his broad shoulders and sharp gaze commanding instant silence.

"Today's focus is basic combat techniques. You'll be paired up for sparring matches," Liam announced, his voice firm. "This isn't just about physical strength. A true hunter knows how to adapt, strategise, and exploit their opponent's weaknesses. I'll be evaluating every move you make."

Ryker smirked, his sharp eyes flickering at Eagan. He had been irritated that he got ignored by Eagan and had been brainstorming ways to get back at him without getting in trouble, but this gave him a perfect opportunity.

"Let's see how you will remain smug after the class," he sneered and began walking out of the classroom towards the large training room.

The other students whispered among themselves as they filled out of the classroom towards the training room.

"Good, now that you all are here, let's begin," Liam began. "For this training, you all will be paired with someone of similar strength as you."

"There will be no use of man or weapons. We need to train your natural reaction and instincts." He warned.

As Liam began pairing up students, Ryker stepped forward.

"Master Liam," Ryker interjected with a smug grin, "I'd like to request Eagan as my partner. Someone needs to help him learn the basics, and I'm happy to take on that responsibility."

Liam raised an eyebrow suspiciously, "Your strength is way above Eagan's, and it won't do much benefit to give you a pair with him." He argued, and Ryker frowned.

"To be fair, no one is my strength level in this class," he announced with a smug smile. "And wouldn't it be better that I train Eagan and let him see what he has been missing since Hecksdt came to the academy?"

"What do you think?" He asked and turned towards Eagan. "Wouldn't you like to be paired with me?"

Eagan pursed his lips at the obvious provocation. He looked from Ryker to the rest of the students. Seeing how they avoided meeting his eyes, he sighed and walked up to Ryker. "Sure, I'll partner with you." He agreed, and Ryker lips curled up into a triumphant smirk.

"Very well. Ryker and Eagan, you're paired." Liam announced and went over to the rest of the students.

A ripple of murmurs swept through the classroom. Eagan's jaw tightened as he stood, locking eyes with Ryker. There was a gleam in Ryker's gaze, one that promised humiliation.

The students gathered around the central arena, eager to watch Eagan get humiliated during the training.

Ryker walked into the ring first, his smirk firmly in place. "Ready to learn what real power looks like, Eagan?" He mocked, cracking his knuckles.

Eagan followed, his face unreadable. He didn't respond to Ryker's taunts, instead stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. The calmness in his demeanour caught a few students off guard, but Ryker didn't notice.

Liam stood on the edge of the ring, his sharp eyes flicking between the two. "Remember," he barked, "this is about technique and control, not brute strength. I'll stop the match if it gets out of hand." His gaze lingered on Ryker, who waved dismissively.

The two combatants faced each other in the centre of the ring. Liam raised his hand. "Begin!"

Ryker wasted no time, lunging forward with a powerful right hook. His movements were aggressive but predictable, obvious by the overconfidence in his posture. Eagan sidestepped with ease, his smaller frame giving him an advantage in agility.

The crowd murmured as Ryker stumbled slightly from the missed punch. He recovered quickly, his smirk faltering but his aggression doubling.

"I didn't think you could dodge that," he snickered. "Then let's see you dodge this one too!"

He threw a series of punches and kicks, each more forceful than the last, but Eagan evaded them all with a calm expression that left the spectators whispering.

"Stop running!" Ryker growled, frustration creeping into his voice. He charged forward, aiming a sweeping kick at Eagan's legs. This time, Eagan didn't dodge. Instead, he turned, catching Ryker's leg with a firm grip. With a quick twist, Eagan threw Ryker off balance, sending him crashing to the ground.

The room went silent as the sickening thud of Ryker hitting the ground.

Ryker scrambled to his feet, his face red with embarrassment. "You got lucky," he spat, wiping his mouth. "But your luck won't last longer!" He activated a mana-infused technique, a faint glow enveloping his fists despite the rules against mana usage.

"Ryker!" Liam called out a warning, but Ryker ignored him, rushing at Eagan again. This time, his speed was enhanced, and his movements were more erratic than when they began.

To him, it was no longer a simple combat training. He was fighting to regain his dignity. His Ego.

How could he, who had been hailed as a genius, be easily defeated by the one who had been mocked for being useless?

"I'm going to kill you!" He roared in anger.

Eagan's eyes narrowed as he took a deep breath, his body relaxing. As Ryker closed the distance, Eagan stepped into his attack, deflecting Ryker's glowing fist with a sharp block. Using the momentum, he delivered a counterpunch to Ryker's abdomen, knocking the air out of him.

Ryker gasped, staggering back, his hands clutching his stomach. Before he could recover, Eagan swept his legs out from under him, sending him sprawling onto the floor again.

"Enough!" Liam barked, stepping into the ring. His glare was directed at Ryker. "I told you no mana techniques. Consider this a warning."

The spectators erupted into whispers, unable to believe what they had seen. No one had expected Eagan to stand his ground, let alone dominate the fight.

"Is that really the weak Eagan?" One of the students whispered.

"Obviously, do you think he had a twin? That's him, of course!" Another replied, his voice filled with equal shock and excitement.

"But he was only away for two weeks; how the hell did he get strong all of a sudden?" The first student asked in bewilderment, still unable to wrap his head around the whole situation.

"Do you think maybe he used some kind of secret technique to get stronger?" Another asked.

Ryker sat up, his face twisted with anger and humiliation. He glared at Eagan, who stood tall, his expression unreadable.

As Eagan turned to leave the ring, Ryker muttered, "This isn't over.I swear I will mess you up the next time!"

Eagan paused, glancing over his shoulder. His voice was calm but firm. "You lost because you underestimated me. Next time, focus on your training instead of your ego."

"Besides, this is already the second time I'll beat you up. At least this time your face didn't get damaged." He added that his voice was loud enough for the other students to hear.

"What?!" Someone exclaimed. "You are telling me Ryker has already been beaten by Eagan previously?

"Then does that mean we've been underestimating him because he is quiet?"

The students parted as Eagan walked past, their eyes following him with a mixture of awe and curiosity.

Liam's gaze lingered on Eagan, a flicker of intrigue in his stern expression. There was more to this so-called "mana-less" student than met the eye.

For the first time, Eagan felt the weight of the stares, but instead of shrinking under them, he straightened his back. As he sat in the corner, waiting for the next group to go into the ring. Master Loan approached him. "Have you rechecked your strength and mana stats?"