Preparing for War

Chapter 70: Preparing for War

The battle against Crimson Fang Dojo was less than 24 hours away.

Aether Academy didn't have time to celebrate their victory over Hellsing—because this was their real test.

Aether Academy's Strategy Meeting

Inside Aether Academy's war room, Magnus Valeford stood in front of the team, arms crossed.

🔥 The atmosphere was heavy. 🔥

Magnus (serious): "Crimson Fang isn't like Hellsing. They don't play mind games. They just break you."

Rei, Souta, Akari, and Kozuki sat in silence, processing his words.

Magnus: "Takeda Ryoma. The King of Power."

💀 The undefeated champion.💀 The man who destroyed an entire team in under a minute.

Magnus (grimly): "His strength is inhuman. If you let him touch you, you lose."

Souta (grinning): "Then we just don't let him touch us."

Magnus: "It's not that simple. His reaction speed is just as monstrous. And he's not alone."

🔥 Crimson Fang Dojo's Fighters:

Ryoma Takeda – The King of Power (Overwhelming raw strength, nearly unbreakable defense)✔ Renji Aoyama – The Tactical Brawler (Perfect counters, expert grappler)✔ Daichi Kagura – The Lightning Spear (Fastest strikes in the tournament)

Magnus turned to Rei.

Magnus (calmly): "Kurogane. You're the only one who can break them down. What's their weakness?"

Rei closed his eyes, thinking.

💡 Crimson Fang was powerful—but they weren't perfect. 💡

Ryoma Takeda – Overwhelming power, but too confident. If he's forced into a drawn-out fight, he gets reckless.✔ Renji Aoyama – A counter-fighter. If you don't attack first, his entire style is useless.✔ Daichi Kagura – Fast, but predictable. Once he starts a combo, he doesn't stop—leaving himself open.

Rei (calmly): "We make the fight last longer than they expect."

Souta (blinking): "What?"

Rei (serious): "They're used to finishing fights in seconds. If we slow them down, force them into a battle of endurance, they'll make mistakes."

Magnus nodded approvingly.

Magnus: "Good. That's our plan, then."

🔥 Aether Academy had a strategy. 🔥

But would it be enough?

The Night Before the Battle – Rei's Restless Thoughts

While the others rested, Rei sat alone in the training hall.

His super-visibility let him analyze every past fight he had seen.

He replayed Ryoma's matches in his mind.

💀 Ryoma's movements were too efficient.💀 He wasted no energy.💀 Every hit was calculated for maximum destruction.

Rei clenched his fists.

🔥 If I miscalculate even once—I lose. 🔥

But then—

Footsteps.

Rei turned.

It was Magnus.

Magnus (calmly): "You're overthinking again."

Rei: "…I have to."

Magnus walked over, sitting beside him.

Magnus: "You're strong, Kurogane. Not in the way the others are. But in a way they can't understand."

Rei looked at him.

Magnus (serious): "This fight isn't about strength. It's about proving Aether Academy deserves to stand at the top."

🔥 Rei took a deep breath. 🔥

Tomorrow would decide everything.

Match Day – Aether Academy vs. Crimson Fang

🔊 BEEP! BEEP!

The stadium erupted with cheers as the next match was displayed.

💥 MATCH 2: AETHER ACADEMY vs. CRIMSON FANG DOJO 💥

The battlefield was revealed—

🔥 An open stone arena, no cover, no obstacles. 🔥

✔ No place to hide.✔ No tricks.✔ Pure, raw combat.

Rei (thinking, serious): A battlefield built for Crimson Fang…

Across the arena, Ryoma Takeda stepped forward, rolling his shoulders.

🔥 He locked eyes with Rei. 🔥

Ryoma (grinning): "Let's see if you're worth my time, Kurogane."

💀 The strongest fighters were about to clash. 💀