Chapter 77: The Genius vs. The Monster
🔥 Aether Academy had won. 🔥
But Rei Kurogane wasn't celebrating.
He sat alone in the dorm, staring at the ceiling.
💀 Something about Kozuki's fight wouldn't leave his mind. 💀
✔ Kozuki wasn't just strong.✔ Kozuki wasn't just fast.✔ He became something else entirely.
Rei (thinking, serious): That wasn't skill… That was instinct.
The Difference Between Strength and Genius
Rei clenched his fists.
🔥 He had seen every detail of the fight. 🔥
✔ Kozuki didn't plan his movements—he just reacted.✔ He didn't think—he just knew.✔ He didn't hesitate—he devoured his opponents.
Rei (thinking, focused): He fights like a beast.
💀 But I… I fight like a human. 💀
Rei's Frustration – The Gap Between Them
🔥 Rei had spent his life mastering his mind. 🔥
✔ He could analyze any opponent.✔ He could break down any technique.✔ He could see weaknesses no one else could.
And yet—
💥 BOOM! 💥
💀 It still wasn't enough. 💀
Kozuki had destroyed Ryoma.
And Rei couldn't even land a decisive blow on Renji.
Rei (clenching his jaw): Tch… I was useless.
The Genius's Decision – Surpassing the Monster
Rei took a deep breath.
💀 Kozuki is stronger than me. 💀
✔ In speed.✔ In instincts.✔ In raw combat ability.
🔥 But that's fine. 🔥
Because Rei had something Kozuki didn't.
✔ A perfect memory.✔ A mind faster than any fighter.✔ The ability to adapt, learn, and evolve.
Rei (thinking, determined): If I can't match his instincts…
🔥 Then I'll create my own. 🔥
💀 I will become something greater. 💀
Rei's Training Begins – Learning to Survive the Wild
💥 The Next Night – Aether Academy's Training Grounds 💥
Rei stood in the middle of the empty arena.
✔ No lights.✔ No sound.✔ Nothing but the darkness.
🔥 If Kozuki fought like a beast… 🔥
Then Rei would train like one.
Step One – Erasing Hesitation
🔥 Animals don't hesitate. 🔥
✔ A tiger doesn't think before it pounces.✔ A hawk doesn't doubt before it strikes.✔ A wolf doesn't calculate—it moves.
💥 WHOOSH! 💥
🔥 Rei closed his eyes. 🔥
✔ He focused only on movement.✔ He let his body react before his mind could process.✔ He forced himself to move on instinct alone.
💥 Dodge left. Too slow.💥 Step back. Hesitated.💥 Counterattack. Too much thinking.
Rei (panting, frustrated): "Tch… This is harder than I thought."
Step Two – Learning From Nature
🔥 If humans weren't strong enough… 🔥
Then Rei would learn from something stronger.
✔ He studied the movements of animals.✔ He memorized how they fought.✔ He copied their instincts—forcing them into his own body.
💀 If Kozuki was a demon… 💀
🔥 Then I will become something beyond human. 🔥
The Genius's New Goal – Becoming the Ultimate Fighter
🔥 Kozuki is the strongest fighter in Aether Academy. 🔥
💀 But he won't be forever. 💀
✔ Rei wouldn't just catch up.✔ He wouldn't just match Kozuki.✔ He would surpass him.
Rei (smirking, determined): "Wait for me, Kozuki."
🔥 The genius of Aether Academy had begun his evolution. 🔥