CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The Announcement of the Top Ten & The Meaning of Martial Heart Will

The training grounds fell into a tense silence as the top ten competitors stood in formation. Kaïdën's sharp eyes scanned the group, noting the distinct air of nobility that clung to most of them. Their stances were confident, their gazes cold. They were warriors raised in privilege, their bloodlines boasting centuries of martial prowess.

Yet, among them, only one other seemed to share Kaïdën's background—ranked tenth, a boy with a rigid posture and a hardened expression.

So, it's just me and him, Kaïdën thought. The only ones without noble blood.A presence shattered his thoughts.

A man stood before them, his very existence commanding the space. Dressed in a sleeveless tunic, his scarred arms carried the weight of countless battles. His face was unreadable, and his stance, despite its stillness, radiated a quiet, suffocating pressure.

He let the silence stretch before speaking.

"You will call me Apprentice Ken." His voice was sharp and steady, cutting through the tension like a blade. "I am your instructor now. From this moment forward, you are no longer competitors—you are warriors in training."

Kaïdën's instincts screamed at him. This man was dangerous.Apprentice Ken took a slow step forward. "You survived the first stage," he continued, his voice as cold as tempered steel. "But survival is not enough. Strength, skill, adaptability—these will define you now. From this day forward, you will fight every week to determine your position. Win, and you rise. Lose, and you fall. Your final ranking will be decided not by where you started—but by how well you adapt."

A ripple of unease moved through the group. A shifting ranking meant no one could grow complacent.

Apprentice Ken lifted a single finger. The murmurs ceased.

"Now, I will announce the top ten rankings," he said, his gaze sweeping over them. Hisvoice remained cold and unwavering as he listed each name.

"First place—Selena."

Kaïdën stiffened. Selena? He hadn't expected her to rank the highest. His gaze flickered toward her, but she remained still, unreadable.

"Second place—Kane."

"Third—Eve."

"Fourth—Darius."

Kaïdën's brows furrowed. Darius? He's only fourth? That meant the top three were no joke.

"Fifth—Renji.""Sixth—Holane."

"Seventh—Jok."

Then—

"Eighth—Kaïdën."

His hands clenched at his sides. He already knew he wasn't at the top, but hearing it still left a bitter taste.

"Ninth—Cole."

"Tenth—Jake."

Kaïdën glanced at Jake, the other outsider, and their eyes met. A silent understanding passed between them. They were at the bottom of the top, but they had made it.Apprentice Ken's voice cut through the silence again.

"But rankings alone mean nothing. From this point forward, you will walk the path of martial arts. And that path begins with understanding what drives you."

He paused, letting his words settle. Then, his next sentence sent a quiet shockwave through the group.

"Each of you will develop your Martial Heart Will."

Kaïdën's heart pounded. A Martial Heart Will?

Apprentice Ken's gaze sharpened. "Do you know what that means?" he asked. No onespoke, so he answered for them.

"A Martial Heart Will is the essence of your path. It is not simply a fighting style, nor a technique—it is your foundation, your instinct, your very reason for fighting. It is the shape of your will, the embodiment of how you battle and how you survive."

The words sank deep into Kaïdën's mind.

"To form a Martial Heart Will, you must ask yourself: What do I fight for? What defines my battle? What will I never abandon, even in the face of death?

"Your answer to these questions will determine your martial path. Some warriors seek absolute strength. Some prioritize speed and deception. Others build their bodies into fortresses ofendurance.

"There is no right or wrong—only what resonates with your soul. Once you have figured that out, you will have begun to forge your Martial Heart Will."

Kaïdën felt his pulse quicken. This wasn't just about power. It was about identity.

Apprentice Ken's tone turned sharper.

"Do not take this lightly. A week before you leave for the holiday, you will undergo a test that will determine your fate."

Silence stretched over the group.

Kaïdën clenched his fists. A will of my own…? He had spent years refining his body, sharpening his instincts—but thiswas different. This wasn't just about what he could do. It was about who he was.

Apprentice Ken's voice dropped lower.

"There are plenty of Martial Heart Wills in this world—strength-based, agility-focused, defensive, mental… but none of them matter if they do not align with you. This is the foundation of your future. If your will is weak, your martial path will collapse."

He stepped forward, his shadow stretching over them.

"I will push you past your limits. I will break your weaknesses. Some of you will survive this training. Some of you will not. That is the nature of battle."

The weight of his words settled heavilyover them.

Without another word, he turned and walked toward the darkened training hall. The doors creaked open, revealing nothing but shadow within.

The top ten exchanged glances.

Kaïdën exhaled slowly, his mind still processing everything. He had entered this competition to prove himself, to rise above those who looked down on him.

But now, he realized—this wasn't just about skill anymore. It was about purpose.

He stepped forward into the darkness.