Chapter 8: Rising from the Ashes

Jackim inhaled sharply, his ribs aching from the brutal impact of Liang's attack. His mind screamed at him to stay down, to give up. But the fire in his chest burned brighter than ever.

He had been knocked down countless times before—by life, by people who thought he was nothing.

But not this time.

Not here.

Liang smirked, rolling his shoulders. "You sure you want to continue? You're barely standing."

Jackim clenched his fists, ignoring the pain. His breath was ragged, but his resolve was stronger than ever.

"I'm not done."

Han raised an eyebrow. Selena's lips curled into a smirk.

Victor, watching from the sidelines, nodded slightly.

Jackim focused on Liang, analyzing his movements. He had rushed in blindly before, completely unprepared. This time, he needed to be smarter.

Liang lunged forward again, aiming a punch at Jackim's face.

Jackim barely dodged, shifting his weight to the side at the last second. The punch grazed his cheek instead of landing cleanly.

Liang's eyes flickered with surprise.

Jackim didn't hesitate. He threw a punch at Liang's side. It wasn't powerful, but it landed.

Liang's smirk faded. "Huh. You learn fast."

Jackim exhaled, steadying his stance. Think, Jackim. Think.

Liang was stronger, faster, and more experienced. But Jackim had something he never had before—a reason to fight.

Liang attacked again, this time sweeping his leg toward Jackim's knees.

Jackim barely had time to react, but instead of taking the hit, he let himself fall backward, rolling with the momentum.

He hit the ground but used the motion to push himself back up.

The watching students murmured among themselves.

Jackim wiped the sweat from his forehead. His entire body ached, but he refused to give up.

Han finally spoke. "Enough."

Jackim blinked. That's it?

Liang let out a breath, stretching his arms. "Not bad. Thought you'd drop after the first hit."

Jackim was too exhausted to respond.

Han walked over, staring at Jackim for a long moment. "You lack strength. You lack technique. You lack speed."

Jackim's fists tightened.

"But," Han continued, "you have something rare."

Jackim looked up, confused.

"Persistence," Han said. "You don't break easily."

Jackim exhaled. Was that… praise?

Han turned to Victor. "He stays."

Victor nodded, satisfied. "Then his training begins immediately."

Jackim barely had time to process those words before Han continued.

"Tomorrow morning. At sunrise. No excuses."

Jackim's legs nearly gave out. Tomorrow? After all this?

Selena laughed softly. "Better get used to it. This is just the beginning."

Jackim closed his eyes for a brief moment. His body was screaming in pain, but deep inside, he felt something different.

Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Hope.

---

Jackim barely made it to his room that night. Every muscle in his body throbbed with pain. He collapsed onto the bed, his mind racing.

The mansion was silent except for the distant ticking of an old clock. The room he was given was far more luxurious than anything he had ever known. The bed was soft, the silk sheets smooth against his skin. A far cry from the thin, ragged mattress he once slept on.

But luxury meant nothing. He wasn't here for comfort. He was here for survival.

Jackim clenched his fists. I can't be weak anymore.

He knew what awaited him in the morning. Master Han wasn't going to go easy on him. If today was just a test, tomorrow would be pure hell.

His body ached, but his mind was clear. He wasn't just fighting for himself.

He was fighting for every moment he had been belittled. Every sneer from a wealthy heir who thought they were better. Every woman who had turned her back on him because he wasn't rich enough. Every hotel that had thrown him out.

Jackim stared at the ceiling. They think I'm nothing. They think I'll always be nothing.

He turned to the side, clenching his jaw.

I'll prove them wrong.

As exhaustion took over, he drifted into sleep, his dreams filled with the echoes of laughter, of jeers, of mocking voices—each one fueling the fire inside him.

Tomorrow, the real battle begins.

---