THE DOJO

The Elite Slayers were gone, but their presence lingered like ash.

Sage hadn't moved. His thoughts still echoed with the System's warning. The courtyard had returned to normal, but something had changed. Something was off.

Kol stood beside him, arms folded. He'd seen it too. The look Kai gave Sage. Something was definitely up.

"You okay?" Kol finally asked.

"No," Sage said honestly. "How do I get close to him? Kai?"

Kol didn't answer immediately. When he did, his voice dropped, more serious than before.

"There's one place. One way. But trust me… you don't want it."

Sage's silence was all the answer Kol needed.

He sighed. "It's not official. They call it the Dojō. A club, kind of. But it's different. It's where the strongest go to push past their limits. Everyone trains there like their life depends on it—because sometimes, it does. It's Kai's place. He built it for warriors, not students."

[SYSTEM PING: Critical Pathway Detected – Dojō Access Required]

"How do I get in?"

Kol glanced at him. "You challenge someone already in the club. If you win or impress, you're in. If you lose, you don't come back. No shame, just final."

Sage nodded once.

Kol stared at him. "You're serious."

"I don't have time to wait."

---

That night, Sage sat on the edge of his bunk, reviewing the glowing stats the System had just displayed. They pulsed gently in the dark, and he had to glance around to make sure no one else could see it. Still in awe that this power, this system, was his alone.

[CURRENT STATS]

Strength: 12

Agility: 10

Endurance: 9

Willpower: 13

IQ: 11

Combat Technique: 7

Fatigue: 16%

Skill: "Blood Surge I" — Active

It had only been a few days since the System bonded with him. He still remembered what his stats were the day it began.

[INITIAL STATS ON SYSTEM BONDING]

Strength: 3

Agility: 2

Endurance: 2

Willpower: 4

Focus: 3

Combat Technique: 1

Fatigue: 100%

He was improving. Rapidly.

He even had his first skill now.

Skill: Blood Surge I

Temporarily doubles all stats for two minutes. Cooldown: 72 hours.

Penalty: May cause internal bleeding, mental disorientation, or temporary stat loss if overused.

But why was it called Blood Surge?

His thoughts returned to the courtyard. To Kai Kalister. And the System's directive to seek him out.

---

The next day, Kol led Sage through the west wing of the academy—a rarely used passage behind the equipment halls. The Dojō wasn't advertised or on any school map. If you didn't know where to look, you wouldn't even know it existed. On the outside, it looked like just another old training annex.

They passed rusted steam pipes and flickering lights before reaching a heavy iron door. The sound of fists, boots, and clashing metal echoed softly from within.

Kol knocked once. A slot slid open.

"He's with me," Kol said.

The door creaked open.

Inside was organized chaos. The chamber was large and circular, dimly lit by overhead lamps. The floor was scuffed and stained from thousands of battles. Weapons lined the wooden walls—blades, staffs, training gauntlets, even a few forbidden models. Despite its brutality, it wasn't a gang. It was too focused, too exact. But it wasn't your average school club either. It was something in between. A proving ground. A forge.

Pairs sparred in silence, the air thick with concentration and sweat.

In the far corner, a red-haired girl moved like liquid steel. Her katana sliced through three dummies with precision and grace. She didn't glance their way—or maybe she noticed them and chose not to care.

"That's Maple," Kol said quietly. "Second only to Kai in this place. Don't cross her."

"But she's only delta", Sage said noticing.

" That's why I never underestimate people ", Kol said looking at Sage for a second.

Sage stepped forward.

A tall Alpha turned, arms crossed. "New meat?"

Kol nodded. "He wants in."

A few low chuckles echoed through the hall.

"Then he fights. That's the rule."

Sage stepped forward. "Who do I fight?"

The room quieted.

Then a voice cut through the air like a drawn sword.

"Me."

Heads turned.

Kai Kalister stood on the upper balcony overlooking the floor.

"I'll take this one."