Anomaly

"This form you've created is quite interesting," Kazuya commented while analyzing his new Titan transformation — or rather, his new permanent form. The system had determined that the best way to maximize his titanic power was to make it a constant part of his existence.

He was no longer a 15-meter Titan, but his height had increased slightly. According to his calculations, he now stood around two meters tall. This made him enormous compared to the average Japanese person from his past life.

Originally, he was 1.69 meters tall — a common height for a Japanese man. But now? He was a true anomaly.

Beyond the increase in size, Kazuya noticed another advantage: he had inherited the strength of the Titans he had devoured. His physical power was now tripled, surpassing even the Attack Titan.

Moreover, his skin had become significantly more resistant. Fortunately for him, the Armored Titan's armor, inherited from Reiner, had been compacted. He wouldn't have to live trapped inside a constant suit of armor. The idea of being enclosed in armor 24 hours a day — especially that of the Armored Titan — seemed unbearable. Sleeping or performing any task would have been a real nuisance.

With a simple thought, he could cover his skin with the crystallization power of the Female Titan, another one he had consumed, adding an extra layer of defense and attack.

"I wonder what could hurt me now..." he reflected out loud.

Kazuya was in a training room, one he had specifically requested from the system to test his abilities. Focusing, he mentally asked for a sharp, durable knife to be materialized for his test.

In an instant, a knife appeared in his hand.

Without hesitation, he gripped the knife and tried to stab himself in the stomach with force. The sound of the sharp metal slicing through the air echoed in the room, but as soon as the blade met his skin, the unexpected happened: the knife stopped. The impact reverberated in his hand as if he had struck a solid surface.

No scratch. No mark.

He stared in disbelief at the spot where the knife had hit. Despite the force he had used, the blade hadn't even managed to penetrate his skin. "Impressive," he murmured, feeling relief and excitement. His skin was truly almost indestructible.

Kazuya tried again, this time applying more pressure, but the result was the same. His flesh was now as resilient as the armor of an Armored Titan but without the discomfort of the external appearance. He was a true living fortress.

Releasing the knife indifferently, he turned his attention to the timer in his peripheral vision. Only 10 seconds remained until the battle in the arena began.

Kazuya waited patiently until a glow enveloped his body, bringing a sensation of lightness. Before he could fully process it, deafening cheers and applause filled his ears. The arena, vast and crowded with spectators, surrounded him.

The Coliseum was gigantic, with stands that seemed endless. Approximately ten thousand people packed the space, their eyes fixed on the two fighters. It was at this moment that Kazuya noticed his opponent. A tall woman with bronzed skin and short, silver hair falling messily around her face. Her eyes, a vivid red, gleamed with a mixture of challenge and cruelty. The most striking detail, however, was her right arm: entirely robotic, covered with intricate metal plates that hummed softly.

Whistles and boos echoed from the crowd, many directed at the woman. Shouts came from various directions:

"Kill that bitch!"

"These newbies are so weak I could crush them effortlessly!"

"This fight better be worth it, or I'll ask for my money back!"

Kazuya glanced around and understood what drove the crowd. Some were there just for the spectacle, wanting to see blood and violence. Others, fueled by pure hatred, craved the destruction of anyone in the arena. And some watched closely, trying to learn about future opponents.

He tried to move, but his body felt paralyzed. A timer appeared in front of him, also visible to the spectators in the coliseum. Ten seconds marked the time. until the battle began.

As the countdown started, he felt the weight of thousands of eyes upon him. A sense of grandeur began to grow within him — the temptation to see himself as the center of the universe, adored by all. However, Kazuya quickly repressed this impulse. He couldn't allow his narcissistic side to take over now. He needed absolute focus, especially since he didn't know what kind of power his opponent possessed.

The woman's predatory gaze didn't go unnoticed. Her red eyes shone with a bloodlust as if she wanted to devour him right then and there. Ignoring the pressure of that threatening gaze, Kazuya began studying her more closely. The robotic arm, the cold features, and the aggressive posture suggested someone who enjoyed killing. Someone who took pleasure in it.

He tried to deduce what kind of powers she might possess. There were so many possibilities... that mechanical arm, those malicious eyes.

Various possibilities flashed through Kazuya's mind as the timer continued its final countdown. As the number zero approached, something caught his attention: the woman's left arm. Unlike the right one, which was steel, the left was a human arm. She wore a white glove, but what intrigued him was the symbol glowing on the surface of the fabric.

"A transmutation circle..." Kazuya recognized it immediately. "Alchemist."

Before he could react, the timer hit zero. In the same instant, the woman raised her left arm and snapped her fingers with a decisive motion. A burst of fire erupted from nowhere, engulfing Kazuya in scorching flames. The heat was intense, and the attack was so swift that he barely had time to defend himself.

The crowd, seeing the scene, exploded in laughter and sarcastic comments.

"Is this guy dead already?" someone shouted from the middle of the crowd.