Chapter 33 - Defiant

Kaito follows the flow of the other students, heading to the locker room to change clothes. His mind is still full of questions, but he feels some relief.

The changing room is fraught with tension for an obvious reason, and the uneasy silence is interrupted only by the muffled sounds of clothes being removed and shoes being adjusted.

There was a strange feeling of uneasiness in the air, a mixture of curiosity and distrust hovering among the students. Victor doesn't look at him and is quieter than usual, which all the students are finding strange.

While changing, Kaito looks into the mirror and stares at his reflection. He has indeed changed a lot, he literally looks like a different person.

The other boys around him look at Kaito as he takes off his shirt and shows an athletic body, but, although Kaito has evolved, there are several scars on his back that have not disappeared, even with the regenerative power of a vampire. Perhaps these marks are to show him that he has not simply changed his body, or perhaps they serve as an eternal reminder that he will never forget his past.

Kaito notices the looks from the other boys around him and quickly puts on his training shirt.

Just then, a short young man with spiky black hair approaches Kaito. His brown eyes display a mixture of curiosity and friendliness.

"Hey, you're Kaito, aren't you?" says the boy, extending his hand to greet him. "My name is Hiroshi. I'm also new here, transferred from an academy in Safe Area Z1."

Kaito shakes Hiroshi's hand, feeling confused by the boy's approach. "Nice to meet you, Hiroshi."

"Is the mood weird between you and the big strong guy, or is it just my impression?" Hiroshi muttered, leaning in close to Kaito.

"Ah... It's nothing you need to worry about. Just things from the past."

Crossing his arms, Hiroshi nods, seeming to understand. "By the way, Kaito is an oriental name, right? My family came from the east, well, before the world changed so much."

"That's interesting... Actually, my father was half-oriental and decided to honor his mother by naming me after my grandfather. You know how it is..."

As the two continue talking, the mood in the locker room lightens and the other students also prepare for training.

Upon leaving the locker room, Kaito and Hiroshi join the other students on the terrace, where Instructor Cooper is already waiting.

The terrace of the Academy building is a little different from normal terraces, because it has been adapted to host practice classes as they do not have space for a gymnasium. A large open area extends in front of them after the locker rooms, where there are markings on the floor indicating different training areas, such as hand-to-hand combat, agility and defense.

The view from the terrace is stunning. The blue sky is gray as it is on most days, but since the building is tall it feels like you can almost reach the clouds.

Instructor Cooper is positioned in the center of the terrace, where there are cushioned tatami mats, like those in a ring.

"Come on, people, form a circle!" says Cooper energetically, raising his arms to get everyone's attention. "Today we're going to focus on melee self-defense techniques, which means you're free to use what you know best. I want to see all of you putting in your best effort. Don't worry, I'll be here to guide you."

The students group together, forming a large circle, and Cooper takes the reins of the class, exclaiming in his firm voice that echoes throughout the terrace:

"Okay, now that everyone has formed the circle, pay attention. As always, I'm going to choose two people to give a demonstration here. There's no use raising your hand, Hiroshi. I'll be the one to decide."

Instructor Cooper's eyes glide between the three dozen students, as if he is analyzing them, except that everyone somehow already knows which ones will be chosen.

Suddenly, Cooper points to Victor, who even looks surprised, and then points to Kaito.

"It was you two who were causing a ruckus in the room, right? So it's time for you two to settle your differences." Instructor Cooper states out loud, but internally he has another belief. Every group needs a leader, without a leader there is no order. Victor has always been the leader of this room, but Kaito's return and change has brought emotional instability to Victor and consequently unstable the mood of the room. Therefore, Victor must defeat Kaito and show himself that he is still the leader of this room, so that everything will return to normal. Cooper thought to himself.

As usually happens, when the two students are chosen, they both start walking to the center of the circular tatami without saying anything.

The other students seem excited about this, both the athletic bullies, the girls and even the more ordinary students, who are fed up with Victor. Basically, the other students form an audience around to watch the demonstration.

Victor's defiant, poignant look contrasts with Kaito's serene expression.

Cooper stands in the center of the circle, watching the two opponents intently. "This will be a learning moment for all of us," says Instructor Cooper seriously. "Remember that this is just an exercise, an opportunity to apply the techniques we have learned so far. Maintain mutual respect for each other and use your knowledge responsibly. No breaking of bones is allowed and I will tell you when the confrontation is over."

The students keep their gaze fixed on Victor and Kaito as Instructor Cooper signals for them to take their positions.

The two combatants prepare for the clash as they face each other.

Victor looks Kaito up and down and thinks:

'I can't believe I almost apologized to this guy... He is the same person I have used hundreds of times before as my punching bag. He may be taller and more athletic now, but he's no different... Get ready, Kaito, you will fall once again by the technique of my fists.'

However, despite Victor's determination, when he finishes adopting his fighting stance, he looks down at his own hands and realizes that he is trembling.

For his part, Kaito has never thought of seeking revenge, or even anything close to it. He doesn't hate Victor, he just hates the weak person inside himself. However, Kaito is also human and wants more than anyone to finish Victor off in front of everyone, so he smiles with the corner of his mouth when he notices a look of fear on Victor's face.

Silence hangs in the air as the tension builds. Only the whispers of the wind and the controlled breathing of the spectators are heard.

Finally, the confrontation begins when Instructor Cooper uses his whistle.

Victor, with his brutal strength, lunges toward Kaito, demonstrating aggressiveness and a confidence that does not exist. He intends to impose his technical dominance on Kaito from the start.

'He is... slow.' Kaito thinks as he sees Victor approaching and without any difficulty deflects the first punch attempts by Victor. 'One high punch on the left. Another on the right. Lastly, a low kick aimed at the stomach... I can practically see his movements. Is that the difference between an Awakened and an ordinary person?' Kaito wonders.

As Kaito analyzes his opponent's movements, all the spectators are impressed by his dodges, because almost none of them could dodge a blow from Victor like that.

Cooper is the one who is most surprised by Kaito's movements, because according to his logic, no matter how much the boy has slimmed down and grown a few inches because of puberty, it should be impossible for him to evolve his reflexes that much in just over a year.

'Victor is a boy from a large family, owning several warehouses, so he had access to martial arts education from a young age, which explains his improved reflexes, but nothing explains Kaito's evolution.' Cooper concludes, startled.

And just a few seconds after the fight starts, Kaito takes advantage of a punch from Victor towards his face to grab his opponent's arm and spin him in the air, throwing him backwards against the tatami. The movement is fluid and fast, like that of a professional, and when Victor hits his back against the ground, he feels his consciousness almost fade from so much pain.

'Oops... I think I overdid it.' Kaito thinks as he gets up and sees Victor all crooked on the ground.

Some of Kaito's colleagues burst out in celebration, while others are too shocked to show any reaction.