The cafeteria did not have many students around that evening. Some had eaten and left early, perhaps to prepare for the task of the following day.
That day was set to determine the levels of their strength. The academy had initially identified students with certain dreadful traits embedded in their genes. That was when students like Lantern Monroo, Garet, Yaksa, Skule, and Kilos were discovered.
As Lucas had suspected, the five of them each had origins rooted in the prehistoric era. They had proven their worth when they stood before Baxter.
Knowing this, the academy had subtly decided not to allow these particular students to compete against one another. This was to avert the catastrophic consequences that could result from their genes clashing.
For Kilos, the disappointment was unmistakable; he had to compete with the rest of the students to determine where he belonged. But the problem remained: how could a Tamer be unable to punch a training bag?
Lucas believed that test had to be re-conducted.
Kilos got a loaf of bread and some vegetables. He approached a table where he knew he could sit alone. He didn't have any friends yet, so he knew the best he could do was keep to himself until he found his footing. While he ate, he noticed that no one seemed to pay him any mind. There were no more restrictions on movement like when he first arrived.
"Does it mean I now have the freedom to do whatever I like?" Kilos's eyes caught a young boy who was looking in his direction.
When their eyes interlocked, the boy took the initiative. He picked up his food and approached Kilos, sitting at the same table. Kilos didn't bother to look up again since he could already feel his presence. Not long after, another student joined them.
"We can help you. My name's Manny," Manny's introduction was brisk, his words tumbling out with the speed of his speech.
It took a few seconds before Kilos fully processed what he said. Regardless, he wasn't interested, assuming the boy hadn't meant to speak to him.
"Take his words seriously, bro," the second boy added.
Kilos Barber could tell that the voice was different from the first. He raised his head, realizing it was indeed him they were addressing.
"He is Tiffany, and I'm Manny," Manny repeated the introduction, this time adding his friend's name with a cheerful grin.
Kilos Barber simply shrugged.
"I don't need your help. Thank you," he said, rising from the table and leaving his meal behind for them to gaze at.
Morning arrived in its full vigor and vitality. The streets of the academy were abuzz as students hurried toward the center.
According to what they had heard, the competition would be between groups. The atmosphere was thick with tension and anticipation; many hoped their opponents would be easy to handle.
They gathered in a large hall adorned with weapons displayed at the front. Each student was permitted to make a choice.
By 7 a.m., a long van arrived. Military men and women stepped out, clad in crisp uniforms, exuding an air of disciplined seriousness. They marched to the door, which opened of its own accord. The students stood ready. The awaited moment had come.
"Come forward and pick a card," Lucas commanded.
Two boxes were lowered—one from each end of the hall. The students surged forward to pick from the boxes. The scramble was chaotic, each one eager to select a favorable number. The personnel didn't intervene or attempt to restore order; they simply waited.
Some students, dissatisfied with the cards they picked, attempted to return and pick another.
Kilos Barber stood in confusion, uncertain which card to choose. But he had to pick one eventually. Closing his eyes, he reached in and pulled out a pink card with the number 7.
"Seven? Isn't pink a girl's color?" Kilos muttered, arguing silently with himself. But then he noticed Lantern Monroo at the other end of the hall, casually waving a black card in the air.
"A black card?"
The sorting and grouping commenced. Students with identical cards were grouped together and prepared to engage in duels, from which a winner would be determined. When Kilos checked those with the same card as his, he found none of his roommates among them. That gave him some relief, allowing him to focus better.
The first set to engage were the card number one holders—white cards. As soon as two of them stepped into the ring, the referee gave the order.
"Engage!" the referee declared.
The two boys rushed at each other. Their collision suggested a history of unresolved grudges. Their chests clashed with a loud thud, but it didn't last long. One of them failed to withstand the impact and crashed to the ground. He tried to rise, but the referee had already declared:
"Winner!"
The victor was awarded a badge slung across his shoulder. It gleamed with the inscription "Skill 7." He had demonstrated a high level of combat proficiency.
"Just like that—Level 7?" Kilos said to himself, finding it surprisingly easy when compared to the grueling strength test.
It reminded him how much he wanted to discover the truth about his strength after the unfortunate accident.
"Engage!" the referee's sharp voice rang out again.
This was for the number two, green card holders.
Tiffany's match was marked by calculated stillness. Yes, it was the same Tiffany Kilos had encountered at the cafeteria. Instead of launching into combat like the others, he stood still, carefully analyzing his opponent.
"C'mon!" his opponent taunted him.
Tiffany took a few slow steps. There was something unusual about his leg, though it wasn't easily noticeable. His opponent suddenly raised a foot, aiming to kick Tiffany in the stomach—but Tiffany caught the leg and threw him off balance. The boy fell backward, landing hard on his back. Before he could rise, the referee had already made a decision.
"Winner!"
"Oh, he could've recovered if the fight had continued," Kilos thought, surprised at how swiftly the winner was declared.
Then it was Lantern Monroo's turn. He stepped confidently into the ring. A large boy approached from the opposite end. He studied Lantern carefully before the referee signaled them to begin.
The challenger moved first, launching a dual attack—one aimed at Lantern's head and the other at his midsection.
He likely assumed Lantern would only be able to defend one, either the high or the low. But with surprising agility, Monroo dodged the head strike and simultaneously raised his leg to block the lower attack.
That move disrupted the challenger's strategy and left him momentarily stunned.
Now, both had a better read on each other. They positioned themselves again.
"Do you talk?" the boy asked.
"I am Lantern Monroo. What else do you want to know?"
"My name is Jara," he said loudly enough for all to hear.
They clashed again. Jara forced Monroo backward, shoving him around the ring. But Monroo planted his feet and resisted. He lured Jara into believing he had the upper hand. Then, suddenly, he lifted his knee with full force—striking Jara directly under the jaw. The blow was devastating. Jara collapsed to the ground.
"Winner!" the referee announced, praising Monroo's exceptional technique.
Kilos Barber's heart skipped when he learned his opponent was Manny.
"Good to see you. I've thought about this too," Manny said, as if trying to communicate that he hadn't expected this pairing either.
Kilos wasn't afraid of Manny in the slightest. He was ready to earn his rightful place, though he found it ironic how fate had brought them together again.
He knew this was a battle he couldn't afford to lose—not if he wanted to prevent his number of oppressors from growing.
Manny lunged first, extending his palms toward Kilos's face, aiming to strike. But Kilos tracked his movements carefully. He ducked just in time, rendering the attempt ineffective.
"You can dodge, but that's far from victory," Manny said, trying to provoke him.
Kilos saw an opening and seized the moment. He delivered a punch directly to Manny's chest. Manny clutched the area, clearly surprised. The blow wasn't powerful, but it was undeniably a statement.
Manny had seen Kilos bullied before and had assumed he wouldn't put up much of a fight. But the skill Kilos displayed now was far beyond what he had imagined.
For Manny, this fight was meant to serve as a lesson to Kilos. But instead, the tables had turned—dramatically.