Vieira barely dodged as the Shadow's claws tore through the air. It was faster than anything he had ever fought. His instincts screamed at him to run.... but something deep inside refused.
He planted his feet, gritted his teeth, and charged.
With all his strength, Vieira slammed his fist into the creature's side. He expected resistance, but it was like punching smoke. The Shadow twisted unnaturally, reforming like liquid darkness.
Before he could react, a clawed hand lashed out.
Pain exploded in his side. Vieira gasped, stumbling back, clutching his ribs.
"This isn't a fight. It's a massacre." Aya muttered, arms crossed.
Ryo adjusted his glasses. "He is not using soul energy. He's relying purely on instinct and brute strength."
Kenji was silent, watching intently.
Kaito, standing at a distance, simply observed. His expression unreadable.
Vieira refused to back down. He rushed the Shadow again.....dodging left, weaving right.....using his speed to stay ahead of its claws.
He struck again. And again. Each hit landed, but none did any real damage.
Then the Shadow's form blurred.
A dark tendril shot out, wrapping around Vieira's ankle. His eyes widened.....before he was yanked off his feet.
Slammed into the ground.
Then lifted.....
And slammed again.
The air was knocked from his lungs. His vision blurred. He couldn't breathe. Couldn't move.
The Shadow loomed over him, its featureless face twisting into something that almost looked like a smile.
"Damn it… I can't die like this..."
Something inside him stirred.
A pressure. A weight deep in his chest.
Not fear. Not pain.
Something else.
As the Shadow raised its claws for the finishing blow...Vieira felt it snap.
Like a chain breaking.
A pulse erupted from his body.
A faint shimmer of energy cracked through the air around him. For the first time, the Shadow staggered.
Vieira gasped for breath, his body feeling lighter, stronger.
The Shadow hesitated.
Not for long.
It lunged again...but this time, Vieira moved.
He didn't think. Didn't plan. His body just reacted.
Ducking. Twisting. Countering.
He swung his fist, and this time, the Shadow felt it.
The impact sent ripples through its body. It wasn't much, but it was something.
From the sidelines, Kenji's expression finally changed.
"He's… adapting."
Ryo exhaled sharply. "Not just adapting. He's waking up."
"Enough."
Kaito's voice cut through the hall like a blade.
He lifted his hand, and the Shadow froze. Its body twisted unnaturally for a moment.....before it collapsed into nothingness.
Vieira, still breathing heavily, collapsed to his knees.
Kaito walked forward, staring down at him. His eyes sharp.
"You fought with nothing but instinct and survived." His tone was unreadable. "Interesting."
Vieira glared up at him, chest rising and falling. "Thanks for the test, asshole."
Aya chuckled. Kenji smirked. Ryo simply adjusted his glasses.
Vieira remained on his knees, his breath ragged. His body ached all over, but something was different. He could still feel it. That strange energy, faint but present, like a newly lit flame.
Kaito took a long look at him before turning to Ryo.
"You have a fine student," Kaito said, his voice carrying an edge of amusement. "He's all yours."
Ryo exhaled sharply, adjusting his glasses with a smirk. "Hmmm. Told you."
Vieira looked up, still catching his breath, unaware that his real training had only just begun.