The city's noise faded as I walked through quiet streets toward home. The sun hung low, casting long shadows between the buildings.
Dust clung to my clothes, and the faint scent of burnt ozone still lingered from the Gate battle.
My steps were slow, lazy as always, but my mind was restless—replaying the fight, the monstrous hand, the woman's words.
The rubber summon part rested heavy in my pocket, unremarkable but trustworthy.
I reached the modest house where I lived alone, the wooden door creaking softly as I pushed it open.
Inside, silence greeted me.
No bustling family. No distractions. Just empty rooms and the faint scent of old wood.
I dropped my bag by the entrance and sank onto the worn floor.
For a moment, exhaustion washed over me.
The battle, the Gate, everything—it weighed on my shoulders.
But I pushed the heaviness aside.
Tomorrow was another day.
And I had to get stronger.
The sun was high as we stepped into the outdoor training grounds, a wide open space surrounded by tall walls designed to contain summons and magic.
Instructor Cain stood nearby, overseeing the match-ups.
"Today's exercise will be one-on-one duels," he announced. "Use your summons and tactics to defeat your opponent."
The air buzzed with excitement and tension.
My name was called.
I rose slowly, the rubber summon part heavy in my pocket.
Across the field stood Rina—a fast and skilled summoner known for her elemental attacks.
She gave me a confident smirk.
"Ready to lose, Kamiya?"
I shrugged, unfazed.
"Let's get this over with."
Cain raised his hand.
"Begin!"
The moment Cain's hand dropped, Rina surged forward like lightning, her hands glowing with crackling energy.
"Feel the storm!" she shouted, summoning a swirling orb of electricity that shot toward me like a missile.
I barely had time to react.
Snapping my hand forward, I summoned the rubber right hand beside me.
It stretched out quickly, intercepting the electric orb with a loud thwack, the rubber absorbing the shock.
Rina's eyes widened in surprise.
Before she could strike again, I launched a rapid series of punches—the Gatling Gun—each hit snapping forward like a bullet, hammering her guard.
She gritted her teeth, blocking but forced backward.
"Impressive speed," she growled.
I smirked, not letting up.
The rubber hand extended again, aiming for her side, ready to follow up.
Rina gritted her teeth, eyes flashing with determination. She twisted her wrist, summoning a whip-like strand of crackling electricity that lashed toward me with blinding speed.
I barely dodged, feeling the air snap where the electric whip had just been.
She smiled fiercely. "You're fast, but can you handle this?"
With a sharp motion, she sent a volley of smaller lightning bolts zigzagging across the ground, aiming to trap me.
I had to think fast. The electric sparks hissed as they scorched the dirt, forcing me to keep moving.
The battle wasn't just about power — it was a test of wit and timing.
I adjusted my stance, ready to strike back.
I gripped my summoned rubber hand tightly—then jumped, letting the elastic tension launch me into the air.
Rina's eyes widened. "What—?!"
I soared above her, body twisting mid-air. With my other hand, I summoned a second rubber fist—already cocked back.
"Gomu Gomu no… Pistol!"
With a loud snap, the second hand shot forward like a bullet, aiming straight for Rina's exposed front.
She tried to dodge, but the angle and speed caught her off-guard. The punch slammed into her shoulder, knocking her back and forcing her to skid across the ground.
Dust rose as she groaned and clutched her arm, staggering.
I landed softly, still calm. "You okay?"
She glared, a bit dazed, but impressed. "Where the hell did that come from?"
Instructor Cain raised his hand. "Enough! The match is over."
The other students stared in disbelief, whispers already spreading through the crowd.
"Did you see that punch?" one student whispered, eyes wide.
"Was that… a rubber-type summon? That reach was insane!"
"No way he's a first-time summoner…"
Whispers rippled through the class like wildfire. Most of them had dismissed Yuuya as just another lazy student—quiet, average, and uninterested. But now?
He was the center of attention.
Rina stood up slowly, dusting herself off with a faint wince. She gave Yuuya a long look, not with hostility—but curiosity. "You're better than you look," she muttered, then walked past him with a slight smirk. "Guess I'll take you seriously next time."
Yuuya scratched his head, barely reacting. "I'd rather not do that again."
Instructor Cain stepped forward, arms crossed. "Unexpected, Kamiya. You've clearly bonded well with your summon part. That control... it's not something most achieve in their first week."
Yuuya blinked. "Uh... thanks, I guess."
Cain turned to the rest of the class. "Learn from this. Raw power isn't everything. Control, timing, and creativity win battles. Dismissed for now."
As the students began dispersing, a few stole glances at Yuuya, murmuring.
"I thought he was a nobody…"
"Where did that move even come from…?"
Yuuya sighed under his breath as he walked toward the shade.
"Great. Just what I didn't want. Attention."