The fight had ended, but the aftermath had only begun.
Both finalists were immediately placed into advanced medical recovery pods, their vitals stabilized and monitored by military-grade diagnostics. Auren's bruised ribs and microfractures healed in hours, his body replenished by fusion-grade stem tech.
Damien, however, was different.
For the first time since his birth, the Academy ran a full-body analysis on the boy who had taken their world by storm. What they discovered shook the core of Xyprus' scientific division.
His muscle fibers were unnaturally dense, coiled tight like steel cables under pressure. Not grown, not enhanced. Born that way.
His bone structure was even stranger—denser than high-level fusion athletes, yet still growing. At just fourteen, he carried the frame of a war machine. A human weapon without need of fusion or AI.
"His skeleton could stop a rail-round with enough mass."
"No signs of grafting, no splicing markers. This isn't modified."
"He was born like this."
The files were locked immediately. Red-level clearance only. Only the highest-ranking officials at Xyprus Academy had access.
Two Days Later
Damien stood before the rankings board with swollen eyes and wrapped knuckles. His name was there—#3.
Second place in the tournament. But third overall.
He stared.
"Third?"
He turned to the rankings officer.
"I beat four older seniors. No coach. No AI. No serum. And you put me behind a guy who passed math class?"
No answer.
"I thought this was a place where fists rule," he muttered.Then, louder, for the hall to hear:"Who gives a shit about history class?"
Xyprus Academy Combat Rankings (Top 12)
Updated: Post-Tournament Cycle 27.92
Auren Valebright AI Neural Combat System Mk.8 / Fusion Tier-S / Tyson-Ali Hybrid VariantFlawless academic record. Tournament Champion.
Sereph Kaidenn Seraphim-class Fusion Wings / Aerial Combat SpecStrategic prodigy, undefeated until injury.
Damien Thorne Unaugmented / Unknown Genetic ClassTournament Runner-Up. No enhancements. Highest raw power index.
Draven Vox Cybernetic Reflex Framework / Fusion-BRecord: 42 wins / 3 losses. Team captain.
Lyka Solace Psi-Linked Fusion Type / Precision Combat AITop 3 in strategic AI interfacing.
Rikuu Marr Kinetic Redirector / Hyper-Athletic Class C FusionBest reaction time recorded in Xyprus.
Vas Lemorak Full-Body Dermal Armor / Brawler-Class FusionGround & pound specialist.
Tessa Myrrh Neural Hacking Support / Stealth Combat TypeVictory through subversion.
Kael Droven Multi-Form Muscle Architecture / Gene-Sync FusionBalanced, durable, loyal.
Echo Vharn Null-Class Fighter / Partial Serum Reversal ProjectClassified origins.
Mika Renn AI-linked speed variant / Dual-blade specialistFastest on foot in Academy.
Thorne Vance Fusion Tier-C / Traditional power strikerLast year's #3, currently dropping.