In the VIP booth, the atmosphere was one of intense, professional curiosity. The Headmaster stroked his magnificent beard, his eyes fixed on Ron Sanchez, who was calmly sitting back down as if he'd just taken a stroll, not utterly annihilated a physical powerhouse.
"Pull up his full record," the Headmaster murmured to an aide. A holographic screen materialized before him.
**Sanchez, Ron**
**Profession: [String Theorist] - Unique**
**Rank: C**
**Status: Enrolled - Special Admission**
"A Unique string user. Rank C," the Headmaster mused aloud. "And he just used those strings to lift a two-hundred-kilogram student and use him as a wrecking ball. The efficiency of force application is… staggering."
Instructor Borin crossed his massive arms, a proud grin still plastered on his face. "I saw him fight Snow Menikins last week. Took her down just as casually. The kid doesn't waste a single movement. It's all in the control."
"The strings are completely invisible to the naked eye," Professor Vance observed, her analytical mind whirring. "Even with my sight enhanced by my former profession, I can only perceive the faintest shimmer when the light hits them just right. The fine control required to generate and manipulate filaments that thin, with that much strength and precision, is theoretically impossible for someone with his level of awakened stamina. Even a seasoned B-Rank Hunter would struggle to maintain such a complex construct."
The Headmaster's eyes gleamed. "But that's the thing about Uniques, Professor. They defy theory. Their abilities operate on a different logic entirely. It seems we don't just have a strong student on our hands…" He smiled, a genuine, impressed smile. "It seems we have a genius."
Their attention was pulled back to the arena as the next round of matches was announced.
"**For Class 1, Ron Sanchez, will now face Class 4's B-Rank combatant, Fruel Burns!**"
A girl with vibrant red hair and a confident smirk stepped into the ring. Flames licked playfully around her fingers. She was known for her strong personality and even stronger [Pyro-Kinetic] abilities.
"Ah, a fire user," the Headmaster said, leaning forward. "A natural counter, one would think. Can his strings withstand the heat? Can they be melted?"
Borin shook his head. "Doubt it. Remember, he dismantled Snow's giant ice lance in seconds. Ice that dense requires tremendous force and cutting power to break apart like that. His strings didn't just resist the cold; they sliced through it like it was nothing. If they can handle that, a little heat might not be an issue."
"A valid point," Professor Vance conceded. "The thermal transfer rate would be a key factor. If the energy conductivity is low enough…"
Down in the arena, Fruel didn't waste time. "Sorry, Sanchez, but your invisible trick won't work on me!" she yelled, unleashing a volley of fireballs. They roared through the air, leaving trails of superheated air.
I didn't dodge. I was curious, too. I created a wide, dense net of my reinforced strings, weaving them tightly together in front of me. It was my first real test against extreme heat.
The fireballs hit the invisible net and *detonated*.
The crowd gasped, expecting me to be blown back. But the explosion bloomed outward, contained and dissipated against my barrier. A wave of heat washed over me, but the strings themselves held firm. I could *feel* the heat through the connection, a warm tingling sensation, but nothing close to melting. The silk-infused reinforcement was doing its job beautifully.
*Huh. Fireproof strings. Good to know.*
Fruel's eyes widened in shock. She poured on more power, creating a sustained jet of flame, trying to burn through my defense.
I decided the science experiment was over. While she was focused on the wall of fire in front of her, I sent dozens of thinner strings skittering across the floor like invisible snakes. They wrapped around her ankles, wrists, and waist before she even knew they were there.
She gasped as her arms were pinned to her sides. She tried to struggle, flames erupting from her skin in panic, but it was useless. The strings were immune to her fire, and my control was absolute. She was trapped in an invisible straightjacket, her flames flickering out as her concentration broke.
The announcer, less shocked this time, called it. "**Ron Sanchez wins!**"
I released her, gave a slight, casual nod, and walked off the arena floor. I could feel hundreds of eyes tracking my every move. The whispers in the crowd were no longer just about shock; they were tinged with fear and awe. *"How did he do that?" "He didn't even break a sweat!" "He's just toying with everyone!"*
I sat back down in my seat, ignoring the stares burning into me. The Class 1 students around me had given me a full meter of personal space. I was no longer just another student; I was an unpredictable force of nature.
Inside, I was ecstatic. *Fireproof!* My power was just getting cooler and cooler. I couldn't wait to see what other ridiculous things I could do. This tournament wasn't just about winning a prize anymore.
It was about testing my limits. And so far, I couldn't find them.