The categorization of beast slaves by class was never meant to determine direct strength. It was designed to indicate origin, possible abilities, initial Aether output, and most importantly—potential.
But potential was not power.
And that was something Hiro was currently learning.
---
On the other side of the arena, the fight between Hiro and Scott continued.
*BOOM! *
A dust cloud erupted as Hiro staggered out of it, his body already covered in small scratches and bruises. His white fur was smeared with dirt and blood. One of his tails dragged limply behind him.
Which made the previous opening seem like a lie.
Across from him, Scott stood with his arms crossed.
Not a single scratch.
What is this guy made of? Hiro wondered, chest heaving.
None of his moves seemed to work. Not the Severing Claw. Not his flare shot. Nothing.
It wasn't that Scott was fundamentally stronger. His Aether output wasn't overwhelming. His physical strength, while impressive, wasn't insurmountable.
The difference was experience.
Every attack Hiro threw, Scott had a perfect counter. Every opening Hiro tried to create, Scott closed. And when the gorilla struck back, his blows found their marks with surgical precision.
Hiro wasn't being overpowered.
He was being outclassed.
---
Hiro scrambled to his feet just as Scott's shadow fell over him.
Come on, he thought, his mind racing. There has to be something I can do.
He remembered his brutal training sessions with Yurei. The way she moved. The way she read his attacks before he even made them.
"Look for the opening," she had said. "Every fighter has one."
Opening! Hiro's eyes darted across Scott's body. I need an opening!
The gorilla raised both fists, ready to bring them down like a hammer—
Hiro's tails moved first.
Three of them shot forward, wrapping around Scott's arms and yanking them to the sides. The gorilla stumbled, caught off-balance.
Finally! Hiro surged forward. I just have to use more power than before!
He slashed at Scott's exposed chest.
*Severing Claw — Double Output! *
This time, the claws found flesh.
Scott roared—more in surprise than pain—and tore his arms free. He backpedaled, reassessing, one hand pressed against the wound on his chest.
What the hell?! Scott thought, clenching his teeth against the sting. Where did that come from?
The crowd cheered. Not for either fighter—just for the spectacle.
---
"He's strong," Hiro admitted through the bond.
"So are you." Yurei's voice resounded in his head, calm and steady.
Wait, Yurei—aren't you supposed to be fighting Beatrice?
"Already done. But pay attention to your fight."
Hiro blinked. Already?
"Focus, Hiro."
He shook his head, forcing his attention back to Scott.
"You're faster," Yurei continued. "More agile. Use that."
"His fur is too tough. I can't—"
"Then don't aim for his fur. Aim for his face. His eyes. His mouth."
Hiro's ears perked. "His mouth?"
"No metal in there."
Hiro's gaze snapped to Scott's face.
The gorilla was panting, blood trickling from the wound on his chest. But his eyes were still sharp. Still calculating. Still watching.
One shot, Hiro thought, studying the gorilla's open mouth, the soft tissue inside. I only need one.
But that's too obvious, how about that!!
He charged.
---
Scott raised his fists to block—
Hiro slid.
Not at the gorilla's chest. Not at his legs.
Under him.
Between his legs.
Scott's eyes widened as Hiro emerged behind him, twisting in mid-air to face the gorilla's exposed back. He lunged—
And bit down on Scott's tail.
The gorilla shrieked.
It wasn't a powerful attack. It wasn't elegant. It was desperate, almost ridiculous—a fox biting a gorilla's tail like a dog worrying a bone.
But it was unexpected.
And it threw Scott off-balance.
He spun, trying to swat Hiro away, but Hiro was already moving—circling, staying behind him, staying out of reach. His smaller frame was an advantage here, in close quarters, where the gorilla's bulk worked against him.
"Now," Yurei said. "End it."
Hiro's tails shot forward—all nine of them—wrapping around Scott's arms, legs, and torso. The gorilla struggled, but the tails held.
Hiro reared back on his hind legs.
And brought his front paws down on Scott's head.
Not hard enough to hurt.
Hard enough to stun.
Scott's eyes glazed over. His struggles weakened. His arms sagged. His legs buckled.
Then, slowly, he slumped to his knees.
Hiro released him and stepped back, chest heaving, legs trembling. His fur was matted with sweat and blood. His lungs burned.
The crowd was silent.
Then—
Cheering.
Loud. Raucous. Genuine.
Scott looked up at Hiro, rubbing his head where the blow had landed. His eyes were still dazed, but a grin was spreading across his face.
"Not bad," the gorilla rumbled—actually spoke. "Not bad at all."
Hiro managed a weak smile.
"Thanks."
He collapsed.
---
Across the arena, Beatrice watched Scott kneel. Her jaw tightened—but she didn't look away. "He did good," she muttered. "The kid did good too."
Yurei watched her slave crumple to the ground. She felt his exhaustion through the bond—bone-deep, absolute.
But beneath it, satisfaction.
He did it.
She smiled.