Shino stepped forward and placed his hand on the massive rock.
Up close, it felt even more unnatural—like the air around it was heavier.
Shino (thinking):
(This thing… it feels unimaginably heavy.)
He placed both palms against the stone and pushed.
Nothing.
Not even a tremble.
Shino clenched his teeth.
Shino (thinking):
Focus, Shino! Focus everything—every bit of strength—into your hands!
For the first time since the training began, the rock shifted.
Just a little.
But it moved.
Shino staggered back, his body drained, knees nearly giving out.
Jeisuke (thinking):
(How is that possible…? I couldn't even move it a centimeter—and he moved it inches. Is Shino actually stronger than me? No… this doesn't make sense.)
Akaimo cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.
Akaimo:
"Alright then… my turn. Let's see how tough you really are, bad boy."
He braced himself and pushed.
Nothing happened.
Instead, Akaimo felt a sudden pressure—like the rock was pushing back.
He was thrown backward and slammed onto the ground.
Akaimo lay there, breathing hard.
Akaimo:
"What the hell…? It felt like the rock pushed me instead."
Momoshimo stepped forward calmly.
Momoshimo:
"My ability is related to stones. I might be able to move it more."
He placed both hands on the rock and pushed with everything he had.
Nothing.
Momoshimo:
"Ahh… ngh—!"
Sweat rolled down his face.
Momoshimo (thinking):
Focus, Momoshimo. Don't fight the rock—understand it.
The stone shifted again—this time more than before.
Jeisuke (thinking):
(What?! Again?! Is reality messing with me? They're weaker than me—physically, I know they are! Then how are they doing this? What's their secret?!)
Shino looked genuinely impressed.
Shino:
"Nice. You moved it more than I did."
He turned.
Shino:
"Shizuku. Your turn."
Shizuku stepped forward without a word.
Her eyes locked onto the rock.
She took a breath.
Focused.
And pushed.
The ground groaned.
The rock slid forward—far.
Five meters.
Ten.
Fifteen.
Nearly twenty meters.
Shizuku stepped back, slightly surprised.
Shizuku:
"It's heavy, yeah… but not that heavy. Are you guys messing around, or what?"
Silence.
No one could believe what they had just seen.
Everyone ashamed for not being able to do something Shizuku did.
Jeisuke felt his chest tighten.
Jeisuke (thinking):
(No… this can't be real. What's wrong with this rock? Or… what's wrong with me? I'm stronger than all of them. She said it wasn't that heavy—and she moved it that far. Shinji-sensei said it had special properties…)
Jeisuke stepped forward, eyes burning.
Jeisuke:
"Everyone—move back."
They gave him space.
Jeisuke planted his feet and placed both hands on the stone.
This time—
Jeisuke was completely locked in.