The afternoon sun shined over the training field of Nova High.
Students had gathered again to watch another fight.
Kai stood in the middle of the arena.
Across from him was a tall student named Derek, an A-Rank fighter known for his strength ability.
Students whispered in the stands.
"That powerless guy again?"
"He never learns."
Derek cracked his knuckles and smiled.
"You should just give up before this starts."
Kai shrugged.
"Teacher said we have to fight."
The teacher raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Derek rushed forward immediately.
BAM!
His fist slammed into Kai's shoulder, sending him stumbling backward.
Another punch hit his stomach.
Kai fell to one knee.
Students in the stands laughed.
"This is boring."
"He's too weak."
Derek grabbed Kai by the collar and threw him to the ground.
THUD.
Kai didn't fight back.
He just lay there quietly as the dust settled around him.
The teacher stepped forward.
"Match over."
Students slowly began leaving the arena, already losing interest.
"Another easy win."
"Why does that guy even come to this school?"
Soon the arena became almost empty.
Derek walked away proudly.
The teacher left.
Even the last few students disappeared.
Silence filled the arena.
Kai remained on the ground for a moment.
Then slowly…
He sat up.
His head hung low.
A drop of blood fell onto the floor.
"…That hurt," he muttered quietly.
Then something changed.
Kai slowly lifted his head.
His eyes began to glow a deep red.
The air around him felt heavier.
A faint dark energy flickered around his body.
Kai clenched his fist.
For a moment, it looked like the entire arena trembled slightly.
But then—
He took a deep breath.
The red glow disappeared.
Kai stood up slowly and brushed the dust off his uniform.
"No… not yet," he whispered.
He turned and walked out of the empty arena.
Because if anyone had seen those red eyes…
The secret of the Hidden King would have been revealed.