Arjun stepped onto the platform.
The stone beneath his feet pulsed faintly.
Across from him stood his opponent—
A muscular student with a confident grin.
"New student, huh?" he said.
"Don't worry. I'll go easy."
Arjun said nothing.
The elder raised his hand—
"Begin."
The opponent charged instantly.
Fast. Aggressive.
His fist cut through the air with force.
Arjun didn't move.
Until the last moment—
Shadow Step.
His body blurred like mist.
Gasps erupted.
"What—?!"
Before the opponent could react—
Arjun appeared to his side.
A precise strike—
Not too strong.
Not too weak.
Just enough.
THUD.
The opponent dropped to one knee.
Shock filled his face.
"How…?"
Arjun stepped back.
Calm.
"Yield."
The opponent hesitated… then lowered his head.
"I yield."
The arena went silent.
Then—
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"That was clean…"
"No wasted movement…"
"He's not normal…"