But while the minds of the others spun at what they had just witnessed, Malakai’s thoughts shifted inward, his attention on the vita streaming into his body. He just had an amazing realization.
‘That should work.’ His eyes gleamed slightly.
Malakai gave a brief nod to the instructor, who now wore a wide, almost childlike grin, before stepping back to his former spot, the eyes of the entire class following behind him.
Seconds passed. Then Yonin suddenly clapped his hands, snapping everyone out of their daze.
“Alright. We’ve come to the end of today’s class,” he announced. “As usual, you all performed spectacularly. However… there’s still plenty of room for improvement. I suggest you go over today’s lesson in your head, and figure out how to handle yourselves better during battle.”
His eyes swept across the students who were still clearly reeling from what they had seen, and then he nodded once.
“You’re dismissed.”
A collective breath was released as the students turned and began to leave. Some with quickened steps.
Many casted backward glances at the boy who had just flipped everything on its head.
Malakai stayed back for a moment longer, before he followed leaving only Yonin behind.
Yonin stood still with his eyes fixed on the departing group, specifically, on Malakai’s back.
“How did you know?” he muttered aloud. It looked as though he was talking to himself, until…
“I tested him myself.”
Yonin spun. His expression shifted from confusion to irritation as a figure emerged from the shadows of the forest.
“Grinner!” he barked. “You cheated me!”
Grinner approached with that same calm smile. “You were always a sore loser, Yonin. I didn’t cheat. I offered a deal, and you accepted.”
Yonin’s frown deepened. “You didn’t tell me you tested him personally.”
“You didn’t ask,” Grinner replied smoothly.
Yonin clicked his tongue, clearly unable to argue further.
Grinner came to stand beside him, both of them now watching Malakai fade into the distance.
“What do you think?” Grinner asked.
Yonin sighed, finally accepting the outcome. His eyes lingered on the boy’s back, hardening.
“Simple. He’s a monster.”
He said it without a trace of hesitation. His voice was firm.
“You know, when you suddenly proposed that bet, I thought you’d lost your damn mind. The Ninth Vein, who just evolved, against the strongest Genesis creature I could find? It was absurd.”
He paused, then lowered his voice. “But he was the absurd one. From the moment I summoned that creature to the moment he killed it, his eyes never changed. Not once. Even the other Veins trembled a bit when I brought theirs. But him… there was nothing.”
Grinner’s smile widened. “I thought the same thing while fighting him.”
Then, after a second, he added,
“Doesn’t he remind you of him?”
Yonin’s eyes widened. “Hmm… If that kid is anything like his father, then things are about to stir in this clan.”
Grinner gave a knowing nod. “It’s going to get interesting.”
Then he turned toward Yonin and stretched out his hand.
Yonin groaned, already dreading what was coming. He reached into the sack at his waist, pulled out a small pouch, and slapped it into Grinner’s palm.
“You’re going to make me starve this month,” he muttered.
Grinner chuckled. “You’ll survive. Maybe skip a few snacks.”
Yonin shot him a look. “You’re the worst.”
“I’ve been called worse,” Grinner replied, pocketing the winnings.
…
Since the darkness creature hunt discipline ended about 40 minutes before the next discipline, the youths had idled about until it was time for the next one.
The will resonance discipline.
Malakai didn’t need to read the book to understand what this entailed.
It was simple, really.
In order to stand before a darkness creature and fight, one thing was paramount, will.
The weak-willed couldn’t even stand, much less raise a weapon. That was the reason most of the youths had performed so poorly during the darkness hunts discipline.
But the Will Resonance Training was meant to change that. To condition and refine their mental fortitude until it could at least be considered acceptable.
There were numerous ways to temper one’s will, through pain, suffering, desperation, even fear. But for the advanced class, they had chosen something deceptively simple:
Reach the instructor.
Only… it wasn’t simple at all.
Each student had to walk through the full force of a Blood Champion’s killing intent and reach the man standing at the end of the field.
Most didn’t even budge an inch. Many collapsed on the spot, eyes wide, unable to breathe.
Of all the youths, only a handful had even taken a few steps.
And among them… only the three Veins were still moving.
But the real thing that shocked every single youth in the class…
Malakai was leading.
His steps were slow, painfully so, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that he moved.
Every inch of his body was soaked in sweat. His arms trembled. His legs felt like they were dragging through wet concrete. But step by step, he advanced.
The killing intent of a Blood Champion was immense. Overwhelming. It was enough to make seasoned men falter.
But Malakai had kissed death more times than he could count. As long as his limbs still worked, he would keep going.
Behind him, the Veins pushed forward with gritted teeth, their expressions twisted in pain. And yet, even though they trailed behind him… they looked far worse off.
Their gazes burned into Malakai’s back as he continued to widen the gap.
‘How is his will so strong?’ Julius thought in disbelief.
They all knew about the Sovereign’s missions. But none of them had ever believed Malakai actually did anything during them.
They thought he got lucky each time, barely survived and came back by chance.
Regardless, this test made it clear, Malakai was the victor of this class.
As the seconds dragged on, Malakai finally reached the instructor, who stood frozen with wide eyes. Malakai raised a trembling hand and tapped his arm.
Then, without a word, he collapsed. He hit the ground, his chest heaving, his breath loud and ragged.
And all the instructor could do… was stare.