Oscar groaned as he pushed himself up.
His body ached from the shockwave Haruto had released. Even now, his muscles protested every movement.
“That old man hits like a truck.”
Haruto stood in the clearing with his arms crossed, a calm expression on his face.
“That’s it?” Haruto said mockingly.
Oscar rolled his shoulders.
“Depends. Are you done throwing people across the yard?”
Haruto chuckled.
“Stop whining. The exam might kill you in that state.”
Oscar clicked his tongue.
“It sucks that you’re right.”
Oscar returned to his fighting stance.
His core stirred weakly inside him.
Even now the energy felt unstable, like several currents fighting beneath his skin.
I’m still a mess.
Oscar clenched his fists.
If I can’t learn to control this energy, how the hell am I going to pass the exam?
Haruto’s voice cut through his thoughts.
“Dude. Stop thinking so much.”
Oscar blinked.
“You said what?”
“You take too long to make decisions,” Haruto said. “Even the smallest hesitation can get you killed.”
Oscar looked puzzled.
“Isn’t that the point of instincts?”
Haruto shook his head.
“No, idiot. Instincts save you.”
He paused.
“But control… that wins fights.”
Oscar stared at him for a moment.
“Easy for you to say.”
Haruto thought for a moment, trying to explain it in a way Oscar would understand.
“Think of your core like a generator,” Haruto said. “Your core converts your innate affinities into energy. That energy flows through your body waiting to be released.”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
He continued.
“But if you put too much pressure on your core, just like a generator… it will explode.”
Oscar nodded slowly.
“Remember this,” Haruto said. “You don’t have an infinite amount of energy. If you overwork your core, it will crack.”
He pointed at Oscar’s chest.
“Focus on controlling your energy instead of just burning through it.”
Oscar shifted his stance.
He slowed his breathing.
“Combat Mode: Dead Man’s Intuition.”
The world felt different instantly.
Sounds sharpened.
Movement slowed.
His body reacted before his mind could.
Oscar stepped forward.
This time he didn’t charge.
He kept his distance.
He circled Haruto.
Watching.
Haruto noticed immediately.
“Better,” he said.
Oscar didn’t respond.
He’s testing me.
Every movement Haruto made felt dangerous.
Even standing still.
How the hell do I fight someone like this?
Suddenly Oscar’s instincts screamed.
Left.
Oscar moved before he even understood why.
A shockwave ripped through the space where he had just been standing.
The air cracked with force.
Oscar slid across the ground.
“Great reaction,” Haruto said.
Oscar grinned.
“Dead Man’s Intuition.”
Haruto’s eyes narrowed with interest.
“Interesting ability.”
Oscar launched himself forward again.
He gathered energy into his legs.
He jumped, bringing his leg down in a powerful axe kick.
Haruto moved to counter.
Oscar vanished.
Space twisted around him for a moment.
A blink.
Oscar reappeared behind Haruto.
“There it is,” Haruto said happily.
Oscar swung for Haruto’s vitals.
Haruto flicked his hand.
The burst of force stopped Oscar’s punch instantly.
Oscar’s eyes widened.
His balance faltered.
What—
The shockwave hit a moment later.
BOOM.
Oscar flew across the clearing and crashed into the dirt.
He coughed.
“That one was a bit lighter,” Haruto said casually.
Oscar groaned.
“Lighter my ass.”
He wiped dirt from his mouth.
He didn’t even move.
That realization bothered him more than the impact.
Teleportation isn’t going to work.
I need more energy… faster movement… stronger strikes.
His core pulsed again.
Unstable energy flickered across his body.
Haruto noticed immediately.
“Enough.”
Oscar froze.
Haruto pointed at his arms.
“That’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid.”
“You’re forcing your core again.”
Oscar looked down.
Energy leaked faintly from his skin.
“How?”
Haruto studied him closely.
The energy inside Oscar felt strange.
Layered.
Unnatural.
Like several cores trying to exist at once.
What kind of experiment did they create?
Haruto exhaled slowly.
“Your fear of death makes you desperate.”
Oscar frowned.
“Wanting to survive tends to do that to people.”
Haruto nodded.
“Yes.”
He stepped back.
“But desperation burns through your energy too quickly.”
Oscar flexed his fingers.
Pain flared through his arm.
His core already hurt again.
Haruto was right.
That was the problem.
Every fight.
Every time he had been forced to fight.
Every escape.
Oscar had pushed himself to the limit just to survive.
Control had never been an option.
Haruto turned toward the cabin.
“The academy entrance exam won’t be easy.”
Oscar looked up.
“Anything you’re allowed to tell me?”
Haruto glanced over his shoulder.
“Corrupted beasts.”
Oscar blinked.
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
Haruto didn’t smile.
“Applicants suffer serious injuries every year.”
Oscar stared at him.
Great.
Just great.
Haruto continued walking.
“We leave tomorrow.”
Oscar sighed.
“Can’t wait.”
Haruto stopped at the doorway.
“Oh.”
Oscar looked up.
“One more thing.”
Oscar raised an eyebrow.
“What?”
Haruto smirked slightly.
“You really suck at fighting.”
Oscar stared at him.
“I think that’s because my mentor sucks at teaching.”
Haruto laughed loudly.
“You’ll survive.”
Oscar rolled his shoulders.
His body still hurt.
His core still felt unstable.
But something inside him had changed.
For the first time since escaping the lab…
He had a direction.
Oscar looked toward the horizon.
Aegis Academy…
If that place can help me control this power…
His fist clenched.
Then I can go back.
And save Baron.
