Chapter 72: Gajia Academy 7 - Dodge This!

"Next," Raquan called out.

Akuma raised his hand before anyone else could volunteer. He slowly stepped away from the line and walked toward the center of the training grounds, his expression remaining determined despite seeing every student before him fail.

Raquan gave him a brief glance before raising his hand, signaling the senior student to prepare.

Akuma lowered his stance and planted his feet firmly into the ground, digging his heels into the soil for stability. He crossed both arms over his chest and took a deep breath, preparing himself to endure whatever attack came his way.

"I just have to tank it..." he muttered.

Across from him, the senior student raised his wooden sword.

The same crimson aura Akuma had seen during the previous spar began gathering around the blade, growing denser with every passing second. Akuma stared directly at the weapon, refusing to look away as he prepared himself for the impact.

Then the sword swung.

SWOOSH!

The crimson projection tore through the air and slammed directly into Akuma. A violent gust erupted around him as dust and smoke exploded from the ground, while his entire body trembled beneath the tremendous force pressing against his crossed arms.

"ARGHHHH!"

Several students watching from the line widened their eyes, unable to believe Akuma was still standing.

"Can he actually tank it?"

Akuma gritted his teeth and refused to move. For a brief moment, it seemed as though he had successfully endured the attack.

Then something changed.

The crimson force suddenly surged, sending another wave of power through the initial impact. A second burst erupted with even greater strength, catching Akuma completely off guard and ripping his feet from the ground.

His body was sent flying several meters through the air before crashing heavily onto the dirt. Akuma rolled across the ground several times before finally coming to a stop, leaving a trail through the dust.

What was that?

He barely had time to process what had happened before Raquan’s voice reached him.

"Failed."

Akuma slowly pushed himself back onto his feet and brushed the dirt from his clothes. Without complaining, he returned to the line and waited for the next student.

One after another, the students stepped forward and attempted the same test. Some tried to block the attack with their weapons, others attempted to withstand it with their bodies, while a few desperately tried to evade the projected strike at the last possible moment.

Yet every single one was eventually sent flying.

Then the students who had demonstrated exceptional strength during the first test finally reached their turns.

Ragnir stepped forward first, gripping a wooden sword tightly in his hand. He drove its tip into the ground and established a magical link, causing a transparent barrier resembling compressed air to form around his body.

The students watched closely as the barrier solidified.

When the senior swung his sword, the familiar crimson projection shot forward and slammed into Ragnir’s defense. For a moment, the barrier held firm against the attack, but cracks quickly spread across its surface before the entire thing shattered.

Ragnir was thrown backward, his feet leaving the ground as he flew several meters before landing heavily.

Next came Akira.

She stood before Rexovus with a calm expression and raised one hand, apparently intending to block the attack directly. The moment the crimson projection struck her palm, however, the force immediately overwhelmed her defense and sent her stumbling backward.

Kida followed soon after.

He crossed both arms in front of his body and braced himself against the ground, managing to resist the attack slightly longer than the others. Even so, the force eventually broke through his stance and sent him flying across the training grounds.

Then came Rize.

The red-haired girl quietly stepped into the center of the training grounds, her expression remaining completely composed. Unlike the others, she did not raise her arms, establish a barrier, or even change her stance, instead simply standing there while watching Rexovus prepare his attack.

The wooden sword swung.

The crimson projection shot toward her with frightening speed.

And Rize vanished.

The attack tore through the empty space where she had been standing before crashing into the ground behind her. Several students stared in disbelief as Rize reappeared several meters away, completely unharmed.

She calmly brushed the dust from her clothes before walking back toward the line.

"Passed," Raquan announced.

A student nearby could not hide his amazement.

"She did that so easily."

Akuma watched Rize return to her position, his expression filled with curiosity rather than jealousy. The difference between their performances had given him something new to think about.

"So there really is a difference between a genius and someone who’s merely talented."

Raquan suddenly cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention back toward him.

"You may be wondering whether this means you’re all simply too weak to withstand an attack from a senior student."

He paused, allowing the students to absorb his words before pointing toward the senior standing across the training grounds.

"Wrong."

Raquan’s finger remained directed at the young man.

"It’s simply because that senior is far too strong."

The students looked toward Rexovus, their expressions changing as they finally understood what Raquan meant.

"This senior is no ordinary student. He is the strongest student currently enrolled at Gajia Academy."

A murmur immediately spread throughout the group. Some students looked at Rexovus with admiration, while others seemed unsettled after realizing they had just been struck by the strongest student in the academy.

Raquan continued.

"His name is Rexovus Vain."

The young man stepped forward, his wooden sword resting casually against his shoulder. He wore a confident smile as he looked over the new students before offering them a slight bow.

"Pleasure to meet you."

Akuma glanced toward Rexovus, watching as the strongest student in Gajia Academy casually rested his wooden sword against his shoulder.

"I knew it. That man is far too strong. He even outclassed the druid I saw him fighting yesterday."

As Akuma continued watching Rexovus, his eyes accidentally shifted toward Kida beside him. His hand was tightly clenched, the knuckles pressing against his skin as his gaze remained fixed on the senior standing before them.

"Kida?"