"Looks like even your students have abandoned you. I can’t fathom why Night Zero would ever like someone like you."

Before the fight began, Hamlet stood in front of Empty City, taunting him.

This was a massive combat platform, resembling an ancient arena. Yet the seats were state-of-the-art. Broadcast screens hung overhead, always ready for future academy matches. Tiered stands rose upward. Hamlet’s students sat among them, waving banners and cheering wildly. They acted like their teacher was the world’s greatest.

"You should save those words for Night Zero," Empty City replied calmly. "Saying them to me won’t convey your feelings to her."

"Hmm… true," Hamlet mused, stroking his chin. "I should make sure she understands."

From their noon conversation, this newcomer really was with Night Zero. But it was still early. Before he could burrow into her heart—or body—Hamlet still had a chance. A chance to prove himself.

Empty City didn’t grasp Hamlet’s inner turmoil. He simply stared at the man before him. His words weren’t meant to spur his rival into action. In his eyes, Hamlet wasn’t even worthy of being a rival.

"Well," Empty City added lightly, "that feeling will vanish soon enough."

*With my strength, I’ll shatter your confidence.*

That was his unspoken meaning.

Hearing this, Hamlet finally grew serious. He might seem foolish and hot-tempered. But as a retired B Rank Hero, his power remained at its peak.

His Meta Ability controlled existing soil on the battlefield. Any earth-based material bent to his will. The more he manipulated, the more mental energy he drained. That was its only flaw.

Not flashy, but practical. Useful for both offense and defense.

As the battle commenced, Hamlet aimed to seize the initiative immediately.

The ground trembled. The arena transformed instantly.

Beneath Empty City, the earth collapsed like an earthquake. A massive fissure ripped open.

The sudden drop threw off his balance. Few could react to such speed. But… the moment the ground shattered, Empty City moved.

"Hey… remember what I said earlier?"

"What?"

He appeared right before Hamlet. That wind-like speed sent a chill down Hamlet’s spine.

"My ability is Spatial Shift. So… if I want, no attack can hit me. If I want, no place is beyond my reach!"

Dust erupted from the ground as Hamlet leaped backward. Empty City’s speed defied imagination.

Yet, just as he claimed, attacks passed through him harmlessly. His form turned ghostly, like a phantom before Hamlet’s eyes.

Whoosh!

This time, no Spatial Shift. Pure speed alone.

No time to build defenses.

A fist the size of a sandbag slammed into Hamlet’s face. The impact sent him rolling across the ground multiple times before stopping. Blood from his mouth and nose mingled messily.

"BUG… How can you be just B Rank with this ability?! This is straight-up BUG status!"

Spatial Shift made him untouchable. It ensured he’d never be cornered. Truly a game-breaking power.

But…

"There’s a margin of error," Empty City corrected. "Each Spatial Shift has a 0.25-second gap. Hit me within that window, and you win."

"That’s impossible!" Hamlet roared from the ground, struggling to rise. Empty City’s shadow loomed over him.

"So," a low, sinister voice whispered in his ear, "will you keep attacking? Keep provoking me? Or shall I knock your teeth out? Or… be sensible and surrender?"

This wasn’t negotiation. It was a naked threat. No time to think. Refuse, and he’d be beaten bloody. Utterly unreasonable. In that single clash, Hamlet grasped their gap. The fatal difference in their abilities.

His body trembled as he met those sharp eyes. Finally, Hamlet raised his hands in defeat.

"No way…"

"Impossible…"

His students knew his strength well. A former B Rank Hero. A man who fought Apostles on the front lines. How could he be crushed by a new teacher? In seconds?

So strong… truly overwhelming.

This wasn’t acting. They’d seen every moment.

From the first reaction to the absolute domination—all ended in mere seconds.

"Teacher… what’s your ability?" Cheng Zhihui blurted out as Empty City approached. Though it was pure domination, it sparked something in her. Her heart raced with excitement.

"Spatial Shift… I guess?"

"I guess?"

"Eh, close enough. It’s a limit achievable through speed anyway."

Empty City shrugged it off. He’d held back after watching Cheng Zhihui’s training. She suited speed-based development. He was nudging her that way. As for Estia… he’d hinted at the 0.25-second gap.

He didn’t realize how his display affected Maxfield.

As the school’s fastest, Maxfield refused to accept anyone quicker.