The third and fourth periods in the afternoon were combat training classes. Unlike foundational courses, these emphasized real combat. Normally, students would team up to spar or fight holographic simulations of future Apostles. But today, Class C of the second year had a different task first.
Boss raid time, huh…
Though he disagreed with that classmate’s phrasing, after his fight with Teacher Hamlet, Maxfield had already gauged this new instructor. Stronger than Hamlet. His ability was borderline broken.
But… he wasn’t invincible!
Just 0.25 seconds—that’s all he needed. Maxfield had absolute confidence in his speed.
“So only about a dozen of you joined this bet? Remember, your actions affect the whole class!”
Kong’s gaze held sharp provocation—don’t get the wrong idea! At the center of the combat arena stood seven boys and six girls. He didn’t know all their names yet, but they were the core of the class.
Leading them were Maxfield and Cheng Zhihui. Estia, the other Meta Ability user, stayed unobtrusive—likely due to her personality.
“Let’s see if you can still say that after you lose!” Maxfield declared, righteous fury in his voice.
His messy blond hair fluttered slightly.
*He’s activating his ability.*
The moment Kong thought it—Maxfield vanished from his spot!
Like a gale, faster than wind itself! A faint afterimage flickered in the air, whooshing past. Yet he didn’t attack directly. Instead, he darted erratically around Kong, using his speed to bait and distract.
*Arrogant but team-oriented?* Impossible. Kong’s intel was clear: Maxfield was a selfish individualist, obsessed with advancing to Class S. He didn’t care about his classmates.
*Whoosh!*
A fist sliced through Kong’s body!
Spatial Shift activated instantly.
But what Kong hadn’t anticipated—a second fist followed immediately after! The gap? Less than a second. Though Maxfield aimed for that 0.25-second window, his current speed still fell short.
Shock flashed across Maxfield’s face as his fist passed through Kong again.
*Not enough! Still not fast enough! That 0.25-second gap isn’t there!* He realized it the moment both fists phased through.
Kong wouldn’t give him another chance.
*Ugh… teaching is such a hassle. Holding back power, controlling strength…*
Complaining inwardly, Kong seized Maxfield’s fist.
“Your speed is impressive… but insufficient.”
His grip was unbreakable. No matter how hard Maxfield struggled, he couldn’t pull free. As Big Black charged in, Kong slammed Maxfield straight into the giant’s massive frame!
Kong had hoped to take them both down—but Big Black wasn’t that simple. He caught Maxfield mid-air, letting him rebound off his body for another assault. This time, Big Black’s own attack arrived: a metallic gauntlet fist whistling with terrifying force.
Even combined, their assault was laughable.
But these students weren’t fools. They didn’t cling to solo duels when a group fight made sense.
“Get out of the way, Maxfield!!”
The rebellious girl’s voice lost all its earlier sweetness. Weapons drawn—swords, axes—she and her allies charged together, pooling their strength.
Still… not enough.
Kong had slowed himself drastically, yet to the students, the gap remained insurmountable. With Spatial Shift, no one had touched him unless he allowed it.
“Don’t joke! 0.25 seconds is impossible!!” the girl roared, her strikes growing wilder. But brute force alone couldn’t harm Kong. Maxfield, the fastest among them, knew this best.
He had to make the right choice—not out of pride, but to put a scratch on that man’s face.
His speed surged. Faster than any previous attack.
Kong, limiting himself to half a B Rank Hero’s power, found himself momentarily pressured. Yet with Spatial Shift, the students still couldn’t breach that 0.25-second barrier. A single instantaneous shift nullified all damage. Kong only meant to test their limits before ending this swiftly.
That was his plan…
A plan now unraveling.
Spatial Shift placed Kong ten meters from Maxfield.
*Whoosh!!*
A bullet grazed his ear. Without an immediate second shift, his ear would’ve been torn open.
Smoke curled from a tiny hole in the ground.
*A sniper rifle…*
Predicting his position. That 0.25-second window… Only one person could pull this off.
From a hidden spot in the arena, Estia stared through her scope, palms slick with sweat.
*As Teacher said—in real combat, snipers must predict. Must be fast.* The bullet’s travel time? Roughly 0.22 seconds. Leaving her just 0.03 seconds to react.
*So close.*
Her gun hand trembled.
She’d analyzed Kong’s movements, predicted his shift, fired early—but still… not fast enough!
Even her chest quivered with the strain.
Yet… exhilaration surged through her. This taste of a new world thrilled her like nothing before.
…
*Talent really is something.*
Kong smiled at the smoking hole, finally roused to focus.
Before him, the students regrouped, energy renewed.
And now… Cheng Zhihui, who’d watched silently until now, entered the fray. But what she revealed defied all documented records.
Dual Sword Style…
Black and white blades gripped tight, the determined girl stomped her right foot down. With a battle cry, she lunged at Kong.
