In a high-tech dojo, sleek and humming with quiet energy, two boys stood opposite each other, strapping on advanced protective gear that resembled sleek, form-fitting armor. The metallic sheen of their suits reflected the neon lights above, casting a futuristic glow around them, their eyes locked in a silent battle of anticipation. Each one waiting for the other to make the first move.
Then, in a blinding flash, Kenji appeared behind Dame, his speed nearly impossible to track. Without a moment's hesitation, he delivered a powerful kick to Dame's back, sending him soaring high into the air.
He dashed furiously at Dame, leaping with a surprising burst of agility. In a blink, Kenji slashed at him midair. The strike connected, and Dame staggered before crashing hard against the floor.
"Hmph... You do realize I have powers, right?" Kenji said, steadying himself into another fighting stance, eyes locked on his opponent.
"Yeah, yeah... Don't get too full of yourself," Dame muttered, groaning as he slowly rose to his feet, wiping a smudge of blood from his lip.
Kenji's expression turned cold. "I'll show you the difference between an Aetherbrid and a human..." he whispered, launching forward with explosive speed.
Dame leapt backward instinctively, widening the gap between them. He kept retreating until Kenji suddenly stopped, bouncing in place like a boxer, his eyes calmly shut.
The tension in the room thickened.
Then—Kenji vanished.
"Peekaboo," his voice echoed, now dangerously close.
"Oh no you don't!" Dame yelled, reacting in the nick of time. He threw a brutal punch straight into Kenji's face, the impact sending him flying backward like a ragdoll.
Kenji hit the ground hard.
Dame smirked, flexing his fists and looking down at the beast-like gauntlets now glowing faintly with energy.
"These Veyweapons... they're amazing," he said, a confident gleam in his eye.
Dame shot forward like a bullet the moment Kenji regained his footing. Before Kenji could react, a flurry of rapid punches slammed into his chest and sides—each blow faster and heavier than the last, leaving him dazed and off-balance.
Kenji staggered, trying to leap back to regain distance, but Dame was quicker. He grabbed Kenji's leg mid-air, his grip like an iron clamp.
"Not this time," Dame muttered.
With a powerful 360-degree spin, Dame hurled Kenji across the dojo. Kenji's body slammed hard against the wall, the impact echoing through the room like thunder.
Dame exhaled sharply, then glanced down at his fists, now glowing faintly from the beast-forged gauntlets.
"These gauntlets... this power… it's exhilarating," he said with a smirk, sliding back into a combat stance, his eyes locked on Kenji.
Mr. Lee's eyes remained fixed on the intense clash unfolding before him. With arms crossed and a curious glint in his eye, he spoke without turning, "Hmmm… Van, tell me something. Was dame always this strong?"
Van chuckled, a knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Well, if there's one thing I know about Dame… it's that he sees martial arts like a sport—something he genuinely enjoys. He's always had this instinct, like a sixth sense. He knows who to mess with… and who not to."
He paused, watching the clash of fist and blade with a gleam of excitement. "I didn't really think he'd be at a disadvantage. He's skilled—especially now with those gauntlets. I think he's just getting hyped with the rush of power those veyweapons bring."
Van turned away with a small laugh, walking back toward the weapon vault. "Kenji must be confused out of his mind right now—getting devoured like that…" he muttered under his breath, eyes scanning the display of veyweapons on sight....
.....
Kenji staggered to his feet, chest rising and falling with every breath. His vision blurred, but he could already see Dame lunging toward him at full speed.
Then—he closed his eyes.
And when they opened again… they glowed an eerie, electric blue.
Dame closed the distance in seconds, unleashing a furious barrage of punches. But Kenji's body suddenly shimmered with a radiant white aura—and then, he moved.
A blur.
He weaved through every single strike with precision, his movements almost impossible to follow.
What the hell…? Dame's eyes widened. He's faster now… and his eyes—what is this? Some kind of avatar state?
Gritting his teeth, Dame didn't hold back. He threw a punch packed with pure power, aiming straight for Kenji's head.
But Kenji caught it—effortlessly.
Without a word, Kenji gripped Dame's arm, spun in place with a terrifying velocity, and launched him high into the air.
And in that moment—
Kenji pulled back his lightning dagger and hurled it with pinpoint accuracy.
A surge of lightning erupted as the weapon struck.
BOOM!
Electricity exploded midair, enveloping Dame in a blinding storm of energy before slamming him hard against another wall.
Woahhh… so much pressure," Van muttered, standing in awe from within the Veyweapon room. His eyes widened as he witnessed Kenji completely overpower Dame, the battle ending with a ferocity no one saw coming.
On the battlefield, Dame lay sprawled on the ground, chest heaving, body drenched in sweat. With the last of his strength, he raised a hand weakly, signaling his surrender.
"I'm done…" he whispered, barely audible.
Mr. Lee, now standing at the edge of the arena, lifted a small microphone to his lips. His voice echoed across the dojo.
"Winner—Kenji."
As the announcement rang out, Kenji's glowing blue eyes slowly dimmed. The savage aura that had engulfed him began to fade.
"Yo, buddy… what was that?"
Dame's voice was hoarse but light, a tired smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he limped toward the exit beside Kenji. His body ached all over, but his curiosity burned stronger.
"You looked like you were born straight from the heavens," he continued, chuckling weakly. "That pressure… I could barely breathe, man."
Kenji kept walking, his brows furrowed slightly, his expression still unsettled. "I really don't know," he replied, voice low. "It just… happened."
He glanced at his hand, still faintly tingling with residual energy.
"I felt like I was in danger, and then—" he paused, eyes narrowing, "—something inside me just… clicked."
Dame looked over at him and gave a small nod, sensing the weight behind those words. Whatever that "click" was… it was far from normal.
Even though you're not entirely normal," Dame added with a half-smile, bumping his shoulder lightly against Kenji's,
....
"Hmm... woahhh, that energy... that pressure... I've felt it before," a young, handsome boy muttered, his voice laced with excitement and curiosity.
His heart raced as he dashed out of the orphanage, following the trail of energy like it was calling to him—like it belonged to him.
His eyes gleamed, glowing a bright, piercing yellow.
"Kenji… you're here. You're close…" he whispered, a knowing smirk forming on his face.
The trail led him through winding streets and across rooftops, his speed almost supernatural, until he came to a sudden halt in front of a massive gate.
He looked up.
Etched boldly at the top were the words: Martial Palace.
Kuvin grinned. "Found you."