# Chapter [X]

It was an afternoon. All the students from class 1 and class 2 were gathered in the training arena. Teacher Omo and Master Still stood together at the front, watching over the crowd of students. There was little murmuring amongst them, a nervous energy rippling through the younger class.

"Alright, quiet down, quiet down." Teacher Omo's voice cut through the chatter like a blade. "So today we'll be working on your hand-to-hand combat."

The murmuring died down, but tension remained thick in the air.

"Today you'll be facing off with your seniors one-on-one," Teacher Omo continued, gesturing toward the class 2 students standing off to the side. "They've been here a year earlier than you, so at least you should learn a thing or two from them."

The class 1 students started getting nervous. Jelo could feel it—the shift in the atmosphere, the way bodies tensed up around him. Why did they have to fight their seniors? The outcome was obvious. They didn't need to get embarrassed by them in front of everyone.

Dam it… Jelo thought, glancing around. This is going to be a mess.

But not everyone felt the same way. A few out of the class 1 students were actually feeling confident. Ken, for example, stood with his arms crossed, a grin tugging at his lips. He'd been waiting for an opportunity like this to test how strong the class 2 students really were.

A loud murmur started going around the students again. It was obvious what they were talking about—the three strongest students in class 2. The group known as the Deadly Trio. They were known for their exceptional abilities and for being the strongest out of all the class 2 students. Many even said that they were stronger than many class 3 students, despite only spending two years in the academy.

Jelo had heard the rumors. Everyone had. The Deadly Trio were practically legends in the academy, even though they were only second-years.

"I'm definitely not going to face off with any of the Deadly Trio," Mira whispered to Jelo, leaning in close. Her voice was tight with worry.

Jelo shrugged. "It can't be that bad. Come on, I know they are strong, but they can't be *that* strong. I'm sure people just keep overhyping them."

Mira stared at him like he'd lost his mind.

"That's what happens when you don't actually know how strong your opponent is," Jelo continued, keeping his voice low. "You keep hearing that he's really strong, you keep on giving him the hype he doesn't deserve."

He wasn't sure if he believed his own words, but saying them out loud made him feel a little better. A little braver.

"As a matter of fact," Jelo added with a small smirk, "I would love to face off with one of them."

Mira just shook her head. "You're insane."

Maybe I am, Jelo thought. But if I'm going to get stronger, I need to test myself against the best.

"All right, all right, quiet down!" Teacher Omo's voice boomed again. "We don't have much time to waste. As you all know, these three here are the strongest in the whole of class 2."

He gestured toward three students standing apart from the rest. They stepped forward in unison, moving with a confidence that made the class 1 students shrink back slightly.

"Step forward, please."

The three walked to the center of the arena, and the crowd fell silent. Jelo studied them carefully, taking in every detail.

"So this is Sarah Shilluck, Oidin Easter, and Mark Mileor."

The names of the three strongest students in the whole of class 2. The Deadly Trio.

Sarah was tall and lean, with sharp eyes that seemed to cut through anyone who looked at her. Her movements were precise, controlled. She looked like someone who never wasted a single motion.

Oidin was broader, built like a wall. His expression was cold, almost bored. He stood with his arms crossed, like he had better things to do than be here.

And then there was Mark Mileor.

Jelo's eyes lingered on him. Mark was the smallest of the three, but something about him felt… different. Dangerous. He stood with his hands in his pockets, a casual smile on his face, like this was all a game to him.

"So none of them will be facing off with you guys today," Teacher Omo said, and a collective sigh of relief went through the class 1 students.

Jelo felt a flicker of disappointment. He'd actually wanted to see what they could do.

"Aside from Mark Mileor," Teacher Omo added.

The relief vanished instantly. The class 1 students tensed up again, eyes darting toward Mark, who hadn't moved an inch. He just stood there, smiling.

"He's going to show you guys just how powerful you can get if you train hard enough," Teacher Omo continued, "and if you're relentless enough."

Jelo's heart started beating a little faster. So we're actually going to see one of them fight. This should be interesting.

Mark finally moved, stepping forward with that same casual confidence. He rolled his shoulders, cracked his neck, and looked out over the class 1 students like he was picking out which one he wanted to face first.

The tension in the air was almost suffocating now. Every class 1 student was wondering the same thing—who would have to face him?

Jelo clenched his fists. If I get picked, I'm not backing down. I don't care if he's part of the Deadly Trio or not. I need to see where I stand.

Mira glanced at him nervously, as if she could read his thoughts. She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could, Master Still stepped forward.

"Alright," Master Still said, his voice calm and measured. "Let's get started."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Tension was rapidly rising in the air, was mark really gonna fight one of them?, different thoughts filled the students minds.

Alright, we'll be saving mark's fight for last, olmo said, trying to catch every reaction on the students faces.

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