Chapter 33 ~ Zero Gravity!


    Ragandarok Academy – Knights'' Arena – Above the Semi-Glasslike Ground


    "Fulan Nanimo, why do you have the White Tiger''s ability?"


    That was the question Makoto asked, his green eyes glowing intensely as he observed Fulan, who was struggling under the immense pressure of gravity. His body refused to move, no matter how much he resisted.


    Fayrouz, Shinsu, and Yuta—who was pressing his elbow against the ground in an attempt to stand after being knocked down by Fulan''s previous kick—were all left in confusion. None of them understood what was happening, but one thing was certain: the fight would not continue, not after the instructor had stepped in.


    The rest of the students remained silent, merely watching. None of them knew much about Fulan. Among them was Lazaria, who also refused to say a word in his defense. She simply didn''t know what to say—after all, she had no understanding of Fulan''s ability herself.


    But there was one undeniable truth.


    The killing intent that had surged moments ago had come from Fulan.


    At that moment, he realized that the situation might not end in his favor. He needed a way out—fast.


    There''s one key point I need to focus on. Makoto has never seen the White Tiger''s ability firsthand—he''s only read about it. That means there''s a strong chance I can convince him that this is my true power somehow.


    But… some people have already seen me use Akira''s ability, the one that lets me move at lightning speed. If I lie now, it could backfire.


    The most important thing here is gaining trust. And among all the people I need to convince—he is the most crucial.


    Fulan had no intention of revealing his true ability this early, but Makoto had cornered him into a situation where he had no choice.


    Under the crushing weight of gravity, he finally spoke, his voice laced with forced amusement:


    "Oh, come on now. I thought the fight was supposed to last a full minute, yet you interfered in the first twenty seconds—right when it was getting fun."


    A faint smile played on his lips, but it was clear it wouldn''t last. The sheer force pressing down on him made it look fragile, as if it could shatter at any moment. A false grin that dared to defy pain.


    But that wasn''t the answer Makoto wanted to hear.


    The instructor''s expression remained unreadable as he increased the gravity''s intensity.


    "Impressive that you can still dodge my question in your current state..."


    Crack!!


    The fractures in the semi-glasslike ground spread, becoming longer and deeper.


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    That was when Lioren Asahi, the white-haired student, spoke up:


    "Instructor, this is more than the ground can handle. That kid is going to fall soon. There''s nothing I can do about it."


    Makoto''s green eyes flickered toward the arrogant Asahi, who, for the first time, admitted to the limits of his ability.


    The ground beneath them—his creation—was at its breaking point.


    At that moment, Fulan managed to move his hand with great effort, placing it on his knee as he exhaled sharply.


    "I don''t understand. Is it wrong for a person to have a talent that history and fantasy books haven''t recorded, Instructor?"


    His features hardened, reflecting the depth of his seriousness.


    Fulan attempted to rise, challenging the overwhelming force weighing him down. But no matter how much he tried, his body refused to budge.


    Yet, his words had an entirely different effect.


    Makoto''s glowing green eyes wavered.


    It was as if he had heard those exact words somewhere before.


    For a moment, it seemed as though Makoto was about to release his ability.


    But before he could, Fayrouz had already placed her hand firmly on the glasslike ground.


    Her blue eyes began to glow as she declared:


    "You''re right, Fulan. A wild beast''s ability? So what? I have never seen Fulan use his power for anything against logic or law. If Fulan is about to fall into the Abyss of Hair—then we will all fall together!"


    [Atomic Manipulation ~ Molecular Disassembly!]


    The glasslike ground began to dissolve, breaking apart into air particles as if it had never existed.


    This meant only one thing—everyone was about to fall.


    Or so they thought...


    [Zero Gravity]


    Instead of plummeting into the Abyss of Hair below, the students found themselves suspended in midair, weightless.


    Two shocks hit them in rapid succession—first, the terrifying sensation of freefall, and then, in less than a second, the complete loss of weight, leaving them floating in the air.


    Some students managed to remain calm, adjusting naturally to the new state. Others, however, struggled, their bodies flipping upside down as they failed to maintain their balance.


    "W-What just happened? Who used this skill?"


    "We''ve already seen everyone''s abilities—so who could have done this?"


    As the students whispered among themselves, trying to unravel the mystery, a hand lightly tapped Fulan''s shoulder.


    He turned—


    And there stood Instructor Makoto, his green eyes glowing, a clear sign that he was still using his power. His voice was calm as he spoke:


    "A talent not recorded in history… I wonder where I''ve heard that phrase before."


    Fulan didn''t reply.


    Because, in truth, those words weren''t his.


    They belonged to the man who had trained him, the man who had forged him into the fighter he had become.


    Makoto then raised his voice, addressing all the students floating in the air:


    "Stop questioning things. This is my ability. Hold hands with one another—Mizayani, use the wind to carry us to the edge of the arena."


    Mizayani Kyoka, a girl with pink hair tied in a high ponytail and striking blue eyes, adjusted the crimson headband resting elegantly on her head.


    Upon hearing Makoto''s instructions, a confident smile spread across her face. Her excitement was evident as she responded:


    "You want me to push them up? That''s easy compared to asking me to fly on my own!"


    The students quickly reached for one another, forming a chain as Makoto had ordered.


    It was a scene that symbolized trust—every student linking hands, relying on one another to make it back safely.


    Fayrouz extended her hand toward Fulan, who was positioned at the very end of the line.


    When he looked up at her, he was met with a warm, reassuring smile.


    "Fulan, if you''re going to fall into a pit, then I''ll fall with you! No—more than that, I''ll make sure everyone around us falls too, so that no one dares to look down on us!"


    Her words were encouraging, filled with warmth and conviction.


    Yet, to Fulan, they cut through him like a blade to the heart.


    I''m the villain. The traitor. The assassin. The enemy.


    Why… why am I receiving this kind of support from her?


    That thought tormented him.


    How could she say such things when she knew nothing about his past?


    When she didn''t truly know him?


    But what Fulan failed to realize…


    Was that he knew nothing about Fayrouz''s past either.


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