Chapter 14: No Weapons, No Mercy

The next morning, the primary training grounds smelled of ozone, heavy sweat, and impending doom.

Class A had gathered in full force around the main combat arena. At the center stood Instructor Dan, leaning on a massive broadsword, his arms crossed over a bulletproof tactical vest. Hovering beside him was a floating holographic board listing today’s objective: LIVE SYNCHRONIZATION AND COMBAT DUELS.

"Listen up, maggots," Dan barked, his voice booming across the concrete. "Yesterday's field practical proved one thing: most of you rely way too much on your expensive gear and fancy titles. Today, no armor, no battery grids, no cheap electrical pikes." He threw a sharp, lingering glare toward the back of the crowd. "Pure, raw physical body reinforcement and hand-to-hand combat."

Phoenix stood at the edge of the line, casually stretching her hamstrings. She had stripped off her uniform jacket, wearing only a snug black tactical tank top and fitted combat pants. Thanks to the S-rank Dragon-Blood Serum running through her veins, her skin hummed with a subtle, dangerous warmth, and every muscle moved with fluid, lethal grace.

Toby hovered near her, nervously adjusting his glasses while clutching a digital clipboard. "Boss, the rumor circuit is exploding. Sterling tried to push an emergency expulsion order against you last night, but Headmaster Paul personally vetoed it. He said if Class A can't handle an F-rank Guide, they don't deserve to graduate."

"Old Paul knows what's up," Phoenix chuckled, popping her knuckles with a loud, satisfying CRACK. "Nothing builds character like a little unmitigated public humiliation."

"First match!" Dan’s voice cut through the chatter. "Lionel vs. Toby Lin!"

Toby went instantly pale, his clipboard clattering to the floor. "M-me?! I'm in Logistics! I don't duel! I craft!"

Lionel strutted into the ring, cracking his neck with a cruel, arrogant smirk. "Don't worry, little nerd. I'll make sure the medical team has a stretcher ready before I break your ribs."

Phoenix grabbed Toby by his collar before he could pass out, leaning in close. "Toby. Listen to me. He's heavy on his right lead, his stance is top-heavy, and he telegraphed his right hook five seconds ago. When he lunges, duck left, jam your thumb directly into his floating rib, and sweep his rear ankle."

Toby blinked, trembling. "W-will that work?"

"It’s basic anatomical optimization, kid," Phoenix grinned, giving him a hard shove into the ring. "Go ruin his morning."

"Begin!" Dan shouted.

Lionel roared, charging forward like a runaway bull, swinging a massive, mana-infused right fist straight for Toby's jaw.

Instead of freezing, Toby’s eyes went wide. Phoenix’s instructions echoed in his mind like a tactical blueprint. He dropped low under the swinging arm, slipped to the left, and drove his thumb with all his body weight straight into Lionel's exposed floating rib.

"OOF!" Lionel gasped, his wind completely cut off.

Before Lionel could recover, Toby hooked his heel behind Lionel's back ankle and pulled hard.

THUD!

Lionel hit the reinforced concrete back-first with a force that rattled his teeth, his breath exploding out of him in a desperate wheeze. He lay there flat on his back, staring blankly up at the sky, utterly paralyzed.

The entire training ground went dead silent.

[NOTIFICATION: TOBY LIN WINS VIA KNOCKDOWN.]

"HOLY SHIT!" Toby shrieked, staring at his own hands in utter disbelief. "I DID IT! BOSS, I FUCKING DID IT!"

"Attaboy, Toby!" Phoenix cheered, whistling loudly from the sidelines. "That’s how we do it in the outer sector!"

Class A stood in paralyzed horror. Travis looked like he was about to vomit, his S-rank pride cracking right down the middle.

Instructor Dan stared at Lionel’s twitching body, then at Toby, and finally turned his head toward Phoenix, a faint, terrifying grin tugging at the corner of his bearded mouth.

"Next match," Dan announced, his dark eyes locking onto Phoenix. "Travis Vance vs. Phoenix Wraith. No weapons. No mercy. Get in the ring."

Phoenix’s dark brown eyes flashed with pure, intoxicating excitement. She stepped over the boundary line, taking her place at the center of the arena, her gaze locking onto her ex-fiancé like a hawk marking its prey.

"Come on, Travis," Phoenix purred, dropping into a low, predatory combat stance. "Let's see if that S-rank title of yours is worth the paper it's printed on."