“GO!”

The proctor's booming voice shattered the silence, instantly igniting the tension between Jakob and Specter. Specter, already ready for action, took the lead by rushing towards his opponent, instantly disappearing in a blur as his legs shot off towards his opponent. He was confident, calm, already certain that the battle was to his favor, however he’d find himself met with an unexpected response. Though visibly moving at a slower pace than him, Jakob initiated a charge of his own, his steps heavy as he dashed towards Specter. Instinctively, Spectre raised his arms to shield his face, startled into reinforcing his defense.

Fueled by his determination to win,Jakob pressed forward like a freight train. With each step, he closed the distance between them, his movements vicious yet calculated. As he neared his target, Jakob unleashed a thunderous left hook, throwing the weight of his body into the blow. The impact sent Spectre reeling, his body twitching in response to the sheer power of the strike.

But Jakob was far from finished. Not leaving Specter any time to breathe, he followed up with a ferocious right hook, seamlessly transitioning from one attack to the next. His rear foot pivoted in perfect sync with his hip's rotation, unleashing another barrage of force upon Spectre's defense.

“His fists— they’re heavy”

Specter's mind raced as Jakob's relentless assault pounded against his defenses. With each blow, he felt the weight of Jakob's fists reverberate through his body, sending shockwaves of pain cascading across his skin.

Jakob's onslaught was seemingly endless, it was nothing short of a relentless barrage that left Specter gasping for air. The left-right combo came out as a perfect combination of both speed and power, each strike driving Specter sideways like a helpless pendulum. With every repetition of the said combo, the force behind Jakob's punches seemed to increase, each impact landing like a sledgehammer swung into a brick wall.

As the onslaught continued, Specter's strength waned, his arms heavy and sluggish as he struggled to maintain his guard. The earlier assault chipped away at his defenses, leaving him more vulnerable with each passing moment.

"Crap... My arms..."

Specter's thoughts raced, panic creeping in as the realization of his dwindling strength set in. His heart pounded in his chest, the looming threat of what lay ahead looming ever closer.

As Specter's guard momentarily faltered, Jakob's keen eyes didn't miss a beat. In that fleeting instant, Jakob's instincts locked in on the split second moment of vulnerability, a telltale sign that his punches were finally giving him his desired effect. It was a moment akin to tenderizing meat before the final culinary masterpiece.

Already having anticipated this moment from the very start, Jakob quickly unleashed a devastating variation of his signature attack. A diagonal punch, a lethal fusion of a hook and an uppercut, arced toward Specter's exposed defense like a hungry hawk closing in on its prey. The force behind the blow was enough to send Specter's arms flying skyward, pushing away his final attempt to deflect the onslaught.

Their eyes locked in a silent exchange, a clash of wills amidst the chaos of battle. In that very moment, Jakob's gaze pierced into Specter's eyes, with a look that sent shivers down his spine. His gaze was filled with both confidence and determination, a silent proclamation of his impending victory.

"Got you now..."

Jakob's voice cut through the din of the arena, his tone cool and collected. It was as if he had foreseen this precise moment, orchestrating every move with meticulous calculation and strategy.

Jakob seized his self-created opportunity before him, unleashing an explosive right hook that sliced through the air like a torpedo. The punch connected with Specter's face, the sickening sound of bone meeting flesh echoed throughout the octagon. With the impact landing so cleanly, Specter's body was instantly sent crashing to the surface of the arena floor.

A heavy silence enveloped the hall, the audience stunned by the rapid escalation of events. Then, like a spark igniting a powder keg, Atom's voice shattered the stillness.

"H-He's down!"

Atom cried, his voice cutting through the silence. In the wake of his proclamation, the room erupted into a cacophony of cheers and applause, the crowd electrified by Jakob's awe-inspiring display of skill and power.

"Impressive... he knocked him down just ten seconds into the fight,"

Zone remarked, her voice brimming with enthusiasm as she dissected the unfolding spectacle.

Despite his earlier stunt, Jakob remained focused, understanding that the battle was far from over. Well aware of the consequences of overconfidence, Jakob knew better than to let the bout continue. Eager to end the fight as soon as possible, he sought to capitalize on his advantage, aiming a low kick toward Specter's head. However, before his strike could find its mark, Jakob found himself blindsided by a swift counter—a sudden -quick sweep aimed at his legs.

Caught off guard by the unexpected maneuver, Jakob was tipped off balance, tumbling to the ground, his momentum abruptly halted.

"Ah Cra-"

Jakob's mumbling was instantly cut short as he narrowly evades a retaliatory front kick from Specter, his reflexes barely saving him from getting his nose broken.

Saved by his well trained reflexes, Jakob's instincts kicked in as he rolled away from the danger, seeking refuge in a safer area of the octagon. The distance he created bought him precious seconds to recalibrate his strategy, allowing himself to generate a new plan by looking into other possibilities as he assessed the situation.

Meanwhile, Specter, despite being brutally knocked down mere moments ago, displayed his remarkable resilience and agility that belied his recent setback. It was proof that his background was not merely a facade but a legitimate record of his formidable skills honed through training.

With a singular fluid motion, Jakob regained his footing, slipping back into his battle stance with ease. His muscles tensed, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice as he locked eyes with his opponent once more.

Specter, recognizing the futility of engaging in a reckless slugfest, opted for a more defensive approach. With one arm extended toward Jakob, he motioned back and forth in a gesture of invitation, a silent challenge to his adversary. His eyes bore into Jakob's, showing how determined he was to push through everything that came his way. It was a silent declaration that he was prepared to endure and overcome whatever Jakob could throw at him.

"Quite the fight indeed."

Zone commented, her excitement showing as she glanced at her colleague, eagerly awaiting his insights.

"They're... they're on an entirely different level,"

her proctor replied, her voice filled with awe as she struggled to process the intensity of the spectacle unfolding before them.

With his resolve reaching its peak, Jakob accepted Specter's silent challenge, his movements heavy yet fluid as he closed the distance between them. With each step, he bobbed and weaved through the air, displaying his remarkable agility.

As Jakob breached Specter's optimal striking range, he unleashed a swift series of attacks, his hands becoming nothing but a blur from his speed . The jab, a precursor to his combinations, was met with Specter's accurate parry. Utilizing his ability to move swiftly with his body, Specter ducked under Jakob's hooks, a calculated evasion that left Jakob momentarily exposed.

Specter, ever the opportunist, seized the opening with a ruthless counter. His left hook almost instantly found its mark, sinking deep into Jakob's liver with a forceful impact. The blow caused Jakob to flinch, causing him to display a brief moment of weakness of which he quickly brushed aside as he pressed on, seemingly undeterred by the earlier blow.

Undaunted by the setback, Jakob unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks of his own, each strike aimed with the intent to destroy. Yet, despite his best efforts, Specter's defense remained impenetrable, his movements showed his fluidity as he deftly parried and slipped through Jakob's fists with minimal effort.

"Steady... steady..."

Jakob's thoughts echoed in his mind, his focus sharpening as he attempted to predict Specter's next move.

Recognizing Specter's proficiency in evasion and parrying, Jakob knew it would take more than swinging wildly if he wanted to win, he had to show his wit and outsmart his opponent. With a singular calculated gamble, he initiated a feint, a subtle movement designed to bait Specter into exposing his defenses.

As expected, Specter took the bait, attempting to parry Jakob's feinted attack with a swift motion of his hand. In that very second, Jakob took the opportunity of which he himself had created.

Now left with the perfect opening, Jakob dipped down, his knees bending as he coiled his body like a spring. With a powerful twist of his hips and a quick pivotal rotation of his lower body, he unleashed a devastating diagonal punch aimed directly to land towards Specter's sternum.

The punch tore through the air like a javelin, its trajectory set to collide with Specter’s chest. At that very moment, the arena seemed to hold its breath, the tension grew thick as spectators awaited the outcome of Jakob's calculated strike.

In the midst of the attack sequence, time seemed to stand still as Jakob and Specter locked eyes once more. For what seemed like an eternity that lasted mere seconds, they stood frozen in a silent exchange of wills, each one daring the other to make a move.

Jakob's eyes gleamed with triumph, his conviction seemingly unending as he prepared to unleash what he believed would be the deciding blow. Yet, amidst his confidence, a flicker of doubt crept into his mind as he met Specter's calm and collected gaze. There was something unsettling about the way Specter stared back, he was confident despite his dire situation, enshrouding his mind in a sudden moment of coldness that sent a shiver down Jakob's spine.

And then, in an instant that seemed to defy reality, Jakob's world instantly shattered into a thousand pieces. Without warning, his knees buckled beneath him, his legs betrayed him when he needed them the most. A searing pain ripped through his torso like a sharp blade, impaling his insides, stealing the air from his lungs and leaving him gasping for breath.

With a guttural cry of anguish, Jakob crumpled to the ground, his hand instinctively clutching at the source of his suffering. He knelt before Specter, his once confident demeanor crumbling in the face of excruciating agony, as the burning sensation consumed him from within.

"What the hell— what happened?! I didn't see him get hit at all,"

Atom exclaimed, his voice showing his bewilderment at the sudden turn of events.

"It's a delayed response,"

Sector replied, his tone serious and analytical, yet tinged with a hint of empathy for his friend’s situation.

"A delayed response?! The hell do ya mean?"

Atom shot back,

"If you remember what happened earlier, you might recall when Jakob took that body blow," Sector began, his voice softening slightly as he sought to clarify.

"It was likely a liver shot. Sometimes, the damage from those kinds of hits takes time to fully manifest."

Atom's brow furrowed as understanding slowly dawned on him, his initial shock giving way to a sense of realization. Meanwhile, Sector watched him closely, his expression sympathetic.

Eager to capitalize on Jakob's vulnerable state, Specter quickly sprang into action, his movements were fueled by a sense of urgency to end the fight, knowing full well of how effective Jakob can be. He seized Jakob's body, leveraging both arms to hoist him upright from his previous position. Jakob, still reeling from the effects of the liver shot, struggled to muster the strength to defend himself, his arms sluggish and unresponsive as he fought to regain his footing.

Specter wasted no time, he fired a blistering left-right combination of attacks the moment he got into position. His right hook landed with a resounding thud, snapping Jakob's head to the side and leaving him momentarily disoriented. Before Jakob could recover, Specter followed up with a quick left uppercut, the force of the blow driving him backwards like a piston.

The impact reverberated through the arena, the sound of flesh meeting flesh echoing against the walls as Jakob fought to maintain his balance. Specter pressed on with his advantage, unwilling to let Jakob rest in his pursuit of victory as he sought to exploit Jakob's weakened state to its fullest extent. It was a brutal display of which the audience was forced to watch.

"Oh well…. Truth be told, I expected more from Jakob. He was chosen by the captain himself after all,"

Zone analyzed, her disappointment evident in the slight downturn of her voice as she observed the one sided beating before her eyes.

"To be fair, he did hold his own against Specter. Better than I expected, honestly,"

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the proctor replied, her tone thoughtful as she shared his insights on the current turn of events.

"Considering that the Specter himself is a highly regarded prodigy, it's no small feat to even compete at this level.”

Standing at a measured distance, Specter prepared to deliver his finishing blow, his muscles twitching in preparation. With one sharp breath, he initiated a full-bodied spin, harnessing the full force of his momentum to unleash his final and most devastating attack yet—a spinning kick aimed directly at Jakob's temple, propelled forward with the accumulated force harnessed as he wound up his body.

"C'mon... C'mon..."

Jakob's thoughts yelled, his mind becoming a whirlwind of panic as he is left unable to move himself for the impending strike. His body was still suffering the effects of the damage it had accumulated earlier, rendering him almost completely immobilized for the time being. Despite the agonizing pain of his battered body, he refused to succumb to defeat, his instincts driving him to fight on.

"MOVE DAMN IT!"

Jakob roared, a primal cry of desperation and determination echoed through the arena as he willed his body to respond, refusing to surrender to the adversary.

With a quick surge of adrenaline, Jakob gritted his teeth and tightened his muscles, channeling every ounce of his remaining strength into making a quick yet reliable defensive maneuver. Focusing his energy into one part of his body, he managed to raise one arm in a split-second attempt to shield his vulnerable face from the oncoming death blow.

The impact resonated through the hall like a thunder clap, a powerful thud echoing into the air. Specter's spinning kick landed perfectly where it was initially aimed, the force of the blow sending shockwaves rippling through Jakob's body. Though he managed to partially deflect the attack with his raised arm, the sheer power behind Specter's strike was enough to send Jakob sprawling to the ground, his balance temporarily shattered and his senses disrupted.

Although he just took the devastating wound up shot head-on, the flame within his heart was still flickering alive. As he struggled to his feet, Jakob's legs trembled beneath him, an effect of the punishment he had just endured. Yet, despite the odds stacked against him, he refused to yield, his spirit still unbroken.

"Y-You're still—? Tsk—! Guess I'll just have to knock you down again and again till you finally learn when to quit,"

Specter taunted, his intentions clear as he sought to assert his dominance over his weakened opponent.

Jakob, though still recovering from the damage inflicted upon him, planted his feet firmly on the ground, refusing to yield an inch. Still left with his burning desire to come out on top, he met Specter's taunt with a glare, his blazing eyes representing his will to go on.

"I'm not the type to play along but…,"

Jakob replied, his voice less tense than before. He shifted into a fighting stance, his muscles warming up as he prepared for the upcoming clash.

"Please do try,"

Jakob smirked, his tone filled with confidence as he welcomed the challenge with open arms.

Accepting Jakob's challenge, Specter wasted no time in seizing the initiative, his movements vicious and aggressive as he charged forward. Closing the distance between them in a heartbeat, he instantly went from his dashing stance to a swift jab, trying to catch Jakob off guard before he could even react.

But Jakob was ready. Letting him know that he possesses advanced reflexes of his own, he counters Specter's attack with a sharp jab before it could even reach Jakob, causing him to temporarily retreat after flinching from the impact.

“A fluke-?”

Specter thought, readjusting his stance as he recalibrated his strategy.

Realizing that his initial approach had been ineffective, Specter decided to change tactics. He initiated a feint with his left hand, intending to deceive Jakob and create an opening, but once again found himself met with Jakob's swift counter jab.

Specter slides backwards in response, shaking his head in an attempt to brush off the pain inflicted from Jakob’s Jab

“No— he’s up to something. I’ll have to try something else,”

Specter concluded, as he sought a new plan of action. Stepping back to create distance between them, he assessed the situation once more, trying to think of ways to close the gap between him and Jakob.

Eager to try again, Specter attempts to close the distance again, this time utilizing evasive head movement and agile footwork to avoid Jakob's jabs. Yet, despite his efforts, he found himself constantly pushed back by Jakob's swift and precise jab, each attempt to penetrate his opponent's defenses met with quick and effective counterattacks.

“How the heck is he doin' that?!”

Atom exclaimed, a mixture of confusion and amazement in his voice as he watched Jakob effortlessly keep his opponent at bay.

"He's managed to gouge the distance and utilize the reach difference between him and his opponent,"

Sector explained, his tone matter-of-fact as he analyzed the situation.

"By jabbing every time Specter tries to close the distance, Jack capitalizes on his reach advantage, preventing Specter from getting within their optimal striking range."

He adds, further explaining the theory behind Jakob’s technique.

As Sector turned to face Atom, he’d be met with the sight of his friend staring off into the distance, his expression blank and empty

"Are you even listening to what I'm saying!?" Sector scolded, his frustration showing at Atom's apparent lack of attention.

"Huh? Were you sayin’ something?"

Atom interrupted, oblivious to Sector's earlier explanation.

Frustrated, he tries to scold him even more, but instead realizes that arguing with a knucklehead like Atom won’t resolve the issue.

"You know what—let's just forget it,"

Sector sighed, turning his attention back to the arena, determined to focus on the match at hand.

"Well, whatever you say,"

Atom replied casually, unaware of the tension between them as he returned his gaze to the action unfolding in the octagon.

Frustrated by Jakob's ironwall-like defense, Specter abandoned his cautious approach and changed to a more aggressive strategy. His eyes were glinting with a persistence to plow through as he charged forward, intent on breaking through Jakob's defenses by sheer force.

Jakob, expecting another futile attempt to close the distance, prepared to counter with his trusty jab. However, this time, Specter had a different plan. As Jakob's jab landed, Specter seized the opportunity to retaliate, launching a swift low kick aimed at Jakob's legs simultaneous to Jakob’s jab. The unexpected blow caused Jakob to momentarily lose his balance, creating a brief opening for Specter to exploit.

Seizing the moment, Specter closed in like a swift blur, delivering a powerful right cross to Jakob's face. The blow landed as Specter had anticipated, sending Jakob staggering backwards, dropping his guard in the process as well. Specter wasn't done yet. With Jakob now left momentarily vulnerable, Specter unleashed a flurry of rapid punches, aiming to overwhelm his opponent with sheer speed before he could re-establish his defense.

Jakob, along with his ability to adapt and overcome difficult situations, had already learned from his earlier mistakes. Despite the upcoming onslaught, he regained his footing swiftly, bracing himself against the impending barrage of punches.

As Specter launched his initial attack, Jakob smoothly slipped past it with a grace that seemed almost effortless. Specter pressed on with a swift follow-up punch, aiming to catch Jakob off guard. However, Jakob remained calm, his movements suddenly became akin to that of a leaf sailing along a breeze amidst the chaos of the fight.

With his head clear of any outside thoughts, Jakob anticipated Specter's incoming strike, his body flowing with the fluidity of water. As Specter's punch closed in, Jakob deftly redirected its trajectory with a subtle movement of his elbow, causing it to veer off course and miss its intended target.

"What the—?"

Specter muttered in frustration, surprised that his attack failed to land.

Refusing to give up, Specter attempted to launch another rapid combination, but once again found his efforts thwarted by Jakob's new style of defense. Each time Specter moved to strike, Jakob countered with a precise parry, effortlessly deflecting the blows and disrupting the rhythm of Specter's attacks.

The cycle continued, with Specter growing increasingly frustrated as his attempts to land a hit were consistently met with Jakob's well-timed parries. Despite his aggressive barrage of swift strikes, Specter found himself unable to break through Jakob's defenses, each attack thwarted by Jakob's calm and calculated movements.

Realizing what was going on, Specter took a step back, pausing his attacks and offering a rare smile of acknowledgement towards his opponent. There was a hint of admiration in his gaze as he spoke, acknowledging Jakob's prowess in combat.

"I always knew you were a fast learner ever since the first test. After all, you were the only one who managed to successfully incorporate one of the other applicants' techniques into your own run, which is pretty impressive... but,"

Specter paused, his eyes narrowing as he observed Jakob's stance.

"To think that you're able to copy my fighting style only a few minutes into the bout is something else,"

he added, his tone a mixture of surprise and respect.

Jakob responded with a chuckle, his demeanor calm and composed as he awaited Specter's next move. There was a silent confidence in his stance, a way of saying that he was ready to proceed at any given moment without the use of words

"Not much of a talker, huh...,"

Specter thought, his expression shifting as he locked eyes with Jakob.

The atmosphere once again intensified as both combatants stood off against each other once more. Was this their final clash? There was only one way to find out.

Specter took the initiative and rushed in, unleashing a combination of heavy kicks and swift punches. As his opponent’s blow started to drill through his guard, Jakob slowly realized that a purely defensive strategy wouldn't suffice much longer. With a decisive shift in tactics, he made the split-second decision to take the fight to Specter. Stepping into the fray, Jakob dashed forward, meeting Specter's attacks head-on with heavy swings of his own.

What had begun as a technical battle of wits soon devolved into a brutal slugfest, the sound of each punch reverberating throughout the hall, each blow heavier than what came before. Cheers and applause erupted from the spectators, to them, this fight was really something to watch.

The two fighters went on to trade blows relentlessly, each landing punishing strikes and haymakers while absorbing their fair share of punishment in return. The flow of the battle shifted constantly, with neither combatant willing to yield to the other. Minutes stretched into hours, and seconds felt like an eternity as the two combatants pushed themselves beyond their physical limits, ignoring the pain coursing through their bodies.

As they stood off against each other once more, bloodied and bruised, it was clear that this was more than just a test of technique and skill— it was also a battle of both grit and resilience

"This turned out to be quite interesting,"

Zone remarked, her voice tinged with enthusiasm as she observed the intense battle unfolding before her.

"They're evenly matched actually,"

the proctor replied, her tone analytical as she shared her insights on the bout.

"What Jack lacks in skill is compensated by his sheer power and durability."

Upon hearing her underling’s comment, Zone couldn’t help but look at her with a raised brow.

"Hm…? That statement is nothing short of false, darling,"

Zone retorted, her expression thoughtful as she considered the match from a different perspective.

"Eh? Why so?"

the female proctor asked, intrigued by Zone's assertion.

"While Specter may appear to be more versed in advanced techniques,"

Zone elucidated, her tone confident and assured,

"Jack undeniably excels in the fundamentals of combat. Moreover, Jack possesses a remarkable ability to adapt swiftly and can seamlessly imitate styles on the fly, a quality that should not be underestimated."

Zone adds, highlighting Jakob's strengths and emphasizing the significance of his adaptability in the midst of battle.

Biting down on his lower jaw, Jakob gritted his teeth as he endured the immense amount of pain running throughout his body. Ignoring the aching of his bones and sharp pain on his skin, he rushed forward with a surge of adrenaline, taking the initiative before Specter could react. As he closes the distance, he unleashes a rapid combination of left and right attacks, each one of his blows carrying the intent to end the fight once and for all.

The first three blows found their mark, landing cleanly on Specter's defenses. Yet, as Jakob launched his fourth strike, Specter regained his composure, swiftly parrying the attack before countering with a sharp cross that sent Jakob staggering backward.

Despite just being countered, Jakob refused to falter, he jumps off like a spring as he aggressively charges back towards Specter, attacking with the same combination as before. One jab to the face, followed by two hooks to the body, and finally, a finishing cross aimed at Specter's head.

"What's he—? No, he might be plotting something,"

Specter thought, his mind racing as he analyzed Jakob's relentless

Using his evasive skills, Specter easily slipped and blocked Jakob's attacks, launching a similar swift counter with his right hand. Once again, Jakob staggered backward, but to Specter's surprise, he charged forward once more with the exact same combination.

Confused by Jakob's determined yet fruitless attacks, Specter took a few steps back, his gaze narrowing as he observed his opponent closely. What he saw next surprised him. In Jakob's eyes, there was no trace of the calculating strategist he had faced earlier. Instead, they held an empty, almost animalistic gaze, devoid of any semblance of sentience.

"He's lost his mind…"

Specter thought, his heart sinking as he realized the toll the intense battle had taken on Jakob's psyche. Calming himself down, he prepared to evade Jakob's repeating combination. Slipping the initial punch then blocking the follow-up blows to his body, Specter launched his right-hand counter once again, his movements calm and minimal, having already expected the same attack. The force of his strike caught Jakob off guard, knocking him back a considerable distance as his knees buckled under the weight of the impact. Not long after that, Jakob’s exhaustion started to show as his breathing slowly became more ragged.

With just enough time to gather his thoughts, Specter stepped back, analyzing his options as he sought to finally end the bout.

“He’s running on nothing but pure adrenaline… He’s going to keep swinging until he tires himself out,”

Specter thought, his eyes locking into Jakob as he anticipated another one of his mindless charges.

Now fully adapted to Jakob’s attacking pattern, Specter easily slipped through the initial jab aimed at his head, his movements calculated and precise despite the fatigue from the clashes they had earlier.

Refreshed by his newfound confidence, Specter remained confident, already certain of his impending victory.

"What a waste…,"

he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with disappointment as he effortlessly blocked Jakob's strikes.

“You fought well up until the end Jack… However, my skills were simply too much for you to handle. I have already won,”

Specter declares with conviction, whilst deftly blocking another blow aimed towards his abdomen.

Expecting the straight right hand that typically marked the end of Jakob’s combination, Specter focused his attention on Jakob's hand as he prepared to evade it. Moments later, his right hand flew just as Specter had predicted, giving him the opportunity to launch his strongest counter yet to put Jakob down once and for all, but to his surprise, it deviated from its usual trajectory, confusing him as he struggled to comprehend the unexpected change in direction. The sudden deviation left Specter momentarily bewildered, causing him to lose focus as a response to this unforeseen twist in the battle.

“Wait, what is he do—”

But before Specter could finish his thought, a crushing uppercut suddenly came crashing towards the bottom of his face, pulverizing the underside of his jaw. The impact was so devastating that it lifted his entire body off the floor for a short moment, further showing how powerful the strike was. And in just a blink of an eye, his vision turned into nothing but a screen of pitch black.

As Specter's body lay sprawled on the ground, the entire arena erupted in a cacophony of noise, stunned by the unexpected turn of events—a comeback that defied all odds.

“Holy shit—! What happened-?!”

Atom exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief as he struggled to make sense of the astonishing scene that had just unfolded before him.

Almost leaping from his seat, Sector couldn’t contain his excitement as he leaned forward, his eyes wide with shock and exhilaration. “He- He did it-!”

Sector yelled, awe-struck by his friend's incredible performance.

“He–?! But how‐?! How could he have possibly turned the bout into his favor–?”

The proctor asked, still reeling from the sudden shift in the battle's momentum.

Meanwhile, Zone, though caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, had already deciphered Jakob’s cunning strategy. She smiled at her underling, her eyes brimming with the same enthusiasm as before.

“Jack’s wild swings, his savage demeanor… It was all an act,”

Zone replied, her response a little vague.

“An act–? I don’t understand…”

the proctor replied, her voice showing both her curiosity and confusion.

Amused by her subordinate’s perplexity, Zone let out a soft chuckle before simplifying the situation for her.

“Jakob simply realized that he himself wouldn’t be able to break through Specter’s defense, so he decided to let Specter drop it himself by capitalizing on his overconfidence… He faked his lack of consciousness, luring Specter into a false sense of security. And in the end, Specter paid the price the moment he took the bait,”

Zone explained,

“He was actually conscious the whole time-?” the proctor asked in disbelief.

Zone simply pointed at Jakob in response, prompting the proctor to redirect her gaze to the center of the octagon.

“Doesn’t look unconscious to me,” Zone replied confidently.

There stood Jakob, victorious amidst the cheers of his fellow applicants. His body was battered and bruised, his breaths ragged from exhaustion, yet despite his visible weariness, he stood tall, his eyes ablaze on his current triumph.

Satisfied with the outcome, Zone snapped her fingers, teleporting Jakob out of the arena and swiftly healing his wounds in an instant.

“I did it….”

Jakob muttered, still processing the reality of his victory.

“JAKE-! There’s our winner!”

Atom exclaimed, rushing to congratulate his friend.

Sector followed suit, his excitement mirroring Atom’s as he reached Jakob’s side.

“You were amazing, my friend,”

Sector commended warmly.

A bit bashful at the praise, Jakob scratched his head, attempting to downplay his achievement.

“I just got lucky–that’s all,”

he replied modestly.

“Lucky-?! Please! You knocked his ass into the air!”

Atom interjected, his voice showing infectious enthusiasm

As their joyful conversation continued, one thought lingered in Jakob’s mind: how was Specter faring in the aftermath of their battle?

Meanwhile, Specter seethed with frustration and disappointment, his fists clenched in anger.

Alone in his solitude, the sting of defeat still pierced his heart, a stark contrast to Jakob’s jubilant celebration with his friends.

“Only about two or one bout left. We’re close to moving on to the next part of the examination,”

the proctor informed her superior

“Mhm…Seems like we’re finally entering the partner-based tests. Things are going to be even more interesting,”

Zone responded with a small smile, her eyes alight with anticipation for what lay ahead.

CHAPTER 6

END.