“Commander, wouldn't it be more instructive to demonstrate this live?”

  Instructor Laedar looked up.

  “What do you suggest, Candidate Stormrider?”

  “Having two students spar and you pointing out both of their mistakes would be more exciting and instructive for everyone. That's why I think two people should spar.”

  Instructor Laedar frowned. It was too early for two students to spar. Only the basics would be taught here. How to punch, how to guard, how to step... The real training would be given at the academy.

  “I agree, Commander,” said one of the candidates.

  “I agree too, Commander.”

  With support coming from all sides of the circle, Instructor Laedar couldn't refuse. Atlas, for some reason, thought everyone knew about this setup beforehand.

  “All right, only two people will spar. Orion, since this idea came from you, you will be the first volunteer. Who else wants to volunteer?”

  Everyone turned to Atlas at once.

  Atlas cursed inwardly.

  Still, he raised his hand and stepped into the circle.

  “I heard Orion is in the Martial Arts Club at Estershire Military Academy and has won state championships.”

  “They pay attention to these things when admitting students to the academy, don't they?”

  “I wouldn't want to be in Atlas's shoes.”

  “Atlas is from Mistwood Military Academy too. They've been national champions back-to-back. Plus, their sophomores placed in international tournaments. They say the best martial artists in the country will come from Mistwood's sophomores. All the academies are recruiting athletes from the Mistwood Martial Arts Club,” said Victoria. Her beautiful black hair was tied up in a bun, and there was a slight smile on her fox-like face.

  “Do you think Atlas is in that club too?” asked Casius, who was right next to her. He was also a military academy graduate, but he wasn’t very successful in martial arts. He was in the archery club.

  “I don't think so. I've heard that everyone in that club has Mid-to-High Tier potential. Atlas has Low Tier potential. He's at best a reserve,” replied Victoria.

  Instructor Laedar, standing in the center of the circle, noticed that Atlas was being targeted but said nothing. Orion had been accepted into the Royal Protection Program. This showed that his security was of strategic importance. Those with high-level potential were highly valued.

  Despite his intelligence and skills, Atlas showed no promise for the future in their eyes. He could be very successful in civilian life, but in the military, the most important factor was ‘potential and the likelihood of realizing it’. Atlas lacked both. He had no future. The reason he was at the academy was because he had achieved high marks in the university entrance exam, caught the attention of the officers in the interviews, and succeeded in high school. If it weren't for these, it would have been impossible for him to enter the academy.

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  The academy's admission limit was usually Upper-Low Tier potential.

  Anything below that was a waste of resources and effort.

  “Tournament rules. No crippling. No prohibited moves. When I say stop, when your opponent surrenders, or when you knock them out, you will stop. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir,” said Orion, a sly smile on his face.

  “Very clear, sir.”

  Orion and Atlas began circling each other in a rhythmic pattern. Their steps were measured, their breathing controlled. Orion's eyes were sharp, his muscles relaxed in places but alert like a predator. Atlas, on the other hand, was completely calm, his knees slightly bent, his left foot forward to solidify his defense.

  Orion smiled slightly. It was as if he was enjoying the whole process, treating it as part of a game. The fingers of his right hand slowly curled into a fist.

  Without giving Atlas a chance to think, he lunged forward. His body stretched like a bow and shot forward, his right fist speeding toward Atlas's jaw. Just as it was about to make contact, Atlas jerked his head to the left, dodging the punch by millimeters. At the same moment, his left knee landed perfectly timed on Orion's ribs.

  Thud!

  A sharp breath escaped Orion's lungs. He staggered back, clenching his teeth to suppress the pain.

  Everyone except Instructor Laedar and Atlas was shocked by what had happened. Orion, in particular, hadn't known Atlas was capable of such a sharp, professional move. The timing was flawless. Orion hadn't even seen the move coming.

  Orion shifted his entire weight onto his left leg and swung a vicious kick at Atlas's knee with his right.

  Crack!

  Bones collided, and Orion's expression twisted.

  A momentary look of bewilderment settled on his face.

  Atlas stared at him without flinching. There was a curious expression on his face.

  Orion couldn't take it anymore and threw a wild punch in anger. Atlas easily deflected the punch with his hand and, seizing the opportunity, struck Orion's face with an open palm.

  Smack!

  Blood spurted from Orion's nose and dripped onto the dusty floor.

  “Unbelievable, he's playing with him like a cat plays with a mouse!” Casius muttered.

  Victoria, watching the events in amazement, looked at Instructor Laedar, who had his arms crossed.

  “Did you know Atlas was such a good fighter, Commander?”

  Instructor Laedar shook his head slowly.

  "He was the club president at Mistwood Military Academy. If only he didn't have that potential problem...“ said Instructor Laedar, clicking his tongue. ”What a pity, such a pity."

  Atlas was finally about to grab Orion by the collar and throw him to the ground when Orion pulled a knife from behind his belt. Atlas didn't see it coming because he was in mid-motion, but Instructor Laedar and Victoria saw the glint of steel clearly.

  Orion's eyes were bloodshot with rage.

  He hadn't even managed to land a single blow on Atlas yet.

  This knife was the hunting knife Instructor Krios had given him for self-defense. It was intended only for life-or-death situations against monsters. In fact, Victoria, Mira, and Casius also had one.

  But to Orion, this was a life-or-death situation for his ego.

  What would happen if I killed someone with low potential like Atlas? he thought. He's worthless to the kingdom. At most, I would be reprimanded or spend a week in detention.

  Orion swung his knife toward Atlas's throat.

  Although Instructor Laedar lunged forward the moment he saw the knife, he seemed to be a split second too late. With everyone's hearts in their mouths, Atlas's body reacted on its own.

  [Quick Reflex activated!]

  [You avoided a deadly attack!]

  He suddenly shifted his weight and struck Orion in the face with his elbow. The impact sent Orion reeling back.

  At the same moment, Atlas grabbed Orion's wrist, twisting it until the knife dropped from his hand.

  “Orion!”

  Instructor Laedar stepped in and struck a precise blow to the back of Orion's neck. The young man instantly lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground with a bright red face.

  Atlas was gasping for breath. Looking at the knife on the ground, he silently thanked the system a thousand times.

  “Candidate Sinclair, are you okay?” Instructor Laedar rushed to Atlas's side in a panic.

  Atlas shook his head and pointed to his arm.

  “Just a small scratch, Commander.”

  Atlas showed the line of blood running from below his elbow to his wrist. It wasn't deep, but it was a dangerously close call. It had narrowly missed his veins.

  After the commotion settled, the candidates ran to Atlas's side. After asking if he was okay, they congratulated him with awe in their eyes. Then, medical staff arrived to carry Orion to the infirmary. The young man's face was a mess. There was nothing left of his honor or his good looks. Atlas had taken everything from him.

  Once the adrenaline subsided a little, Atlas headed for the infirmary with a relaxed smile to get his arm treated.

  Vex was walking beside him.

  He was excited and happy. In fact, he seemed even happier than Atlas.

  “I can't believe you beat him! That arrogant son of a bitch finally had to face reality. From now on, I'll call you Big Brother and follow you everywhere.”

  “I don't need that,” Atlas said coldly.

  “Come on, don't be like that. They'll be coming after you even more now. Orion is Instructor Krios's favorite. Plus, the students care about him more than they do about you. You know why? Because he has a future. Even if he's nothing now, in a few months he'll be able to show his true talents.”

  Atlas rolled his eyes.

  What Vex said was true, but there was one thing he didn't know.

  Orion wouldn't see the next moon.

  Atlas had decided to kill him.