Chapter 214: The Final Struck
Gara stood still at the edge of the stage. To the spectators, he looked like he wasn’t even part of the fight.
But in truth, he was in a state of deep focus.
Before the battle began, Gara had placed a layer of his water into Madha’s body.
Every time Maul struck, the impact would be softened— the blow first colliding with Gara’s water before reaching flesh.
Gara’s water protecting Madha’s body was only slightly less effective than his water dome, which Fian couldn’t penetrate before.
Yet Maul’s raw strength was terrifying; he could still push Madha back even through that shield.
No wonder he’s an instructor, Gara thought grimly. Even with that thick head of his, he’s strong.
He tightened his focus whenever Maul’s punches targeted Madha’s injured stomach.
And soon enough, Maul began to sense something off. The damage wasn’t spreading evenly. Some parts of Madha’s body were clearly more protected than others.
Maul scowled. This isn’t just Flesh Shield. There’s something else. It’s like he’s wrapped in a second skin...
I’ve taken down giants before by exploiting their stiffness and cowardice. But this human boy, he doesn’t have those weaknesses. Still, that means he also lacks their advantage.
Giants’ sheer mass is what makes them tough to beat. Madha isn’t nearly that heavy... He should be flying with every punch I throw!
Even as he analyzed, Maul kept attacking, fists blurring through the air.
But the more he hit, the more frustrated he grew.
It looked bad, an instructor failing to overpower one human boy.
So he decided to get serious.
He activated his Talent, All-Around Eye.
Now, his vision expanded, granting him awareness of everything around him. No blind spots. No surprises. No escape.
And before him, Madha was riddled with weaknesses.
Or so it seemed.
THUD!
THUD!
No matter how many times Maul struck, the results were the same. The impacts landed, but never broke through.
His thoughts spiraled. His pride burned. Human kids... they’re supposed to be weak. So why—why aren’t they?!
His gaze flicked past Madha— landing on Gara, who still stood quietly, unmoving.
Something’s wrong.
That brief distraction was all Madha needed.
He swung with all his strength, his iron fist slamming into Maul’s chest and sending the instructor staggering backward.
Rage flooded Maul’s face. Rational thought vanished. He charged wildly, fists lashing out without control.
Below the stage, the students watched with gaping mouths.
"Madha’s strength... it wasn’t like this before," Andine murmured, stunned.
Revan raised an eyebrow. "What, are you saying he’s even stronger than you thought?"
Andine shook her head. "No. He’s holding back. That’s what’s strange."
"That’s him holding back?! Don’t exaggerate!" Vania snapped, unable to accept what she was seeing.
"I’m not exaggerating!" Andine shot back. "When he fought me earlier, he used his Talent far more intensely than this!"
"Wait, he fought you?" Revan asked, blinking.
"Who else? We dueled earlier. I lost, but I did land a hit on his stomach."
"Liar!" Vania shouted, spinning to glare straight at her. "Didn’t you see him get punched in the gut again and again? He’s perfectly fine!"
Andine shoved Vania back to her spot. "That’s exactly why I’m confused! Either Madha wasn’t fighting me seriously before, or... there’s another factor."
Her eyes shifted toward Gara. "If it’s Gara, then maybe—"
Before she could finish, a loud voice cut through the air.
"Madha! Let’s finish this now!" Gara shouted from the podium.
The declaration was bold, too bold.
"How?" the students murmured among themselves, puzzled.
Maul, on the other hand, was beyond reason now. Rage had completely taken over.
He no longer fought with his mind, only raw instinct.
His fists blurred.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Each blow sent Madha skidding backward, until he stood only two steps away from Gara.
"This will be my final strike!" Maul roared, throwing a powerful punch.
Shoong—Crack!
Suddenly, a cluster of small, fast-moving water bullets shot straight toward his face.
Maul caught a glimpse of Gara, hand raised in an odd gesture— his fingers flicking forward as the watery projectiles launched from them. Not one, but many.
Maul reflexively raised his arms to shield his eyes.
The impact was sharp enough to draw blood even through his thick skin.
Had he not covered up in time, his eyes might’ve been blinded.
But the real attack hadn’t even started.
The instant Maul flinched and closed his eyes, Madha lunged forward— his fist glowing faintly as he poured all his strength into one devastating strike.
BAM!
The punch landed clean.
Maul’s massive body was thrown backward off the stage, stumbling helplessly as the barrage of water bullets kept pelting him midair.
Unable to open his eyes or regain balance, he crashed hard into the grass below.
Only when his body hit the ground did the barrage finally stop.
Maul blinked furiously, his vision clearing— only to see Gara and Madha standing tall on the stage, smiling in triumph.
All around him, the students erupted in shock.
"Gara! Madha! You guys won!" one of the human students shouted, snapping Maul’s mind back to reality.
He —Maul, an instructor of the Offense Class— had just been defeated by the very human boys he’d mocked as weak.
And it was his prejudice that led to his downfall.
"CLASS DISMISSED!" he bellowed, storming off the field without looking back.
The arena burst into chatter, voices buzzing with awe and admiration for Madha.
Gara and Madha stepped down from the stage.
At the bottom of the stairs, Kevio stood frozen, eyes wide, still reeling from the result. Just weeks ago, he’d mocked them as useless.
Madha stopped beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Now you know what it feels like to be called weak," he said quietly. "Next time, don’t waste time thinking about others. Become stronger for yourself."
His tone wasn’t mocking, nor condescending. It carried the calm authority of someone speaking from experience.
Kevio’s eyes welled with tears.
As Gara walked past, he could hear the boy stifling a sob.
Below the stage, Orman rushed over, showering Madha with praise— his enthusiasm unstoppable whenever it came to his friend’s victories.
But not everyone celebrated.
"You cheated!" Vania snapped, striding forward, her glare sharp. "You only won because Gara attacked Sir Maul and distracted him! That’s the only reason Madha could land a hit!"
Andine stepped forward too, crossing her arms. "So, what— you think it’s fair for an S-Rank Liner, an instructor no less, to go all-out against a newly awakened E-rank and D-rank pair?"
...