Word spread like wildfire through the school.
Park Minjae was defeated.
No one had ever broken Minjae in a one-on-one fight before.
And yet—Jang Hamin did it alone.
Some students whispered respect.
Others, fear.
But Choi Mirae? She stayed calm.
Because she had another piece to play.
---
After School – Martial Arts Club Building
Hamin pushed open the gym door, expecting silence.
Instead, a sharp thwack of a wooden sword hitting a sandbag echoed.
A boy stood there, his hair tied tight, eyes sharp and calculating. His sleeves rolled up, knuckles wrapped in black tape.
> "Jang Hamin?" he asked without turning.
Hamin narrowed his eyes. "Who's asking?"
The boy turned.
His presence was overwhelming. Focused. Hungry.
> "I'm Kim Hajin. Captain of the underground Kendo team."
"Choi Mirae told me to teach you respect."
---
The Fight Begins
Hajin didn't wait.
He surged forward, drawing his shinai like a real blade. The speed was unlike anything Hamin had faced so far.
Crack!
The wooden sword struck Hamin's shoulder—pain flared, and he barely twisted to avoid the follow-up blow.
> "You've got talent," Hajin smirked, "but no discipline."
Hamin gritted his teeth.
Then he smiled.
> "Let's test that theory."
---
The Shift
Hamin switched styles. Boxing stance. Sharp jabs.
Hajin adjusted—deflected every punch with his blade's hilt, reading Hamin like an open book.
It wasn't brute strength. It was art.
Blow after blow, the two exchanged strikes—until Hajin drove his shinai toward Hamin's neck.
And that's when—
Blue shimmer.
A faint glow in Hamin's eyes.
He grabbed the blade mid-swing. Hajin's eyes widened.
> What kind of grip strength—?!
Hamin's knee collided with Hajin's gut—then a hook slammed into his jaw.
Hajin stumbled.
But he didn't fall.
> "You're… interesting," Hajin coughed. "I like that."
---