The invitation arrived in the form of a sealed holo-scroll, bearing the crest of Nova Helix Academy. Ash Atsuyuki read it with quiet amusement, the official tone doing little to mask the true intent behind it.


    To Ash Atsuyuki,


    You are hereby selected as Nova Helix Academy''s representative for the Inter-School Martial Contest.


    Your record, skill, and recent accomplishments have earned you this right. Participation is mandatory.


    Victory will bring prestige to the Academy. Failure is not an option.


    He handed the scroll to Kaito, who skimmed over it before exhaling sharply. "So, they''re finally calling on you."


    Ash leaned back, eyes narrowing. "They want me in the spotlight. It''s more than just a contest—this is a test. For me, for the Shirogiri name."


    Kaito nodded. "And it''s not just students you''ll be facing. Rival clans, corporate-funded fighters, and enhanced warriors from across the syndicates. Some might even have orders to eliminate you."


    A smirk played at Ash''s lips. "Good. Let them try."


    The Gathering Storm


    Word spread quickly.


    The Inter-School Martial Contest wasn''t just an exhibition of skill—it was a battleground where alliances were forged, rivalries deepened, and reputations made or broken. Every major Academy sent their best, many of whom were more than just students.


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    Some were heirs to crime syndicates, others were corporate-sponsored augmented warriors, and a few were simply born prodigies of combat.


    Names began to surface in hushed conversations:


    Tsukihime Rei – The fighter Ash had previously defeated, now rumored to have undergone intensive training and augmentation for a rematch


    .Lucien Valmont – The representative of Eidolon Institute, a fighter trained in experimental zero-lag neural combat techniques.


    Izanami Kuro – The daughter of a feared assassin family, her entire style built around lethal precision and deception.


    Damian Voss – A cybernetic powerhouse from the Ares Academy, enhanced with military-grade augmentations, rumored to be nearly unstoppable in close combat.


    Each of them had something to prove. Each of them saw Ash as an obstacle—or a target.


    Balancing Power and Battle


    Ash knew what this contest meant.


    Winning would elevate the Shirogiri name beyond the underworld, giving it legitimacy in circles that mattered. Losing? That wasn''t an option.


    But the timing was dangerous.


    The Shirogiri were still consolidating power, and every second spent training for the contest meant less time securing their hold on the Mori''s former assets. Kaito made his concerns clear.


    "We''re still cleaning up loose ends, and now you''ll be locked in combat with some of the most dangerous fighters in the system? This isn''t just about skill—someone will use this as a chance to kill you."


    Ash''s response was simple: "Then I''ll make an example of them."


    He stood, rolling his shoulders, feeling the weight of both the underworld and the martial world pressing against him.


    "Send word to Kenshiko. Have her monitor every opponent. Strengths, weaknesses, hidden connections. If someone wants to eliminate me in this contest, I want to see them coming before they even step in the ring."


    Kaito sighed. "And your training? You can''t fight this like a street brawl."


    Ash smirked. "I''ll train. But I won''t fight their way. I''ll make them fight mine."


    The tournament was coming.


    The Shirogiri name would either rise with it—or be buried in the arena.