The academy buzzed with excitement. The **Annual Combat Tournament** was the highlight of the year, where students battled to prove their strength.
Ape-X wasn't planning to join.
He didn't need the attention. **But then he saw them.**
His **bullies.**
They laughed, bragging about how they'd dominate the tournament.
"Man, I wish we could fight that loser, X," one sneered. "But weaklings don't get invited."
Ape-X sighed. **Guess I'm entering.**
---
### **The Tournament Begins**
The arena was packed. **Hundreds of students, teachers, and even city officials watched from the stands.**
X **kept his hood up**, walking toward the fighters. **No one noticed him.**
"Next match—" the announcer called.
**"Ape-X vs. Tyran."**
The crowd **burst into laughter.**
"Wait—X joined?!"
"Bro's gonna get wrecked!"
Tyran, a well-known fighter with **brute strength and wind manipulation,** smirked.
"Didn't know we were doing warm-up matches."
Ape-X just rolled his shoulders. "Let's get this over with."
---
### **The Fight**
The match **started.**
Tyran **dashed forward**—his fists coated in wind energy. **He moved fast.** Faster than most.
**But to X, he was slow.**
**Dodge.**
X stepped aside, hands in his pockets. Tyran's fist hit nothing but air.
The crowd gasped.
Tyran growled. "Stop running!"
**Boom!** He summoned a wind vortex, sending **blades of air** toward X.
**X exhaled.**
He **unlocked** his power.
**"Lock—Wind."**
The wind **froze in midair.**
Tyran's eyes widened. "W-what?!"
Ape-X finally moved.
One step forward. Then—**BAM!**
A single palm strike **cracked the air.**
Tyran flew **out of the arena, unconscious.**
Silence.
Then—**the crowd erupted.**
---
### **The Aftermath**
The school was **shaken.** The bullies who once mocked X now whispered in fear.
His crush? **She watched him closely now.**
And the Kaizerians?
Somewhere in the shadows, **Kaizer of Mind smirked.**
**"So… he's finally showing himself."**
**To be continued…