After Aka and 29's fight had just ended, Aka had finally won for the first time in a very long while. His greatest tactic was his large physical energy reservoir, but 30 didn't really have that kind of capacity, so he couldn't make use of it. So he used the All-In technique that 29 refused to use, and by channeling all the physical energy he had into his arms and fists, he knocked 29 unconscious in a single blow and ended the fight like that.
Afterwards, Aka also began fighting together with his team, but because of the strength they had gained through their abilities, they were really pushing him hard and sometimes were even able to defeat him. During one of these losses, Aka gained inspiration and immediately ran to the Healer, asking to learn about poisons. However, the Healer refused, yet still told him to wait and brought him two books and handed them to Aka. Aka knew that this wasn't out of kindness, but because the Healer wanted him to owe her in the future.
Aka realized that he barely even knew how to read or write, but now he no longer spent his nights sleeping with 29. Instead, he spent them reading these books and learning the language. In this way, a month passed quickly, and then Aka once again wanted to fight everyone and began the matches one by one.
He first started with 32, who seemed like the simplest opponent. But to keep things fair, before the fight began, 32 turned into a shadow and the battle began like that. Aka closed his eyes and focused only on his senses, waiting for 32 to attack him. After a while, 32 really did emerge from behind Aka and was just about to stab a dagger into his back when Aka grabbed his hand and, using most of his physical strength, punched 32 in the head. 32 took so much damage that his head was almost shattered, but the Healer immediately rushed in and saved him. For the first time, the Healer was visibly exhausted. From this, Aka understood that if he tired the Healer enough, he might actually be able to kill her.
Aka immediately apologized to his entire team and said he still couldn't properly control his strength, apologizing once more. The team was honestly afraid of Aka, but they also knew that fighting him would help them improve, and because the Healer was there, they didn't back down.
Now 33 stepped up against Aka and quickly attacked him, but Aka caught his punch. At that moment, 33 had already switched his dagger to his other hand and tried to stab Aka in the stomach, but Aka's armor protected him. Aka saw an opportunity and tripped 33, but 33 escaped by jumping and flipped mid-air to kick Aka in the head. However, Aka acted as if nothing had happened, grabbed 33's leg, and threw him to the ground. During this, Aka's body was almost pressed against him, so 33 couldn't really use his arms. He then grabbed dust from the ground and threw it into Aka's eyes. Aka was dazed, and while he slightly lifted himself off 33, 33 immediately swung his dagger. But apparently, this was exactly what Aka had been waiting for, because he grabbed 33's arm and broke it mercilessly. The dagger fell from 33's hand, and Aka, taking advantage of the confusion caused by the pain, stabbed his shoulders with the dagger and began punching his face.
By the time he was done with him, Aka only had 10 units of physical power left, but he still wanted to fight 34, because if his physical power were to be completely depleted in that match, it would be an unmissable opportunity to expand his reservoir.
Aka also planned to try something different against 34, and when the fight began, he deliberately restricted himself. He thought as if he didn't actually want to attack in order to win, but only to defend himself. 34 was waiting for his power to activate, so he moved behind Aka. But Aka didn't move forward either, because it was mentally exhausting to maintain this mindset. He needed to do this, however, because when the time came, 34 would be the first person to realize that Aka wanted to kill him.
The fight continued like this for a few minutes until 34 guessed Aka's plan and started attacking. He tried to stab his daggers anywhere on Aka's body armor, but even with his eyes closed, Aka dodged most of the blows. When he couldn't dodge, he used his physical power to harden the exact point where the attack was coming from, surviving the strikes. Still, no matter how well he defended, he couldn't attack at all. After around five minutes of defending himself like this, the effects of not sleeping for a month finally began to appear. Just as his mind was about to collapse, Aka finally allowed himself to think of attacking, and 34's ability activated. But unfortunately, 34 still couldn't dodge Aka's punch and was knocked out in one blow.
In this way, Aka defeated all his opponents using his intelligence. But neither his physical power, nor his mind, nor his bodily energy remained, so he postponed his fight with 29 and sincerely asked her if they could sleep together. Even though she was still full of energy, 29 had missed Aka very much, so she didn't refuse him and they slept together.
The next day, 29 woke Aka up, and after they ate together, they finally stepped onto the field and began their fight face-to-face.
Aka lunged forward and began punching 29, but 29 proudly looked at him as if nothing at all was happening. Then, while Aka was punching, she grabbed his arm and mercilessly broke it. No matter how much pain Aka felt, especially after his second ritual, his willpower made him feel as if he would never faint, no matter how much he suffered. Aka moved back with his broken arm, but 29 followed him and always stayed close. Aka saw an opportunity and threw a throwing dagger at 29 using an average level of physical strength. Since 29's physical energy shield was weak, the dagger pierced through and stabbed into her. She then took the dagger and hid it inside her armor to use at the right time.
From that point on, Aka had very few plans left, and the only tactic that could lead him to victory was the All-In technique that had made him win the previous match. Meanwhile, 29 never let him go and continued attacking him with her fists and dagger. However, Aka saw a chance and punched 29 with all his strength again, completely draining his remaining physical power — yet 29 still didn't fall and continued launching fast assaults at him.
Since Aka no longer had any physical power left, it would be very difficult for him to break through 29's constant physical energy barrier unless he expanded his reservoir. He closed his eyes and left everything to instinct, slipping past 29's barrage of punches. 29, however, was starting to get tired and slow down. At that moment, Aka saw his chance and, with all his willpower, expanded his reservoir and swept 29's legs, throwing her to the ground. 29 couldn't avoid this, because for some reason she didn't yet understand, her senses were gradually dulling.
Meanwhile, Aka continued drawing physical power from the world and used it to keep beating 29. But when she reached a point where she couldn't even guard herself anymore, Aka immediately picked her up and ran to the Healer. He told the Healer that he had used a low-dose, slow-acting paralytic poison on her. The Healer quickly went and brought the antidote, made 29 drink it, and even though she wasn't badly wounded, still healed her and then let her rest. But then she began talking to Aka.
In short, she told him that if he was going to use poison from now on, he had to inform her in advance. If he didn't, he would not be allowed to use poison at all. Even though Aka said he needed this because he was weak, the Healer had known him since the day he arrived and was aware he had been hiding his true strength. But she didn't interfere, nor did she ever tell the instructors, because her relationship with Aka and the instructors was very different. She hinted to Aka that she knew, and Aka immediately went quiet and accepted it. Afterwards, he carried 29 in a bridal carry, laid her on her bed, and then went alone to the training grounds and kept sparring with the air until all of his physical power was gone.
If you've read or taken a look, thank you so much. If you have any thoughts — good or bad — please leave a comment. I'll probably see and reply right away. Thanks again, and I wish you a great day.