Ruth and Javier eventually came to understand the reason behind Raiden’s preemptive apology. This was a significant concern for them because they were all on track to graduate from their current floor together within the next two or three weeks.

Despite their progress and the shared goal of completing the floor as a team, Raiden had to make a decision that required him to part ways with them temporarily. His apology had signaled that he anticipated this separation and wanted to prepare them for the possibility.

Once again, Raiden and Javier were going to face each other, but this time around, Javier didn’t look that eager or confident. Raiden improved his skills more than a little bit in a few days, after all. Besides, the aura around him was also sharper, or perhaps more obvious than before.

"This time, both of you can use your techniques the way you see fit since this is also a graduation test," Altria declared and then looked at both of them. "Start."

Raiden and Javier assumed their fighting stances, but neither of them moved from their spot. In the intense standoff between Raiden and Javier, the air seemed to hum with anticipation. Javier, his muscles coiled like a spring, shifted slightly from foot to foot. He was well aware of the danger of approaching Raiden hastily. Every instinct screamed at him to remain cautious, to wait for an opening. His eyes darted across Raiden’s still figure, searching for any sign of movement or vulnerability.

Raiden, in stark contrast, was a study in calmness. His stance was like that of a statue, a clear sign of his discipline and control. He had chosen this approach deliberately, aiming to showcase the efficacy of his techniques through a minimalist approach. To him, the duel was not merely about engaging in combat but about illustrating the power of precise, calculated action. His focus was on conserving energy and responding only when absolutely necessary, trusting in his training to guide him through the encounter.

The duel was more than a physical confrontation; it was a battle of wills and strategies. Javier’s hesitance and Raiden’s composed demeanor created a charged atmosphere, where each second stretched as they evaluated their opponent. Javier had to weigh the risks of making a move against the potential benefits, while Raiden’s lack of movement was a calculated statement of his confidence in his defensive and offensive capabilities.

All of a sudden, Raiden stepped in like the wind when Javier tried to shift his weight from one foot to the other... before he could complete that move, Raiden got close enough to attack him, forcing Javier to activate all of his techniques and then attack as well.

Javier launched a barrage of punches toward Raiden, but he weaved around and avoided each one of the strikes. It was almost like he was dancing, trying to mirror the reverse of Javier’s moves.

All of a sudden, Javier launched an upward kick that was fast and sharp, but Raiden moved to the side and avoided the attack by a hair’s breadth... the attack had been powerful enough to send a blast of wind that moved the air of the other students twenty meters away.

Raiden could have attacked Javier’s left side, but his arms were already raised in that stance and ready to defend. When Javier fixed his stance, he jumped away from Raiden but soon jumped toward him and then spun his body in the air, launching a barrage of kicks at him.

Once again, Raiden weaved around and avoided the six hits before Javier could land... at that point in time, he felt satisfied with his combination and knowing that his techniques wouldn’t last for long, Raiden went to the offense.

Raiden suddenly broke the silence with a swift and aggressive maneuver. He launched a barrage of punches towards Javier, moving with a surprising agility around him. The flurry of strikes was relentless, each punch aimed with precision and speed. Raiden’s movement was fluid and dynamic, making it difficult for Javier to track him fully.

Javier, caught off guard by Raiden’s sudden assault, struggled to keep up. His fast reflexes allowed him to follow Raiden’s movement to some extent, but he faced a significant challenge: he was unable to move his arms as fast as his legs. In an attempt to defend himself, Javier raised his arms to create a makeshift shield. This defensive posture provided some protection but proved inadequate against the relentless barrage.

Raiden’s strikes were calculated to exploit this weakness. Instead of targeting broader areas, Raiden focused his punches specifically on Javier’s wrists. The concentrated assault on his wrists not only bypassed the shield-like defense but also inflicted significant pain and disruption. The precision of Raiden’s attacks ensured that even with Javier’s arms raised, the force of the blows penetrated through his defenses.

The targeted strikes on Javier’s wrists had a dual effect: they caused immediate pain and made it increasingly difficult for him to block or counter Raiden’s attacks effectively.

When Javier flinched, Raiden moved to the side a bit and then kicked his right leg, breaking his stance completely... when Javier began to fall, he landed a palm strike on his chin and knocked him down after spinning in the air five times. Javier’s eyes spun for a while, but then he eventually got up. Still, two minutes had already passed since the end of the match.

"You two proved your progress, and while Javier is almost there, he didn’t show a combination of his techniques effectively, train hard, and use this experience to make you understand what you can do to improve your fighting style, " Altria declared. "As for Raiden, you proved that you can enter the Adept level now. I take it that you want to join the mission where the students of the adept and scholar level will partake from tomorrow onwards, is that right?"

"Yes, ma’am," Raiden nodded.

"All right, I will talk with our leader and confirm that you are skilled enough for it," Altria declared.

Raiden’s performance in the duel was a sign of his meticulously crafted fighting style. He skillfully exploited every opening that Javier presented, delivering precise and relentless strikes. Raiden’s movement was a blend of agility and tactical precision, ensuring that he capitalized on Javier’s vulnerabilities while remaining away from attacks. Each punch was carefully aimed to maximize impact, particularly targeting areas where Javier’s defense was weakest.

Raiden’s ability to avoid any counterattacks from Javier showed the effectiveness of his technique. By maintaining constant pressure and leveraging his opponent’s weaknesses, Raiden demonstrated the fighting style he had envisioned, a style built on exploiting openings and controlling the pace of the fight.

However, despite Altria’s recognition that Raiden possessed the skill level necessary to reach the adept level, Raiden felt a sense of dissatisfaction. He believed that his advantage over Javier was not solely due to his skill but also because of the difference between their chosen paths and his unique hidden power. This power allowed him to improve his abilities and, with a bit of fortune, add an additional layer to his combat effectiveness.

Things got a bit awkward when those three headed home after the lessons... Raiden didn’t cause that much physical damage, but the others felt that he was being sneaky for no reason. He should have just told them that he wanted to go to help Iri with the mission.

Maybe they could have improved faster together, but Raiden didn’t want to make them endure his stunts... it had been pretty tiresome to use his new technique all the time and keep himself almost always exhausted.

"I wouldn’t recommend this method of training, but you can do this now and then to improve your training efficiency," Raiden said after he explained his method of training. "I don’t know for how long I will be away, so maybe you guys will reach the scholar level in the meantime of the mission. The instructors of the adept and scholar level won’t come with us, after all."

Despite Raiden’s attempts to talk with them, they did not offer any response or engage in further conversation, simply parting ways at their usual spot. Their grumpiness was evident, and Raiden understood their reactions. He recognized that their silence and unwillingness to interact were signs of their own frustrations and emotional state.

Raiden couldn’t fault them for their behavior; after all, emotions ran high during intense confrontations, and everyone had their own way of processing and dealing with such experiences. He saw their reticence as an indicator of their need for further growth and reflection.

He believed that some time apart would be beneficial. A few months away from him, with the opportunity to process their experiences and focus on their own development, might help them address their issues and return with a fresh perspective. Raiden was confident that this period of separation would contribute to their personal growth, helping them improve both in their skills and their emotional resilience.