Unveiled Potential

The next day after the Council, Jiro felt that tension settle into the air like a thick fog. He wasn't one to be rattled, but the stakes were undeniably higher now. It wasn't just about petty fights or schoolyard rivalries anymore; he was playing in a league where the consequences were far-reaching and often unseen.

Jiro sat at his desk, staring out the classroom window as the teacher droned on. Jin, ever his perceptive friend, nudged him with an elbow.

"Don't space out now, man. The Council's not done with you," Jin said in a low voice.

"I know," Jiro replied, his gaze unwavering. "They're testing me, and this is just the beginning."

"Any idea what they'll do next?

Jiro shook his head. "No, but I doubt they'll come at me directly. They'll want to see how far I can go first."

Jin frowned, sitting back in his chair. "Just watch your back, okay? The Council doesn't play fair."

The first hint of trouble came during lunchtime. Jiro and Jin had just sat down when a group of students approached their table. At the front was a familiar face—Hyun-Seok, looking smug despite his recent humiliation.

"Han," Hyun-Seok called, his tone dripping with mockery. "We're not finished yet."

Jiro looked up, his expression calm but cold. "Is that so?"

"You embarrassed me in front of everyone," Hyun-Seok continued, his voice rising. "And now I'm going to make sure you regret it."

Jin rolled his eyes. "Wow, real original. What's next? You challenge him to another fight?"

Hyun-Seok smirked, pulling out a piece of paper and slamming it on the table. "No, this time it's official. A tournament. One-on-one matches. No interference, no excuses."

Jiro picked up the paper scanning the bold lettering in it:

"School Combat Tournament: Prove Your Worth"

He wrinkled his brow. "And this is your suggestion?"

"Not mine. But the Council's one. They believe it's high time to see who really is the strongest," Hyun-Seok said.

So this is their plan, Jiro narrowed eyes.

"Fine," Jiro said, tossing the paper back at Hyun-Seok. "I'll play along."

Word of the tournament spread like wildfire, and by the end of the day, it was all anyone could talk about. The school was abuzz with speculation about who would enter and who had the best chance of winning.

Jiro spent the evening in the gym, his fists pounding against the heavy bag as he worked out the frustrations of the day. With each punch, the silence was broken by the resonant thud, echoing off the empty space-the sound of battles to be fought.

Jin sat beside him, scrolling through his phone. "Looks like the Council's really pulling out all the stops. They've got every major fighter in the school signed up.

"Good," said Jiro, his voice steady, despite the strain in his muscles. "The more, the better. Let them come."

"You're insane, you know that?" Jin muttered. "But I guess that's why you're my friend."

Jiro smirked, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from his face. "If you're not a little crazy, you're not really living."

The following week, the school gymnasium was transformed into an arena. Bleachers were packed with students, their excitement palpable as they awaited the start of the tournament.

Jiro stood in the locker room, wrapping his hands in tape as the muffled roar of the crowd echoed around him. He could feel the anticipation building, the thrill of competition igniting a fire in his chest.

Knock on the door broke his concentration. He turned to see Tae-Min leaning carelessly against the doorframe.

"Figured you'd be here," Tae-Min said in a casual tone laced with curiosity.

"What do you want?" Jiro asked, tightening the tape around his wrists.

"Just wanted to wish you luck," Tae-Min said with a smirk. "You're going to need it."

Jiro laughed, shaking his head. "You think I'm going to lose?"

"Not necessarily," Tae-Min said. "But this isn't just about fighting. The Council's got their eyes on you, and they're not going to let you walk away unscathed."

Jiro nodded, his face stern. "I'll deal with them when the time comes."

Jiro's first opponent was Kyung-Ho, the wiry sophomore who used his speed and unorthodox fighting style to disorient his opponents. And when the referee signaled him to start the match, Kyung-Ho darted forward, his movements a blur.

Jiro remained very calm, with his Perception Field allowing him to trace Kyung-Ho's erratic attacks. He dodged a flurry of punches from Kyung-Ho, countering with a well-placed kick that sent Kyung-Ho flying to the ground.

The crowd went wild as Jiro stood tall, his win quick and decisive.

"Winner: Jiro Han!" the announcer bellowed, and Jiro raised his hand to the crowd before walking out of the ring.

Jiro stood, getting ready for his next bout, but he felt as though he was under someone's scrutiny. His Perception Field tingled slightly as he sensed a presence around him.

He turned, scanning the locker room, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Still, the unease lingered.

"Paranoid already?" Jin joked, appearing at Jiro's side.

"Something's off," Jiro muttered, his eyes narrowing.

"Of course it is," Jin said. "You're in the middle of a tournament orchestrated by the Council. They're probably watching your every move."

Jiro nodded, but the sensation in his stomach said otherwise. Someone's here, and they're not just watching.

In their secret conference room, the Council watched the tournament on a live feed. Min-Jae sat back in his chair, a small smile on his face.

"He's better than we thought," Sun-Woo said, still gazing at the screen.

"Agreed," Eun-Soo said, her voice laced with intrigue. "But how far can he go?"

Min-Jae steepled his fingers, his gaze thoughtful. "We'll see. For now, let him play his part. The real test comes later."

"What about Hyun-Seok?" Eun-Soo asked. "He's still gunning for Jiro."

"Let him," Min-Jae said, his smile widening. "If Jiro can't handle Hyun-Seok, he's not worth our time."