The following day arrived faster than Shido expected.
Just as Chichi had said, the first few days at Douma High were meant for academic review and world knowledge. But today marked the moment many students had been waiting for.
Combat training.
Or more specifically—
Mock-Battles.
When Shido entered the classroom that morning, the atmosphere felt noticeably different.
Students who had previously looked bored during lectures now seemed energetic. Some were talking excitedly, while others sat quietly, clearly focused on the coming event.
Shido slid into his seat calmly and glanced around the room.
'So today is the day', he thought. Then Shido realized that Akuma and Ryuen today weren't here.
'Hmmm Ryuen and Akuma aren't here today? And yah i just found out that the boss Ryuen talked about was not exactly from our class nor from this High school.
And since the day i easily beat up Ryuen he hasn't once tried to take back any kind of revenge against me. I wonder why?
Not long after thinking to himself the class door opened and instructor Halden walked in.
Instructor Halden is our classes combat teacher. While of education teacher is Owen don.
The classroom immediately quieted.
Instructer Halden placed a stack of papers on the desk and looked across the students.
"As most of you already know, today marks the beginning of 2-days practical training."
A few students straightened in their seats.
"At Douma High, combat practice is conducted through a structured system called Mock-Battles."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"These battles are not random fights."
"They are supervised combat exercises designed to test your abilities, control, and decision-making. And also used to determine one's rank."
Instructer Halden turned and wrote two large words on the board.
[MOCK BATTLE SYSTEM]:
Then he began explaining.
"There are four primary formats used by the academy."
He raised one finger.
"First: Standard Duel."
"A one-on-one battle between two students. Victory is decided when one opponent is unable to continue or voluntarily yields."
He raised a second finger.
"Second: Squad Battle."
"A team-based engagement between groups of three to five students."
"These battles focus on coordination and strategy."
Then he raised a third finger.
"Third: Challenge Duel."
At those words, a few students reacted.
Halden noticed.
"Yes. I see some of you are already familiar with that term."
He continued.
"A Challenge Duel occurs when one student directly challenges another."
"Unlike standard duels, the challenger publicly declares the battle beforehand."
"In many cases these battles are used to settle disputes or prove superiority."
Instructer Halden's gaze swept across the classroom.
"However, Douma High enforces strict supervision. No student is allowed to seriously injure or kill another."
Shido listened quietly.
So this is the system Sakura mentioned.
Mock-Battles.
Structured combat.
It was basically a legal way for students to test themselves.
Instructer Halden tapped the board again.
"Today we will begin with Standard Duels."
The class suddenly buzzed with excitement.
Several students immediately began whispering.
Shido remained calm then he realized something so he asked "Excuse me instructor but didn't you say there exists four primary formats? So what's the last one?"
Instructor Halden paused then smiled and answered with a wide grin: "Oh the fourth is actually a Mock-Battle between Highschool's most known as: Royal Rumble."
"You'll all learn about it someday but for today that's all you need to know."
Then after that instructor Halden went into a long yet short explanation about Mock-Battles, Shido leaned back slightly in his chair folding his arms listening.
'Interesting. So this school actually encourages fighting.'
Then instructer Halden continued.
"Now before we begin, I will also explain the ranking system."
The class quieted again.
"At Douma High, students are ranked based on their performance in mock battles."
"Your ranking affects many things. Students here are ranked by 7-star's."
"The more stars you have the more access you have. Since you guy's are new students you all only have one star, and the only way you can increase your own star through Mock-Battles."
He then began listing all the access one could get:
Access to training resources
Advanced combat classes
Private instructors
Eligibility for national tournaments
Then instructor Halden paused.
"In simple terms…"
"The stronger you prove yourself to be—"
"The more opportunities you gain."
Now the room felt electric.
Some students looked eager.
Others looked nervous.
Shido simply smiled faintly. 'So this is how this academy measures talent.'
Instructer Halden picked up a clipboard.
"We will now move to the training arena."
Chairs scraped lightly across the floor as students stood.
The entire class began filing out.
Shido followed quietly. But he then felt something. A person's gaze, not hostile nor hateful but instead it carried obvious interest and curiosity.
Just from that gaze Shido already knew who it belonged to. It was that silent and mysterious girl that seat behind him.
And if Shido wasn't wrong her name was: Rei Kanade.
'This girl... something about her is strange yet... interesting. I just don't know what yet? But when I'll do... heh.'
A few minutes later they arrived outside.
Behind the school building stood a massive structure resembling a stadium.
Tall reinforced walls surrounded it, and ability-dampening barriers shimmered faintly in the air.
Instructor Halden stopped at the entrance.
"This is Douma High's Combat Arena."
Some students looked impressed.
Inside, the arena floor was divided into several circular platforms designed specifically for battles.
Each platform had protective barriers surrounding it.
Instructer Halden turned back to the class.
"For today, we will begin with introductory duels."
He glanced at the clipboard again.
Then he spoke the first names.
"Victor Hale."
"Leon Idris."
Two boys stepped forward immediately.
One looked confident.
The other slightly nervous.
The rest of the class moved to the viewing area around the arena.
Shido stood near the railing, observing calmly.
The two students stepped onto one of the platforms.
A barrier flickered to life around them.
Instructer Halden's voice echoed across the arena.
"Begin!"
The fight started instantly.
Victor rushed forward with enhanced speed while Leon raised his arms defensively.
Shido watched carefully.
The movements.
The way abilities were used.
The timing.
'Hmm…'
The battle lasted less than a minute before Leon was knocked down.
Instructer Halden raised a hand.
"Victor wins."
The barrier dissolved.
The class murmured quietly.
More duels followed.
Each fight revealed a little more about the students' abilities.
But Shido wasn't focused on the winners.
He was studying the system.
The strength levels.
The ability control.
The reactions of the crowd.
Then instructer Halden's voice rang out again.
"Next duel."
He looked down at the clipboard.
Then he spoke the next name.
"Shido Urazaki."
The arena suddenly became quiet.
Several students immediately turned toward him.
Even instructer Halden looked slightly curious. And there he felt it again, Rei Kanade's curious gaze on his back. But Shido ignored it.
"Your opponent will be—"
He paused briefly before finishing.
"Takeshi Ryo."
A tall boy stepped forward from the crowd with a confident grin.
Shido stepped onto the platform calmly.
The barrier rose around them.
Takeshi cracked his knuckles and smirked.
"So finally i can see what the new guy everyone's talking about is like."
Shido simply loosened his shoulders slightly.
"Ohh~it that so?" Lazily questioned Shido with his usual droopy-eyelashes.
Instructer Halden raised his hand.
"Mock-Battle… Begin!"
The moment the signal was given—
Takeshi's ability flared to life.
And the duel started.