Neko-sensei and Kai stood across from each other like warriors about to have a valiant duel.
They were both unarmed, with no weapon in sight except the faint mana that lingered in the atmosphere.
Kai locked his gaze on Neko-sensei, and with a loud thud, their fists collided.
A few seconds later, Kai leapt back, flailing with his hands. "Stop! Stop! Stop!"
Neko-sensei tilted her head a bit. "Why? What happened?"
He stared at his fist that had turned red for a moment, then back at her. "This doesn't make sense."
"What doesn't?"
He shook his head as he stared intensely at her. "I ascended one rank, so isn't my overall strength supposed to be closer to yours?" He paused, his eyes narrowing, then widened suddenly. "No way, are you...?"
Neko-sensei interrupted his words with a faint hiss. "Don't say it out loud. Me becoming an S-rank is meant to be classified information."
