Kaid and **093** faced each other in the middle of the sparring ring, the air thick with tension as if the very air was holding its breath. The recruits lined around the ring were motionless and quiet, their gazes on the two men.
**093**, tall and built like a boulder, stretched his shoulders, the muscles beneath his uniform rippling as he rolled his neck. His piercing green eyes gleamed with confidence, and a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. He clenched his fists, the veins in his arms bulging.
"Hope you're ready," **093** said, his voice low but cutting through the silence like a blade.
Kaid breathed deeply, rolling his shoulders and assuming fight stance. "Let's do this," he said, voice steady but commanding. His eyes never left the face of his opponent, tracking every movement, every weight shift.
Axel and the other team members observed from the sidelines, their attention fixed on Kaid.
"Come on, Kaid," Ava muttered under her breath, her arms crossed. "Don't let that guy crush you."
"He's got this," Lila said softly, though her fingers fidgeted nervously as she spoke.
"Hopefully," Eli muttered. "That guy's built like a tank."
A guard blew a sharp whistle, signaling the start of the match. The fight began.
**093** came in first, moving quickly for a man of such enormity. He launched a killer right hook in an attempt to end the bout in one knockout blow.
Kaid sidestepped at the last second, the punch missing him by a hair's breadth. He felt the air shift as the fist flew past, and he countered with a quick jab to **093**'s ribs. The impact didn't even faze his opponent, who grinned as if amused.
"You're gonna have to hit harder than that," **093** said, his voice carrying a hint of mockery.
Kaid didn't answer, instead slowing down his movements. He zigzagged around the ring in a blur, his quickness allowing him to dodge **093**'s grasp.
But **093** was no thug—there was brains as well as brawn. He advanced in a snarling, angry fashion, closing the gap and pushing Kaid onto the back foot. His punches were hard and quick, each one a battering ram that made the recruits cringe with every close miss. Kaid parried and dodged, his face running with sweat as he just managed to avoid the hail.
Stay alert, Kaid!"
Atlas shouted out from the sideline, his tone loud and firm.
"You can do it!" Ava joined in as well, her fists gripping each other tightly.
Kaid eyed **093**, his mind in high gear, awaiting an opening. **093** swung another merciless punch, and Kaid took advantage of the moment. Low-slung, he dived to one side and shot a solid kick to the small of **093**'s back. The big recruit jerked hard but stabilized in time, whipping back with a growl.
"You're fast," **093** growled. "But quickness won't always be your ticket."
He pushed forward again, arms flailing like hammers. Kaid dodged the first, but the second caught him in the chest, and he reeled backward. The crowd gasped as Kaid stumbled to remain upright, his hands grasping at his ribs.
Axel's jaw clenched as he stood and watched. "Come on, Kaid," he snarled under his breath.
Kaid shook his head, pushing the pain aside. He lifted his fists once more, his eyes clashing with **093**. This wasn't a fight—it was a test of everything he'd learned over the last week.
The two new recruits danced around each other, the tension building with each passing second. Kaid mixed up his motion, feigning left and right to put **093** on shaky terms. When **093** came at him again, Kaid dodged to the side and gave his opponent a solid elbow to the ribcage, followed by a swift punch to the jaw.
The impact finally seemed to register. **093** staggered slightly, his expression darkening. "You're gonna regret that," he spat, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth.
Kaid never flinched, even when **093** covered the ground once again. This time, Kaid refused to yield. He closed quickly, utilizing his compact size in his favor. His jabs were quick and precise, striking exposed areas—ribs, kidneys, jaw. Every punch landed with precision, putting **093** on the back foot.
The onlookers gasped in surprise, the recruits softly applauding as Kaid started turning it around.
"Yeah, Kaid!" Ava shouted, raising her fist.
Eli grinned. "Didn't think he had it in him."
But it wasn't yet over. Gritting his teeth, **093** dragged Kaid forward with him still punching as he yanked Kaid off balance. Kaid stumbled and crashed to the floor, and **093** capitalized on the opportunity to strike Kaid a fierce punch to his rib cage side, and Kaid crumpled to the mat.
The recruits gasped in a shudder as Kaid slammed onto the mat, coughing and grabbing at his ribs.
Stand up, Kaid!" Atlas bellowed, his voice ringing over the chaos.
Kaid ground his teeth, struggling to stand to his knees. His body howled in protest, but he would not remain down. Laboriously, he stood, his legs shaking but his spirit unbroken.
"You've got heart, I'll give you that," **093** said, cracking his knuckles. "But it won't be enough.".
"We'll see about that," Kaid shot back, his voice steady despite the pain.
The whistle blew again, signaling the start of the next round. The crowd leaned forward, their eyes glued to the ring as the fight continued.