AN: Warning graphic content ahead.

Kurato had been turned away at the gate by the Ability Single, Team and Section clubs.

The next club he visited was the Phalanx Club, which conducted large-scale 13 vs 13 ability battles.

It was the very first club introduced during the club presentations.

It was also the only ability club that had performed an impressive demonstration during the introduction, suggesting that they might not have as many members as the others.

In fact, the Phalanx club had more player slots than the other ability clubs, meaning there were more chances to become a player.

He had also heard that compared to the other ability clubs, their popularity and achievements were somewhat declining, which might mean the competition would be lower.

The Phalanx club’s building was also enormous, resembling a massive gymnasium like the other ability clubs.

With determination, Kurato stepped inside.

Just as it looked from the outside, the training hall was extremely spacious and the equipment was as luxurious as ever.

Even if its results were worse than the other ability clubs, this was still Sakurazaka Academy. The equipment quality didn’t suffer.

A wealthy school indeed.

Inside the training hall, many students were already practicing.

They were doing something similar to shuttle runs together.

Kurato approached a female student standing at the edge of the field, watching the players with a strict gaze.

"You want to join as a player?"

The girl supervising the practice turned toward him.

She handed the coaching role to another student and faced Kurato.

Her glossy black hair flowed in soft waves, giving her a mature appearance.

Her slightly irritated expression made Kurato stiffen as he nodded.

"If possible. I would be grateful even if I could only participate in training."

After the previous three clubs, Kurato understood painfully well that entering Sakurajō as a boy with a C-rank and no achievements made even joining a club questionable.

If he could at least train, he could improve his abilities.

Lowering his tone, he began negotiating.

Her gaze sharpened.

"Are you serious?"

"This is my honest intention."

Kurato met her intense gaze without flinching.

She closed her eyes for a moment and frowned.

"I see. I understand your feelings. But... hmm... I’d really like to let you participate in training, but..."

She looked troubled.

Was it the same issue again—him being male?

However, among the students running in practice, there was one male student mixed in.

He wasn’t a manager.

He was running alongside the female members like a player.

"Is there some kind of problem?"

Looking at the scene from the corner of his eye, Kurato asked with a hint of hope.

"Well, problem might not be the right word..."

What she explained was the club’s issue.

Their player pool was thin.

There were very few high ranks.

Only one A-rank player existed, and she belonged to another club as well.

There were only six B-ranks: the girl in front of him and the five students currently coaching.

The remaining members were around thirty C-rank girls.

The Phalanx rules themselves were unique.

The goal was not primarily to defeat opponents.

Instead, the team defended an object behind them while trying to touch the opponent’s object to score points.

The team that scored more touches while preventing the opponent from touching their own object would win.

In the 13 vs 13 Phalanx format, each school could send one team to tournaments.

Of the thirteen players, one A-rank and up to three B-ranks could participate.

The rest could be lower ranks.

That meant teams with fewer high ranks were disadvantaged.

Because the precious B-rank seniors were currently supervising training, they couldn’t conduct effective practice with high-rank players.

It was the downside of having such a thin player base.

"In other words, we’d like you to work as a manager as well."

If he was willing to both train and perform manager duties, they would consider accepting him.

"I understand."

Kurato agreed immediately.

Being able to train his abilities and participate in large group battles was extremely appealing.

His entrance exam teamwork with Yasutsuna-senpai had been incredibly valuable.

Perhaps his shield abilities were meant for supportive combat.

"I see. Let me think about it."

Her expression softened slightly as she looked back at the practice field.

She explained that she couldn’t decide alone.

They would need to consult the A-rank senior who was also in the club.

Normally only eighteen C-ranks were accepted per grade.

Giving one of those slots to an inexperienced male student was not a decision she could make alone.

"Please consider it."

Kurato bowed deeply before leaving the club.

He headed toward another club.

If the Phalanx club rejected him as well, he needed alternatives.

So he began checking martial arts clubs.

Judo.

Aikido.

Fencing.

Boxing.

Kendo... he skipped that.

His former masters had once told him he was ‘abandoned by the god of the sword.’

That meant fencing was also impossible.

His own blade might stab himself.

He could only properly handle kitchen knives.

After visiting several athletic clubs, none particularly stood out.

The gymnastics club might be good for building strength though.

After losing a pushing contest with Kujō-sama, Kurato had begun considering serious strength training.

"Oooooh!"

Suddenly cheers erupted from a nearby club room.

Following the sound, Kurato quickly found the source.

It was the Karate Club.

It was located at the edge of the athletics building, outside his initial view.

Inside, the floor was covered with puzzle-like cushioned mats.

Club members sat around the room while two female students faced each other.

One stood calmly.

The other knelt on the floor, breathing heavily.

"As expected of Mihara-san."

"The captain got defeated instantly... national level really is different."

From the whispers around him, Kurato pieced together the situation.

The standing girl was Mihara Urara, last year’s national middle school karate champion.

She was also an A-rank Body Reinforcement Boost ability user.

Her main club was the Single ability club.

Her school ranking was fifth.

Students like her were nicknamed White Knights.

Her slightly tanned skin and bouncing ponytail created a lively image.

She flashed a bright smile that matched it perfectly.

"Who’s next? You?"

Her eyes sparkled like a predator searching for prey.

Apparently she occasionally came to train the karate club members.

No one wanted to be chosen.

Then her gaze met Kurato’s.

He had been standing by the entrance.

Their eyes met directly.

"Oh, a freshman? Interested in joining?"

"I came for club observation."

"Is that so? Come here."

She naturally beckoned him forward and even grabbed his hand to pull him in.

Before he realized it, he was standing in the middle of the practice field.

"You’ve done karate before?"

"...Just a little."

Kurato hesitated.

Kurato himself had never practiced karate.

But Kuroto, his other identity, had learned it during his travels through other worlds.

He had been taught by an ogre and a childlike vampire.

Since he couldn’t use swords well, karate was essential.

So he couldn’t claim to be a complete beginner.

"Alright then. Take your stance."

"...Yes."

Kurato lowered his stance.

Mihara’s cheerful smile faded into a colder one.

"Oh?"

"Go ahead. Attack."

She took a defensive stance.

It resembled a flowing wave—soft yet flawless.

Kurato slid forward.

His left fist shot forward toward her abdomen.

A straight punch.

Mihara turned sideways and lightly brushed it aside with her hand.

Kurato remained calm.

That punch had been a feint.

He immediately twisted in a kick.

She deflected it and countered with a mid-level roundhouse kick.

Kurato did not block.

He stepped forward and took the kick with his stomach.

The impact was heavy but manageable.

At point-blank range, he drove his right fist downward toward her solar plexus.

A perfect hit.

Or so he thought.

Pain exploded from his right hand.

When he pulled it back, his fist was crushed and red.

As if he had punched a metal plate.

Mihara bowed apologetically.

"Sorry. I used Boost instinctively."

Around them, shocked voices rose.

Apparently she had hardened her body with her ability.

Just as Kurato prepared to activate his shield ability—

Mihara dropped her stance and waved her hands.

"Stop! That’s enough! Show me your hand."

She grabbed his arm.

Blood poured from the back of his hand.

White bone was visible.

An open fracture.

Soon the school nurse arrived and used a healing ability.

His shattered hand regenerated instantly.

Later, after watching the karate club practice, Kurato reflected.

The club had great energy and intense training.

It would be a good place to train his body.

If the Phalanx club rejected him tomorrow, joining the karate club might be an option.

Though he’d have to deal with the intense stares from the girls.

As he left, Mihara walked him out.

"You’re leaving already? Sorry about earlier. Can you get home safely?"

"Yes. As you can see, it’s completely healed."

He raised his restored fist.

She looked surprised.

"You’re a strong kid. Will you come again?"

Kurato answered honestly.

"My first choice is another club. I’ll decide after I hear their answer."

With that, he left the karate club.

The Phalanx club seemed promising.

But the karate club might also work.

* * *

Memo

• Open fracture = A severe fracture where the broken bone pierces through the skin. It often occurs when striking something hard with excessive force.

• Does Boost not only enhance muscle strength but also harden the skin?

• ?????: The captain of the Phalanx Club. A B-rank levitation ability user. Unlike the other female players, for some reason she does not flirt with the protagonist.