Re-Awakened :I Ascend as an SSS-Ranked Dragon Summoner-Chapter 154: Strange power

As the randomizer locked in names, the arena screens lit up, displaying the next round of matchups across all three years.

Noah Eclipse vs Riku Hayashi

Noah’s name flashed first, immediately followed by his opponent—Riku Hayashi from Class 1A.

A murmur rippled through the first-year students, especially from 1A’s section. Some smirked, others exchanged knowing glances. A few even shook their heads in pity.

’Am I missing something?’ Noah frowned. He wasn’t one to underestimate anyone, but this reaction? It made it seem like he was doomed before the fight even began.

He stole a glance at Lucas and Sophie.

Lucas simply nodded. "Go get him."

Sophie, as always, remained silent, but the slight tilt of her head was enough of a confirmation.

Noah exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he made his way toward the Year 1 ring.

His opponent, Riku Hayashi, was already inside, waiting.

Riku stood with an air of absolute confidence—his jet-black hair slicked back, a single white streak running through his bangs. His arms were crossed, his uniform crisp and completely untouched, as if he hadn’t even considered the possibility of breaking a sweat.

His eyes were sharp, scanning Noah with an almost bored expression.

"Eclipse, huh?" Riku finally spoke, voice casual, but with an edge of amusement. "You might as well surrender now."

Noah’s lips twitched. "That so?"

Riku simply smiled.

Eli Frost vs Keenan Doyle

Over in the Year 2 bracket, another exciting matchup was forming.

Eli Frost, a second-year known for his glacial abilities, had drawn Keenan Doyle, a fighter from the more combat-heavy Class 2B.

Eli was a walking winter storm, his entire presence carrying a distinct chill. His snow-white hair, frosted fingertips, and the cold mist that followed his every breath made it clear that his abilities were as dangerous as his name suggested.

Keenan Doyle, on the other hand, was a bruiser through and through—6’3, pure muscle, and dressed like he was ready for war. Unlike Eli’s controlled composure, Keenan cracked his knuckles loudly, stretching his shoulders with exaggerated movements, making a show of his strength.

"You ready to break?" Keenan smirked.

Eli exhaled slowly, his breath turning into mist. "Let’s find out."

Oba Femi (Rank 15) vs Arlo Vega

The Year 3 battle immediately caught attention for one reason—Oba Femi was ranked 15th in the entire academy.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

His opponent, Arlo Vega, was an unranked third-year. But being unranked in Year 3 didn’t mean weak. It meant untested.

Oba as always needed no need introduction. Everyone knew who he was and what he was capable of. He was bulky and basically had the kind of body that a body builder dreamed of.

Arlo, in contrast, was leaner, with a calculating gaze. His stance was low and sharp, like a predator waiting to strike.

No words were exchanged. The two simply stared at each other, waiting for the signal.

Three fights. Three rings. Three battles waiting to explode.

The crowd held its breath.

And then—

The matches began. Explore more adventures at novelbuddy

Noah stood across from Riku, rolling his shoulders as the match officially began.

He already had a plan. Chi.

By focusing his internal energy, he could enhance his physical capabilities—his strength, speed, and endurance—without relying on any system abilities. He’d made a conscious decision to restrict himself, to fight purely on skill and what his body could naturally do.

Which meant the only thing left to figure out was who exactly he was up against.

Riku Hayashi.

A third-generation from Class 1A. That had to mean something, right? His reputation alone had the other 1A students practically writing Noah off before the match even started.

But Noah wasn’t seeing anything.

No fire, no ice, no elemental display—nothing.

He circled Riku cautiously, keeping his guard up. Maybe his ability took time to activate? Or maybe Riku was just playing with him?

’Screw it. Now or never.’

He launched forward.

The moment Noah closed the distance, Riku responded instantly.

Their fists clashed in rapid succession, the sharp impact of bone against bone echoing through the ring. Noah weaved through Riku’s strikes, his body moving with precision, chi reinforcing every movement.

Right hook—blocked.

Counter-jab—ducked.

Step-in elbow—deflected.

They exchanged blows in a brutal, fluid rhythm, but Noah quickly realized something—he was edging Riku out.

His blows were landing cleanly.

His dodges were smoother.

His footwork sharper.

Five exchanges. Not a single hit had connected on him.

’This guy—he’s fast, but he’s not used to losing in a straight-up fight.’

Noah saw his opening. He faked a high punch, forcing Riku to raise his guard—then twisted at the last second, his foot snapping out in a devastating roundhouse kick aimed for Riku’s ribs.

It was going to land.

And then—

Everything changed.

The Shift

Noah’s kick should’ve hit.

It should’ve sent Riku stumbling.

But at the last second—Riku wasn’t there.

Noah’s foot cut through empty air, his instincts screaming at him a second too late.

A sharp snap rang out.

And then—

Pain.

A fist sank into his ribs out of nowhere, sending him staggering.

The crowd gasped.

Noah’s eyes widened as he whipped around, but Riku was gone.

Then—BAM!

Another blow—this time to his back.

Noah barely managed to roll forward, avoiding the full impact, but he could feel the sharp sting of where he’d been hit.

’What—how?’

He looked up—and saw Riku standing a few steps away, that same smirk still on his face.

Except this time, his entire body looked slightly distorted for just about a second it could as well have passed for Noah not seeing clearly. But knowing he hadn’t figured out what Riku’s ability was made it clear.

Riku wasn’t normal.

He’d been holding back.

And whatever his ability was—it was online now.

Noah steadied himself, his ribs still aching from the unexpected hit.

But he wasn’t rattled.

He had faced tougher fights before. He just needed to adapt.

Riku wasn’t some god. He was still just a student. 1A or not.

Noah exhaled sharply, planting his foot down.

His turn.

He saw an opening—Riku had dropped his guard ever so slightly.

Noah lunged in with a straight punch, his fist cutting through the air—

—and then Riku moved.

Noah’s eyes caught it immediately. He read the attack coming, saw Riku’s fist driving toward his ribs again.

’Not this time.’

Noah adjusted, twisting his arm to intercept.

His forearm slammed into Riku’s wrist, deflecting the blow before it could land.

Perfect block.

Except—

It wasn’t.

A sudden, unnatural shift in reality made Noah’s stomach drop.

The exact same punch—the same force, the same speed, the same trajectory—landed again.

It was as if time itself had replayed the attack.

Noah had blocked the first hit.

But he hadn’t expected a second identical one to follow instantly.

He had no time to react.

BAM!

The second punch landed flush, sinking into his ribs with brutal force.

Noah gasped, his body jolting backward from the impact.

’What the hell?!’

He stumbled, gripping his side, eyes narrowing in shock.

Riku hadn’t moved from his spot. His expression was calm, almost indifferent—as if he hadn’t even thrown the second punch.

Noah’s mind reeled.

’That wasn’t normal. That wasn’t speed.,’

Noah grimaced, his ribs aching from the unexpected impact.

His mind struggled to process what had just happened.

He had blocked that punch.

He was certain he had.

And yet, somehow, he had still been hit.

No time to dwell on it.

He clenched his fists and stepped forward again.

Commit. Strike. Adapt.

That was how he fought.

Noah lunged, throwing a tight hook toward Riku’s jaw. His speed and chi-backed strength blew past Riku’s initial guard.

A clean shot—

Or so he thought.

The moment his fist was about to land, Riku’s body blurred.

Noah’s attack connected.

Or did it?

Because in the very next instant—

CRACK!

An identical counterpunch slammed into Noah’s ribs.

The impact tore through him, sending him stumbling back, coughing as a deep ache flared in his side.

[Health Points: 280/320]

’What—? He countered at the exact same time? No—he countered twice?’

Noah had no idea what was happening, but he couldn’t afford hesitation.

He surged forward again.

Fist cocked back, feinting a left jab before shifting into a right straight.

It should’ve worked.

Instead—

BAM!

A forearm slammed against his, stopping his punch cold.

Then—

BAM!

The same impact repeated—except this time, it was on his gut.

Noah gasped, his breath knocked out of him as his body lurched backward.

[Health Points: 260/320]

The pain was real. This wasn’t an illusion. He was getting destroyed.

He heard murmurs ripple through the crowd.

"Damn, he’s getting eaten alive."

"He never stood a chance."

"Yeah, 1A’s Riku is a monster."

Noah wiped the blood from his lips, his mind racing, trying to piece together what was happening.

Every time he struck, he got hit back.

Every time he blocked, he still took damage.

It was impossible.

He looked toward the crowd, catching Sophie’s eyes.

She was watching him with pure worry.

Lucas stood beside her, arms crossed, but his expression was tight—concerned.

They were both worried.

That made things worse.

Noah turned back to Riku.

The bastard was standing there, still calm, still unreadable.

’What the hell kind of power does this guy have?’