A day later, on the 190th-floor arena.
Wing's opponent was a jujitsu fighter who specialized in joint locks. They grappled for several minutes.
In the end, Wing landed a precise palm strike on his opponent's jaw, ending the match.
The referee raised his hand and announced that he had earned the right to advance to the 200th floor.
Applause rose from the stands, though it was hardly thunderous. Wing's fighting style was solid but lacked flair; he wasn't the type to bring a crowd to its feet.
He bowed slightly, stepped off the arena, and entered the competitors' passage.
The passage was dimly lit, and the air smelled of sweat mixed with disinfectant.
Wing adjusted his glasses as he considered the registration process for the 200th floor.
A voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hello. My name is Leo."
Wing stopped and turned toward the voice.
At the corner of the passage stood a young man in a white shirt and black trousers, wearing a friendly smile.
Wing recognized him—the newcomer who had killed Tuba with a single punch and caused quite a stir on the 200th floor.
He pushed his glasses up his nose, a flicker of wariness in his eyes.
"I know who you are. You're very strong."
Leo spread his hands to show he meant no harm.
"Thanks for the compliment. You don't need to be so wary of me. I'm not here to challenge you to a match."
He paused.
"But I do have a favor to ask, if you're willing."
Wing frowned.
He had met plenty of people like this at Heaven's Arena. Some wanted to recruit him, some wanted to test him, and some were simply looking for trouble. He wanted no part of it.
"I'm sorry."
Wing's tone was calm but firm.
"I don't intend to agree to any request from you."
With that, he started past Leo.
Leo scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Were Nen users with formal training all this guarded?
Satotz had been like this. Mizai Istom had been like this. Now Wing was too.
Goreinu had been much easier to deal with.
But the opportunity was right in front of him. He couldn't give up so easily.
"Wait!"
Leo called out to Wing before he could leave.
"I don't mean any harm. I know your teacher is Biscuit, and that she's incredibly strong. As for how I know... I'm afraid I can't tell you."
Wing stopped.
He turned around, his eyes sharp behind his glasses.
"You investigated me?"
"No."
Leo shook his head.
"I just... know a few things. I'd like to commission Ms. Biscuit to do something. It isn't dangerous. As for the details, I'd like to discuss them with her in private."
He took a small velvet pouch from inside his coat, loosened its drawstring, and tipped a gemstone into his hand.
It was a red gem the size of a pigeon's egg. Even in the passage's dim light, it cast dazzling reflections.
Flames seemed to flow within it. As the light shifted, fine lines could be seen swirling through it like a storm.
"I know Ms. Biscuit loves collecting gemstones."
Leo held the gem in his palm.
"This 'Red Storm' is my payment for the commission."
Wing's gaze settled on the gem.
He was no expert, but after spending so long around Biscuit, he could tell it was extraordinary. Its color, clarity, and cut were flawless. Even a layman like him could sense its value.
He was suddenly torn.
Should I refuse? Master really is obsessed with collecting all kinds of gemstones.
If I turn him down and she later finds out someone offered a gem this valuable as payment, only for me to refuse without even asking her...
Wing could practically picture Biscuit standing with her hands on her hips, furiously scolding him.
"You idiot disciple! That was a Red Storm! Do you know how many Jenny it's worth? And you turned it down for me?!"
He scratched his head and sighed.
Leo noticed his hesitation and offered him an easy way out.
"You could contact your teacher and ask her first. If she refuses, I won't bother you again."
It was a reasonable suggestion.
Wing thought for a few seconds, then took his phone from his trouser pocket.
He walked a short distance down the passage and dialed.
The call connected after three rings.
"Wing?"
Biscuit's voice came through amid a noisy background. She seemed to be at some kind of market.
"Didn't I tell you to train hard at Heaven's Arena? What, have you been slacking off and want to complain to me?"
"No, Master." Wing lowered his voice.
"I met someone at the arena named Leo. He... knows who you are. He said he wants to commission you to do something, and he's offering a gemstone called Red Storm as payment."
The other end of the line went silent for two seconds.
"Leo? Never heard of him."
Biscuit's voice grew serious.
"How does he know about me?"
"He said he couldn't tell me," Wing replied honestly.
"But he doesn't seem to mean any harm. He just wants to make a request, and he said he'd like to discuss the details with you alone."
"Red Storm..." Biscuit murmured.
"If I remember right, fewer than ten of those gems still exist, and every one is documented. What's the quality of the one he has?"
Wing looked at the gem in Leo's hand and described it.
"It's the size of a pigeon's egg, with patterns inside that look like flowing flames. In the light, you can see lines like a storm... It's beautiful."
"Tch." Biscuit clicked her tongue.
"Sounds genuine. All right, I'm handling something nearby anyway. I can get to Heaven's Arena in a week."
"While I'm there, I'll check how your training has been going. If you've been slacking off, prepare for a beating!"
Wing drew his neck in.
"I-I'll train hard."
"That's that, then. Tell him I'll see him in a week. He can choose the place."
The call ended. Wing returned to Leo with a conflicted expression.
"Master agreed. She'll be here in a week. She said she'll check on my training while she's here... I haven't been slacking off lately."
The last sentence sounded more like something he was telling himself, and not with much conviction.
Leo smiled and put the gem away.
"No problem. I'll await Ms. Biscuit's reply in rest room 2079 on the 200th floor."
Wing sighed helplessly.
He had been free to do as he pleased at Heaven's Arena. Now his master was coming to check on him, and he would have to train like mad for the next week or she would surely teach him a lesson.
Leo saw what was on his mind and made a suggestion.
"If you'd like, I can be your sparring partner. An opponent at your level is the best way to improve."
Wing's eyes lit up behind his glasses.
He did need actual combat practice, especially against another Enhancement Type.
After watching Leo's match, he could tell the young man's strength ran deep. If they could spar...
"All right." Wing nodded.
"I'll register on the 200th floor first. Then we can spar. But let's be clear: it's only practice. We stop before anyone gets hurt."
"Of course." Leo smiled.
They headed to the elevator together.
Wing completed his registration on the 200th floor and received his room number: 2115, on the same floor as Leo's 2079.
They went to Wing's private rest room.
Its layout was similar to Leo's, though the training area had a fuller range of equipment. A few open martial arts books were stacked in the corner.
They entered the training room and faced each other.
The floor was covered with specialized cushioning mats, and the surrounding walls were reinforced with sound-absorbing material.
Wing adjusted his glasses.
"How do you want to do this?"
Leo shrugged. "Your room, your rules."
"You're an Enhancement Type too, right?" Wing asked.
Leo nodded.
"Then let's keep it simple." Wing took off his jacket, revealing his lean, powerful upper body.
"No Nen. Just a little sparring. I want to see your fundamentals."
"Works for me."
Leo took off his training jacket too and rolled his shoulders.
They took their places in the center of the training room, five meters apart.
The room fell quiet. Only the low hum of the air-conditioning remained.
Before you continue