Don't use Life Return!

The two of them wanted to call off the fight just like that. Would Randall ever agree?

If he didn't get revenge for being dragged out of bed, he wouldn't even be able to enjoy his meals!

One way or another, he was going to swell these two bastards up a size today!

He curled his lips, baring his gleaming white teeth, and said with a smile:

"Who says we can't fight? You might not be able to win, but you can still take a beating!"

Aequus and Milers froze.

Why did it suddenly feel so cold?

"Uh, there's no need for that, right? Oh, right! It's lunchtime already. Let's go eat first!

Food is our calling, eating is our soul!"

Aequus declared with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Then he tried to slip away.

But after only a few steps, he sheepishly stopped.

At some point, Randall had moved to block his path.

He gave a sheepish smile and said:

"Time to eat!"

Randall remained unmoved and said:

"Science shows that food tastes better after a beating—ah, no, after a fight."

Aequus's mouth twitched.

Do you seriously think I'd believe that bullshit?!

"So that's how it works... Hahaha, you sure know a lot!"

Aequus obediently returned to Milers's side.

Milers shot Aequus a disdainful look. What an embarrassment!

Just look at him! He hadn't budged an inch!

After all... he knew he couldn't escape even if he ran... Better to just take the beating obediently...

"Hehehe, here I come!"

Randall cracked his knuckles, letting out a creaking, sinister laugh.

Every chuckle sounded like thunder rolling across the sky to Milers and Aequus.

Grinning wickedly, Randall walked toward them.

The two normally imposing powerhouses—one a hulking man covered in bulging muscles with a brutish face, the other a cold, ruthless, effortlessly composed swordsman—were now trembling like little rabbits facing a big bad wolf.

Before long, utterly harrowing sounds rang out across the Training Ground.

Bang—bang—

Smack, smack, smack—

Thud—

Clink—clang—

"Aaaaah! No!"

"Hiss—owww—"

"Don't—don't hit my face!"

Occasionally, Marines passing nearby heard the commotion and came over to see what was happening.

Every last one walked away covering their face, unable to bear the sight.

"Holy shit, these young guys, holy shit..."

"I can't watch. I just can't!"

"That's brutal! They don't even look human anymore!"

Half an hour later, peace returned to the Training Ground.

All that remained was a handsome man standing quietly and two lumps that might have been human.

Randall had kept his promise perfectly.

He'd said he would swell them up a size, and swell them up a size he had!

"All right! Stop pretending, you two!

It looks bad, but I didn't hit you that hard, okay!

Get up! Move it!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the two human-shaped lumps squirmed, then climbed off the ground in slow motion.

"Hiss—easy for you to say!

Sure, the injuries aren't serious, but they still hurt like hell!

Hiss—ow—"

Aequus spoke through sharp, pained breaths.

Even Milers's complexion was...

Oh, no, his face was swollen now. There was no telling what his complexion looked like...

Looking at the two of them, Randall deliberately said:

"By the way, they say experiencing Armament Haki with your own body in actual combat is a huge help when learning it.

So, after that beating—oh, no, that practical combat session, did you gain any insights into Armament Haki?"

Both men stiffened.

The blunt, outspoken Aequus blurted out:

"Why didn't you say so earlier?!"

Before, they'd been too busy protecting themselves from his relentless barrage of attacks. Most of their attention had gone toward enduring the pain. How could they have had any spare attention for Armament Haki?

Randall chuckled inwardly.

Say so earlier?

If I'd said so earlier, how could you have properly experienced the pain?

If you'd treated the beating as training, wouldn't I have beaten you for nothing?

He had deliberately waited until now to tell them.

That way, he could make them suffer twice as much.

They knew one another pretty well by now. Seeing the smug, sneaky look in Randall's eyes, Aequus and Milers more or less understood what he was thinking.

At once, the two were overwhelmed with grief and indignation.

What a humiliating beating!

Seeing their anguished expressions left Randall feeling wonderfully refreshed!

That's what you get for dragging me out of bed!

Thoroughly satisfied, Randall turned and walked out of the Training Ground.

Yes, the philosopher Worshode had put it well: beating the bastards before a meal really improved your appetite.

When he reached the entrance, Randall suddenly remembered something and said:

"Oh, right, don't use Life Return to bring down the swelling~

Every mark on your bodies holds my insights into Armament Haki.

Make sure you study them carefully!

If you actually use Life Return, then you'll really have taken that beating for nothing!"

With that, he strode away without waiting for their reactions.

Behind him, Aequus and Milers had just been about to use Life Return to heal their injuries.

Then they heard Randall's devilish whisper.

Both froze on the spot.

They nearly choked on their own breath!

They looked at each other, seeing profound bewilderment in each other's eyes.

The marks held insights into Armament Haki?

Did they?

That had to be a lie!

But...

The two hesitated.

After all, Randall really had been using Armament Haki the whole time he was beating them...

Besides, even if the chances were tiny, what if he was telling the truth?

What if Randall's words were true?

Wouldn't that be one hell of a loss!

With their physiques, these injuries would heal in a few days anyway.

Better to leave them alone...

And so the two brothers in misery headed outside, baring their teeth with one step and grimacing with the next.

Randall, that bastard, really was fucking ruthless!

But there was something they hadn't considered.

The true nightmare only began when, after enduring pain all over their bodies and a journey that felt like crossing mountains, they finally reached the mess hall.

"Holy shit! What are those two lumps? They're moving!"

"Whoa! They're actually wearing Marine uniforms."

"Holy shit, look at that sword. Doesn't it look kind of familiar?"

"I remember! My friend's in the Elite Camp, and he told me this year's top student, Milers, carries a sword called Red Cloud!"

"Whoa, so that lump is Milers?"

"What the hell happened to him..."

Under the stares of the entire mess hall, Milers froze solid.

Cold sweat poured off him!

He swore he'd rather take another beating!

He tried hard to ignore those looks and voices, but the words drilled into his head like a demonic chorus!

That day, Milers learned for the first time what "public humiliation" truly meant.

Beside him, Aequus, whose name hadn't been called out, was practically bursting with joy.

He hadn't had any particularly distinctive features to begin with. Now that he'd received a full-body makeover, there was even less chance of anyone recognizing him.

But just as he drew a sharp, pained breath and managed a smile, he heard a voice that seemed to rise from the depths of hell.

"Hey, Milers, Aequus! Come over here!"