Chapter 25: Soaring Through The Heavens Pt. 2
Closing his eyes once more Kenji's mind conjured himself as a dragon with a long serpentine body covered in dark onyx scales. Taking his first inhale Kenji's body coiled in on itself like a spring tightening and spreading a boundless energy ready to explode forward. Time seemed to slow as the fire returned in Kenji's stomach, but instead of trying to batter it out Kenji embraced it.
'Whoosh'
With a singular exhale Kenji's body unfurled, rocketing forward through the air as smoke trailed from the corners of his mouth. A feeling of euphoria filled Kenji as the clouds blurred around him turning into streams of white that contrasted against his scales. Then as Kenji's momentum flagged, he inhaled once more moving with the wind and curling his body into spring before exploding forward.
Repeating the cycle Kenji's stomach expanded and contracted like the bellows of a great forge feeding the fire in his stomach, growing it into a great inferno that spread through his entire body. But Kenji didn't mind the heat; it filled him with an explosive strength that could send him soaring across the heavens.
As the power seemed to reach its apex Kenji exhaled and this time the thick cloud of smoke pouring from his mouth exploded igniting into trails of a dark purple fire that curled around his lips and down his scaled flank.
With a new purpose Kenji shot up into the air coiling his body in a spiral sending him above the clouds into the realm above. As the air thinned Kenji continued his breathing even as his body was forced to move in a new way.
The form started with an explosive punch that even performed at a quarter speed sent Kenji flying across the ground in a flurry of lunging steps. Before the momentum of the attack could die Kenji dipped low bringing his lagging leg out in a broad sweep aimed at tripping opponents or forcing them to step back.
As Kenji practiced he realized why the Form was called Dragon's Flight, never once did he stop moving. Like an endless gust Kenji would pursue his opponents relentlessly, maybe for a brief moment his momentum seemed to die down but it never faded completely.
Each attack also relied on fully extending Kenji's reach forcing opponents to evade the long winding attacks, as each carried a devastating power. As the manual dictated Kenji took the form slowly at first resting a full second in between each movement making sure everything was perfect.
But it paid off, over time Kenji could feel his body change, his legs no longer strained when holding a kick high in the air and the once painful stretch in his groin vanished. There was also a visible change, Kenji's abs were more defined than ever and his shoulders broadened with new muscles.
Every day without fail Kenji practiced in the living room, despite the rather cramped quarters Kenji never felt the limitation of space. Whenever he would reach a wall Kenji would pivot constantly on the move. Eventually he started to imagine a formless opponent standing in front of him, sometimes it would be a man, other times a monster.
Kenji pitted himself against his enemy like shadow boxing reacting and evading imaginary blows. Sometimes the line between reality and fantasy would blur so much that Kenji's heart would race as he barely managed to avoid a fatal blow to the head. But still Kenji knew it wasn't the real thing and the whole time Kenji couldn't help but think, 'If this was real…would I win?'
A crisp knock near the doorway snapped Kenji out of his fugue and he looked over to see Toga standing with two sealed letters in her hand, "Look what finally came!"
Standing up right Kenji grinned as he eagerly walked over, "It only took them a month."
Toga shrugged as she offered one of the envelopes to him, "That's a long time for them, usually it's only two weeks. Apparently according to some sources online the Academy is changing how they evaluate students."
Kenji couldn't help but pause as he took the letter from Toga, his performance during the exam was less than stellar which was why he had been training nonstop, 'Next time I won't be in an exam with a safety bubble.'
After letting out a nervous breath Kenji thumbed the letter and ripped it open. Toga was quick to follow and they both fell silent as they started to read.
"I GOT ACCEPTED!" Toga shouted at the top of her lungs before eagerly looking towards Kenji who slowly turned around his letter revealing the words, 'CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING ACCEPTED TO UA ACADEMY.'
Toga let out a high pitched squeal as she lunged at Kenji who caught her with a laugh, "WE DID IT!"
After Spinning her around Kenji eventually set Toga on the floor, "Alright let's see what the rest of the letter says."
Toga nodded but her eyes were glowing with joy and Kenji could tell she wanted to celebrate more. Looking back at the letter Kenji unfolded the piece of stock paper and started to read the flowing cursive lettering written in golden ink.
"Greetings future hero and savior, I Principal Nezu am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into UA Academy due to your outstanding performance in both the Practical and Written Exam. I would also like to apologize for the unannounced delay in admissions, but this year UA has undergone a fundamental change in regards to its curriculum.
This school year UA ,thanks to additional funding, will now provide every student an monthly allowance of Dread Materials to increase the likelihood of quirk evolution. Additionally a new ranked system had been implemented in order to promote and accelerate student growth. Every student will possess two rankings based on their class and an overall ranking compared to everyone in their grade.
Every month students may challenge those within their class to a duel in order to improve their classing ranking and for a week-long period every midterm student may challenge those outside their class. Students who perform well and show promise will receive additional rewards and special privileges based on rank.
Class ranking will be established at the end of the first week of school and Grade ranking will be determined during the fall midterm.
You have been placed into Class 1-A"