Sangre High
A few days later, we realized the intensity of the opponents we would face. Sangre High was known not only for their martial arts discipline but also for their reputation for being ruthless and merciless in battles. The stories I had heard about them depicted a school that didn’t just produce fighters, but warriors ready to give their all to win.
“Jayden,” Bryan said one morning, “I got some information about the key members of Sangre High. They seem really tough.”
I looked at him as I twisted my wrist, warming up before training. “Who are they?” I asked.
“First, their leader, Lance. He’s a Muay Thai fighter, and he’s known for being brutal in his matches. He doesn’t back down, and many of his opponents end up in the hospital,” Bryan said with a hint of concern.
I nodded. Muay Thai is known for its powerful elbow and knee strikes. If Lance was skilled in this style, he would certainly be a formidable opponent. “Who else?”
“Then there’s Mina. She’s a Jiu-Jitsu fighter. Quick, smart, and often seen fighting on the ground. She’s already taken down many opponents using just her grappling techniques,” Bryan added.
Ground fighting. I knew that was a weakness for me in matches based on the floor, so I understood I needed to prepare in case Mina became my opponent.
“Next is Yuri, a Karate practitioner. He’s merciless in fights and is known for his powerful strikes. I’ve heard he knocked out a fighter who had to be confined due to a broken bone,” he continued, his voice trembling slightly.
I noticed that Bryan seemed a bit scared of these opponents, and I understood why. Fighters with such reputations are not to be taken lightly. They were serious warriors.
“The last I heard of is Kenta,” Bryan continued. “He’s a Kendo master. Quiet, but dangerous. He can finish a fight without the opponent realizing they’ve lost.”
“These fighters are anything but ordinary,” Bryan added with a sigh. “We need every moment of preparation to be ready for these fights.”
I didn’t need further explanation. I knew these people were far beyond the delinquents like Hanma. They were determined fighters who grew up in the world of martial arts and were willing to do anything to prove they were the strongest.
As our training continued, I learned more details about Sangre High. The students there focused on martial arts from their first year in school. It seemed that the entire structure of the school was based on martial arts discipline. Unlike our school, which was more relaxed and had delinquents like Hanma, Sangre High was full of discipline and intense training.
One afternoon, while we were training in the gym, Ashe approached me.
“Jayden, I heard this isn’t just a tournament,” she said, concern evident in her voice.
I looked at her, still holding the punching bag I had been hitting. “What do you mean?”
“According to a friend of mine at Sangre High, this tournament has a deeper purpose. It’s not just about showcasing their students’ strength; it’s also about gaining control over more schools. If we lose, they will become the new ‘leader’ among schools around,” she explained.
My brow furrowed. This kind of fight wasn’t just about punches and kicks. It was about power and influence.
“So, what you’re saying is, it’s not just our reputations at stake, but the reputation of our entire school?” I asked.
“Exactly,” she replied. “That’s why we can’t afford to make mistakes. We need to win.”
The day of the first formal meeting between the two camps arrived. In the large gym of Sangre High, our group gathered with the Sangre High group. In the center of the gym, we silently observed one another. The tension was palpable, and each of us was sizing up the strength of our opponents.
Lance stood in front of his group, tall and full of confidence. His gaze at me was fearless, showing his readiness to fight. Beside him were Mina, Yuri, and Kenta, each with a unique presence and aura of strength.
“Lance,” I said calmly, but with determination, “we’re ready to face you.”
He smiled slightly but coldly. “Jayden, right? I said it before, and I’ll say it again. We want to see if you truly deserve your reputation.”
“You’ll know soon enough,” I replied, staring him directly in the eyes. “After this tournament, it will be clear who is truly deserving.”
He didn’t respond to my statement. Instead, he turned around and walked away with his group. We were left silent, waiting for what would come next. 
When we returned to our school, we gathered again to discuss our plans. I knew these fights would be the toughest we had ever faced. This wasn’t just for ourselves but for the name and reputation of our school.
“Tomorrow, let’s start more serious training,” I told the group. “We need to be prepared, not just physically but mentally. This fight is not just a simple tournament. There’s much more at stake.”
Everyone nodded. We knew this was not the time for hesitation. We had to pour everything we had into this because if we didn’t, we would surely be embarrassed, along with our entire school.
In the midst of all the tension and pressure, one thing was clear to me: I was ready to give everything for this fight. And no matter what happened, we wouldn’t let Sangre High defeat us. We would succeed.