The moment Shockwave begins gathering energy, I explode into motion. Enhanced speed kicks in like a rocket, my body surging across the arena floor with acceleration that surprises even me. The optimization work paid off, my muscles responding with perfect coordination, every movement precise and economical.

  Shockwave's eyes widen as I close distance faster than he anticipated. The rippling energy around his hands intensifies, but he's only halfway through his gathering phase when I enter striking range. His stance shifts desperately, trying to discharge prematurely rather than lose his primary advantage.

  I feint left, then pivot right, enhanced reflexes allowing me to change direction with unnatural speed. The move throws off his targeting just as he releases his first concussive blast. The wave of compressed air rushes past my shoulder, close enough that I feel the pressure distort the arena atmosphere, making my ears pop painfully.

  Not wasting the opening, I drive forward with enhanced strength, delivering a punch to his midsection that would break concrete. His specialized impact resistance absorbs some force, but the blow still doubles him over, air exploding from his lungs. The observation platforms erupt with activity, sponsors leaning forward as they register physical capabilities far beyond what my classification suggested.

  Shockwave recovers quickly, more experienced in arena combat than I expected. He creates distance with a desperate backward roll, already gathering energy for a second attack. This time I don't try to dodge completely, instead charging directly through the leading edge of his concussive wave.

  The impact is manageable. He did not have time to fully charge this time, leading to a severely weakened blast. With my enhanced durability, my muscles absorb the kinetic energy and prevent it from penetrating further. The optimization work saves me from serious damage, my reinforced skeletal structure and enhanced muscle density absorbing force that would shatter normal bones.

  I slow for a second but push through the pain to close the distance completely. Shockwave's expression shifts from confidence to concern, his primary strategy failing against an opponent who can both evade and endure his attacks.

  We exchange blows at close range, my enhanced strength meeting his impact-resistant physiology. Each strike sends shockwaves through the arena, the sound of enhanced bodies colliding echoing off the reinforced walls. I maintain pressure, refusing to give him space to gather effective concussive force, using superior speed to stay inside his optimal attack range.

  "Fuck you," he grunts, desperation evident as he attempts to create separation. "Stay back!"

  He manages partial energy gathering despite close quarters, releasing a chaotic burst that sends us both skidding across the polished arena floor. My enhanced reflexes allow mid-air correction, turning uncontrolled tumble into deliberate roll that brings me back to fighting stance immediately.

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  Shockwave uses the momentary distance to attempt full power gathering. The air around him distorts visibly as energy concentrates between his outstretched hands, his specialized enhancement creating localized pressure differential that will translate to devastating concussive force when released.

  I charge again, enhanced speed creating narrowing window to reach him before discharge completion. He tracks my approach, adjusting aim to compensate for my movement pattern. This time evasion won't work, he's learned from previous attacks, anticipating my dodge direction.

  My physical capabilities alone might not be enough at this range. I'll need to use my telekinesis. A calculated risk but potentially necessary to win without receiving too much damage.

  As Shockwave discharges his most powerful concussive blast yet, I extend a minimal telekinetic field, just enough to deflect the worst concentration of force without demonstrating molecular manipulation or precision control that might trigger renewed Integration interest. To observers, it appears as basic telekinetic shield rather than the sophisticated manipulation I'm actually capable of.

  The concussive force still impacts hard enough to drive breath from my lungs, sending me sliding backward despite telekinetic mitigation. Before Shockwave can capitalize on apparent advantage, I launch forward again, enhanced muscles propelling me across the intervening space with explosive acceleration.

  This time I don't aim for his body but target his stance, sweeping his legs with enhanced strength that overcomes his balance despite impact resistance. He crashes to the arena floor with bone-jarring force, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack direction.

  I press the advantage, pinning him with precisely applied strength, enough to control his movements without causing unnecessary damage.

  "Yield," I growl, applying increasing pressure to stress points that even his enhanced physiology can't fully protect.

  Shockwave struggles briefly before recognizing the futility of continued resistance. "I yield," he gasps, the formal submission immediately registered by arena systems.

  "Combat concluded," announces the facility voice. "Victory by submission: Independent Asset 7249. Combat efficiency rating: 94.3%. Physical capability assessment: Exceptional."

  I release Shockwave and step back, maintaining a neutral expression despite the satisfaction of victory. The enhanced physical capabilities performed exactly as intended, allowing me to win without revealing all my cards.

  The observation platforms buzz with assessment activity, sponsors conferring over tablets, facility administrators making notation in classification records, potential acquisition interest being calculated based on demonstrated combat parameters.

  As facility staff approach to escort us from the arena, I catch glimpse of Desta in the Null observation section. Her expression remains characteristically neutral, but something in her eyes communicates both acknowledgment and warning about increased attention my performance might generate.

  I exit the arena with precisely calibrated body language, neither triumphant celebration nor exhausted relief, just professional completion of required assessment protocol.