All Chapters of Resonance: Awakening of the Unknown: Chapter 21
- Chapter 30
35 chapters
Flash of a Lightning
Light split the arena. For a heartbeat, no one could see.A thunderclap followed, shaking dust loose from the stands. When the brightness faded, both fighters were still standing.Rina’s lightning snaked across the floor, leaving charred trails in twisting arcs. Her blade hummed faintly with residual mana. Across from her, Yoo Daehan crouched low, sword raised, uniform sleeve torn, a burn etched across his shoulder.The crowd gasped—he’d barely blocked in time.Daehan smirked through clenched teeth. “Not bad… for a freshman.”Rina’s breathing came rough. “You talk too much.”They charged again—faster this time.Daehan’s swings were sharp, precise, each one a lesson in discipline. Rina dodged by inches, answering with crackling bursts that sent sparks flying with every impact.Steel and electricity collided over and over, flashes lighting the ring, the air ringing with mana’s metallic hum.“She’s insane!” someone yelled from the crowd. “She’s keeping up with him!”Baek leaned on the in
The Last Six
The Coliseum hadn’t quieted since morning.Three matches in, three crowd-pleasers.Minjae’s defeat had turned into comedy. Rina’s lightning duel nearly blew the speakers. Hyunwoo’s fire display still had the audience sweating.Then the announcer’s voice cut through the noise.“Next match — Han Jiwoo versus Kwon Daesung!”The buzz spiked. The E-rank again—against a ranked mage.Everyone leaned forward.Rina nudged him. “You ready?”Jiwoo nodded once. “Yeah.”Minjae raised a fist. “Win this so I can brag I trained with you once.”“You watched me train,” Jiwoo said.“Still counts.”He stepped into the arena.Across from him, Daesung exhaled, cold mist curling from his breath as ice spread under his feet. “Sorry in advance,” he said. “This won’t take long.”Jiwoo lowered his sword. “You’re right. It won’t.”The referee raised his hand. “Begin!”A wave of cold swept across the field.Frost climbed the ground, freezing it solid. Daesung’s fingers traced a circle—dozens of shards formed in t
The Calm Night Before the Fire
Dinner rush filled the cafeteria. Trays clattered, steam rose from the counters, and hundreds of voices bounced off the high ceiling.Jiwoo, Minjae, Rina, and Jisoo finally claimed a free table near the window.“Man, my body’s still vibrating from that fight,” Minjae groaned, collapsing into his seat. “I see your sister’s blade every time I blink.”Rina smirked. “That’s called trauma.”“Thank you, Doctor Lightning. Very comforting.”Jiwoo slid a tray toward him. “Eat before you start hallucinating for real.”Jisoo chuckled. “You actually did well, though. Lasted longer than most against your sister.”“ ‘Lasted,’ nice word for ‘public execution,’ ” Minjae said.They laughed, the tension from the day’s matches finally fading.Jiwoo ate quietly, his mind still echoing with the roar of the crowd.Rina noticed. “You’re day-dreaming again.”“Just thinking.”“About tomorrow?”Jiwoo nodded. “It’s going to get harder. Everyone left knows what they’re doing now.”“That includes you,” Jisoo said
Semi Finals
The morning sun burned through the thin clouds above Eclipse Academy.The coliseum was alive before the first bell—students rushing to the stands, instructors adjusting wards, and mana screens humming across the field.This was it. The semifinals. The final six.Jiwoo sat quietly with Minjae in the waiting area.Rina stretched near the railing, sparks dancing across her fingertips.Across the room, Kang Jisoo leaned back on a bench, eyes half-closed, saving his strength.The noise from the crowd shook the ground. Even the instructors looked tense.Then Headmaster Elias Kain stepped onto the main stage, and silence rippled through the coliseum."Students of Eclipse," Kain began, his voice carrying easily. "From fifty competitors, only six remain."He glanced at the paper in his hand. "Han Jiwoo. Kang Hyunwoo. Park Doyun. Han Jiwon. Kang Rina. Kang Jisoo.""The six of you will represent Eclipse Academy in the National Tournament," he continued."But this round decides who stands as the
Sparks and Flame
The referee’s hand dropped.“Begin!”Lightning cracked across the ring.Rina shot forward, sparks bursting under every step. Her speed drew cheers from the stands—each movement a streak of blue. She swung her arm, releasing a bolt that twisted like a living serpent.Jiwon met it head-on.Her sword flashed once—the lightning split cleanly in half, scattering into harmless light.Rina skidded back, boots scraping the floor. “You just cut lightning?”Jiwon leveled her blade. “Then make it faster.”Rina grinned. “Gladly.”She raised both hands. Arcs crawled up her arms, joining into a blinding current. The air turned sharp, ozone burning every breath.Jiwon dashed in.The clash cracked like thunder.Steel met lightning again and again. Each strike left blue trails spinning through the air. The ring flashed nonstop, too quick for most to follow.“Holy hell,” Minjae muttered, shielding his eyes. “They’re not even human.”Jiwoo’s gaze didn’t move. “No,” he said quietly. “They’re just better.
Jiwoo vs the Fortress
Morning light spilled across the coliseum, warm and golden. The crowd was louder than ever—banners waving, students shouting, everyone asking the same thing."Who’s making it to the final four?"Jiwoo stood in the waiting area, sword resting at his side. His gaze followed the sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling. Calm. Focused.Beside him, Minjae leaned against the wall, chewing an energy bar like he was prepping for war.“Still can’t believe we’ve got class after this,” Minjae groaned.Jiwoo smirked. “Then tell Instructor Baek you’re dropping out. I’m sure he’ll send you off with flowers.”“Hilarious.” Minjae rolled his eyes. “If you lose today, I’m blaming that comment.”Rina sat on a nearby bench, legs crossed, expression serious. “Park Doyun isn’t just a tank. His mana armor’s dense—strong enough to block mid-tier spells. Aim for weak spots.”“Noted,” Jiwoo replied.“‘Noted,’ he says,” Minjae muttered. “If it were me, I’d be drafting my will.”The loudspeaker crackled to li
Clash of Swords
"Next match! Lower Bracket — Han Jiwon versus Kang Jisoo!"The noise exploded. Two of Eclipse’s strongest swordsmen going head-to-head — everyone knew this was going to be a highlight.Jiwoo sank back into his seat, finally catching his breath. Rina leaned forward over the railing, eyes sharp. Minjae popped another snack in his mouth, already grinning.“Welp,” Minjae said, “time to watch royalty fight again.”“Royalty?” Rina raised a brow.“Yeah,” Minjae said dramatically. “Han Jiwon, princess of swordsmanship. And Kang Jisoo, heir to Eclipse’s golden boy bloodline of top one's brother.”“Don't let her hear you saying that.” Jiwoo said.Rina smirked. “So which royal wins?”“My sister ofcourse” Jiwoo answered without hesitation.“Wow,” Minjae deadpanned. “What a supporitve brother.”Down in the arena, Jiwon walked to the center with her usual calm. Her jacket fluttered lightly, and her blade shimmered with soft blue mana. Across from her, Jisoo rolled his shoulders and spun his sword on
A Quiet Evening Call
The arena lights dimmed one by one as the day came to an end. The echoes of battle still lingered faintly in the air, like the energy itself didn’t want to leave.Most students headed back to their dorms or the cafeteria. Jiwoo stayed behind a little longer, sitting at the edge of the stands, staring at the empty stage where his sister had just fought.Minjae stretched with a yawn. “Man… that match almost gave me a heart attack. Who even moves that fast with a sword?”“Someone who trains too much,” Jiwoo said.Rina rolled her shoulders. “Pretty sure the Han siblings are allergic to rest.”Jiwoo laughed quietly. “Maybe.”They talked for a few more minutes before walking out together. Halfway down the path, Jiwoo slowed his steps, looking up at the academy towers. Lights flickered from the windows, and faint voices carried across the courtyard.He exhaled softly, then continued toward the dorms.***In the faculty wing, most rooms were dark. Only one office window remained lit — Headmast
Han Jiwoo vs. Kang Hyunwoo
Morning hit, and Eclipse Academy’s arena was already shaking from noise. No buildup. No introductions. Just thousands of students yelling over each other."E-rank versus Rank One!" "Who do you think will win?" "Hyunwoo of course, no one has ever seen him at his full power." “Jiwoo survived the Tank though—maybe he’s insane enough to try!”Jiwoo stepped into the arena. Hyunwoo was already standing at the center, hands in his pockets like he’d been waiting for hours.“Didn’t expect you to make it here,” Hyunwoo said. “You don’t look like someone who likes crowds.”“I don’t,” Jiwoo answered.“Then wrong place to stand in.” Hyunwoo’s tone didn’t change — bored, almost sleepy.Jiwoo tightened his grip slightly. “You don’t look like you take fights seriously.”“Why would I?” Hyunwoo shrugged. “No one’s worth the effort.”Jiwoo didn’t blink. “Maybe today’s different.”Hyunwoo’s laughed. “Hahaha. You talk big for an E rank, I don't know if that's confidence or purely arrogance.”"You'
When the Flame Meets the Void
Their blades of flame and steel met mid-field— and the world went white.A blast of air swept across the arena, shaking the stands. The crowd screamed, hands flying to their faces as the shockwave hit them a beat late.Hyunwoo slid back across the tiles, fire crackling around his legs. Jiwoo was pushed even farther, boots digging trenches until he regained balance.Both stared at each other.Hyunwoo wiped a smear of blood from his lip. “Not bad. You actually made me bleed.”Jiwoo pointed his sword forward. “I’m not done.”Hyunwoo grinned. “Good—because I’m getting bored again.”Fire erupted around him. Five sigils lit up at once, spinning fast. Heat blasted outward, so intense the barriers around the arena flickered.Jiwoo rushed in.Hyunwoo snapped his fingers. “Scatter.”The sigils fired all at once—fireballs exploding from every angle. Jiwoo cut through the first, dodged the second, rolled under the third. The fourth grazed his shoulder, burning through fabric.The fifth hit the gr