Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 10: One Strike from the Grave

Kai laid on his bed in thoughts, "to survive Ironspire, you don’t just fight battles… you survive agendas."  He echoed to himself as he thought about the schemes he perceived were against him.

The sun hit gently over Ironspire Academy and casted the shadows of students across the eastern training yard. The early morning cold had begun to fade and it was replaced by the academic routine.

In the academy meal hall, Kai sat at a table and his eyes scanned the room cautiously. In a distance from him was Ronan Vale. He trudged forward carrying a full silver tray which was filled with premium meat cuts, buttered rice, and wild fruit jam.

With visible reluctance, Ronan slammed the tray down before Kai as he looked directly into Kai's eyes. 

“That’s day one,” he muttered. “Don’t choke.” He echoed as he looked at Kai with disgust.

Kai smirked as he picked up the fork. “See? Serving me isn’t so hard.” He expressed with weight and pride on his eyes. 

Ronan didn’t reply. He stormed off and his fists clenched, while the other students watched with snickers and disbelief.

 Just days ago, Kai was the academy’s joke. Now? He was quickly becoming a force that no one had power over.

After Kai was done eating, he went back to the training ground to meet Xira. 

At the hidden training yard, Xira fixed her eyes on Kai as she stretched beside the flame poles she had erected.

“Did you eat well?” She asked cheerfully and swayed her eyes somewhere else.

“Like a prince,” Kai replied with an excitement tucked inside his bowel.

Xira rose to her feet. “The training begins now.” She echoed firmly.

They trained with intensity. Xira simulated speed pressure attacks, and Kai used shadow-step dodges and ember spiral counters repeatedly.

“You’re good, but not untouchable,” Xira warned, wiping her brow. “Kate is precise. She’s not like Ronan or Varyn. You won’t humiliate her with brute force.” She explained in detail.

“Okay.” Kai nodded and his fists tightened aggressively. “Then I’ll out-think her.” He expressed with pride as his voice echoed. 

The training ended. Kai returned to his dormitory and he got to rest his head a little. 

The day slowly passed by until it was the afternoon.

The duel arena was crowded in the afternoon. The council had set the stage. There were amplified barriers, healing medics on standby, and observers from the high balconies.

‘Kate Von Halden.’ Kai echoed with breath puffing out his nostrils.

Kate was clothed in silver-blue combat armor and stood tall with a fierce face. Her golden braid glistened as she entered the ring with pride which reflected in every of her steps.

Kai stood across her and he was claded in dark linen reinforced with the system’s minor armor buff. He was calm… until the system pinged.

‘System Alert: Warning host! Beware of the opponent.

Her battle rating is 4 tiers higher than the host.

Host mission is to survive without ring ejection Reward: Host passive trait unlock.’ Kai remained unfazed after the system alerted. Although he was getting quite bothered slowly.

The duel began with the clang of the iron bell.

Kate moved like a tempest. She was fast, fluid and ferocious.

She summoned wind lances which barraged Kai with each of her movements. Her strikes came from unnatural angles which was strange to Kai. Her footwork was flawless. Kai had never faced anyone like her. His heart raced slowly. Although he wasn't scared to face her.

Twice, she nearly pushed him to the ring’s edge. And on the third push… there was tension. Kai slipped backwards.

The students' gasps echoed throughout the hall. High Councilor Vane sat forward with a grin of triumph. His eyes winked slowly as he expected the downfall of Kai. 

But before Kai’s foot left the boundary, the system alerted,

‘System Override… emergency protocol Triggered…. Host skill unlocked….Phantom drive activated.

Grants hyper-mobility burst and shadow echo strikes

One-use per battle…. Cooldown 48 hrs’ After the system echoed….

Kai blurred. Before Kate knew what was happening, with a swift slide-step, he twisted midair.  His after-image struck Kate’s side with incredible speed.

Then came the real blow. Kai used a spiral-infused palm strike to her ribs.

Kate’s eyes widened in shock, because it wasn't unexpected. Pain flashed across her face. Getting hit, the force pushed her and she flew across the ring and landed outside the barrier.

The academy became silent as there was tension. After a moment, there was a deafening uproar.

The Ascension protocol system echoed,

‘Mission Completed his mission… Win Without Ejection

Host passive trait unlocked… tactical footing acquired

Host Kai Draven…. Level 3 | XP: 80% to Level 4…..’ 

After the echo, Kai's lips curved with a dark smile as his eyes blinked slowly. 

While the students debated the stunning win, below the academy, in the subterranean academic sector, Kate knelt before Councilor Vane in panic.

The councillor’s face was twisted in cold rage. His hands trembled around a crystal goblet that shattered from the pressure in his palm.

“You said you could end him. And yet you’ve made him stronger.” His voice echoed bruterly. 

Kate winced as she clutched her side while she was still injured. “I underestimated his system’s response. I won’t next time. Give me one more chance.” Kate hoped as her heart pleaded for a second chance.

“Do you know what happens to those who fail me, Kate?” Vane's voice darkened, echoing like thunder through the stone chamber. “You were supposed to put an end to his reign, not a laughingstock.” He widened his eyes.

Kate swallowed the saliva lump formed in her throat. “Please. One last chance.” Kate pleaded desperately.

Vane paced. Then he stopped. His eyes fixed on her fiercely. “Then you’ll do it publicly. Challenge him to a death match.” He echoed.

Kate froze in shock. She didn't expect Vane would make her challenge him to a death match which looked very risky.

“He’s too unpredictable. I need… insurance,” she said with fear clustering her heart.

Vane smirked and pulled a black crystal shard from his sleeve.

With a sigh, he said, “This is a forbidden boost which was given to me as a gift. It grants one-time use of an overcharged element skill and it's capable of drawing from the user's lifeforce. You are to use it only at the final blow.” He expressed firmly. His voice barely above a whisper.

She took it as he extended it. “I won’t fail again.” Kate echoed. 

“You better not,” Vane whispered.

The next day, Kai walked freely across the west courtyard. Student's wouldn't stop their gossip any time they saw him walk.  From trash to the only student to defeat Kate Von Halden! That was just so shocking…

But Kai's peace was short-lived. The system pinged.

‘Warning: An incoming threat is detected!’  At that echo from the system, without hesitation, Kai spun sideways just in time to dodge a slicing wind projectile that shattered a stone pillar.

He landed in a crouch and his eyes fixed on the attacker.

Kate stood at the other end of the courtyard while her silver clothing billowed. Her eyes were fierce with fury.

“You humiliated me,” she hissed. “You stole everything. My pride, my role, my dignity. How dare you!” Kate echoed.

The students turned and gasped as she advanced.

“I’m not asking for approval this time, Kai. This ends with one of us dead. I challenge you to a death match.” She spoke with desperation.

And immediately threw down a black-inscribed gauntlet which was beatified with crimson runes.

Kai straightened and his eyes locked on her.

“I accept.” Kai echoed without hesitation.

Kate’s lips curved in a dark smile. The forbidden crystal glowing faintly beneath her sleeve.

The system pinged,

‘System Alert: Death match was Initiated by the  opponent, Kate Von Halden

The location is at High Arena by tomorrow.’