Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 12:Echoes of Shadows and Vengeance

Kai returned to his dormitory with a fatigued face and bruised body. He had to go to the academy bathroom to wash up. As he bathed, thoughts wouldn't stop coming into his head. "Not all masks hide faces. Some conceal orders more dangerous than death." Kai echoed within himself as he thought about what Kate could have done that would warrant being killed.

Kai was aware that he was supposed to eliminate Kate and not the other way round. Kai finished bathing and he stepped out from the bathroom. Kai returned to his dormitory.

After he had successfully put on his clothes, even though he felt slightly tired. He went out of the dormitory to look for the bracer the system had told him about. 

The mission was a difficult one. He used several of his system skills and finally, he found it. Although it was late at night already.

The bracer shimmered in Kai’s hand as he gazed at it under the moonlight. He breathed intensely and sweat oozed down his face.

Kai wiped his brows and fixed his gaze on the brace. Soon, his eyes fixed on something… a symbol.

 The symbol on the inside of the bracer wasn’t just decoration - it was a code. And Kai had less than 48 hours to decrypt it, as per the system's time countdown.

Kai rushed down to meet Xira after his multiple attempts of decrypting it were impossible.

“Xira, I need your help.” Kai spoke up after walking up to her.

Xira blinked, “What's the matter?” She asked.

Then, Kai brought out the bracer… “I find it difficult to decrypt this symbol. Can you help me?” He arched his brows.

Xira collected the bracer from him and she identified the system. “This is easy.” She intoned.

With Xira’s help and a system-based decryption protocol, Kai broke the encoded sequence in time. His lips curved with a half-smile at the achievement.

The moment he did, a system alert flared in his vision,

‘System update unlocked… Hidden path shadow protocol is  activated.

The reward: location of the masked enforcer will be revealed.’

The coordinates appeared almost immediately and it pointed to a concealed chamber within the underbelly of the Ironsphire Academy.

“Thank you Xira. I will be back.” Kai expressed.

“Are you visiting the coordinate?” Xira asked Kai but he didn't respond. He went out of her presence in silence. 

 In the academy’s depths, High Councilor Vane stood in grim silence. His face was laced with dark expression and his heart itched in anger. Behind him was the masked enforcer who knelt before him. 

“Kate failed,” Vane finally spoke, each word echoed with hate venom. “Just like the others.” He turned, and he gazed directly into his eyes. 

“That boy…” he puffed out an heavy breath, “Kai Draven, must be dealt with. The system within him… it’s evolving too fast and I don't seem to understand it. I was ordered to erase him and I must not fail.” He echoed with an harsh glare. 

Vane walked over to a sealed cabinet and he opened it. In it were six vials of soul-poison and  each erupted with malevolent energy. He walked back to him, his eyes towering a glance across his body. 

“This poison,” Vane explained coldly, “will not kill him instantly. It will suppress his system and weaken his ascension.” He winced his eyes. 

The enforcer bowed as Vane handed him the vials. “Mix it slowly into his food. Every portion until his system his completely weakened.”

After those words, Kai's eyes widened with surprise. 

Unseen by the both them, Kai watched from a narrow crack in the chamber wall. He actually followed the compass and it led him to the academy’s subterranean corridors which led him to them. 

He heard every word. His blood boiled within him and clenched his fist.

‘They want to poison me. Disable my system. Strip my future from me… bit by bit. What a cruelty! What did I do to deserve this?’ He frowned angrily. 

Kai backed away quietly while his heart pounded with a mixture of anger and pain. Now he knew who his real enemy was.

Later that day, as Kai walked around the academy, a challenge notification lit up in his system interface…

Kai arched his eyebrows as he listened.

‘Duel invitation!

Opponent Is Mulan. She is a Level 6 combatant. 

She is cousin to Kate 

 All she seeks is a Vengeance for Kate slain in combat.’

Kai’s brows lowered and he grunted with displeasure. ‘I can't accept this duel?’ Kai rejected the request.

This wasn't  because he was afraid but because he understood that her challenge was emotional. Kai doesn't like an action based on emotion.

When Mulan got the rejection message. She was angry. Mulan wasn’t going to let it go.

She found Kai in the open courtyard and stormed toward him.

“You run from a girl now, Kai Draven?” she scoffed. “Or are you too scared your luck’s run out?” She widened her eyes and flexed her muscles.

“I’m not afraid of you, Mulan,” Kai replied calmly. “But I won’t fight you just because you’re hurting.” He expressed in a cold voice.

“That’s rich, coming from a murderer,” she growled. “Kate’s blood is on your hands!” Her fierce voice rang out.

Kai’s jaw clenched and peered into her eyes fiercely. He was silent. Her words stung him not with guilt, but with the pain of being misunderstood.

He turned slowly. “You want a fight? You’ve got one.” He echoed angrily. 

The system pinged instantly.

 

‘New mission alert: Kai must survive the storm

The objective is to endure 40 direct hits from Mulan before landing a counterattack.

Reward: Kai unlocks a reflex Tier +1, Bonus XP, Defensive Skill Fragment.’ The system explained.

Kai blinked at the message. “Forty hits… before I even strike back?” His eyes bulged in awe.

He looked at Mulan who seem very ready- her hand formed fire already swirling around her fists. She was desperate for the battle.

‘This is insane.’he thought. ‘But it’s the only way to grow.’

He stepped forward, bracing himself.