Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 14: The Breaking Point

The evening sunray had settled over Ironsphire Academy. It casted the shadows of the academy students throughout the grand arena. The whispers of students amongst themselves curled in the air. And Kai could audibly hear everything they were saying.

In the middle of the ring was Kai Draven as he  could barely stand on the ground without his veins popping out.

His skin was pale and his limbs felt like lead. His heartbeat thudded in his ears slowly and he could only hope to survive the war before him.

In a distance from him stood Drake. A tall and composed man with radiating raw power as he fixed his eyes on Kai. He was a warlord-class combatant, but something in his eyes narrowed as he looked at Kai.

“You’re not alright,” Drake said with a low voice. “You shouldn’t be here.” He echoed while he watched how weak Kai was.

Kai gave a weak smile. “I don’t get to decide that.” He echoed with his heart ready to face Drake.

The audience murmured. Even the students noticed something was wrong. Kai looked nothing like the champion who had crushed Mulan, Kate, and Varyn. His presence felt broken and they wondered what could be the problem.

However,  the match began. But since Kai had been a winner of several battles, Drake didn’t hesitate. He attacks with speed and he strikes precisely. He expected Kai to dodge and guide like he always did but Kai couldn’t keep up.

This time around, he was knocked back and then slammed into the ground with a deafening thud. The students in the arena roared as their eyes widened with shock. Kai fell face-first in the dirt.

A few moments later, the academy students' laughter erupted.

“He’s a fraud,” one student shouted.

“I guess his system ran out of luck,” another sneered with obvious disgust for Kai.

But not everyone was cheering. Xira gripped the railings and her eyes bulged with shock, ‘What’s happening to him?’ She echoed within herself.

Darius, the stoic one, muttered, “Something’s not right. That’s not how Kai fights.” He gutted with a spark of concern.

Kai was defeated by Drake who also seemed to wonder what was the problem.

As the crowd laughed at him, Kai staggered out of the fighting arena. When Kai got back to his dormitory, Xira and Darius came to challenge him.

“What's the matter with you, Kai? That's not how you fight?” Xira spoke aloud with a fierce voice. Her eyes were laced with desperation to know what was happening.

“You seem pale and weak. What's happening?” Darius asked with a narrowed gaze. He hadn't seen Kai so weak before.

“I’m fine.” Kai forced that word out of his lips and when they wanted to say something further, he cut in… “I am not interested in this conversation. Kindly leave!” He echoed harshly.

They knew he was lying but they left just as he demanded.

In the deep, secret chambers that was beneath Ironsphire, Councilor Vane was delighted about the outcome of the battle.  His poison had worked. ‘Kai was crumbling just as planned.’ He echoed half-excitedly.

‘It is time to get rid of his system permanently.’ Councillor Vane echoed cruelly.

Drake, who was unaware of the true game, was captured by masked enforcers and he was dragged to Vane’s chamber. There, Councilor Vane had further plans.

"Eliminate Kai Draven," Vane said coldly with a dark glare, "and rise as Master of the Academy. I’ll also grant you a Level 8 Combat Rune and full council backing." Councilor Vane let out that enticing offer.

Drake hesitated at first, but he got greedy. He had aspired for the position promised by Councillor Vane a long time ago. Since he had already defeated Kai once, he felt it would be an easy feat

‘I accept.’ He accepted with a dark smile hovering over his face. He couldn't stop imagining about the position he had always dreamt of.

The next day, a booming announcement echoed from councilor Vane.

Kai jolted awake as Councilor Vane passed the announcement.

“By decree of the High Council, Kai Draven will face Drake in a sanctioned death match by sundown.” He echoed as his voice was laced with hidden intention to destroy Kai.

The students buzzed with mocking laughter. Rumors flew like wildfire across the academy.

“He won’t survive this.” One the students said.

“Kai should just run.” Another echoed

“He’s a dead man.”

Kai heard them all and hissed inaudibly. He wasn't affected by their comments but what truly weakened him  was the poison and the voice of the system he chose to obey.

He ate it again that morning. And he also ate it again at noon. Kai's spirit was broken and he could feel his core shattering.

It was evening and the sun was setting with  blood-red in the sky. Kai walked into the arena once more.

The academy students wouldn't stop murmuring about the battle.

“He should just quit at this point. Kai is definitely going to die.” One of them echoed aloud.

Drake on the other hand was already waiting. His presence was like a looming storm.

“Sorry,” Drake said quietly. “I liked you. But this is the path I’ve chosen.” He echoed within himself.  Then he moved in action and struck Kai fiercely.

Kai was flung across the arena.

Blow after blow, Kai couldn't stand anymore. He crawled on the ground, barely able to lift his head. His vision was failing as the poison in his veins weakened him more with his intense blood flow.

To end Kai, Drake summoned a devastating rune blast and Boom! It hit Kai in the most fierce way.

And Kai’s system went silent - shutting down in dismissal.

A hush fell over the arena and everyone was in a tense point.

Councilor Vane leaned forward and a cruel grin spread across his face. ‘This is way easier than I thought.’ He echoed within himself.

But then, the system suddenly echoed,

‘System Alert!

Mission Complete: Poison tolerance reached.

Unlocking Hidden Trait: Immortality Skill Tree

Level 1: Rebirth Flame Activated.’ After the echo, Kai’s eyes snapped open with a glow.

His body convulsed and then he vomited all the poisons he had been eating right onto the arena floor.

A powerful golden aura enveloped him. His wounds healed at once and his heartbeat raised against his chest in a slow pattern. His presence which was once dimmed by the poison was back.

The crowd gasped in shock.  “What's happening?” Drake echoed aloud in fear as he took a cautionary step back.

Kai jerked to his feet and he fixed his gaze on Drake, "Now… it's my turn to strike.” Kai echoed in a voice a little above a whisper.