Ascension Protocol: From Trash to Tyrant

Chapter 19: When Shadows Move

The air was thick and razor-sharp with tension in the academic students as Kai faced the huge figure of Karly Ray, the Giant.

All around the battle arena, all eyes were wide and hearts were frozen.

Even Councilor Vane couldn’t hide the bead of sweat trailing down his face. His hands tightened on the edge of his seat.

‘If the giant falls… there’s no stopping Kai anymore.’ His mind echoed and an inch of fear engulfed his heart. He grinded his teeth and he hoped that at the end of the battle, Kai is completely dead.

The battlefield echoed with heavy footsteps as the giant moved forward swiftly with a roar. Kai's eyes fixed on him.  The giant's massive fists swung with heavy and powerful force ready to dissolve him but Kai had already moved so he didn't get hit.

The giant growled in anger after Kai dodged his first hit.  

In a flash of god-tier speed, Kai dodged and he reappeared behind him, and struck a blow to the giant’s core with his glowing palm.

BOOM! The strike was brutal and heavy. On hitting the giant, the ground shook as the giant crashed to his knees and he coughed out blood violently.

Kai didn't stop since this was his chance. He surged forward with a fierce face. His eyes radiant with fury and focus. He delivered a final and blinding strike with a full-force God-Tier Pulse that exploded with white fire around the battle arena.

The giant roared in pain after getting hit intensely, then went silent across the academy. Heart raced as everyone watched what was coming next. 

The great giant eyes dimmed. And his massive body swayed, while his memories flickered in his eyes. ‘My family, my little brother…They always saw me as a failure and a nobody. But today… they’ll know I died with honor. I am not a nobody.’ Just after his thought, with blood dripping from his mouth. The giant smiled faintly before he finally collapsed and died.

The battle arena was silent, there were no cheers but jaws dropping with awe. Many students couldn't believe their eyes. They had thought Kai would meet his demise. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Then the academic student’s voice murmurs rose to the air after they had it gulped down their mind that Kai won. With a deafening roar of reactions rippled through their emotions, excitement throbbed under their belly.

“He won!” One of the students echoed with excitement.

“He actually beat the giant!” Another person said.

“Kai is… unstoppable.” A person echoed in excitement.

Those who bet on Kai to be the winner  whooped with joy and they started claiming their winnings. Others who weren't in favor of Kai were disappointed.

“How can this be?”

“Getting to a God-tier within a day is cheating.”

“He must be some sort of monster to defeat that beast.”

“I hate Kai so much.” 

“I lost the best.” They murmured amongst themselves. 

But Kai was barely standing, because he had been extremely drained. His eyes blurred and he fell to his knees. He then passed out just as the battle announcer declared, “Kai Draven won.” 

Far below the academy arena was the academy forbidden room. Hidden  layers of stone could be seen on the sides. Councilor Vane slammed the heavy iron doors shut as he walked into the room. He fell to his knees in an overwhelming disappointment.

“I failed again, master!” Councilor Vane echoed with disappointment and regret in his voice. His heart pounded slowly hoping to hear from his master. 

A cold, ancient voice echoed through the darkness. “You’ve failed again, Vane.” The voice was thick and brutal. 

From the thick darkness was the shadow of a man who rose to his feet. He was tall and clothed in a robe that glowed with light energy. His face was veiled in a mask as he stepped forward.

This was The Shadow Commander, the secret puppeteer behind Councilor Vane’s rise.

“I warned you about that boy,” the voice growled fiercely. “I feel his core ascending. And you know that if he completes his protocol… I may not be able to suppress it again.” He spoke and moved towards Councilor Vane.

Councilor Vane bowed low and his body was trembling before him. “He… he’s become more than I expected. The system he wields…”

Before he could finish speaking, the Shadow commander interjected, “Shut it down and stop giving excuses,” he growled in anger. “I order you to do the task. Don't use any other person aside yourself!”

The shadowy figure moved around him for a second before he returned to his seat. He extended his arm, a strange and metallic shard floated into Councilor Vane’s hands. The metallic shard was dark and it hummed with ancient energy so powerful that Councilor Vane felt it. 

“This relic predates the academy itself. Use it before you challenge him. And this time, make sure he dies.” His voice lunged fiercely and it echoed throughout the room. 

Councilor Vane stared at the shard and a twisted grin slowly formed on his lips.

“Yes… This time, I’ll be the one to end him.” He echoed within himself with an inch of hate for Kai

Back in the Ironsphire academy’s dormitory, Kai lay unconscious and his body wrapped in glowing runes of healing. Even though he wasn't fully awake. Even though he was still trying to heal.

Suddenly, his system pinged, 

‘A new mission alert, expose Councilor Vane’s corruption.

REWARD: Ascension Tree - Hidden Branch Unlock.’ After the system had spoken in Kai's mind, even in his sleep, Kai’s fingers clenched.

Far above, Councilor Vane stood before the battle arena balcony once again, this time with the relic hidden beneath his cloth. He looked down at the recovering student, Kai who had become his greatest threat. His heart filled his threat and his eyes were a blur of imagination of how Kai fell. 

“Enjoy your rest, Kai Draven,” he whispered with a dark gaze. “Soon, your system will be mine.” His lips curved with a dark smile.